Green light for development
2009-05-14
THE proposed development of a security housing project of five units high on the slope of Paarl Mountain in Bosman Street has received the green light from the provincial government after long delays. The former minister of local government and environmental affairs, Pierre Uys (ANC), approved the application for the development of “Kleinplaas” just before he retired from the post last week, overruling his officials in the matter. The proposal to subdivide and develop the steeply sloping former vineyard on the smallholding was repeatedly submitted by the owner of the property, Dr Pieter Troost, since 1997, but was twice turned down by the municipality. The owner’s appeals to the provincial authority were also dismissed on both occasions, due to the possible visual impact of the development. This time his appeal has been upheld, although the property (erf 3504) does not fall within the urban fringe demarcated by the municipality last year. According to the minister, approval was granted after studying the context and uniqueness of the site, which is “in a disturbed state, heavily invaded by invasive plants”. “The visual impacts will not significantly threaten the environmental quality of the area and the extent of the proposal is small.” Mitigations planned to decrease the visual impact of the development include architecture which blends with the environment, a two-storey height restriction, appropriate landscaping, retention of trees where possible, and prevention of unnecessary earthworks and cutting into the slope. Down-cast external lighting must be installed instead of overhead street lamps. The development must be environmentally friendly, with solar heating, and insulated roofs and walls, to cut down on electricity costs. Rainwater must be captured from gutters and roofs to be used for on-site landscaping and to minimise storm water run-off. The authorisation is valid for two years, and a proposal to develop seven units, was overruled, limiting the project to five units. - Anne Kruger
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