PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The dust has not settled yet over a major development on a pristine site adjacent to the Robberg Corridor involving Ballywood Properties, of which former Springbok Schalk Burger is a director.

Ballywood bought the property in September last year after the death of the previous owner, Russel Stevens. The proposed development is near Plettenberg Bay Airport, along the coast from Robberg Peninsula.

No monetary value has been put on the development on erf 8010 and another portion, 76.

'Flawed process'

Adjoining landowners say the development has followed a flawed public participation process.

Shaun Seeliger, also a director of Ballywood, said the application has gone through the public participation process and a response to the comments and objections has been submitted by Ballywood.

"The appointed case officer from Bitou municipality now has to prepare an assessment report for the Planning Tribunal to make a decision on the proposed application," said Seeliger

'Informed by email'

The application for rezoning and subdivision was advertised in limited free-distribution sheet, Hello Plett, while adjacent property owners were informed of it by email in March this year, said immediate neighbour Tom Borman.

The proposed boutique hotel along the coast. The housing development would be on top of the ridge to the right.

Borman has filed copious objections to the development, saying it will impact him directly and also involves re-directing power lines over his property, and affects a servitude that runs through his land to one of the development sites.

'Act not adhered to'

Borman says the application process to the Bitou municipality has been flawed, and that aspects of the National Environmental Management Act have not been adhered to.

The development has also raised eyebrows among conservationists because the seed capital for the project was provided to Burger by billionaire Johann Rupert.

It has elicited strong reaction from environmental organisations in Plett, that includes the Robberg Coastal Corridor Protected Environment (RCCPE).

Dr Morkel Pienaar, chairman of the RCCPE, said: "We are glad that the Sunday Times have drawn public attention to this matter.

'Impact studies'

"Besides the procedural objections and the lack of suitable environmental impact studies done, as required by environmental law, we also object to the scale of the proposed development and its inconsistency with the character of the surrounding and or adjoining protected environment and its pristine and wild character," said Pienaar.

"The application process is ongoing and we are waiting for a response from the municipality and developers, following our objections.

"Environmental impact studies also have to be completed first, before the application can be considered. We did express our concern about the rezoning and subdivision being published in Hello Plett, but I am not in a position to comment on their motivation for doing so.

'Objections based on planning, environmental law'

"This matter has also drawn attention due to some of the names involved (Johann Rupert and Schalk Burger) with the development.

"The position of the RCCPE is that our objections are the same, regardless of who is involved.

"Our objections are based on planning and environmental law and as the management authority of this vital wildlife corridor and the stewards of this protected environment, it is our duty to object to any development that may negatively impact the Corridor and its fauna and flora. Many of whom are endangered," added Pienaar.

Ballywood said its plans were designed to conserve part of the natural environment with 40ha of the total 74ha due for protection from Cape Nature as part of the corridor.

Previous to the subdivision, the entire area was earmarked within the urban edge.

'Design creates a buffer'

Seeliger said the development "thoughtfully" considers existing vegetation and proximity to the protected environment, featuring larger "conservation-type" properties that allow natural vegetation to surround the proposed homes.

"This design creates a buffer between the higher density development to the north and the protected environment to the south, promoting ecological harmony."

Seeliger said erf 8010 was designated as a strategic development area within the urban edge of the Bitou municipality's spatial development framework "well before its purchase by the current owners".

'Mixed-use development'

Seeliger said the project will involve rezoning and subdividing the land to create a mixed-use development, including 122 group housing units, 132 apartments, a business area, 10 recreational erven, and 18 private nature conservation area erven (Eco-Holdings), along with infrastructure improvements like eight private roads and one public street.

Additionally, the expansion of an existing guest lodge on portion 76 of the Farm Brakkloof No 443 will rezone a 6 775m2 area for a boutique hotel and add six suites, with height limits raised from 8.5m to 14m. This expansion will account for only 17% of this property, with the remaining 83% protected in partnership with CapeNature.

"The vertical expansion will maintain the original footprint, preventing negative environmental impacts or changes to the area's character," said Seeliger.

"The Protected Environment, established by the new owner, conserves 40ha of the 74ha parcel, demonstrating a commitment to environmentally responsible land management."

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