The R2bn Chintsa River Golf Estate development near East London in Eastern Cape has been given the go- ahead by the Bisho government and the Great Kei Municipality.

The provincial agriculture department confirmed yesterday that the development had been given the nod, which will make it the second golf estate development of three planned for Eastern Cape so far.

The plans for the site include a 650-unit residential complex, a 160-room hotel, an office park and a retail centre.

The developer of the estate, a Briton, David Eastall, said yesterday the Chintsa River Group hoped to start construction next month.

Eastall said about half the prospective buyers of phase one of the development were blacks originally from Eastern Cape but now living in Gauteng.

He said these prospective buyers wanted units for second homes.

Eastall said he identified the site for development in December 2003.

"It will create 1000 jobs. We've had tremendous support from the provincial government and municipality," the developer said.

The development will be on 700ha of agricultural land. It will involve the conversion of five commercial farms in the area into a golf estate accommodating low- and high- income residents and businesses.

Eastall said the first phase of the development included 102 residential units, of which 75% had already been sold. The first 40 houses will be built in September. The group will also be developing houses - not just selling the stands.

The estate will include a nine-hole golfcourse, a golf academy and a start on the main, 18-hole, course.

"The hotel, retail and office park will be completed over the next three to four years," Eastall said.

Business Day
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge