Developer finalizing purchase of land next to Arnprior's Gillies Grove forest

Residents in Arnprior are concerned a new housing development could be the beginning of the end for a cherished old growth forest.

Cavanagh Communities has announced it is finalizing the purchase of 20 acres of land next to the Gillies Grove forest in Arnprior to build a new neighbourhood.

"We're not planning any medium or high rise, or anything like that," Pierre Dufresne, senior vice president of Cavanagh Communities told CTV News.

"(It will be) a ground-oriented community, similar to the community fabric of the existing neighborhood."

The sale of land has been under heavy scrutiny by the community group, Save The Grove Again, which aims to protect the sanctity of the forest, dedicated as a national historic site.

"They don't understand this land at all," claims Lacey Smith, head of the Save The Grove Again group.

"They don't understand the biodiversity of this land. There's nothing vacant about any of the land that they're about to purchase. It's very vibrant with life."

The group says it is "profoundly disappointed" by Cavanagh's decision to proceed with its plans, with concerns that the threat of future development would "significantly harm the integrity of this cherished natural site."

A major worry for residents in this process is that future development will encroach and disturb Gillies Grove.

Dufresne says Cavanagh has heard the concerns of local residents, and is taking them seriously.

"We're going to design this subdivision to respect and be complementary to the Grove. So, we're not going to jam anything right up to it. We're not going to propose to excavate or do any excavation immediately adjacent to it."

A photo showing a map of a proposed land sale. (Save Gillies Grove Again Committee/ handout)

Dufresne adds that given concerns, a larger than average buffer zone will be given as to not impede on the forest.

"There will likely be greater separation distances between the house and property line with the Grove, than would typically be found in an urban lotting fabric."

"I don't have trust in the statement that they will protect the old growth forest," says Smith.

"We've had citizens come to us and share quite a few environmental convictions that this company has received."

Cavanagh Communities says final plans have not yet been developed, but that public consultations will take place with residents to ensure that "the Grove natural heritage areas will be preserved and protected for future generations to enjoy."

The Town of Arnprior also says it has not received any plans from Cavanagh at this time.

"I don't think anybody would tell you that they would rather see houses instead of green space," said Arnprior Mayor Lisa McGee.

"There's also a recognition of the fact that we need to grow. We're directed that we need to grow by the province."

McGee adds that such growth and expansion in the town is also being dictated by the province, which has asked municipalities to identify developable land.

Cavanagh says of the 20 acres being purchased for an undisclosed fee, between 17 to 18 acres is developable, but there are not plans for construction to start for the next three to five years.

In September, the Arnprior Regional Hospital revealed that it too had submitted an offer in March to purchase 15-acres of the property from the Galilee Centre to future hospital expansion.

The letter from hospital board chair Oliver Jacob says the hospital received limited communication from the Galilee Centre and was surprised to learn in an online letter published July 6 that the land had been sold to Cavanagh Communities.

Residents say despite Cavanagh's advancements, they will continue to fight for the forest.

"Our feelings haven't changed," says Smith. "We're still focused on our goal, which is to protect this old growth forest from any development."