A local developer was in talks with the Ontario Historical Society about buying a large chunk of the Sir Frederick Banting homestead in Alliston

The Herald has learned that Mattamy Homes approached the historical society early this year about buying the land. Mattamy is currently constructing a subdivision adjacent to the property on the 2nd Line of Essa, just north of Alliston.

The news is just the latest twist in the controversy surrounding the home and property where Sir Frederick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin, was born and spent his early years.

Randy Pettigrew, with Mattamy Homes, said the company approached the OHS with the intent of possibly buying some or all of the 100 acres in question.

"There is some potential to acquire some of the property or all of the property with the condition the Banting homestead would be kept in place," Pettigrew said. "We saw the Banting homestead as something that is so incredibly unique to New Tecumseth and Ontario and so significant whatever ended up happening, the homestead would have to stay as is."

Despite the interest shown by Mattamy, Pettigrew said it appears the OHS isn't interested.

The homestead is now in the middle of a larger controversy, with one of Banting's descendants saying the historic house is in danger of falling to pieces -- literally -- if something isn't done to save it.

That's the message from Bob Banting, a great-nephew of Sir Frederick Banting. "We all fear that this important part of Canadian history will now be lost," Banting said.

Banting, New Tecumseth and local politicians are in a tussle with the OHS over the fate of the 100-acre homestead.

The home was turned over to the OHS in 1999, after the death of another descendent, Edward Banting, the last Banting to actually farm the property.

The home is now unoccupied but the OHS does get some income from it off local farmer who works the land.

Critics say the property has fallen into disrepair with holes in the roof of the house. The state of the homestead is in great contrast to the house in London, Ontario where Banting later lived. That home has been turned into a museum and historic site.

However, according to Pat Neal, executive director for the OHS, the society has kept the property in shape.

"Since we received this bequest in 1999, we've spent a significant amount of money in the upkeep of the property," she said.

New Tecumseth Mayor Mike MacEachern said he is extremely disappointed at the direction talks between the town and the OHS have taken in the last few weeks.

He said it was former mayor Larry Keogh and his council that first approached the OHS about having the town take over the property because of its poor condition.

"They were moving to get the homestead under control of the town since it was falling apart. Someone needed to step in," he said.

However, in ensuing discussions, MacEachern said the board of the OHS demanded a "significant amount of money" for the property.

MacEachern did some research on real estate prices and said the OHS board's offer "wasn't even close" to what the property was worth. When council asked the board to give the town the property so it could be properly looked after, MacEachern said the board's position was that it didn't make "fiscal sense" to just hand it over.

He said the town then countered with an offer to have 70 acres transferred to the town for $2, with the other 30 acres remaining under control of the OHS. A condition of the sale would have seen the town use the property to educate the public about the historic significance of the land and the work of Sir Frederick Banting. The town would also reserve the right of first refusal should the OHS want to sell the 30 acres.

"They accepted it," he said.

When council went public with the deal in open session, the OHS sent a letter saying it was 'not prepared to accept the terms that the town has proposed and has reached the decision that it will pursue other options to address the matter of property ownership.'

"We were shocked," MacEachern said. "We thought we were at the point of signing something."

According to Patricia Neal, executive director of the OHS, there was no agreement in place.

"We did not have a deal with the town," she said. "We had a number of discussions about the property, but no decisions were made. We've made no decisions about the future of the property."

Bob Banting said the actions of the OHS are a slap in the face to the man who donated the homestead -- Edward Banting.

"This story is all about trust. Edward trusted the OHS to do the right thing to preserve this important piece of international history," he said. "But it is clear that the OHS has a different agenda."

The issue has been taken up by local politicians. Both Helena Guergis, MP for Simcoe-Grey and her provincial counterpart Jim Wilson have expressed concern about the future of the property. "I am very concerned with the state of disrepair of Sir Frederick Banting's homestead. This building serves as a memorable chapter is Canadian history," said Guergis.

New Tecumseth has sent an open letter to the OHS board, asking to speak at its Nov. 6 meeting in Ameliasburgh, near Kingston.