The man behind the plan to build 196 homes at Marginal Wharf, St. David's, is fast gaining a reputation for not paying contractors, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

This paper spoke to three contractors who have provided supplies or building work for Clifford Schorer at the Wyndham Bermuda Resort and Spa had all suffered from late payments.

Mr. Schorer is heading the Bermuda Homes for People project which is due to start next year.

One supplier has cut the hotel off after being promised cash which never came through while its understood at least one building contractor is suing over missing payments from refurbishment work done after Hurricane Fabian hit.

One contractor told The Royal Gazette: "There are probably 12 contractors who haven't been paid, what's happening is he's given them money in little dribs and drabs."

Another, who is owed several thousand dollars, said: "This guy wants to build all these houses but he still has to pay the bill for the Sonesta."

He said the debt Mr. Schorer owed him had been tens of thousands of dollars while various excuses had been made. "It's Mickey Mouse," he said.

However last night Mr. Schorer said there had only been payment problems with "one or two" contractors which he blamed on incomplete or unsatisfactory work.

Asked if finance would be a problem in the Bermuda Homes for People project he said: "That is not an issue."

Money for the project will be loaned by local banks with Works and Engineering and Housing Minister saying that no Government money would go into the project.

Asked about money owed to contractors Mr. DeVent said: "That has nothing to do with me."

He said the private sector had a better reputation for completing building projects within budget.

Mr. Schorer said he did not believe there would be much delay to the January 1 deadline to start work, even though a contractor had not yet been selected.

He said: "We are still in the pre-construction stages."