Council inserts itself into Banting school site plan process

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Posted January 14, 2026

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One of the provincial government's significant changes to speed up the rate of residential development across Ontario, was to take site plan controls out of the hands of municipal councils, with approval authority delegated to their respective planning department.

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On Monday night, New Tecumseth council voted to be included in the circulation of the draft site plan process for the Banting Memorial High School rebuild at the same time it moves to internal staff, with the ability to review and provide written comments within the standard circulation window.

 

Ward 6 councillor Nicole Cox, who did not support construction of the school on the Banting homestead site, said in her motion "Council has an ongoing interest in ensuring that the site design for the new Banting Memorial High School respects the heritage, environmental, agricultural, and community significance of the Banting Homestead lands, including the preservation of mature and heritage trees, appropriate vehicular and pedestrian access, circulation and safety, building siting, and landscaping compatible with the historic setting."

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Cox told Free Press Online her goal was to make council "like any other commenting agency for site plans in the municipality."

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"If Enbridge gets to comment," said Cox, "I think council should."