Objections to chalets on Paardebrg
2005-04-07
A NUMBER of parties have objected to a proposed training and conference centre on the farm Blydskap (property of Pieter Erasmus) at Paardeberg, involving 30 chalets and a 4x4 track.
The environmental impact scoping study is currently being undertaken by Chuma Safari and Conservation Services of Worcester.
Objections refer to the 4x4 track currently operated on the farm without a permit, water supply, sewage, erosion of the scraped roads and garbage dumping.
Objectors, including the Paardenberg Conservancy, have cited the unique flora of the area where the chalets are planned and recommended that a speciality botanical and biodiversity assessment should be undertaken by a recognised specialist botanist. This process has already started.
According to Cape Nature, which has expressed its concern about the application, the site has a number of highly threatened plants and Perdeberg is considered a core conservation area for the renosterveld ecosystem and retention of biodiversity.
The Conservancy has called for the 4x4 track to be closed and objected to the siting of such a large development in a pristine fynbos area - the last link between lowland renosterveld and granitic fynbos on the west side of Perdeberg.
Should permission be granted for the chalet development, the Conservancy has urged that it be reduced in size and relocated to the lower slopes of the farm where the landscape is already highly degraded and unsightly due to sand-mining. Rehabilitation has been called for on this area.
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