Ottawa developers say lengthy delays and a construction freeze on their proposed Kanata West project has cost them millions.

The massive project — which calls for the construction of new shopping malls, retail stores and thousands of homes — was put on hold while the province conducted a number of studies about potential flooding on the nearby Carp River.

The project was first delayed after the city learned that a plan to alter the flood plain for commercial and residential development was based on flawed flood predictions.

The Ontario Ministry of Environment stepped in and said no new developments could proceed in the area until proper flood projections were in place.

Developers said the delay has cost them between $15 million and $20 million, but Kanata West project manager Mike Green said he thinks the province will give the green light soon.

”Hopefully early next year, we’ll have all our ducks in a row and we can proceed,” said Green.

Engineer calls for better studies

Ted Cooper, a city engineer who raised concerns about whether the Carp River can handle the rain runoff new subdivisions would generate, said he hopes provincial officials remember the repeated flooding in the Kanata area before they make a decision.

”I would hope the priority would be given to the health and safety of existing residents—as well as those who plan to settle in this area,” Cooper said.

The developers said they were frustrated by the lengthy approval process, but Cooper said a flawed system was part of the problem.

"If there's anybody to blame here, it'd be the failings of the system that have allowed these studies to go forward without the necessary work supporting it," Cooper said.

Kanata South Coun. Peggy Feltmate said all the environmental assessments will be made available to members of the public, who can then come forward with any objections they might have to the plan.