FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Province Approves Middlesex County Official Plan Amendment No. 4
MIDDLESEX COUNTY (June 9, 2026) – Middlesex County’s updated Official Plan is now in effect following Provincial approval of Amendment No. 4, marking a significant milestone in the County’s long-term planning efforts.
The Official Plan provides a long-term vision for managing growth, delivering essential services, and balancing local, County, and Provincial priorities. The document will guide land use and development decisions helping ensure they serve our communities for decades to come.
Over the past year, Middlesex County undertook an extensive review and update of the Official Plan to reflect changes in Provincial policy and align it with the renewed Middlesex County Strategic Plan. The update incorporates sound land use planning principles and ensures consistency with Provincial objectives related to growth management, housing, and employment forecasts. It also strengthens coordination between the County’s planning framework and local municipal official plans.
The amendment was adopted by County Council on January 13, 2026, and received Provincial approval on June 5, 2026, with minor technical modifications. With this approval, the updated Official Plan is now in full effect.
A key outcome of the amendment is the introduction of updated population, housing, and employment forecasts. These projections reflect recent Provincial policy changes, including an extended planning horizon of 20 to 30 years and the removal of the requirement for a Municipal Comprehensive Review prior to settlement area boundary expansions. The forecasts will serve as a foundation for future planning initiatives at the local municipal level.
Middlesex County would like to thank all those who participated in the Official Plan review process. The input of our municipal partners, local organizations, First Nations, and members of the public were essential in shaping the updated Plan. Special appreciation is extended to the members of the Planning Advisory Committee for their significant contributions throughout the process.
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Middlesex County is an innovative, well-run organization offering high-value programs and services to the best community in which to live, visit, and do business in Southwestern Ontario. The County serves a vibrant, growing community of 81,700 people and offers a great place to call home, offering exceptional lifestyle, a wide variety of local attractions, and wonderful sense of community.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Middlesex County Media Relations
Legislative Services Division
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