Editor: I cannot believe the seeming lack of interest our province is showing in the desecration of the Fort Langley heritage village.
For many years, families and visitors have come to the little town to enjoy the unique 1858 fort, the excellent museums, the heritage CN station, the antique and art shops, the Kwantlen Nation’s gallery and all the activities on the mighty Fraser River.
To perpetuate this experience for the future the village of Fort Langley was designated a heritage area by the then council with an official community plan and bylaws which passed unanimously.
Now, the present council has gone against their own bylaws, their heritage advisory board and their planning staff and passed one large building which does not conform to the bylaws in place.
Three other planned buildings have been carefully planned to conform to all official plans, bylaws and the heritage mandate.
It seems unfair and irresponsible to cater to one developer over others.
Also, 80 per cent of the community spoke against the plan and 900 signed a petition which was ignored by the council, who supposedly represent the people.
Now we are not only covering up valuable Fraser Valley farmland with development, but we are robbing our future citizens and grandchildren of their sample of B.C.’s history — the village which grew up around the Fort Langley national historic site.
Bays Blackhall
Director, LHS, CN Station site.
