Heritage Cases

The Nooitgedacht Retirement Estate Pty (Ltd) (the applicant of the project), has identified a need for a Retirement village in the urban area of White River. Loufrandini Consulting is the managing company for the development and has appointed Nkululeko Environmental and Development (NEDA) as the Environmental Practitioner to conduct the necessary studies in order to obtain environmental authorization for the proposed project. The proposed Retirement Village development is situated on portion 11 & 12 of the farm Nooitgedacht 62JU along the R40 between White River Town and the Castor Bridge Complex. The proposed development is a practical progression and extension of the existing town. The study area of approximately 11ha falls within the Mbombela Local Municipality and the Ehlanzeni District Municipality. It is currently zoned as Residential 1 and Residential 3, and will be rezoned to “Special” for the retirement village and frail care purposes. There are three houses on the property that is occupied. Adansonia Heritage Consultants were appointed by NEDA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, to conduct a Phase 1 heritage impact assessment (AIA / HIA) on archaeological and other heritage resources on the study area. A literature study, relevant to the study area was done, to determine that no archaeological or heritage resources will be impacted upon. The aims of this report are to source all relevant information on archaeological and heritage resources in the study area, and to advise the client on sensitive heritage areas as well as where it is viable for the development to take place in terms of the specifications as set out in the National Heritage Resources Act no., 25 of 1999 (NHRA). It will prevent the destruction or unsympathetic alteration of heritage resources which are protected, such as archaeological sites and objects, graves and burial grounds, structures older than 60 years and public monuments and memorials. Recommendations for mitigation and maximum conservation measures for any heritage resource will be made. This study forms part of an EIA, Consultant: NEDA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, P.O. Box 210, Matsulu, 1203, Tel: 0829718538 / Fax: 0866034915 / cell: 0724017028; e-mail: mthethwa@vodamail.co.za.