Public meeting held to discuss plans for Fairmont Public School lands

Former Fairmont lands under redevelopment, with plans for affordable housing units. CTV London's Lauren Stallone reports.

A community open house was held in London, Ont., to inform the public about new plans for the redevelopment of the former Fairmont Public School lands.

“We saw this opportunity, it’s a big plot of land, a lot of it within the urban growth boundary and we’re trying to hit our target in terms of getting 3,000 affordable housing units built,” said Hadleigh McAlister, London city councillor.

London city council approved the purchase from the school board last March, following the school’s closure in 2022.

The site will be subdivided into smaller blocks for individual residential developments.

“From what I’ve heard from this neighborhood, there’s a high demand in terms of trying to get affordable housing for seniors and families, so we need as many options as we can get right now,” said McAlister.

Although the city argued this is what the nearby community needs, others disagreed.

“If the city wants to have this growth, development and stuff then there are lots of bordering areas that can be developed instead of a neighborhood that has been here for a long time,” said Baden Bathurst, a local resident.

Bathurst said he has many concerns regarding the new housing, an increase in traffic and decrease in green space being at the forefront.

“They’re saying they’re going to be cutting down thousand-year-old trees that have been here since before London was ever London, “said Bathurst.

He said if he has anything to do with it, those trees are here to stay.

“I will for sure be chaining myself to those trees to make sure they are not touched,” said Bathurst.

The city says they are still years away before they can break ground on the project.