Property developer Uniqon has announced that its R350m light industrial park development, on a tract of prime land along the N4 highway in Pretoria’s eastern suburbs, is all set to commence with the construction of custom-built client premises.

The industrial park is expected to contribute to the regeneration of a neglected wetland on the property’s eastern border.

The park will feature new indigenous plants and trees that serve to attract bird and animal life.

“Initial assessments indicated that the property, previously zoned for agricultural use, had a wetland. It was on this basis that a wetland consultant conducted a study and demarcated the wetland area,” says Uniqon’s Theuns Botha.

The wetland was found to be in a severe state of degradation — man made channels had left it drained, and plant invaders and pioneer grasses had encroached on it.

But specialists insisted it still had an important function, in that it could alleviate flooding and improve water retention. On that basis, a rehabilitation plan was formulated.

In addition to providing proper storm-water management, the plans include the establishment of wide streams flanked by indigenous grasses. Also planned is the re seeding of indigenous plant species, landscaping with indigenous trees, the removal of alien vegetation and the creation of wet detention ponds. These measures are all intended to restore the wetland’s function and diversity in plant life.

“The open grassed swale and vegetated detention ponds will create a suitable habitat for species like the bullfrog to feed and breed, as well as to provide a safe passageway to adjacent sites without having to cross any roads,” Botha says.

With the environmental concerns catered for, he says, construction work on the land — which already has fully installed services, tarred roads and street lights — has commenced.

The 46ha site is made up of 124 stands ranging in size from 1493m² to 10563m², with easy access to the N1, N4, Hans Strydom Drive and Bronkhorstspruit Road. The park is an ideal location for logistics operations that service the Pretoria, Mpumalanga and Limpopo areas.

Because the area has proved popular for development in recent years, it has become necessary to upgrade some of the roads around the Hans Strydom and N4 intersections.

“Once built, the N4 Gateway will become part of the solution,” says Botha.

Plans include new traffic lights along Hans Strydom Drive, with exclusive turning lanes on all the approaches and additional slip lanes where required. Botha is optimistic about prospects for the new development, and a number of sites have already been sold.

“This prime site provides a good opportunity for businesses which require a secure environment that’s affordable and close to major highways. N4 Gateway also offers an opportunity to build according to each company’s exact specifications.”

Another advantage for prospective buyers is the City of Tshwane’s commitment to take responsibility for all services, with the property owners’ association liable for management of the park.

Source: Business Day