Charlottetown city council asked the Canada Lands Company earlier this week to withdraw its application to develop 60 acres of the Upton Farmlands.

'[It] puts into question the validity of a democratic process.'— Gordon MacIvor, Canada Lands

The Upton Farm Preservation Group has been building momentum for weeks, garnering support from both provincial and federal politicians who would like to see an already approved 350-unit residential development put on hold.

Plans for the riverside development are all drawn up.
(CBC)

"We don't want to see any development there now, or in the future," Coun. Cecil Villard told CBC News.

"It's an area that we'd like to retain as a green space, as a beautiful vista, a green vista as you approach the city of Charlottetown. And I think it's an opportunity for us to create something that will be there for generations to come."

The Upton Farmlands straddle the Trans-Canada Highway along North River at the western entrance to the city. It was held for a time by Agriculture Canada, and now by the Crown corporation Canada Lands. Its future has been debated for years. With a firm proposal for development now on the table, the movement to keep it green is gaining strength.

Council's turn has annoyed Canada Lands, which has spent years and a significant amount of money planning the development.

"It's a bit perplexing that you get an area designated for development by the city, which is one of the reasons we bought the property from the federal government, and then we work with them and they approve it," said Gordon McIvor of Canada Lands.

"There's no talk of keeping it green space and then a few months later they ask to rescind the approval. Sort of puts into question the validity of a democratic process."

McIvor said the company is considering what to do next.

Villard says he'd like officials from the city, the province and the federal government to sit down and talk about the future of the entire 250-acre property. He says if Canada Lands doesn't withdraw its application the city will become yet another voice lobbying to stop the project.