Development plans drafted by Durham officials have been delayed in north Pickering

North Pickering may have to wait for new incentives related to the Durham area’s Regional Official Plan. 

The initiative — approved via regional channels in 2023 —  is designed to generate a consistent road map for infrastructure development in the Durham Region.

Earlier this month, on September 3, provincial representatives approved a new draft of the official plan for future infrastructure development. 

This is in response to the rapid growth Durham has been experiencing over the last several years, as the region is currently home to 750,000 residents.

In line with this pattern of growth, by 2051, it is anticipated that the region will bolster over 1-million people with an adjacent job pool of nearly 460,000 new jobs. 

However, as a result of the newly approved draft, a few snags have been hit along the way, specifically, in north Pickering. 

“The Region is pleased to have the Province’s support on enacting this vision through our area municipalities—although a decision has been withheld on the northeast Pickering urban expansion lands that overlap with the Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) which restricts most development,” said John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham in an official statement. 

Henry indicated further that while extensive consultation has been conducted between Indigenous rights holders in the area, and key stakeholders, further consultation is required before any ground can break on potential developments. 

“The vision of the new Regional Official Plan is to create healthy, complete and sustainable communities within the region, shaping Durham into a great place to live, work, play, grow and invest,” said Henry in an official statement. 

For more information on the Regional Official Plan, visit Durham Region’s website.