by Trey Boivin

Land Use Planning Manager Dwayne Campbell joined council this week where he gave a verbal update on Northumberland’s proposed Natural Heritage System plan and the choices council has moving forward.

The council can either approve or turn down the amendment to the plan that was made after public input. The details of the amendment will be revealed in a few months’ time, says Campbell.

There are still concerns from council and residents that the system will take away land from property owners that have already been bought and paid for.

Mayor of Alnwick/Haldimand Gail Latchford raised her concern about the assets of those who own land that is being considered as part of the Natural Heritage System.

“I think the biggest problem for many people in the rural area is that they’ve looked after their land for years and years but they’re also worried about their assets and how this will affect them, their asset in that land, the values and the resell values. The bottom line is still financial and We need to reassure them that what’s being done here is not only the right thing, but the right thing for them,” she says

In response, Campbell agrees and reassures that the plan is still a work in progress and can still be drafted accordingly to the needs of Northumberland residents. He emphasizes that land that falls under this system isn’t prohibited from being developed and lived upon. There will still be a requirement for landowners and developers to demonstrate that their proposed developments will have no negative impact when in a Natural Heritage piece, he says.

He goes on to say that any substantial official changes will be years away because it’s only in the planning phase.

He also says that they haven’t heard anything official from the provincial government.

“We still haven’t heard or received any input from the province on our draft mapping and policies. That’s typical of the process, it’s been circulated, it’s in review and we’re waiting for that detail and formal response,” he says.