Saint-Bruno development faces opposition

Promoters of a housing development project in Saint-Bruno are facing criticism from residents and environmentalists who say the area where they plan to build should be protected.

The proposed project would see 30 homes constructed next to the Mont-Saint-Bruno provincial park, east of Montreal.

At an open house about the project Monday the developers dealt with a volley of questions from people who want the site to stay undeveloped.

The person behind the project is Liberal Senator Paul Massicotte, who said he hopes to begin construction by late 2012, pending government approval.

Massicotte said he is working to develop what he called environmentally sensitive housing on the site.

"If we wanted to not touch the environment at all, Montreal would not exist today," he said. "So it's always a question of balance."

But opponents of the project said the area is not appropriate for any kind of housing development.

They want Massicotte to sell the land to them — a proposal Massicotte said he would be willing to consider for the right price.