A late entry into the race to build East London's first regional mall has pipped its competition at the post in a newly released independent survey, looking at the pros and cons of each development.

The planned shopping mall, next to the N2 highway at the Gonubie offramp, was announced late last year by Atterbury Cape, property developers who count George's Garden Route Mall among their achievements.

At that time, Buffalo City Municipality commissioned an independent study to look at the four regional shopping malls proposed around the city, as well as three other sites with development potential.

The Atterbury Cape development, which is to span 117 hectares next to the highway, slipped past the proposed Hemingway's plan by 0,6% in its overall rating.

The proposed mall scored 63,8%, while the plan for the Hemingway's development scored 63,2% in the study.

Atterbury's future expansion potential was rated the best, with nine out of 10, while Hemingway's, for instance, rated only five out of 10.

The Atterbury development also scored highly on the availability of customers, the site's accessibility and its value.

The study concluded by stating that the two sites were the most suitable of all seven for a regional mall within the next five years.

The municipality has consistently refused to support a particular development proposal, stating that it was up to the market of tenants to decide.

But the results of the study would guide BCM's future growth plans. It also provided reassurance that the area could support a regional mall, said BCM's development planning director, Craig Sam.

The study suggested that it would be ideal for another centre of 41500m? to open within the next two-and-a-half years. There is currently around 219000m? of retail space within Buffalo City.

With the Vincent Park shopping mall increasing by 4,300m? in the next six months, the market would sustain the Hemingway's Mall should it open as planned in 2009.

The study provides some insight into where East London's future growth lies, and how it may turn out.

All proposals within Beacon Bay and Gonubie scored highly because development in the area is in line with the municipality's spatial development plans.

"The Gonubie area has seen rapid residential development and is in line for future development, therefore the Atterbury centre will have a large critical mass to support the centre," the report stated.

Atterbury's initial proposal included a 50,000m? regional mall, shops, motor industry outlets, office blocks, along with a hotel and a residential estate.

Last month, the company announced that its plans to build a mall were put on hold. This followed rival Billion Group's announcement that it was about to start construction on a regional mall next to the Hemingway's Casino.

But its other building plans, including housing, would go ahead, said Atterbury director Gerhardt Jooste.

Developers also hoped to build a hospital.

"The site ... has by far the best visibility and highway access of all the proposed sites in East London," Jooste added.

Daily Dispatch