An 'incredible site': City resumes plans to redevelop Byron gravel pits
Nature trails, park land, how about an event venue? They’re all among the ideas being considered for the future of the Byron gravel pits in west London.
“We were talking about an amphitheatre,” said neighbour Cheryl Morrison. “A great thing to get people together. Use it for entertainment, for theatre, whatever they would like.”
London city hall is narrowing down possible uses for one of the most unique pieces of land in the city, which is now being rehabilitated.
Neighbour John Fragis said he’d like to see a space created where people can come together as a community.
“The city and developer can get together and build a component where people can get together, like Springbank Park,” suggested Fragis.
The 76 hectares of land with rolling hills, steep slopes and a pond was used as a gravel pit for 75 years, but has recently been decommissioned.
“If there is development there, and I’m sure there will be, they should consider nature first,” said neighbour Tony Parisio.
The unique property is owned by a number of parties, including the city and private developers.
The future of the Byron gravel pits is being discussed by the City of London. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)A report headed to a city council committee outlines possible future uses. These include passive recreation and nature appreciation, active recreation- including multi-use trails, or an event venue such as an amphitheatre.
London’s manager of planning and development, Bruce Page, described the site as “incredible.” He added, “The topography that’s there, the pond that’s there from the excavation is quite spectacular. It would be a shame to lose that. And I think it’s something that I don’t think any other municipality in Ontario or Canada would have.”
One thing the city staff report does not get into is the wildlife in the area. The Byron gravel pit has one of the largest colonies in Ontario of a protected bird species.
In 2020 a Western University migratory bird researcher estimated about 2,000 bank swallows breeding at the site. Now Brendon Samuels is hoping any future development plans include preservation.
“An area surrounding the densest part of the colony in the southern portion of the Byron gravel pit could be earmarked for conservation,” said Samuels. “An area could have a perimeter fence put around it and could actually be a destination for eco-tourism where people could come from all over to see one of the largest inland sites of breeding habitat for this rare bird.”
Page called it a “challenging situation,” but said they are working to address concerns about this rare bird habitat. “There are some considerations in terms of trying to preserve, or in the future trying to create a habitat for the bank swallows,” he said.
In the meantime, Page said the city will seek further public input on the future of the site, with a proposed option decided on next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.