S24G Application - Mixed use / Light Industrial Development Proposed on RE/139 Farm Zandhoogte, Mossel Bay Municipality, Western Cape - Reference: 14/1/1/E3/9/2/3/L1270/22
A mixed use / light industrial development is proposed on RE/ 139 Farm Zandhoogte, near Groot Brakrivier, Western Cape Province. The area is approximately 18.5 hectares and located north of the N2 in Tergniet. Approximate central coordinates: 34° 3'28.02"S; 22°11'22.60"E.
In 2020 approximately 2.5 ha of the property was cleared (south east corner). On 31/10/ 2022, the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning (DEADP) issued a Pre-Compliance Notice to Ideal Trading informing that the activities undertaken to develop a brickworks, are deemed to be unauthorised since vegetation was removed without prior Environmental Authorisation (EA). Clearing activities ceased; Ideal Trading was given the option to apply for retrospective authorisation (Section 24G process) or rehabilitate the area. Ideal Trading opted to rehabilitate the affected area. DEADP accepted the rehabilitation plan on 7 February 2023. No further development activities have since taken place (DEADP Reference: 14/1/1/E3/9/2/3/L1270/22).
The new landowner (Sapphire Ocean Investments (RF) (Pty) Ltd) acquired the land in 2023 and is proposing to develop a mixed use / light industrial development on the property. A Terrestrial biodiversity assessment was carried out in May 2024 on behalf of new landowner; the illegally cleared area has revegetated over the past 4 years.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) and the 2014 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations (as amended, 2017), the proposed development requires an EA to be issued by the DEADP prior to the commencement of construction for the following NEMA EIA activities:
Activity 27 (GN No. R. 327; Listing Notice 1)
The clearance of an area of 1 hectares or more, but less than 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation…
Activity 28 (GN No. R. 327; Listing Notice 1)
Residential, mixed, retail, commercial, industrial or institutional developments where such land was used for agriculture, game farming, equestrian purposes or afforestation on or after 01 April 1998 and where such development: (i) will occur inside an urban area, where the total land to be developed is bigger than 5 hectares
Activity 12 (GN No. R. 324; Listing Notice 3)
The clearance of an area of 300 square metres or more of indigenous vegetation …
