Heritage Cases

Guillaume Nel Environmental Consultants (GNEC), as independent environmental consultants and impact assessors, has been appointed by the Western Cape Department of Housing, on behalf of Drakenstein Municipality, to facilitate the Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) procedure for the proposed residential development on Erf 8359, Re/Erf 8370, Erf 8378, Erf 8399, Erf 8400, Erf 12628, Erf 12633 and Erf 33027 (known as Vlakkeland) in Paarl, Western Cape. The region of Paarl and Wellington suffers from a shortage of houses for the local community. Developable land in Paarl/Wellington area is scarce due to the sensitive nature of the natural environment in general, the heritage and visual sensitivity of most of the area as well as the good quality of most of the agricultural land in the area. Over population is therefore a major concern and this proposed development will provide the needed housing for the local community. The proposed site is situated in the Paarl Valley between Paarl and Wellington in the Western Cape. The 105ha site is located south of Newton residential development and east of Mbekweni residential area. The western boundary of the site is bounded by Jan van Riebeeck Drive, Bo-Dal Road serves as the site’s eastern boundary. Agricultural farm lands are situated east of Bo Dal Road and a heritage conservation site is situated to the south. The proposed site is zoned for agricultural use but it is currently standing mostly vacant and is an area prone to attract trouble makers. A group of informal farmers (mostly pigs and goats) have settled close to the western site boundary. The municipality proposes to develop a residential development with approximately 3 260 units, consisting of a combination of subsidy housing, subsidy double storey housing an activity spine, GAP housing and GAP and rental apartments on the above mentioned property. It is proposed to allocate four erven for Primary Schools and two erven for Secondary Schools. Specific locations will be set out to accommodate Places of Worship, Creches, Pre-Primary Schools, Sport Fields and taxi bays. A conceptual open space network will run throughout the development. A Civic and Business Node will be created in the centre of the development, providing a location for retail, offices, a Library, a Post Office and a Community Centre. A primary storm water drainage system with a large storm water retention facility will be constructed in the south eastern corner and alongside the southern border. This area will also serve as a sport facility, providing sport fields for the local community.