A builder now blames the well dispute for delaying his plans for a residential development.

Henderson Planning Group wants to build 1400 single family homes, almost 700 cottages, and 200 town homes on more than 1800 acres just north of county line road in Washington County. Company officials say they have been trying to get a land-use permit from Washington County for nearly four years, but Bay officials fear the project could damage the ground water supply flowing to Bay.

Henderson claims Bay County Commissioners asked him to delay his project until the emergency water well case is resolved.