New apartment proposal in city’s northwest could help meet housing and childcare demands

A new apartment building has been proposed in the city’s northwest. With the details, here’s CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell.

A new apartment proposal for northwest London could help meet two major needs for the area – housing and childcare. And so far, the plan is getting positive reception from neighbours.

“I think it’s fantastic, I think the area needs it, especially the businesses in Sherwood Forest Mall. It would really help the businesses, and help the community as a whole,” said John Paul, who lives in the Gainsborough Road and Limberlost Road area.

Developer Heikal Group is proposing an eight-storey apartment building with 101 units for the southeast corner of Gainsborough and Limberlost, just west of Sherwood Forest Mall.

“It would be nice for this area to have a nice new apartment building, bringing more people. It would help the mall,” commented neighbour John Wilson.

The building would include commercial space for a daycare centre, replacing what’s being described as an under-utilized church with a daycare currently on the property.

Ward 7 Coun. Corrine Rahman said it’s a good fit for the neighbourhood.

“The owner of the land is also the owner of the daycare. So, it’s a really interesting proposal from that perspective. We all know that we need more childcare here in London. So, this meets those kinds of needs,” said Rahman.

The building would also have 76 parking spaces.

Anita Parker, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 46 years, said she supports the project, but does have some apprehension about added traffic and parking.

“We do need more housing. I would like it to be smart though. We really need to look at underground parking. We really need to look at lights so that traffic-flow can work effectively,” she said.

With Gainsborough a major commuter route for many in the northwest part of the city, traffic can be heavy at times, particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

Gainsborough is scheduled for rehabilitation in 2026, just in time for development of the apartment to proceed, pending approval. However, the planned rehab does not include widening of the two-lane stretch.

“I know if you look historically at every time Gainsborough gets talked about, it gets waffled on, and it wins by a vote. We are a bottle-necked city, and we’re hard to grow out of that,” said Parker.

Rahman said there will be opportunities for the public to share their concerns about Gainsborough Road in the city’s Mobility Master Plan.

In the meantime, city councillors will consider the apartment proposal Oct 1.