The Elkington Forest community north of the Malahat offered its first 18 homes for sale on Saturday, Nov. 6.
It’s the first of its kind on southern Vancouver Island, although there is a smaller “forestry community” on Cortes Island.
Elkington is a 1,000-acre privately owned forest which has received rezoning from Cowichan Valley Regional District to build several “hamlets” or clusters of homes. About 85 per cent of the property will be protected by covenants from further development, although it will be a managed forest and parts of it will be logged selectively at times.
Buyers get to choose from among five house plans, ranging from 1,150 square feet to 2,440 square feet, designed by architect Ayrie Cunliffe.
The first 18 homes are in Elkington’s trailhead hamlet, beside the route of the Trans-Canada Trail which is planned to connect north to Shawnigan Lake, the Kinsol trestle and Duncan area, and south to Langford and the Galloping Goose.
