Oakville's Glen Abbey golf course saved from development after Ontario minister intervenes

The Glen Abbey golf course will remain just that after a years-long push by the course's ownerto build more than 3,000 homes on the land despiteopposition from Oakville council and residents.

Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark said in a statement Friday he'd secured a commitment from Glen Abbey owner ClubLinkCorp. to not go ahead with its plans.

"I am incredibly thankful to ClubLink for its cooperation and for ensuring that this heritage landscape will be protected from development," Clark said.

Preserving the golfcourse was "precisely" what the town, Halton region and residents wanted, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said in a statement.

"The thousands of letters written to the province made a difference and showed how our community is an engaged community," the mayor said.

Oakville council had unanimously rejected ClubLink's plans to transform the 80-hectare golf course into a subdivision, parkland and office buildings in 2017, instead designating it a heritage site.

After years of back and forth between the town and company, the matter was headed to the Ontario Land Tribunal in August.

This week, Burton sent a request to Clarke to intervene, including a formal request for a ministerial zoning order a powerful tool the minister could use to decide how land is used. The town also had the support of two Progressive Conservative MPPsEffie Triantafilopoulos and Stephen Crawford, representing Oakville ridings.

Clarksaid there were "too many variables for outcomes on the table" to justify making a MZO, which is why he reached out to the company directly to reach a resolution.

ClubLink's parent company TWC Enterprises confirmed in a statement ithas agreed to withdraw its appeals from the Ontario Land Tribunal.

"I am pleased to share that these actions have resulted in saving this beautiful golf course for the good people of Oakville for their recreation and enjoyment for future generations," Clarksaid.