Update

PLETTENBERG BAY - One of the biggest misconceptions about the controversial Erf 156 on Signal Hill has been a suggestion that a portion of municipal land will be "gifted" to the new developer, as part of a rezoning application for the property.

Plett Prime Developments (Pty) Ltd, the newly registered owner of the long-contested Signal Hill site in Plettenberg Bay and part of the Feenstra Group, has responded to recent concerns around the Erf 156 "eyesore" and has clarified some issues around the proposed redevelopment of the property.

Francois Burmeister, the group's legal adviser, said the group is investigating buying an adjacent parcel of land from Bitou Municipality, and that "everything has been above board in the group's dealings with the relevant parties".

Fair market value

The land, a dead-end road, had already been approved for alienation by the municipality as it added no existing value or function for the general public and has no practical public use.

"It will not be 'gifted' to us as some members of the community have incorrectly speculated," said Burmeister. "We have committed to paying a fair market value, as assessed independently by two independent appraisers to be appointed by the municipality, and we would like to reassure the community that this land situated between our erf and the public viewing platform is already visually and physically separated by existing vegetation and the hill's natural slope.

"Most importantly, the alienation of this road does not reduce public access or affect the function of the viewing platform in any way."

Height restriction

Pieter Feenstra, CEO and chairperson of the group, said that the proposed development will have no impact on the view, as the company is not seeking any height departures.

"We have gone to great lengths to ensure we don't impede the height restrictions – even building further back into the hillside at greater costs to ourselves. The departures applied for this development relate instead to building lines and coverage only and will not at all affect the character of the Signal Hill viewpoint," Feenstra said.

Natural beauty

He emphasised that the group intends not only to correct a historical wrong, but to restore the natural beauty and prestige of Signal Hill by replacing the structure with a tasteful, high-end residential development that compliments the surrounding neighbourhood.

"We are fully committed to due process and regulatory compliance," said Feenstra.

Demolition

In what it called a "decisive move and as a sign of the commitment to the community", Plett Prime Developments has volunteered to assist Bitou Municipality by funding and executing the immediate demolition of the existing structure, "thereby saving the ratepayers millions of rands".

"This is on condition that there are no objections and permits have been approved and any objections raised by the community in respect of the rezoning have been settled and withdrawn," said Burmeister.

The company prides itself on working collaboratively with partners and communities in areas it develops in, and to operate with trust, transparency and compliance in all their dealings.

Respected businessman

Burmeister said Feenstra, the founder, CEO and chairperson of the company, is a respected businessman with an exemplary reputation spanning over three decades and extending across several continents.

"He is particularly hands-on with this project. Having lived and worked around the world, Pieter is deeply passionate about South Africa ... [and] is committed to ensuring that this development adds real value to the Plettenberg Bay area and its community, and we believe the plans in place will do just that," Burmeister said. 

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