Controversial Sledge Forest development faces new scrutiny after state complaint

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — There’s an update on the controversial Sledge Forest development in Castle Hayne.  

The Hilton Bluffs development was slated to be built on Sledge Forest, which is in an old-growth forest in New Hanover County.  

The developer’s plans have sparked outrage from many who fear the massive residential development would be detrimental to the area.  

Recently, the developer, Copper Builders, faced a formal complaint from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office for allegedly misrepresenting its professional credentials to the public. 

The complaint was filed after seeing the accredited seal of the Better Business Bureau on their website.  

The seal remained on the website for 28 days but was no longer actively displayed as of January 14th. 

Save Sledge Forest organizer, Kayne Darrell, says this is troubling and that the developer should be held accountable. 

“I think at this point, with this latest discovery, maybe the question for our community and our decision makers is, can Copper Builders be relied on to act as a responsible and trustworthy neighbor?” said Darrell. 

An online petition to — Save Sledge Forest — now has more than 12,000 signatures.