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.

 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.

Projected growth for BWG to 2051

• Population: approx. 83,470 people by 2051.
• Employment: approx. 30,900 jobs by 2051.

Project process

The review is planned to be conducted in two parts:

• 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.

• 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.

For more information on the Growth Management Work Plan please review staff reports PLN-2023-2 and PLN 2024-5.