A proposed campground development in the rural coastal community of Scots Bay, Nova Scotia, has been blocked following an appeal. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board overturned the Municipality of Kings County’s approval for the project, citing concerns about the impact on local agricultural land.
The decision comes three years after Julie Skaling, the developer, first proposed building a 100-site campground on a 40-hectare property she acquired from her parents in 2021.
Skaling envisioned the campground as an accessible space for visitors, including individuals with disabilities, aiming to foster inclusion while drawing tourism to the area, located 30 kilometers from Kentville and near Cape Split Provincial Park.
Farmer Lindsay Steele, whose commercial farm borders the proposed site, initiated the appeal, arguing that the project could disrupt her farm’s operations and pose risks to livestock and horses.
Steele’s appeal centered on the claim that the campground’s approval did not align with the municipality’s planning strategy, particularly regarding the protection of agricultural land.
The review board agreed, noting in its decision that the proposed development agreement lacked adequate safeguards to address the anticipated impacts on nearby farmland.
Skaling, while disappointed with the outcome, acknowledged the board’s reasoning. “Now I will have to rethink what we’re going to do in the future,” she said, as reported by CBC on January 18.
The proposed campground sparked division within the Scots Bay community. Steele highlighted the deep rift created by the project, stating, “There have been people that have been lifelong friends that no longer speak to each other.”
Despite the nature of the debate, both Steele and Skaling have expressed hope for reconciliation in the community.
“Hopefully now we can go forward and heal,” Steele said. Skaling echoed similar sentiments.
The Utility and Review Board’s decision is a notable example of how community concerns and land-use policies intersect in rural development disputes. The ruling highlights the importance of adhering to planning strategies that address long-term impacts on agricultural and community resources.
