Sea cucumber project decision being appealed
Argyle municipal council approved development agreement last month; opponents remain concerned
A recent decision by the Municipality of Argyle to approve a development agreement for a sea cucumber pharmaceutical processing facility in the Tusket business park is being appealed with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
The appeal was filed early last week.
Those living near the site of the proposed development say they are concerned about its potential environmental impact.
The developer – Jules LeBlanc, president of Ocean Pride Fisheries in Wedgeport – has said he is confident the Tusket facility would not be a nuisance.
Proponents say much effort has gone into addressing potential issues with the project and the development agreement is strong. An odour problem could result in the operation being shut down.
Opponents, however, say the project is not worth the risk. While they say they are not against business or economic development, they say the project being planned should be in another location.
The Tusket business park is near a residential park that was developed around 2009. There are seven family homes in the residential park. At least one business near the planned project site has expressed concern over how the facility could affect it.
Reached Dec. 12, Gavin Giles, a Halifax-based lawyer representing residents opposed to the project, said the utility and review board will be looking to gather information and determine how to proceed.
“I anticipate that there’s going to be a hearing because most often, when municipalities’ developmental decisions, planning decisions, are challenged, they respond in some way, so I anticipate that there is going to be a hearing. When the hearing would be, I wouldn’t be able to say.”
LeBlanc, the project developer, said he chose the Tusket site for the new facility for several reasons, including the availability of water and sewer services and its proximity to a major highway and the various amenities in the Tusket area.
On Nov. 20, at a special meeting of Argyle municipal council, the project was approved, but by the slimmest of margins. Five council members voted in support of a development agreement for the project and four voted against it.
Despite assurances the project would not cause problems – and the development agreement is solid in this regard – those opposed to it remain concerned they will be negatively affected, hence the decision to go to the utility and review board.