A group of citizens is challenging the decision of Grey Highlands’ Council to sell the Municipally-owned lands in the Beaver Valley to Westway Capital. In a recorded vote, Council unanimously approved a bylaw authorizing the sale at their February 2nd Council meeting.
A website called ProtectTalisman.ca says the sale was made despite the overwhelming community opposition. The group hopes to preserve the land through the courts, and on February 9th the Ontario Superior Court will hear an emergency motion to reverse the by-law.
The group says the 75-acre golf course portion sold for $1 million and the 59-acre upper agricultural lands sold for $1.5 million. Protecttalisman says that is well below market value. The middle portion, with the resort, is in private hands and is undergoing reasonable redevelopment.
The group also says the Municipality has made no effort to protect farmland at the top of the hill or public access for the Bruce Trail and snowmobiles nor ensure affordable housing - condos and mansions rather than farming and hiking.