London's Corporate Services Committee is breathing life into a greenhouse project that became a lightning rod for mayoral candidate Joe Swan.

The decision Tuesday afternoon to take action is being hailed as a vindication for Swan, even as the mayor says there is still a lot of uncertainty.

Two weeks ago Swan said a Leamington-based developer was seeking to build a greenhouse on city-owned land next to the landfill that could create 250 jobs.

Since being contacted in May, city staff have sought more details from the company.

Jay Stanford with the city's Environmental Services division says "It is one of those opportunities that has been identifed in the past. At first blush its very compatible with the area but a lot of work still has to be done."

Swan suggested the proposal proved he was a candidate who could bring jobs to London, but that staff were too slow to take advantage of the opportunity.

But Mayor Joni Baechler suggests the announcement was premature as the proposal lacks detail, and the developer hasn't responded to requests for more information.

"June 3, 16, 23, July 3, 6, 25, Aug. 8th and up until now. So I just want to be real clear there hasn't been a site plan submitted but staff have been undertaking at a very regular basis to follow up."

But planning committee chair Bud Polhill revealed he has been in touch with the developer, "They would like to start digging a hole in March if that is at all possible so this isn't a dream, they are serious about this, it's real."

Ultimately the committee wants to give staff 30 to 60 days to negotiate a lease agreement, but if a deal can't be reached the land will be part of a request for proposals allowing anyone to submit an offer to lease it.

Asked whether the fact that 30 to 60 days of research is still needed meant the deal wasn't as close as he suggested, Swan says "That's just nonsense. We had to see that this company is real, we have to enter into negotiations, they always take time."

City council will make a final decision next Tuesday, meaning staff won't report back on the greenhouse proposal until after the municipal election.