Brookswood/Fernridge development plan defeated in Langley

Hundreds of residents opposed to development that would have tripled their neighbourhood's population won a victory Monday night, when the township's council sent the Brookswood/Fernridge community plan to defeat.

The plan would have permitted density that would have boosted the population from 13,500 to 42,000 people over the next 30 years.

Coun. Charlie Fox recommend the plan be sent back to council for amendment,  but council voted 7-2 to defeat it instead and start all over again.

During the meeting residents held up yellow signs saying, "I Vote No," and 'Leave Brookswood Alone,'  urging council not to support a plan they said was too much growth happening far too fast.

Fox says developing a new plan could take six months, a year or even two years, but at this point there's no rush.

"We have to go back to the drawing board, start off at the beginning again and move forward from there," said Fox. "We will start the consultation process all over again."

'One of Lower Mainland's last jewels'

Scott Thompson, who has lived in Brookswood for most of his life,  says residents were opposed to a plan that would have added condos and high rises to a neighbourhood currently filled with single family dwellings on large lots.

"The people that come here, come to get away from places like Richmond, Delta because it’s a beautiful place to be and it’s one of the last jewels of the Lower Mainland where you can have a decent piece of property at a decent price and not be jammed in with everybody," he said.

Resident Celeste Paley says the system appears to be working.

"The vote really restored my faith in democracy and I am really excited for all the work we are going to be doing in the coming months."