Boschendal plans in the spotlight
2006-07-06
IT is unacceptable that the SA Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) is being seduced into short-term financial gain for the poor, at the expense of the preservation of the Cape’s most historic farms.
This was pointed out by the Institute of Architects, during the appeal hearing against the proposed multi-billion rand development of Boschendal Estate in Groot Drakenstein.
The development programme has been temporarily halted with the appeal against the recent decision by Sahra to permit the first phase of the development “in principle”.
Other objectors are the Stellenbosch Interest Group and the Drakenstein Heritage Foundation.
Only last week, it was announced that Kuwait-based IFA Hotels and Resorts had obtained a 19,25% share in the estate at R54 million and will play a major role in the development of the 2 400 hectare landholding in the Dwars River Valley over the next ten years.
“Property sales should yield more than R2,2 million, of which five percent will be channelled to the previously disadvantaged communities,” Clive Venning, CEO of the Boschendal developing company, said.
The first step in the redevelopment of Boschendal came last year when a consortium of businessmen purchased the land from Anglo American Farms for R329 million.
Four farms totalling 420h are to be consolidated and divided into Founders Estates (smallholdings of 8000 sq metres), each with its own homestead, as well as an agricultural centre.
The second stage of the development will include a hotel with 50 rooms, a commercial centre and retirement village with 350 homes.
The objectors voiced their concern that Boschendal might lose its chance of becoming a World Heritage area.
Their appeal was founded on “impacts of the proposed sub-division upon the environment of this particular area of the Winelands”.
The Institute delegation will continue arguing their case at the special appeal hearing at Sahra’s head office in Cape Town tomorrow.
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