Alliance for Cape Fear Trees voices concerns about proposed development’s impact on Sledge Forest

CASTLE HAYNE, NC (WWAY) — A proposed housing development in Castle Hayne is facing some opposition from a non-profit in the Cape Fear area.

The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is voicing concerns about the proposed Hilton Bluff housing development, which would span more than 4,000 acres of land in an area known as Sledge Forest.

Although the development wouldn’t cover the entire forest, the Alliance said any development could impact the health of the ecosystem and public safety.

“Losing Sledge Forest poses significant public safety consequences resulting in severe flooding both nearby and downstream,” Isabelle Shepherd, executive director of Alliance for Cape Fear Trees.

She said Sledge Forest is an old-growth forest, which means some of the trees have stood for centuries.

“Some over 300 years old. These trees provide incredible protection to us as a coastal region. They prevent against the hazards of hurricanes by assisting with stormwater retention. You can not plant an old-growth tree. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Emily Adney lives nearby and said it’s tough thinking about what losing parts of the forest will do to wildlife in the area.

“The feeling that it’s close to Wilmington but yet there’s still so many trees and wildlife and we have so many deer and stuff,” Adney said. “And so knowing that that could be tampered with and messed up, it’s heartbreaking really.”

WWAY reached out to Copper Builders, Hilton Bluff’s developer, to discuss the proposed development.

They said they would try to get us more details but anyone able to speak about it won’t be available until after the holidays.