This consultation was open from:
December 19, 2024
to January 18, 2025
Decision summary
A decision was made on August 15, 2025 to approve, with modifications, the new County of Essex Official Plan, as adopted by By-law 2024-45. The Official Plan contain policies to establish goals, objectives and direction to guide growth and development to the 2051 planning horizon and to ensure the plan is consistent with provincial land use policy.
Location details
Site address
All lands within the County of Essex
ON
Canada
Site location details
The new County of Essex Official Plan, if approved, would apply to all lands within the County of Essex. The Official Plan would not apply to lands within the City of Windsor or the Township of Pelee.
Site location map
The location pin reflects the approximate area where environmental activity is taking place.
View this location on a map opens link in a new windowProponent(s)
County of Essex
360 Fairview Ave W
Essex,
ON
N8M 1Y6
Canada
Decision details
A decision was made on August 15, 2025 to approve with thirty (30) modifications the new County of Essex Official Plan, which was adopted pursuant to sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act by By-law 2024-45. Notice of Decision was issued on August 15, 2025, to the County of Essex.
The new Official Plan replaces the current County Official Plan, which came into effect in 2014. The purpose of the Official Plan is to establish goals, objectives and direction to guide growth and development to the 2051 planning horizon.
The adopted Official Plan was reviewed for consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 (PPS) and have regards for matters of provincial interests set out in the Planning Act.
There are thirty (30) modifications to the official plan. The modifications address policies regarding settlement area boundary expansions, additional residential units in prime agricultural areas, cultural heritage and archaeology, land use compatibility, employment areas, mineral aggregate extraction in prime agricultural areas, and transportation planning, among other matters.
Pursuant to subsections 17 (36.5) and (38.1) of the Planning Act, this decision is final and not subject to appeal. Accordingly, the new County of Essex Official Plan , as modified and approved by the Minister, came into effect on August 16, 2025.
Effects of consultation
One comment was received requesting that official plan policies reference specific land use compatibility guidelines.
One comment was received requesting that an area of approximately 30 hectares in the Town of Amherstburg be reinstated to settlement area.
All comments received were taken into consideration, prior to a decision being made.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
659 Exeter Road
Floor 2
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
How to Appeal
Appeals are not allowed
This instrument type cannot be appealed. Learn more about our consultation process.
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Contact
Gabriel Kim
659 Exeter Road
Floor 2
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
On November 6, 2024, the County of Essex adopted its new Official Plan by By-law 2024-45. The ministry is seeking feedback on the council adopted Official Plan and will review all comments before recommendations are provided to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for a decision in accordance with Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act.
The new Official Plan proposes to replace the current County Official Plan, which came into effect in 2014. The purpose of the proposed plan is to establish goals, objectives and direction to guide growth and development to the 2051 planning horizon. The policies in the new plan have also been updated to reflect the direction in the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024.
If approved, the new Official Plan would apply across the County of Essex.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
659 Exeter Road
Floor 2
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from December 19, 2024
to January 18, 2025
Connect with us
Contact
Gabriel Kim
659 Exeter Road
Floor 2
London,
ON
N6E 1L3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
1By email
1By mail
0