Builders have raised concerns about a possible moratorium on 'non-traditional' construction methods by Government.

Labour Minister David Burch announced the measure as a means of keeping Bermudians employed during the economic downturn.

But yesterday Alex DeCouto, president of the Construction Association of Bermuda, said Government should be encouraging investment in all construction to offset job losses during a recession, and that to place restrictions on certain methods would hinder full employment.

And he said the concern was not what buildings were made out of but whether they will be built at all.

Senator Burch told a press conference earlier this month: "Another measure employed by the Ministry (of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing) to help keep Bermudians employed is the policy adopted by the Bermuda Housing Corporation that their building projects (houses) will use the traditional block and mortar method.

"Non-traditional building methods call for a high level of foreign construction personnel who are familiar with this method. So during this period all BHC projects will employ the traditional building methods. This building method is well known to Bermudian builders and will help to provide jobs for Bermudians."

Sen. Burch said: "I have reached out to my Ministerial colleague the Hon. Glenn Blakeney, the Minister of the Environment and Sports, who has responsibility for the Department of Planning and asked him to place a moratorium on construction projects that use non-traditional building methods.

"I am happy to say that he has agreed and we will soon share this news with the wider community."

But Mr. DeCouto told The Royal Gazette: "How do you define 'non-traditional'? We've been building with steel, for example, for 50 years.

"The inclination is to assume that we are talking about block and mortar construction when we say 'traditional', but it's not like there is a big shift away from block construction. It is still the predominant building method. In fact, masons are historically the trade category with the most work permit holders.

"If we are talking about alternative 'materials', then there already exists an 'alternative materials review committee' at Planning that is the authority on proposed materials for building products.

"If we are talking about 'methods' then I think this falls outside of Planning or Building Control's remit. If a company comes up with a better way to erect steel, lay a block, or form concrete, there's not much anyone can do about it.

"Any spending on construction on the Island results in additional jobs, regardless of the 'type' of construction. I would agree that we should be encouraging construction spending without putting unnecessary limitations on design or method, other than those that are already in place via the Planning Department, which are rigorous and reflect Bermudian building techniques and requirements."

Mr. DeCouto said: "To reiterate, there does not appear to be a shift away from traditional techniques in construction methods. We don't have to worry about whether they will be built out of plastic, glass, steel or concrete, we have to worry about whether they will be built at all.

"Government should be focused on creating a business environment that is conducive to investment in capital projects or do the investing themselves, so that the construction industry can keep busy.

"Approximately 4,000 workers, some 3,000 of them Bermudian, and over 700 Bermudian business owners in the industry will depend on that."

Mr. DeCouto added: "Who's going to make the decision that the local builder forming a suspended slab for a house he's building can't do it because it's 'non traditional'?

"Every site has its particulars that warrant different forms of construction steel in high rises vs block in residential for example, and I don't think we can or should start telling landowners how to construct their buildings, other than the rules and regulations which are already in place."

The Royal Gazette has asked Government to clarify whether it is to impose a moratorium on 'non-traditional' construction methods for all public, commercial and domestic Planning applications, or just Government projects. We have also asked when this will be introduced and for how long.

We also asked Government to comment on the view of some builders that the 'traditional' Bermudian construction method (block and mortar) could lead to more time and expense.

We received no response by the time of going to press last night.

One letter writer to this newspaper has claimed using block and mortar rather than methods such as poured or prefabricated concrete would be more expensive and inefficient.

In a letter to The Royal Gazette on Thursday, 'Bob the Builder' wrote: "By creating barriers through the curtailing of work permits and the withdrawal from consideration for alternative building construction technologies, the Bermuda Government is effectively discouraging growth in the economy by the private sector."

He said: "The focus on traditional building methods perpetuates the current environment and makes it worse.... Ask the potential home owner if they would like to be able to buy a home for $500,000 instead of $900,000; the answer is obvious.... Allow alternative construction methodologies to create affordable housing for the people."