END IS NIGH FOR FOREST IN BEDFORD SOUTH

Michael Hanusiak and Kevin Neatt of Clayton Developments Limited.

In a sense, it’s the final piece of the puzzle, but fitting it into place will not come without sacrifice.

Clayton Developments will soon be forging ahead with the final phase of its Bedford South development on a 250-acre stretch of forest bordered by Highway 102, Oceanview Dr. and the Ravines subdivision.

The Bedford Beacon met up with Clayton officials at the company’s Clayton Park headquarters on Wednesday to discuss its development plans.

Also in attendance were Tamara Lorincz of the Nova Scotia Environmental Network  (NSEN), Janet Barlow from the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) and Bob McDonald from Halifax North West Trails Association.

Clayton’s master plan, which received municipal approval several years ago, features a combination of homes, apartment buildings, seniors residences, a high school and a large commercial centre.

The commercial centre, which will span about 50 acres, will include offices, retail plazas, a grocery store and perhaps a large department store such as a Canadian Tire, according to Clayton GM Micheal Hanusiak.

“This is a typical Park West Centre,” said  Hanusiak, comparing it to the retail plaza at the corner of Lacewood and Dunbrack in Clayton Park.

Based on maps of the master plan, it appears as though a significant amount of the commercial centre will be set aside for parking. In total, the centre will accommodate upwards of 2,500 people at any given time.

As for the residential area, there could be upwards of 3,000 people moving into new homes and apartment buildings in the area.

To accommodate the influx of new residents, as well as to ease bottleneck issues on the Bedford Highway created by recent residential developments, a highway interchange will be constructed adjacent to the site of the proposed commercial centre.

The interchange will be built by the province and paid for, in part, by the developer.

Clayton Developments says it has consulted at length with municipal officials and area residents on key hot button issues such as public transit, parks, nature trails and pedestrian traffic.

The company feels strongly that the final phase of Bedford South will be both environmentally friendly and people friendly, and will not be bound to the old fossil-fuel, suburban model.

While that is commendable, the fact remains that another a large chunk of forested wildlife habitat is going to be lost forever. The area that will be developed features spectacular trees, mammals, birds, wetlands and other ecologically sensitive vegetation.

Losing this piece of nature is a huge sacrifice to make in name of progress.