Brooke-Alvinston council has approved the rezoning of 12 acres of farmland in Alvinston which will pave the way for 69 new housing units. And not everyone is excited with the news.

Steve and Deb Durham of Norwich purchased the land and plan to build 19 single family homes, 30 semi detached homes and 20 townhouses in the Broadway/Lisgar area. 

It would be the largest housing development in Alvinston in decades. The last large development would have been on Broadway when about 20 homes were built.

Lambton planners voiced some concerns, including the entrance to the subdivision would be very close to the neighbours’ homes, but said those issues could be resolved as the Durhams submit a plan of subdivision.

But some neighbours were not pleased with the concept. Several, including Susan Upshall, wrote letters. Upshall who lives beside the proposed entrance says the development will “transform a quiet, naturalized pretty spot into a barren, busy thoroughfare – precisely the urbanization and commotion I moved to Alvinston to avoid.”

Mayor Dave Ferguson says the land was always zoned for homes, but the rezoning will allow a higher density. He added the lots will still be relatively large.

It’s not clear when construction would begin.