suffered further delay after it was realised permission had not been granted for its unorthodox building technique.

Bermuda Housing Corporation finally got planning permission for the project at Stevens Circle in late October after delays while asbestos was cleared and planning permission sought.

Work started in early December according to planning officials but stopped days later after it was realised permission had been granted to build with ordinary methods rather than the 3-D block method planned by builder Arthur Pitcher.

However, as long ago as April 2000 Mr. Pitcher had boasted the 20-unit block would be built with the new-style building methods which involved spraying a concrete mix over a styrofoam core held by wire mesh.

At the time he told The Royal Gazette : "I have been in this business for more than 20 years and it's better than conventional buildings.'' But despite this, planning permission was granted for ordinary-style building methods.

Builders Coleron Construction then had to apply for a plan revision on December 11 which halted work until March 1 according to planners.

During that time a new Building Materials Committee had to be selected and then pass judgment on the new-style building method.

Bermuda Housing Corporation, who commissioned the project, now estimates the project for 20 families will not be completed until the end of August at the earliest, although builder Arthur Pitcher said seven families could be housed by late May.

Those involved in the project gave differing views about when work started.

Mr. Pitcher said it had started in December while Bermuda Housing Corporation general manager Raymonde Dill said work had started on February 26.

Architect Michael Emery of Entasis Architecture denied work had stopped for a three-and-a-half month period as stated by the Planning Department.

He said foundation and structural work had continued while they waited for permission to use the 3-D wall slabs.

But he admitted: "If we had permission we would have been able to do it quicker. You would have probably seen the structure up a little quicker.'' Homes project setback He blamed the Planning Department for the delay and claimed the building technique had been used years before at homes in Smith's and Warwick.

He said: "Everyone thought it had gone through the process. Then when the building permit drawings were submitted we found this system had never been approved.'' When asked why there was a delay in starting work, Mr. Dill reacted angrily.

He said: "The contract was not signed.

"Have you ever done construction in this country? I don't have time to teach you.'' Mr. Dill was asked why he wasn't able to explain to the public the cause for the delays. "I am not a public spokesman I am the general manager and my job is to build housing for Bermudians.'' Mr. Dill explained there had been a three-week delay because of the "b******t'' the paper had printed.

Asked further about the delays Mr. Dill complained about the way the question had been phrased, but also refused to answer how he wanted the question put.

He also declined to answer faxed questions about the matter when he had calmed down. Mr. Pitcher said his team were working flat out on the project to be completed.

Mr. Pitcher was hit with a stop order in October last year when planners discovered he was using prefabricated building methods at house in Warwick being built for Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown, even though plans had specified traditional Bermudian methods.