Approval for Boschendal subdivision
2006-03-30
THE application for the subdivision of the Boschendal estate into Founders’ Estates has been approved in principle by the SA Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra), subject to a variety of rigorous restrictions imposed to conserve the significance of this world heritage cultural landscape.
The Cape Winelands Cultural Landscape has been placed on the World Heritage Tentative List as it meets some of the criteria used to assess ‘outstanding universal value’, which includes those of authenticity and integrity.
Sahra decided to approve the application in the context of the socio-economic challenges of the Dwars River Valley, but reserves the right to institute any additional condition as a result of the findings of further investigation.
The in-principle approval shall become final approval once the investigation has been assessed and further conditions and final approval has been considered.
The current owners will continue to manage agricultural production of the combined properties by one management entity.
Similarly, the natural and cultural heritage components need to be managed consistently as part of the “whole” landscape.
A close working relationship must be established between Sahra and the current and future owners of the property.
It is believed that the proposed development, if correctly applied and mitigated, will benefit the community through a Community Benefit Trust and that the control of change in the initial development will arrest uncontrolled development in the future.
Subdivision may not occur until Sahra’s conditions have been met. The owner must declare the whole site as a national heritage site in terms of Section 27 of the NHRA.
These include a binding 99 year lease entered into in respect of each unit containing all of the protections required.
No further subdivision of any of the proposed sub-divisions of the Founders Estates is permitted.
A comprehensive Conservation/Heritage Management Plan (CMP) must be drawn up for the whole of the property and endorsed in writing by Cape Nature who will monitor the management.
A “package of plans” approach should be adopted whereby Sahra would be responsible for the approval of the design guidelines and for site development plan approval.
Foreign stylistic architectural expressions are forbidden. Structures are restricted as to height, roof pitch, scale, colour and materials used. Building forms must be terraced on sloping sites. Homesteads are preferably to be sited within or adjacent to existing tree clumps, orchards or olive groves, and generally where dwellings, labourers’ cottages and barns already exist.
Access roads to homesteads must be kept as narrow as possible, and should generally not exceed 3m.
Outdoor signage and lighting must be as unobtrusive as possible and all utility lines must be located underground.
A Heritage Management Plan for the entire Goede Hoop werf, Nuwedorp and Silvermine complex with mill site must be prepared and any change in use or physical intervention within and around the ‘werf’ must be approved by Sahra.
New development may not interfere with the view axis on the approach towards Rhodes Cottage.
Mid-nineteenth century labourers’ cottages below Goede Hoop are to be retained and conserved.
Identified areas of archaeological sensitivity are to be subject to investigations.
Edge treatments and security arrangements between the Founders Estates, the village of Pniel, the proposed portion of land to the south which is to be donated to the community and along the R301 form part of the overall landscape plan.
All remnant patches of fynbos shall be restored and managed appropriately as part of an overall management plan for the site.
Persons and bodies with a bona fide interest in, or affected by the decision, may lodge motivated appeals to the SA Heritage Resources Agency against such decision within 14 days.
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