Environmentalists do not like it.

Preservationists do not like it.

Farmers do not like it.

Neighbors do not like it.

There appears to be a growing list of people in Barrington who do not like the plan to build a high-density housing development on 6.8 acres of farmland on George Street.

But despite the growing opposition (which includes an application denial by the Barrington Planning Board and the town's failed legal attempt to stop the project), the plan for "Residences at the Preserve" appears poised for development. 

The plan has the approval of the State Housing Appeals Board, and the only remaining hurdles facing Ron Chofay and his proposed "Residences" are permitting approvals for a septic system, storm-water run-off, and a few other technical requirements. 

Peter McCalmont, chairman of the Nockum Hill Management Committee, spoke at last week's planning board meeting about the importance of the George Street/Nockum Hill area. He explained how The Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge came to be, and why the property on George Street is so important.

Mr. McCalmont urged members of the planning board to take a walk at Nockum Hill and visit the Rayner Refuge property which is located near the proposed development site. The refuge is teeming with wildlife and surrounded by acres of farmland.

Homes in that part of Barrington are few and far between, and likely outnumbered by horse paddocks, said Mr. McCalmont, who also volunteers with the Barrington Land Conservation Trust.

"In short, there is no density of housing anywhere," Mr. McCalmont said. 

He contrasted the current area with the proposed development, which calls for four large multi-unit structures. A second proposal pitched 22 single-family homes on the same parcel.

"But either proposal is totally unfit for this area; it clashes with the semi-rural, open character of Nockum Hill," said Mr. McCalmont. 

Also a member of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, Mr. McCalmont is very concerned about this project's potential impact on the natural environment at Nockum Hill — an area that may be best known as the only nesting site in Rhode Island for endangered diamondback terrapins.

Charlotte Sornborger, a past president of the land trust, has helped protect the endangered species for years. She, too, is worried about the potential impact of the Residences at the Preserve.

"The largest nesting population of Rhode Island-endangered diamondback terrapin is found on this upland site and the surrounding marshes," Ms. Sornborger wrote in a recent letter. "In early summer some of the female turtles travel as far inland as Lot 3A (the proposed site for Residences at the Preserve) and the surrounding area to lay their nests in its sandy soil… 

"Ideally, there should be no development on Lot 3A; its best use would be for farming, that has little impact on the terrapin nesting…"

Ms. Sornborger and Mr. McCalmont, in addition to appreciating the value of Nockum Hill's natural environment, are also well aware of the historical importance of that part of Barrington. So too is Bonnie Warren. 

The longtime Barrington resident and past president of the Barrington Preservation Society believes the proposed development is not a good fit with the surrounding area and nearby homes.

In a recent commentary, Ms. Warren and fellow BPS past president Burton Van Name Edwards wrote: "It is important to work together to prevent the construction of multiple housing units on this historic farmland and destruction of its natural habitat, agricultural open space, and significant cultural heritage."

Jason Lawrence lives in a 254-year-old home on George Street that abuts the site of the proposed development. Mr. Lawrence's home was built in 1765 — more than 20 years before United States gained independence from England. But the longtime Barrington resident said his emotional attachment to the home is also significant.

"I think it is just as important to understand how emotionally devastating as well as historically, environmentally and culturally devastating these decisions are to the people who have to live with the repercussions of ill-advised rulings long after the developers, lawyers and politicians have counted their money and moved on to their next venture," Mr. Lawrence wrote in an email to the Times. 

"Just about every wonderful memory growing up is at our home on George Street. It is this reason my wife and I bought the property from my father about six years ago. The house is registered on the National List of Historic Places."

Mr. Lawrence has come to understand that living on Nockum Hill is different than living in any other part of Barrington. The surroundings are different — “this is God’s country,” he recounted hearing from many people who visit the area — but it can also present challenges. 

For example, there are times when the tractors from nearby Four Town Farm are out early in the morning to work the land or harvest crops. Mr. Lawrence and his family are familiar with the sounds and smells of the farm. But how will folks living at the proposed development respond?

Chris Clegg's family owns and operates Four Town Farm and has been closely monitoring the proposed Residences at the Preserve. 

Mr. Clegg said he understands that land development is part of Barrington, but he questions the logic behind a high-density project on the George Street property.

"Something like that doesn't belong on that piece of property," said Mr. Clegg during an interview last week. "It just doesn't fit."

Mr. Clegg said he does not blame the planning board for this project, but instead points a finger at the affordable housing laws that support this type of development. 

Mr. Lawrence agreed.

"The State Housing Appeals Board never looked into the concerns of the community to protect the environment, wildlife or historical significance of Nockum Hill," Mr. Lawrence wrote. "Instead SHAB focused on a loophole that North End Holdings LLC. is exploiting to maximize profits on this project. SHAB never walked the ground to see for themselves what is being proposed. So SHAB shamefully passed this project with complete disregard of the wellbeing for the community that it affects most."

Mr. Clegg said there are plenty of questions surrounding the Residences, including the proposed septic system and potential problems with parking. 

Owners of horses that are kept at nearby barns are also concerned. 

Right now, the area is filled mostly with sounds of nature, but increased car traffic and residential homes will change that, and horse owners are worried about how that will impact their animals.

"This is a bad idea," said one woman who keeps her horse at the nearby farm Pine Gate.