Aberfoyle gravel pit expansion 'not in the public interest' says council

Local Journalism Initiative
·1 min read

ABERFOYLE – Puslinch township has shared "significant concerns" about a local gravel pit operator's application to expand on Concession 1.

According to a new letter addressed to the Aggregates division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in this week's council agenda, the township objects to the expansion proposed for the Aberfoyle South Pit on Concession 1 because it doesn't constitute good planning and isn't in the public interest.

Listing several concerns, the letter said the application fails to consider the pit's potential impact on the natural environment, adjacent agricultural operations and nearby residents, the suitability of the final rehabilitation plans for the site or the possible effects on ground and surface water.

The township also said it hasn't had sufficient time to fully analyze and assess the potential effects of the aggregate pit as proposed and intends to provide coordinated technical comments on the proposal.

The County of Wellington Official Plan designation and township zoning for the subject lands currently don't permit aggregate extraction.

In addition to its concerns, the township received several complaints regarding the application after the applicant initiated the consultation and notification process "well in advance" of county and township policy.

The applicant, CBM Aggregates, a division of St. Marys Cement Inc. currently operates over 60 gravel pits and quarries in Ontario

A virtual public information session on the Aggregate Resources Act application for the Aberfoyle South Pit Expansion will be held on May 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.

Isabel Buckmaster, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, GuelphToday.com

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