About 700 hectares of agricultural land has been earmarked for the development, department of agriculture spokesman Sphelo Sontange said.

Five commercial farms in the area will be converted into a golf estate, low and high-income residential areas and businesses including a casino and a hotel.

The development will include a 650-unit housing complex, a 120-room hotel, an 18-hole championship golf course and golfing academy, plus numerous other sports and entertainment facilities as well as an office park and retail centre.

The development is expected to promote international tourism and could generate some 2,000 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs during the construction phase.

Sontange, who is the resource planning and land management official for the provincial agriculture department, said that the project was previously stalled due to environmental concerns.

"We have since concurred with the Great Kei Municipality for the project to go ahead after we received an approval from national department of agriculture," said Sontange.

Great Kei Municipality manager Sibongile Ngqele also confirmed that the development was on the cards.

"We have already compiled a concept document towards the project. Besides a few hitches, I am delighted that development is going to take place soon in the area," he said.

According to the municipality, British developer David Eastall insists that the natural environment will be protected. "The fact remains that it signals a welcome vote of investor confidence in the Border-Kei region area."

Since arriving in South Africa nearly four years ago Eastall explored many opportunities for potential golf estates in the Eastern Cape before settling on Chintsa.

In October 2004, the estate received the support of the Great Kei Municipality. Shortly thereafter it got the nod from the department of environment and tourism.
 
Sapa
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge