Activists say developer's plans harmful to park

Island environmental activists are upset over an American developer's proposal to build an upscale subdivision close to the National Park in Greenwich.

Last year, the province approved George Diercks's proposal for a golf course and resort adjacent to the park. Now the Long Island, N.Y. developer wants to subdivide land near the site of the future resort into 70 single family lots.

Environmentalists say the buildings do not belong so close to the National park.

"The visitor use in the area is intense, to the extent of about 30,000 visitors per square kilometre. So we do not feel that an additional 70-unit subdivision is appropriate immediately outside what is an extremely fragile habitat," says Mark Johnson of the Canadian Nature Federation.

Diercks argues the development will be built gradually and won't put any undue stress on the National Park.

"This is over a five-year phase-in period with the resort and this subdivision is not going to be all of the sudden 70 new families in there tomorrow. So I don't see it as a big impact," says Diercks.

Diercks will discuss his development plans at an open house Thursday evening at St. Peter's community centre.