THE developers of the R185 million, 630-house Capricorn Beach development in Muizenberg say that because they are working in the very sensitive strandveld area, the environmental and conservation aspects of the project are of paramount importance.

Shearwater/Bellandia have assembled a specialist team comprising environmentalist Mandy Nofke, botanist Patricia Holmes and Brett Young, a horticulturalist.

This team is liaising closely with the city council's own environmental officer, whose input and experience has proved invaluable, says Phil Flockton, MD of Shearwater Homes.

'The plan is to create bio-corridors throughout Capricorn Beach so that the indigenous strandveld vegetation is sustained and the small fauna living within the precinct can move around freely,' said Flockton.

Certain corridors, he said, would incorporate cycle and pedestrian paths and it is hoped that these will be extended through adjacent and nearby projects, all the way to the Pick 'n Pay shopping centre on Prince George Drive.

A new, fully planted dune will be created between the development and Baden Powell Drive and will link the site to the beach. Boardwalks at regular intervals will ensure that the vegetation on dunes themselves is left undisturbed.

'It would be wonderful if Capricorn Beach could play a catalyst role in getting the False Bay coastal park off the ground,' said Flockton. 'This would include re-routing a portion of Baden Powell Drive slightly inland, thereby enlarging the beach and dune area.

Selling at Capricorn Beach, said Flockton, had gone well and the sales team has now moved on to phase seven. This phase makes available some of the few remaining beachfront homes - at prices from R330 000 to R550 000.

 It will be another 18 months before the next beachfront plots come onto the market, and prices by then would certainly have escalated substantially, he said. At present it was still possible to buy into Capricorn Beach at entry level prices below R200 000, though this would not secure a beachfront plot.

'There has been a good reaction to Capricorn's Mediterranean village concept. People are beginning to appreciate that the narrow, pedestrianised streets, in many areas cobbled, the open spaces, the earthy colours and the varying heights of the homes (from one to three storeys) will bring to this area a village scenario never before seen at the Cape. This will be an exciting and fun place in which to live.' For further information please contact Phil Flockton on 021 683 5590.