By Cheri-Ann James

Cove Rock farmers are willing to sell to developers who want to build a massive new East London suburb there but only if the price is right.

The Daily Dispatch reported on Wednesday how the Buffalo City council met on Tuesday to consider, among other things, the adoption of a framework plan for the proposed development of the new suburb, to be called Rock Cliff.

The matter was, however, deferred to the mayoral committee for further information.

Some smaller property owners in the area admitted they were tempted with offers from developers but said they weren’t ready to sell their land just yet.

Building contractor and property owner Johannes Doyle said there had been no formal presentations from anyone regarding the development of the new suburb.

A number of estate agents had tried to convince him to sell his farm, and o ffered him R2m for the 18 hectare piece of land, but none elaborated on why they wanted to buy it.

“All I know about this development is what you have told me now,” he said. “ If I sell this farm, where will I buy another one at that price for my future generation?”

About two years ago, his farm was valued at R3.7m .

Doyle said that, as a building contractor, he welcomed the development but he suggested that the developers should have approached the land owners to come on board.

Another farmer said he hadn’t sold because he was concerned about the final product. There had been cases where public beaches had been closed to the general public as a result of private developments.

“I’m happy as long as people benefit,” he said. “If it brings about hardship for the people, then it isn’t a worthwhile development because it only benefits a few.”

He admitted infrastructure including roads would be of benefit if the project went ahead.

Vegetable farmer Ken Stewart said he would sell his farm if the price was right. “I think it is a fantastic idea,” he said, and more jobs would be created.

Stewart, who has been living in Cove Rock for over 10 years, said selling farms to be developed for housing units would not have an effect on agricultural production. “The majority of people in the area are gentlemen farmers,” he said. Only two farms in the area were commercially viable.

Another land owner, Franco Ferrucci, said he hadn’t heard anything about the proposed development. He had not been approached by anyone wanting to buy his property. “Good luck to them; the area has been neglected for over 40 years,” he said.

If approved, Cove Rock’s new suburb could have 11900 homes, shops, offices and a hotel.

It would be as big as Beacon Bay and would be centred on a golf estate.

Infinite Properties, who are managing the project, said more details would be made available as soon as council gives its stamp of approval.

Source: Daily Dispatch