PRESS RELEASE – Re. Generation Schools
18th June 2017
The property at the intersection of Noordhoek Main Road and Silvermine Road, now Erf 4743, measuring approximately 25 000m2 has been purchased by Generation Schools (Pty) Ltd.
Application has been made to the City of Cape Town to rezone the land to Community Zone 1(Place of Instruction and Open Space) in terms of the City of Cape Town Development Management Scheme (DMS) in order to accommodate the use as a school.
This is also required in terms of both planning and environmental legislation.
The notice of Public Participation process in terms of the amended NEMA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulation has been released for comment on the 15th June 2017
The DEA & DP Reference number is:16/3/3/6/1/A6/57/2036/17
The intention is to build a school of 600 learners, and associated infrastructure from pre- primary to Grade 12.
The rezoning has been supported by a full suite of specialist studies including an environmental impact assessment, a traffic impact assessment, a fresh water ecological study (with specific reference to leopard toads, and the enhancement of wetlands on the property), a visual impact assessment, and urban design and architectural studies incorporating detailed site development and landscape plans (with specific reference to the rural aesthetic, incorporating green building and sustainability solutions). The heritage legislation which requires a formal process to be followed with Heritage Western Cape has also been adhered to.
The current rights on the property would allow it to be subdivided into 6 large (4000m2) properties, each with a large house and outbuildings. The DMS allows 1,500 m2 of floor area, a 40% coverage, and an 11 meter height limit for rural properties, on each of the 6 possible plots.
The land is also covered in the Southern District Plan, under ‘new development areas; where an ‘alternative form of development’ is encouraged rather than the large rural dwelling ‘sprawl’.
The Draft Basic Assessment Report is currently available for review for 30 days from the 15th June 2017
The full report including appendices which include site diagrams and artists impressions are available at www.khulaec.co.za/projects/
If you require more information or would like to participate in the Basic Assessment or provide comment on the Draft report, please ensure that you register and/or submit comment, in writing, with Khula Environmental Consultants c/o Nick Steytler: nick@khulaec.co.za on or before 17th July 2017
Further information on Generation Schools can be found on their web site www.generationschools.co.za The school is founded on Montessori principles, and is affiliated to Cambridge, which offers an international matriculation through IGCSE’s, GSE, AS and A levels.
Thanks
NRPA Exco
Dear NRPA,
I am not resident in Noordhoek but am a concerned environmentalist and would recommend that the NRPA considers the following option in relation to this application.
The various specialists reports recommend the re-zoning and school option by saying that the school will implement various ecological improvements that make this option better than the residential option that does not require re-zoning.
My suggestion is to insist that a “toad” servitude be included in all title deeds of erven that are within the toad pond or corridor areas, that is to be monitored by ToadNuts.
This suggestion will effectively blow these reports out of the water and re-zoning should not be recommended.
Kind regards