LPAT MEETING THIS MORNING IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

The LPAT (Local Planning Area Tribunal) pre-hearing continues this morning at 10 am. in Woolwich Council Chambers. The last meeting was on July 11/19 and certain omissions of notice were admitted to by the Woolwich Township lawyer. Hence the need for another pre-hearing. That at least was my understanding as today may identify either more parties or more participants. There is a write up here in the Advocate for the last meeting (July 11) that can be accessed through the Archives on the right side of the page.

The overall reason for the hearing is Preston Sand & Gravel's (PSG) wish to get a decision from Woolwich as to whether or not they will remove their holding provision on the Jigs Hollow Gravel Pit just outside Winterbourne and between Winterbourne and Conestogo. The holding provision states that Preston Sand & Gravel may not excavate below the water table on this site beside the Grand River. Many years ago local citizens advised everybody that the proposed pit should not be approved because there was not enough gravel above the water table for the pit to be economically viable. Lo and behold a few short years later and PSG are back requesting to be allowed to go below the water table because the pit otherwise is not economically viable. This is the kind of horse.... that citizens face constantly when dealing with gravel companies, OMB in the past, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) etc.