A controversial housing development near the Delaware state line would be preserved as open space under a plan that was announced on Monday.
Save the Valley, a group fiercely opposed to the development of the scenic area near the northern border of First State National Park in Delaware praised the agreement outlined in a story published by DelawareOnline.com.
The development, known as Vineyard Commons, was being developed under the auspices of Woodlawn Trustees and private developers.
According to the agreement, the Conservation Fund will be given time to raise $8 million to acquire the 240-acre parcel.
DelawareOnline reported that the Brandywine Conservancy and the Mount Cuba Center are also partnering on the project. Woodlawn did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Save the Valley noted that a judge in Pennsylvania had earlier sent the project back to Concordville Township after an appeal filed by the Beaver Valley Preservation Alliance.
The decision process means “the clock resets to 2014” with developers resubmitting plans, Save Our Valley noted in a social media post.
“Or Woodlawn may decide to scrap the whole plan and pursue a conservation option, if that’s more appealing,” the Save Our Valley post noted.
Opponents had earlier staged a demonstration in Delaware to protest the project and had issued unflattering portrayals of board members, developers and executives of Woodlawn.
Of late, efforts had been more low key.
“Let’s use this momentum to protect the remaining land in Pennsylvania and Delaware,” the Save Our Valley post stated.
The opposition has also popped up to Wilmington University’s plan for a campus on a tract in the area across Route 202 from Concord Mall.
Wilmington-based Woodlawn develops properties and uses proceeds for housing projects like the redevelopment of The Flats, a large apartment community in Wilmington that is now being redeveloped.
Woodlawn was a key player in setting aside land for the national park, which includes a section in the northern reaches of Delaware and also includes sites in Wilmington and New Castle.
Woodlawn activities became more controversial as it became part of the development boom that came with the influx of financial institutions to the state in the 1980s.
More recent projects have involved the development of residential sites appealing to affluent residents locating outside of Delaware.
Driving that trend has been residents willing to pay higher property taxes in the belief that public school districts are better across the line.
