Constantia Property Owners Association
Alphen Centre, Main Road, Constantia
PO Box 68, Constantia 7848
tel/fax 794-4388 e-mail cpoa@yebo.co.za


Uitsig Farm Proposed Development

Dear Members

The CPOA have engaged consultants to assist in preparing our objections and comments on the Uitsig development proposals.

However we believe individual CPOA members may wish to submit their own views and objections. There will the three separate opportunities to comment, as follows:

1.Submitting issues and concerns that you believe should be taken in account when the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is undertaken. This must be submitted to Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants, PO Box 44, Klapmuts.7625 or emailed to Lindsay@dougjeff.co.za by 22 November 2010.

2.Submitting objection/comment on the planning applications to the Director, Planning & Building Development Management, City of Cape Town PO Box X5, Plumstead, 7801 or email to dhilshaad.samaai@capetown.gov.za by 14 December 2010.

3.Submitting comment on The EIA report which should be available in about February 2011. Closing date is still to be advised.

This email will give you guidance in 1 above only. After the closing date for this submission we will send you further emails on preparing submissions on 2 & 3.

In regard to 1 & 3 above you must register as an “interested and affected party” by emailing Lindsay@dougjeff.co.za giving your name, postal address and telephone numbers.

Submitting Issues and Concerns to be taken into account in the compilation of the EIA report (Item 1 above - Closing date 22 November 2010).

It is suggested that you first visit the website www.dougjeff.co.za Click on “Uitsig” in the left hand margin of the home page and then click on “Uitsig poster presentation”

You should think of what environmental issues or concerns that you believe would are important to you and which you would like the applicant’s consultants to bear in mind when compiling their EIA (see list below). At this stage you need not write in great detail – this you could do in phase 2.

It would be more meaning full if you personalize your submission and not merely copy the issues below, as this will then be seen as an orchestrated initiative.

The following are some items which the CPOA has compiled and will be submitting. We suggest that you select some of these and any others which you can think of and then write a sentence or two about each item:

  • Conservation of prominent land forms (in this case vineyards)

  • Change of the urban edge in a negative way which would allow intrusion of urban development (i.e. 30 dwellings and commercial activities)

  • Character areas, ruralness and Capeness

  • Valuable soils

  • Hydrology & below ground water resources

  • Recycling practices

  • Terrestrial significance

  • Cultural landscape

  • Landmark elements &special places

  • Scenic drives

  • Significant public views

  • Is the proposed developments “urban” in nature” or not?

  • Protection of productive land

  • Protection of the “terroir factor” (soil character, slopes drainage sunlight, sea breeze, rainfall of selected Constantia mountain slopes being unique terrior for planting vineyards). Commonality of vines with Cape fynbos.

  • Density of proposed development (in a farming context)

  • Ground water discharge

  • Visual impact

  • Sewerage service capacities

  • Water reticulation

  • Stormwater management

  • Waste water and effluent management of winery

  • Traffic impact (e.g. Firgrove intersection)

  • Additional vehicular traffic on farm land

  • Connectivity of farms and the Table Mountain National Parks land

  • Protection of the Urban Edge

  • Precedents for other Constantia Farms to be developed as housing estates and commercial activities.

  • Compatibility of farm activities with housing developments (e.g. crop spraying)

  • Erosion of history, heritage and significance of Uitsig farm

  • Building construction scars

  • Riverine protection

  • Land Reform window dressing and a ploy to move the urban edge?

  • Questions that need to be answered:

  • What are the benefits to the workers?  How far down the line is this process?

  •  
  • Full details are required of the extent to which this process has developed.

  • What does their Land Reform Project actually entail? 

  • To what extent will the farm workers share in the proceeds of the sale of the 30 houses that are proposed to be built?

  • Development profit motive at the expense of the environment, the urban edged and the historic rural and agricultural nature of Constantia.


Thank you for your support and interest.

Sincerely.

Alan Dolby
Manager