The Corporation of Hamilton has denied being callous about the housing crisis after buying a piece of land to store soil and plants which a developer wanted for low cost starter homes.

The row emerged after developer Khalid Wasi and a trust approached St. Paul?s AME Church about the land on Parson?s Road on which they wanted to build 20 two-bedroom units selling for between $350,000 and $400,000.

Mr. Wasi said the church agreed to sell, but he then found out the church has been in long-term negotiations with the corporation.

He said the trust offered to pay what the church wanted, but St. Paul?s agreed to sell to the corporation because it had been in long-standing talks with it.

The corporation is planning to use the arable land ? which can also be used for housing ? as an over-spill site to store soil and grow plants.

Mr. Wasi said he then enlisted Housing Minister Ashfield DeVent to see if the corporation would agree to the trust buying it for affordable housing, with the corporation getting Government land at Pembroke Marsh as an alternative.

But, according to Mr. Wasi, despite three letters seeking a meeting since last month, the corporation hasn?t even responded in writing.

Mr. Wasi told yesterday: ?The corporation is using tax-payers? money on an avoidable expense by buying land zoned for housing.

?They are doing this at a time when, in Bermuda right now, land is not expendable, it is a precious commodity.

?To purchase residential one land for a plant nursery and storage for soil and then not even wish to discuss it, is the essence of arrogance.

?Minister DeVent and (Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary) Derek Binns agreed ours was a good idea and they agreed they would assist us as long as it was not a high end speculative venture and we would work with Bermuda Housing Corporation to provide homes for first time home owners.

?Mr. DeVent?s office has spoken to Mayor Lawson Mapp and Alderman Reginald Minors and they?ve been told its in the hands of their building committee.

?We?ve only had a verbal response, but as far as they are concerned it is a done deal and they are not interested in talking to anyone.?

But Mayor Mapp insisted yesterday that the corporation had negotiated in good faith with St. Paul?s, and it would not be good practice to renegotiate after the sale was completed.

?There is no way that we are not concerned about housing for those who have difficulty finding affordable housing,? said Mr. Mapp yesterday.

?There are many sites that Government could use for housing for such people.

?The AME church can sell it to whomever they want to.

? There is no way that we are not sympathetic to finding land for housing, but a deal is a deal.

?We were approached by the AME church about whether would like to buy the property as they needed money for a scholarship fund.

?We were in negotiations and purchased the property then Mr. Wasi comes along and says ?you folks have bought the property but can we negotiate with you after you?ve bought the property?. There is a bit if sour grapes here.?

Mr. DeVent did not respond to calls for comment yesterday.