GEORGE NEWS - A development application for a commercial complex of 1 362m² has been lodged with George Municipality on erf 2353, the unsurfaced parking area east of Milkwood Village in Wilderness.
The developer of Wilderness Square, as the development is named, is the Georgiou Property Investment Company of Knysna and is represented by Brink Stokes Mkhize architects.
The environmental impact assessment was done by HilLand Environmental.
According to architect Brian Stokes, it will be developed over time. "It will include a retail offering in the form of a supermarket, line shops and some office space."
Stokes said parking will be on grade (69 parking bays) and the complex will be built in two phases (phase 1: 754m² and phase 2: 608m²). The complex is intended to create cohesion in the commercial hub by creating a spatial link between the commercial and open spaces in the Wilderness centre. This will offer a better visitor experience.
"We are unable to confirm a date for construction as this is determined by the date on which planning and building approval are given," said Stokes.
They could not confirm the identity of the tenants at this stage, but a "Country Spar" is indicated on the application documents provided to the Wilderness Ratepayers and Residents Association (WRRA) for their comment. The association in one of its recent newsletters said it has studied the proposal and "issued cautions but no objections".
An application is underway for a commercial development on the dirt parking area east of Milkwood Village. Photo: Alida de Beer
According to Cathy Avierinos of HilLand, the development has already been approved as part of the Milkwood Village development back in 2002.
"The amendment of the SDP (site development plan) is required in terms of Nema (National Environmental Management Act) from DEADP (Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning) as the original environmental approval specified a specific plan and the owners would like to amend that plan to allow for the new design as proposed," she said.
Alan Stapleton, a Spar purchasing manager in the Eastern Cape, upon enquiry said, "There are some plans afoot, but they are very much only in the planning phases and definitely not on the near horizon."
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