This man could stop Pointe-du-Chne's controversial campground project

The Anglican Bishop of Fredericton could be the man to stop a controversial campground project near Parlee Beach.

Bishop David Edwards was taking a walk in Pointe-du-ChneonWednesday, part of an annual pilgrimage he set out to do through the seven archdeaconries of New Brunswick.

But during his morning hike, he was approached by residentsconcerned about plans for a mega-campsite on Pointe-du-Chne Road.

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The park of 600 to 700 campsites, which Health Minister Victor Boudreau formerly held a stake in, would bethe largest in the Maritimes.

The Anglican Parish of Shediac not only owns the land on which the RV site would be built, but it shocked everyone when it was listed as the project's main proponent in the environmental impact assessment registered last month.

Asked whether he could stop the project, Edwards explained that the three parties himself, theDiocese of Fredericton and the AnglicanParish of Shediachave to agree beforethe project goes through.

"Even if we sold half a yard of land, all those three groups would have to be in agreement," said Edwards.

"At the moment it's with the first phase, which is the parish."

Edwards said he is not allowed to comment on the controversial issue until he receives the official proposal from the parish for approval.

That has yet to happen, and he doesn't know when it will.

Residentquestions church values

Resident Arthur Melansontold the bishop that many people feelbuilding amega-campsitewas not in line with the church's values. The project could hurt the environment because it would bebuilt in part on wetland, he said.

"In the philosophy of the Anglican Church, protection of the environment is one of the key points," said Melanson.

"We're a bunch of concerned citizens in the area, and we're looking at that piece of land, where it's going to be built, and we see a number of issues that it's going to cause."

Edwards said that while the environment is important, the Anglican Church has to work to balance its five marks of mission.

Beforeheadingto the parish for a noon service, Edwards thanked Melanson for sharing his concerns, adding it wouldhelp his thought process.

The bishop said he has no idea how the parish came to be the project'smain proponent, or whether it is one of the investorsin the campground.