The NCC has launched consultations regarding its plans to update its National Capital Core Area Plan. For New Edinburgh residents and others, one proposal within the plan may be of particular interest.
The Sussex Blocks “opportunity” within the plan proposes to “redevelop the urban blocks to support the Rideau Hall tourist anchor, with a possible new public park and mid-rise, mixed-use buildings in an architectural style faithful to New Edinburgh’s historic neighbourhood character,” according to the NCC.
A map in the plan shows the Sussex Blocks would run between Stanley Avenue and MacKay Street, and from Sussex Drive to Thomas Street. Photo renderings in an NCC presentation show four-storey buildings in a traditional style of architecture.
The three blocks of land are owned by the NCC and are currently zoned for development (and no longer designated for future embassies due to the security risk). The NCC would have full control over the design and architect for the development. Note that the NCC states that: “Based on public participation and feedback, detailed plans and recommendations will be developed for each sector to guide future development.”
The full core area sector plan with details on each of the sectors (including the one discussed here) is also available at National Capital Core Area Plan.
Consultations and comments
New Edinburgh Community Alliance (NECA) requested a full consultation with the entire community with the NCC on the Sussex Blocks proposal. A public meeting took place on Thursday, March 6, from 7 to 8:30 pm at St Bartholomew’s parish hall, offering an initial opportunity to provide feedback on this important development within New Edinburgh.
- NECA’s preliminary comments to the NCC can be found here.
- NCC’s response can be found here.
- Additional comments were collected during the May 20 NECA Board meeting and the summary provided to the NCC can be found here.
- NCC’s response to summary can be found here.
Residents in attendance were encouraged to submit individual comments to the NCC at: consultations@ncc-ccn.ca and tobi.nussbaum@ncc-ccn.ca, and copying the elected official listed below, in advance of the May 23, 2025, deadline.
Elected officials:
– rawlson.king@ottawa.ca
– mona.fortier@parl.gc.ca
– mark.sutcliffe@ottawa.ca
News articles:
- Sussex Drive deserves better from the NCC (Ottawa Citizen, May 27, 2025)
- Miguelez: The right kind of housing could enhance Sussex Drive (Ottawa Citizen, May 30, 2025)
- Deachman: Should new housing be built on iconic Sussex Drive? (Ottawa Citizen, June 13, 2025)
- Sussex Drive housing proposal gets mixed reviews (Ottawa Citizen, June 19, 2025)
