From initial planning in 2014 to active development — follow the milestones
shaping Halifax’s largest new residential community.
Port Wallace at a Glance
Port Wallace is a Special Planning Area in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, encompassing roughly 545 acres of land between Lake MicMac and Lake Charles. At full build-out, the community will include approximately 4,900 residential units housing an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 people — making it one of the largest single residential developments in Halifax Regional Municipality’s history. Led by Clayton Developments Limited (a division of The Shaw Group, with over 160 years in business), the project is being advanced in partnership with Cresco through their joint venture, Port Wallace Holdings Limited. Additional landowners including Conrad Brothers and Unia are also involved in the development area.
The timeline below traces the key planning milestones, regulatory approvals, and development activity from the project’s origins to the present day. For background on the area itself, visit About Port Wallace. For details on what’s being built, see Housing & Real Estate.
Planning & Approvals Timeline
2014 — Planning Begins
- Regional Council initiates comprehensive planning for the Port Wallace area, recognizing its potential as a major growth centre in north Dartmouth.
- The Port Wallace Public Participation Committee (PPC) is established, giving residents and stakeholders a formal role in shaping the community plan.
- Regional Development Charges are first approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB), establishing the “growth pays for growth” funding model for infrastructure.
2018 — Infrastructure Study Completed
- The Master Infrastructure Study is completed, covering four critical areas: water supply, sanitary sewer, stormwater management, and transportation. This study establishes the technical foundation for how the community will be serviced.
- Port Wallace Holdings Limited purchases the Whebby lands under a $12 million mortgage, consolidating a significant portion of the development area under the Clayton–Cresco partnership.
March 24, 2022 — Special Planning Area Designation
A landmark moment for the project: the Province of Nova Scotia officially designates Port Wallace as a Special Planning Area under the Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act (N.S. Reg. 61/2022). The order is signed by Minister John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Port Wallace becomes one of nine Special Planning Areas (SPAs) designated in HRM under this legislation. The SPA designation gives the Province authority to approve planning amendments and development agreements directly, streamlining the approval process to accelerate housing delivery.
January 26, 2023 — Planning Strategy & By-law Approved
The Minister approves amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use By-law (LUB) for Port Wallace. These amendments establish the detailed planning framework for the community, including land use zones, density requirements, housing mix targets, and infrastructure obligations.
January 31, 2023 — Development Agreement Approved
Just five days later, the Minister approves the Development Agreement between Halifax Regional Municipality and the Port Wallace landowners. This legally binding agreement sets out the detailed terms for how the development will proceed, including phasing, infrastructure delivery, parkland dedication, and housing commitments.
2024 — Phasing Amendment Application
Clayton Developments submits planning application PLANAPP 2024-00435 to Halifax Regional Municipality, seeking amendments to the phasing and subdivision requirements in the development agreement. This application reflects the practical realities of bringing a project of this scale to market, where flexibility in phasing allows development to respond to infrastructure readiness and market demand.
May 2025 — Phasing Amendments Approved
Amendments to the development agreement are approved, granting greater phasing flexibility for the project. This allows Clayton Developments to adapt the sequencing of construction phases as infrastructure is extended and market conditions evolve.
Development Details
By the Numbers
| Total Residential Units | ~4,900 |
| Projected Population | ~9,000–10,000 |
| Accessible Housing Units | ~150 |
| Low Density (single-family, semi-detached, townhomes) | ~35% |
| Multi-Residential (apartments, condos) | ~65% |
Infrastructure Requirements
- Central collector road connecting Avenue du Portage to Waverley Road
- Active transportation infrastructure (pedestrian and cycling facilities) required throughout
- Municipal water and sewer extension to service the development
- North Dartmouth Trunk Sewer connection required for full build-out capacity
- Highway 107 upgrade needed before full build-out — the corridor between Montague Road and Akerley Boulevard is currently at capacity
Key Planning Documents
The following documents govern the planning and development of Port Wallace. They are publicly available through HRM and the Province of Nova Scotia:
- Port Wallace Secondary Planning Strategy — establishes the long-term land use vision, density targets, and policy framework for the community
- Port Wallace Development Agreement — the legally binding agreement between HRM and the landowners setting out the terms for development, infrastructure delivery, and phasing
- Port Wallace Special Planning Area Order (N.S. Reg. 61/2022) — the provincial regulation designating Port Wallace as an SPA under the Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act
Developers
The Port Wallace development is led by Clayton Developments Limited, a division of The Shaw Group with over 160 years of experience in Atlantic Canada. Clayton is working in partnership with Cresco through their joint venture, Port Wallace Holdings Limited. Additional landowners in the development area include Conrad Brothers and Unia.