Heritage Cases

Erf 31518 is situated near the Big Hole in Kimberley but does not have any heritage significance. However, The Sol Plaatje Municipality’s Spatial Development Framework indicates the development strategy for this area to “Upgrade the heritage status of the Big Hole to World Heritage Site status”. The development guidelines for this area are: 1. Support and promote the establishment of low impact recreational and tourism facilities in support of the World Heritage Status. 2. Support strategic residential densification. 3. Support tourism and hospitality ventures. Interventions to achieve the above include inter alia that “New development (is) subject to an environmental and heritage impact assessment.” It is the intention of the owner to demolish the existing dwelling house and to erect a security housing complex consisting of 14 dwelling units on the property. Each dwelling unit will consist of 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and a lounge. Each unit will be 78,24 m² in extent. This development will adhere to all the development requirements of the Sol Plaatje Land Use Management Scheme. A mix of land uses surround Erf 31518 and include Residential 1, Institutional, Agriculture and Mining. Similar to the zoning the land use are the mix of land uses including vacant land, a church with large area of vacant land and dwelling houses. This proposed development will not have any negative effects on the heritage significance of the area due to its location.