Silvermine corner plot secured from development!
What a week it has been. After our last plea for community support to buy
the Silvermine corner plot before it would go to auction pledges came in in
rapid succession. It was truly heartwarming to see the reactions that came
in from all corners of our community: old Noordhoekers, new Noordhoekers,
small pledges and large ones, as well as some really good advice and
questions.
All these pledges helped us to keep momentum to try and make this deal work.
Although we felt, as many of you did, that the land was not suited for any
development, we were also appreciative that an outsider might have a
different opinion and be willing to take a chance. That is what drove us to
make sure this was not that “first domino” in the iconic heart of our
Noordhoek. Luckily, the owner was of the same opinion.
When the pledges fell short of the total amount required a very generous
donor stepped in and offered to buy the property outright, with the
agreement that it would be rezoned to Open space and managed by the
community. Today the offer to purchase was signed which means the property
will have been saved from development. What an awesome outcome…. we could
not have wished better.
In practice that means that the pledges will not be needed to be converted
to actual donations for this property.
We would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for the
positive feedback we’ve had in the past week. Noordhoek came through on its
principles about wanting to maintain our area’s character: open and rural!