GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality has received an application for the development of two blocks of flats with a business component on erf 2486 in George Road (opposite the Wilderness Hotel).
According to the application, prepared by Delplan urban planners, two blocks of flats (totalling 10 flats) are proposed on the southern side (N2 side) of the property. On the portion along George Road, a business building on the ground floor with two flats above it are envisioned.
The developer, Mark Rubin, is seeking rezoning from single residential to general residential and business. There is currently a single house on the property that will be demolished.
The application, which includes a request for relaxation of building lines and an increase in coverage from 25% to 45%, has sparked reaction from Wilderness resident and environmental campaigner Mike Leggatt, who is concerned about the fate of the milkwood trees on the property. In the application, Delplan states that the trees will be retained "as far as possible", but that "at least" two trees will be removed, and some of the other trees pruned.
Leggatt complains that these statements are extremely vague. "We have lost a significant number of milkwoods in Wilderness, and they are one of the key elements that inform the sense of place. Milkwoods are protected and their habitat is endangered. Surely, in this day and age, architects and town planners can be more imaginative and create designs that incorporate nature rather than destroy it?
"Apart from that, I find it highly disturbing that the municipality can actually consider an application that seeks to almost double the coverage. Approvals of these types of applications that call for all sorts of departures without giving site-specific reasons for their necessity, only end up eroding the relevance of the regulations and future applications become mere formalities." He also complained about the fact that the period for comment falls over the Christmas holidays, an inconvenient time for interested and affected parties to give their attention to the matter, 'quite apart from the fact the consultant's offices tend to be closed.'
Jacobus Rabie, who is part of a Wilderness group that is driving a tree planting project in the area, adds his voice to the objection against the removal of milkwoods. "Only 30% of the indigenous forest in the area has survived the onslaught of development. It has now gone too far.
These trees have been growing for hundreds of years and developers come to chop them up in an instant." Cobrie Vermeulen, of the regional office of the forestry department, said that even though the owner of a residential property has the right to develop, no milkwood tree may be removed without a licence issued by the department. "He will have to work with us to see how we can preserve as many trees as possible."
The developer, Mark Rubin, referred the George Herald to Marlize de Bruyn, of Delplan, but their offices were closed for the holidays. The public has till 25 January to submit comment. For more information, contact Keith Meyer on 044 801 9477 or send an e-mail to keith@george.org.za.
This map shows the location of erf 2486 where the development is proposed.
'Intervenor' status leeway for objectors
The Directorate Human Settlements, Land Affairs and Planning responded as follows to Mike Leggatt's complaint about the commenting time on the development application falling over the Christmas period:
"It was the municipality's practice under the previous planning laws to withhold the advertising of applications over the December period. However, in terms of the new planning bylaws implemented in September 2016, the municipality no longer has this discretion and must advertise an application within 21 days after it has been deemed to be complete (i.e. all the minimum information required to assess an application has been received).
"In consideration of this, the municipality extended the advertising period to compensate for the festive season.
"In addition to the registered notices that have already been sent to the surrounding neighbours and affected parties, the municipality will also be sending out reminder letters in early January 2016.
"The new planning legislation also makes provision for affected parties who become aware of an application after the advertising period has lapsed or even after a decision has been taken on the application to apply for 'intervenor status'. The intervenor must however, demonstrate that he/she was materially and proprietarily affected by the application or the decision taken in order to be granted such status. The granting of intervenor status will then enable the aggrieved party to submit comments / objections and even to appeal against the decision."
The draft Wilderness, Lakes, Hoekwil Local Spatial Development Plan is available on the municipality's website or can be obtained from Delia Power at the Spatial Planning Department on 044 801 9477 or e-mail delia@george.org.za.
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
