Newtonville residents have been campaigning against a project that is to be built on what they describe as greenbelt land.
Residents of the area say they paid a premium for the view to their developer (who also owns the adjacent land) on the promise it would be left as a greenbelt.
Now, the Municipality of Clarington has received a proposal on behalf of the developer to build a community of a dozen detached homes and a road on the land.
“The property where the new subdivision is proposed has not been sold – the same developer that charged us lot premiums for backing onto greenbelt land has now decided he wants to build back there,” said Jill Turcotte, a resident and spokesperson for the residents’ group.
“In my sales agreement when I purchased the house, both [developer] and myself initialled a site plan that indicates the land behind our houses is greenbelt area,” she pointed out.
She said the owner of the development firm has passed on, and his son now wants to build on the land.
“I have done a great deal of research and believe that the municipality is approving the rezoning of environmentally-protected and agricultural land for the purpose of building houses to meet a quota set out by the Ford Government’s housing legislation,” said Turcotte referring to Bill 23 (Build More Homes Faster Act 2022).
The Municipality of Clarington said Clark Consulting Services, on behalf of 1044960 Ontario Ltd., has submitted Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to permit the development of 12 single-detached dwellings and a new public road at the south end of George Burley Street in Newtonville.
The applications have been deemed complete.
The municipality is now seeking public comments before making a decision on the application. It has asked those interested to join online or in-person to learn more about the proposed development and share feedback. The meeting will be held on March 6 at 6:30 pm at Council Chambers in the Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville.
Information and materials submitted in support of this application are identified and/or available for viewing at www.clarington.net/GeorgeBurley or the Municipal Administrative Centre.
