CASTLE HAYNE, N.C. (WECT) – As a developer pushes ahead with plans to transform thousands of acres of forest in Castle Hayne into roughly 4,000 housing units, critics continue pushing back against a project they argue will negatively impact the community and its residents.
A “Save Sledge Forest” town hall was held inside UNCW’s Lumina Theater on Monday night, with a presentation from professors and area environmental groups outlining the potential negative effects of the development.
The two-hour presentation pointed to flooding, traffic, water quality and ecological impacts of the project, which is still in the early stages. Castle Hayne residents and UNCW students were among those in attendance.
“It would be an impossible living situation for people living in the town,” said Carrie Bogart, who lives in Castle Hayne. “There’s just nothing about it that’s a good idea. It’s a horrible idea.”
A lawyer representing Charlotte-based Copper Builders, the developer behind the project, said the group didn’t have anyone to answer questions on-camera about the project.
During a meeting in February, the company shared project plans with the public, and said they plan to move ahead despite significant opposition. Over 250 community members attended that meeting, expressing their concerns directly with the developer about impacts on natural resources, wildlife, traffic and other areas. Copper Builders founder Wade Miller declined to answer questions on-camera after the meeting.
A significant portion of Monday night’s presentation looked at how major development could hurt a variety of plants and animals in Sledge Forest, and the ecosystem at large. The forest is considered a Nationally Significant Site by the North Carolina Heritage Program, and includes ancient and rare trees, according to event organizers.
Last month, as reported by Port City Daily, Copper Builders agreed to sell 1,160 acres of the 4,080-acre property to nonprofit Unique Places to Save, which would work to conserve that land. That property includes wetlands and shoreline along the Cape Fear River.
Still, community members like Bogart aren’t buying that sale will make a significant difference, especially with the number of housing units not changing. She said development in New Hanover County, with this project at the forefront, is moving too fast, with infrastructure not able to keep up.
“It’s out of control,” she said. “It’s one of the downsides when a place is discovered as being a great place to live.”
Organizers said they’re hoping to continue pushing policymakers, mainly New Hanover County Commissioners, to oppose the project and advocate for conversation. They said events like this one – especially getting college students involved – will help their push moving forward.
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