Heather Wright/The Independent

Wanstead residents will have a say as the Ontario Land Tribunal looks at a plan to build an agricultural transport truck wash station next to their homes.

Cornerstone Developments owns two properties on either side of Leyton Street. They are slated to hold a washing station and a drying facility for trailers which haul animals. The site also includes a closed-loop wash water treatment system which received approval through the Environmental Compliance Approvals branch of the Ministry of the Environment in 2021. 

Neighbours worry the company, which received funding from the federal government to clean up bio security issues in the region, will use the truck-washing facility when combating problems such as Avian Flu. They’re concerned water wells will be affected.

After years of trying to get approval for the project from the Town of Plympton-Wyoming, Owner Patrick Belanger filed an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal charging town council had failed to make a decision in 120 days allotted for the process under the Ontario Planning Act.

Feb. 19, lawyers for Belanger, the Plympton-Wyoming and the neighbours met with OLT officials to set out the groundwork for what is expected to be a three-week hearing.

According to documents from the OLT, the neighbours had formed a group and asked for standing at the hearing. Belanger’s lawyers opposed the move saying under the tribunals rules, the group couldn’t receive status.

Jess Jessome, one of the more vocal neighbours, then applied for status to ask questions and present the neighbours view point. Belanger’s lawyers again opposed the move saying the town represents the public and allowing Jessome standing would add to the length and cost of the hearing.

The tribunal disagreed, giving Jessome party status to ask questions and present arguments during the hearing without any restrictions.

The hearing on the application will begin April 12.