Council in the RM of Hanover has approved a plan to expand New Bothwell. Deputy Reeve Bernie Stahn says a landowner on the west edge of the community, along the south side of Crown Valley Road, wants to develop ten acres into a residential area.

Stahn says council gave the matter careful consideration before voting in favour. "Whenever there is expansion in an urban setting, there are always some concerns from area farms; does this impede them in the future for expansion and so on?" He notes council gave its approval, thinking that, "This land is right next to the existing community so we feel this is probably the natural progression and expansion area. We think it is in keeping with our Planning Act and our By-Laws."

Stahn adds there are no details yet about the size of lots and the design of the neighbourhood. "They haven't really finalized anything as to how many lots, what formation the lots will take, any of that. It's very preliminary. This is step one for them to look at developing this area."

Land on west edge of New Bothwell, designated for development.