The owner of the George Tourist Resort, Frik Labuschagne, who has been at loggerheads with the George municipality for more than a year regarding the development of his property, has won a Cape High Court bid to rezone and subdivide his land.

The court overruled the municipality‘s rejection of his application to subdivide and rezone the property to make way for a R350-million resort, residential and business complex.

Labuschagne, of the Thaba Development Trust, claimed the mayoral committee had made unconstitutional demands on his company in order to approve rezoning of his property. He said he had refused to comply with the mayoral committee‘s demands for an “enhancement levy” of R3-million, to transfer three hectares of land back to the council free of cost and to employ a black economic empowerment construction company.

Labuschagne said the delaying tactics by the council and final rejection of his application had cost him millions.

“The property was originally sold at a low price on condition that it had to remain a tourist resort. Then the resort was bought by Wim Kiers, who sold it to Labuschagne in 2006.

“The municipality failed to register the condition against the title deed, and it was only when Labuschagne wanted to develop a large portion of the resort that we realised the mistake,” said George mayor Flip de Swardt.

The development will include premises for doctors and physiotherapists, a beauty salon and a coffee shop, as well as a filling station, hotel and 10 blocks of flats.