Heritage Cases

The need for the intended development could be motivated as follows: • According to the Msukaligwa Municipality Integrated Development Plan (MMIDP) 2007-2012, the estimated housing backlog at the municipality stood at 4690 units. Of the seven towns in the municipality, Ermelo contributed more than half (53%) of this backlog. This proposed Township development seeks to address the housing backlog facing the Msukaligwa Local Municipality as well as the country as a whole. • The Municipality had planned to use the land South of Ermelo town, for housing development where there are +- 200ha of land and the challenge for the municipality was funding for the township establishment and provision of services. Needless to say with the shortage of housing as it is in the country and the province, the housing project identified so long ago but held by funding issues, hopes and expectations had been raised amongst the people who are in desperate need of housing. • The proposed Bahlangene residential township development is located 3.2km south east of Ermelo and 0.8km east of the N11. The site is best located to benefit the Ermelo community and other communities around Msukaligwa in terms of affordable housing provision. • The development will contribute to public service as is of high importance to the government and that it needs help in assisting the growth and upgrade of any such service made available to the public. The desirability of the proposed project can be motivated as follows: • The proposed site is accessed off the N11 National Road which runs 0.8km east of the development site. The necessary applications with the Department of Public Works Roads and Transport will be done in ensuring access to the development site meets the departmental requirements. • It is envisaged that the proposed development will not have a negative impact on the surrounding land uses because the area is vacant with not much activity except for cattle grazing. Also taking into account that the site is closer to the Ermelo Central Business District.