By Bob Hopkin

A plan to redevelop the oldest farm in the Southern Cape, near the lagoon in Wilderness, has been met with opposition from nearby residents.

The planned new 800-hectare housing and golf estate has been met with opposition from residents of nearby Glentana, who claim the buildings and boardwalk to the beach would adversely affect their views and property values.

However, residents in local townships and farms support the proposal as they are convinced it will provide them with increased employment opportunities.

If approved in its current form, the new Lagoon Bay complex would include 886 residences, 320 tourist lodges, 150 apartments, a shopping complex, a 150-room five-star hotel and two golf courses.

The proposed site stretches from the N2 west of George southwards to the coast and is bound on its eastern side by the Maalgate River. The location will also envelop the historic Hoogekraal farm, which dates back to 1723.

Developers Dennis Moss Partnership said they had made changes to their original plans to reach a design they hoped would satisfy environmental concerns as well as meet commercial and occupational guidelines from municipal and provincial authorities.

The approval process has been in progress since 2003 when the project was initiated.

The latest plan includes densification of buildings to reduce impact on the coastal fynbos, a commercial centre open for use by all local communities, and a commitment to create a 150hectare agri-village north of the N2.

Dr Werner Roux, who presented the developers‘ plans to the community recently, said about 14 families in Glentana had been objecting to the development.

According to Roux, the Hoogekraal farmhouse would be preserved and restored to provide a focal point for the complex. The existing farmland would be cleared of alien growth and replanted with indigenous vegetation.

The developers had also committed to creating the Hoogekraal Treasury Trust, into which 2,5 per cent of the value of all property sales would be paid.

These funds, estimated to exceed R85-million, would be used to create public benefit organisations to provide employment to locals. The development is expected to provide some 1200 long term jobs.

Source: The Herald