Kleinkrantz Estate: Economy vs environment

GEORGE NEWS - A private developer, Waterleaf Properties, is doing site development and rezoning for a so-called "eco-estate" on a 30-hectare property (erf 1297) that belongs to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in Kleinkrantz.

The property was previously partly developed as Kleinkrantz Resort, but the project never got off the ground. Herman Pieters, head of communication at the GRDM, confirmed that Waterleaf was granted a 50-year lease with an option to renew in August last year.

It is proposed that the entire property, located on both sides of the N2, be used for resort purposes.

SANParks, however, is strongly opposed to the current development proposal, while renowned international environmental expert, Dr Arne Witt from Wilderness, is opposed to any development at the specific site.

"It should remain an undeveloped corridor between the lake and the ocean. Ideally it should be handed to SANParks and an underpass built to allow for improved movement of wildlife between the south and north of the N2. Maybe a pipe dream, but is it not time we put the environment first?"

Luxury estate

According to a GRDM media release in September 2020, five areas of the property will be developed. The first phase will encompass a conference facility, luxury villas, hotel, spa, shops and restaurants, a filling station, small shopping centre and take-away.

It will include a conservation area with walkways, look-out points and an adventure hub for hosting cycling, canoe, canopy or bike carrier rental. The development will also have beach access.

In a company letter to the municipality, Waterleaf Properties said it will manage the estate and levies charged to occupants, as well as the income that will include spending on maintenance of common and conservation areas.

It will be a mostly off-grid, green develop-ment, but certain bulk services might be required from George Municipality.

SANParks says no

SANParks spokesperson Dr Sandra Taljaard said the parastatal does not support the development proposal currently on the table as the landscape's functionality "will be totally compromised".

She said it is one of the last natural corridors between the lakes system and the coast within a densely urbanised area. "This 30ha municipal property is an important link between the lakes and the coast, and forms an important part of the overall coastal consolidation process."

She said it falls in a Priority Natural Area in the Garden Route National Park buffer zone and within the protected area expansion footprint. "We want a good conservation outcome on the property. It is a critical biodiversity area (CBA) with a management objective of no further loss and to restore degraded areas."

Multi-million rand investment

Pieters said at this stage the number of units is unknown as the site development plan, rezoning and EIA have not been completed. "It is a mixed-use development wherein the different users will lease from the developer, who in turn will pay GRDM a monthly lease amount for the period of the lease agreement. At the end of the lease agreement, the property will revert back to GRDM for management and control."

According to the GRDM 2020 media release, it will be a "multi-million rand investment into the local economy that will boost job creation and reduce unemployment". Green technology will be used, including solar energy, which will be integrated with municipal infrastructure. "The district will attract fiscal revenues from tourism and hospitality generated from the development," reads the statement.

Local expert concerned

Witt said the development of a hotel and houses on both sides of the N2 is of grave concern as "much of this green belt between Kleinkrantz and Wilderness will be developed".

"I am opposed to any development here."

• Karin van der Walt of Waterleaf Properties was approached for more detailed information, but she referred the newspaper to the GRDM.

• SANParks Wilderness park manager Dr Sandra Taljaard provided background information to explain the interaction there has been over the past seven years regarding erf 1297 in specific relation to development and the conservation value regarded by SANParks.

SANParks and conservationists say the proposed estate development at Kleinkrantz near Wilderness will have a severe impact on the environment as the landscape's functionality "will be totally compromised".