- Implementing matters of Provincial and County interest (growth management, promotion of County economic development objectives, agricultural issues, the protection of natural heritage features and natural resources, natural and human-made hazards, and servicing and transportation networks)
- Establishing land-use designations that permit various uses of land with associated development policies
- Identifying what infrastructure and services are required to support the community
- Describing where and how growth will occur in the Town.
Growth Management Plan to 2051
All municipalities in Ontario are required to have an Official Plan.
An Official Plan is a document established under the Planning Act to outline the goals, objectives, and policies needed to manage and direct physical land use changes in the community. Official Plan policies also address the effects of land use changes on the social, economic, and natural environment of the municipality.
An Official Plan establishes the vision for how land is to be used, where uses can be appropriately located (and not located), any criteria associated with those permissions, and how infrastructure and support services support the community.
The goals of an Official Plan include:
Projected growth for BWG to 2051
- By the year 2051, the Town is expected to grow to 83,470 people with 30, 900 jobs. To accommodate the expected population growth, it is anticipated the Town will need approximately 449.1 gross hectares (~1,109 gross acres) of new community use lands (i.e., in expanded settlement area boundaries).
Our Official Plan
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s (BWG's) current Official Plan establishes a vision for growth and development in the Town to the year 2031.
The Town’s Official Plan is required to conform to and implement Provincial and upper-tier plans and legislation, including the:
- Planning Act
- Provincial Planning Statement,
- Lake Simcoe Protection Plan,
- Greenbelt Plan, and
- Simcoe County Official Plan.
Current Status
Phase 2 (Settlement Area Boundary Expansion)
Settlement Area Boundary Expansion | Expression of Interest Letter
Settlement Area Boundary Expansion | Expression of Interest Survey - Click the Link to begin the survey or scan the QR Code, below.
Settlement Area Boundary Expansion | Expression of Interest Survey
Survey opens August 20, 2026 and runs until October 30, 2026 at 4:00pm
Upcoming Public Consultation
Please note that there are no upcoming public consultation opportunities; however, we welcome your comments any time. Please e-mail PlanBWG20251@townofbwg.com to share your comments!
Project process
The review is planned to be conducted in two parts:
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Part 1 - “Intensification First” evaluates how much of the 2051 population and employment growth allocated through SCOPA No. 7 can be accommodated within the existing Bradford Urban Area boundary. It also assesses long-term employment land needs and establishes criteria for employment land conversion, in accordance with applicable provincial policy. Part 1 is structured around four Official Plan Amendment (OPA) themes as discussed in greater detail below. Please note that the draft OPAs from part 1 have also been released and can be accessed below.
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Part 2 - “Settlement Boundary Expansion” will assess the need for settlement area boundary expansion, based on the outcomes of Part 1 and applicable land needs assessments.
Intensification First – focused on the following themes:
- Major Transit Station Area (“MTSA”) and Bridge Street Corridor
- Intensification Strategy
- Employment Land Conversion
- Highway 400 Employment Lands
Background Documents
- Final Growth Management Strategy - Background Report
- Intensification Analysis Report
- Employment Area Analysis Report
- Policy Direction Report June 2025 -Part 1
Public Notice and Open House Materials
Draft Amendments and Schedules
- Intensification - Chapter 1 Draft Amendment
- Intensification - Chapter 2 Draft Amendment
- Intensification - Chapter 3 and 4 Draft Amendments
- Intensification - Chapter 6
- Draft Employment Lands OPA
- Draft Major Transit Station Area (MTSA)
- Official Plan Review Draft Schedule B-1
- Schedule C Transportation Plan
- Intensification Changes - Full OPA
- Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) Draft Schedule B
Final By-laws and Official Plan Amendments
- 2025 116 A By Law To Adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 5
- 2025 117 A By Law To Adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 6
- 2025 118 A By Law To Adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 7
- 2025 119 A By Law To Adopt Official Plan Amendment No. 8
Part 2- Settlement Area Boundary Expansion
Settlement Area Boundary Expansion Review – is set to focus on the following themes:
- Updated delineation of settlement area boundaries
- Infrastructure, servicing, facilities and other community needs to support growth
Notice of Special Meeting of Council on June 25, 2024
Notice of Open House and Public Meeting - July 25, 2025
Notice of Open House - MTSA and Bridge Street Corridor
(Amended) Notice of Public Open House and Public Meeting
Notice Of Passing And Adoption - December 16, 2025
Settlement Area Boundary Expansion | Expression of Interest Letter
Growth Management Strategy Visioning Workshop Presentation
Helpful Links
Simcoe County Municipal Comprehensive Review
Environmental Registry of Ontario Postings
County of Simcoe - Approval of a municipality’s official plan
Addressing Growth and Housing Needs in South Simcoe County
Addressing Growth and Housing Needs in South Simcoe
Phase 1 (Intensification First) - Status Update
By-law 2025-116, 2025-117, 2025-118 and 2025-119 (OPA No's. 5, 6, 7 and 8) concerning Phase 1 of the Town's Growth Management strategy were passed by Town Council on December 2, 2025.
Official Plan Amendments 5, 6, 7 and 8 have been forwarded to the County of Simcoe for Approval.
Adopted By-laws
- 2025 116 (Official Plan Amendment No. 5)
- 2025 117 (Official Plan Amendment No. 6)
- 2025 118 (Official Plan Amendment No. 7)
- 2025 119 (Official Plan Amendment No. 8)
We Want to Hear From You!
Share your thoughts, ideas, and comments on the Official Plan by email at planbwg2051@townofbwg.com.
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