PIERREFONDS-ROXBORO — Protesters blocked Notre-Dame Street in front of Place Jacques-Cartier Monday evening in an effort to coax city officials into scrapping plans to put a 6,000-unit development on l’Anse-à-l’Orme, a green space in western Pierrefonds.
Environmentalists argue the site has been slated for development for a dozen years, but say concrete plans for its development are slow in coming.
READ MORE: Fight continues to save Pierrefonds green space
They point out that it’s one of the last remaining green spaces in the City of Montreal, home to deer and endangered species of birds.
The site is privately owned by a consortium of about half a dozen developers and is currently zoned as residential.
READ MORE: Massive new housing project for Pierrefonds introduced
But, before it is developed, it must go through a consultation process.
One opposition city councillor, Justine McIntyre, is tabling a moratorium on developing the site.
Several CEGEP students were also bussed into downtown Montreal to participate in the protest.
READ MORE: CEGEP students join fight to save L’Anse-à-l’Orme Park
Chants could be heard in the streets as protesters shouted: “Let’s save l’Anse-à-l’Orme.”
The protest was peaceful and demonstrators divulged their plans to police.
There is currently no timetable for development of the project.