Development Woods at Westfield would add 500 homes to Grand Bay-Westfield

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BRUCE BARTLETT
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD - The River Valley Chamber of Commerce has come out in support of the proposed 500-home subdivision, Woods at Westfield, which is undergoing an environmental impact assessment.

"This proposed development addresses all three of the priorities that were identified in the 2006 chamber's strategic plan to stimulate economic development in Grand Bay-Westfield," Wayne Ganong, president of the chamber, wrote in a letter to town council.

The three priorities are to encourage the private sector to build various types of residences, to stimulate a healthy development climate with productive dialogue among residents and all levels of government, and to identify and develop new commercial land.

By encouraging the community to grow it will increase the tax base so current and enhanced services can be provided to residents without significant increases in the tax rate, Ganong wrote.

"Our local businesses will also benefit from a resulting increased population," he wrote.

The chamber, which represents 75 businesses in the area, says its support for the project is contingent on it receiving all the necessary approvals from the provincial and municipal levels of government.

The Woods at Westfield subdivision is being proposed by developer Daryl Dibblee for land at exit 80 on Highway 7 across from Highway 102 that follows the St. John River north to Gagetown.

Residents downhill from the site are worried that 500 new homes using well water will interfere with the water supply for the existing homes.

Digging test wells to measure water flow is part of the environmental impact assessment.