More development delays for Diercks

He has waited fifteen years, and it seems developer George Diercks will be in a holding pattern in the near future. The developer says his plan to build a five hundred unit resort in the Greenwich area is at least one year behind his latest schedule.

It is because of an appeal from two environmental groups. The Canadian Nature Federation and Earth Action are challenging the P.E.I. government's right to grant preliminary approval to the project.

They're worried about the development's impact on the neighbouring national park.

Diercks started plans on his development in the late 1980's. Back then, he owned land wich included a sensitive dune system. After protests over potential damage to the dunes, he swapped his original piece of land for another in the community.

The original property became part of P.E.I. National Park.

It looked like things would move ahead in the spring when Diercks received preliminary approval from the Island government. He started lining up the financing and began working to satisfy nine conditions set out by the government.

Then, the two activist groups filed papers with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, the body which regulates devleopment in P.E.I.

##image1##"The people that are against me or have questions on the project should have been with us for the last two years," says a frustrated Diercks.

Diercks has put further engineering or architectural work until the IRAC appeal is resolved. He is also working to finish the plant and wildlife surveys which are part of the nine conditions for development.

Diercks says he is also trying to keep his investors from walking away. "I wouldn't expect them to be happy. I mean, they're ready to get going.

The challenge before IRAC includes dates in July and September.