Friends of Brandywine Farms

Facts about this historic piece of land

500 Hibernia Road is part of the original settlement of weaver George Harrison, established in 1744.  It was later purchased by Charles Downing, for whom Downingtown is named.  The Charles Downing Estate at Hibernia Park, including his colonial and revolutionary iron forge, are all part of the same property.  Most of his land has been protected, but this plot was purchased in 2008 by a Chadds Ford couple under the guise of an LLC.  Now, it is under threat to be developed by Toll Brothers.

Why the proposed development must be stopped (beyond the history)

1. This piece of farmland sits in a rural area between two rural roads.  Adding 242 homes to this tract of land will strain the local infrastructure and destroy the accustomed way of life for this rural community, removing an important part of Chester County heritage, forever.

2. A stream that flows into the Brandywine River runs through the property.  The Brandywine River is a critical water supply from Chester County to as far south as Wilmington, Delaware.  Changing the landscape from absorptive farm and natural land to paved parking lots and driveways presents a serious risk that warrants cross-examination of any plan by independent third party experts and water officials beyond the local township.  The developer's plan of having an elderly HOA be responsible for this critical waterway appears to be a recipe for failure.

3. After the closing of the Brandywine Hospital, this location sits plumb in the middle of a documented "Healthcare Desert".  There are already 9 major senior living communities within a 5 mile radius of this location, containing over 2500 homes and living units.  Placing 242 additional homes in a corner between two rural roads will push emergency response services potentially to the breaking point.  This development represents a major Public Health and Safety concern for everyone in the area.

What we can do about it

1. We can follow the gameplan of Neighbors of Crebilly Farms and hire a land use attorney to cross-examine and call expert witness to contradict erroneous or presumptive claims by Toll Brothers and their experts.

2. We can appeal directly to the owners of the land, who themselves are fighting land development in Chadds Ford for all the reasons we are fighting it here!  We can offer to assist the Township in acquiring the land, placing it under the same protection as the ASA they formed in 1990, and renting it for farming by nearby communities.  The Township was able to protect another tract of Charles Downing's land, 35 acres, by working with the owner to place it under conservancy in 2021.

We have to act now!

Next Steps:

1. Join our organization by filling out the form below (you don't have to sign into Google to complete the form)

2. Consider donating (instructions for donations will soon be placed on site.  In the meantime, you can ask about it in the form below.

3. Attend our first in person meeting at the West Brandywine Township Building on Monday, August 17th, at 7PM. (198 Lafayette Road, West Brandywine, PA 19320)

4. Attend the next West Brandywine Township Conditional Use Hearing on Aug 25th, at 7PM (same location).