A portion of the specoial planning area around Sandy Lake, in West Bedford….. at left is Hammonds Plains Road, seen Friday May 16, 2025. Photo by TIM KROCHAK /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentConcerns are rising over the large-scale housing project proposed near Sandy Lake in Bedford as questions mount about whether the province can support growth on that scale.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe plan includes 8,000 homes to be built on land bordering Sandy Lake. Residents and opposition politicians say the project highlights how housing growth is outpacing the systems needed to support it as the area requires extensive infrastructure before housing can be built.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentResidents shared concerns about the development at a recent open house, warning it could cause environmental damage, increase traffic and have other negative effects on the community, especially if it moves forward too fast.Article contentHousing Minister John White said the development reflects the government’s goal of accelerating the housing supply through special planning areas.Article content“I think what you’re seeing with the Sandy Lake special planning area is exactly what government wanted to do, increasing housing stock,” he said following a cabinet meeting Thursday.Article contentHRM is responsible for the detailed project planning but, White said, “Ultimately, the final plan is mine as minister to approve.”Article contentWhen asked about funding for the project, White said the plans are still in the works, leaving it unclear as to how much of the financial burden for the project would be on the province.Article contentArticle content“The provincial government is working quite closely with the federal government on the Build Canada Homes project,” White said. “And there is money there, but to say what’s there right now, I can’t comment on that today. But I’m excited with what’s in the budget.”Article contentIn relation to the lack of clear infrastructure commitments, critics raised issues about traffic congestion getting worse surrounding the development. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley acknowledged that transportation capacity in the area is already stretched thin.Article content“Traffic congestion is a big issue in HRM and the Hammonds Plains area,” he said. “We were looking at development that’s happening out there and it’s pretty significant.”Article contentTilley said developers and governments need to make sure infrastructure is addressed “either before the development or during the development.” He added that roads closer to Sandy Lake are managed by the municipality, not the province.
Infrastructure gaps raise opposition alarms over Sandy Lake’s ‘special area’ housing plan
