It’s a gravelly trip to tarring Gwaiing road
The dirt road in Hansmoeskraal leading to the Gwaiing river mouth has been an issue for the community of Pacaltsdorp and Hansmoeskraal for many years. Last week George Herald reported on the latest development in the matter (16 November, Hansmoeskralers keelvol vir grondpad, p.11), with input from a feedback meeting held between George Municipality and members of the Beach Road Committee. Since the Le Grand development is one of the key role players and mentioned in the feedback, George Herald asked them for comment.
Johan Gouws of Le Grand confirmed last week, on behalf of the developers, that they are in discussion with the municipality, and that the matter is currently in the hands of the municipality. He also confirmed that they would like to see the road paved within the framework and guidelines of the municipality. Gouws further confirmed that, within the guidelines of the municipality and the province, they have already decided not to develop a golf course and that the new proposals for the use of the land are currently being discussed with all the authorities.
George Municipality noted an anomaly in Gouws' comment, which they pointed out as follows: "It is not true that the Le Grand representative states that they are waiting on the George Municipality ie, 'die saak is tans in die hande van die munisipaliteit'. The true reflection is that the George Municipality is in fact waiting on Le Grand. An application was received from the developers, but was deemed incomplete and was referred back to the applicant. The application has not been resubmitted and thus, no application is presently in the municipal system.
"The implication that phase two cannot be implemented because George Municipality and WC Province want the developer to change the development is also incorrect. The amendment to the development stems solely from the developers and not the municipality."
What does Le Grand say?
Gouws said the developers are on record that they support the urgent building of the Hansmoeskraal Road to benefit all the communities that use the road. "Proposals towards the designs and construction of the road were already tabled with the municipality for discussion and the Le Grand developers committed their support for the immediate completion of the project.
"Given the vast area of development activities, the Le Grand developers confirm that there are various agendas
An application was received from the developers, but was deemed incomplete and was referred back to the applicant.
and [that they] are continuously in contact and in consultation with relevant municipal structures and municipal officials on several matters. Based on various experiences, it is never wise nor recommended for property developers to communicate and/or debate matters with municipal structures and municipal officials in the media – and [they] will also refrain from doing it in this case.
The Le Grand developer confirms its commitment to utilise all official platforms and procedures to engage and interact with the municipal structures and municipal role players.
"The Le Grand developers confirm that it decided not to proceed with the approved plans of a previous landowner which at the time was known as the Le Grand Golf Estate. This decision was based on professional consultations and advice as well as meetings, discussions, presentations and court judgements that were relevant to the municipal and Western Cape provincial guidelines, plans and priorities - including the various environmental and tourism guidelines and preferences. This decision was finally taken after thorough consultation also with the municipality.
"The Le Grand developer is since 2018 involved with professional teams to identify and decide on new plans and proposals that will support the municipal and Western Cape Provincial guidelines as well as plans and priorities for the same land.
“Based on the professional consultations and official processes, the changing demographical information, the needs of the larger communities and related development costs, this process will be concluded as soon as possible."