Why The Secrecy Over Kapps Farm Concept?

WHEN, how and based on whose initiative did the project Kapps Farm concept town planning scheme come into existence? From the very start this issue has been quiet dubious as not all residents or neighbours were informed of the meetings regarding the planned Kapps Farm Concept, some were informed too late, some not at all.

Why? And then suddenly all was quiet. In 2007, we, the concerned neighbours, heard rumours of developments in our area.Only Then we heard that the Town Planning Act had been passed during December 2006.For what reason were the neighbours and residents of the area never informed about this development? What was the reason for this secrecy? Residents of private property neighbouring the current development site were only made aware of this construction when they were asked whether ‘drinking water supply pipes’ could be laid across the surrounding private properties.In addition, the arrogance with which the cartel threatens neighbouring residents to have those pipes laid on their properties is quiet appalling – at what compensation? A ridiculous amount in comparison to their profits.Beyond this, this commission actually wants to assure the residents that the development had been announced in the media in advance a number of times.When asked which newspaper, the specific planner could not remember, and this is the reliable developer YOU have confidence in? Has anybody ever conducted an Environment Assessment Study regarding the abovementioned project? Concerned neighbours have never been informed of such a conducted study (supposedly with good reason).Again, why not? Additionally, the planning commission had stipulated in 2006 “that any plot offered for sale must have a minimum size of 5 hectares”! And the planning commission? It purchases a private area exceeding (farmland) 200 ha, splits it up into plots smaller than 1 hectares, between 7500 square metres and 9300 square metres each.It seems that laws are only to be obeyed by the man in the street/or owner of a plot, not by those who draw them up! Such a development will have a negative effect on the neighbouring dwellings: * noise pollution * light smog * unpleasant smells * increased traffic * a definite increase in crime * and the peace and tranquillity during weekends is a thing of the past! Besides this, rare fauna and flora species that have been there for centuries will lose their natural habitat.Does nature conservation exist in our country only by word of mouth – is it shifted aside as soon as the financial greed of some individuals comes to the fore? The planning commission must have been aware of this, otherwise they would have been permitted to built their lodge on the adjoining municipal area to the present development site a while ago already.In the papers the investors try also to mislead potential buyers by telling them that the nature will be protected and that they have a complete new revolutionary concept.But how will it be protected with streets 13m wide, cul-de -sacs 30m in diameter, 218 houses, shopping centre, swimming pool, drains, community facilities…? Why did no one consider dividing the 230 ha into bigger sized plots, like 10 to 20 ha plots? This would have led to the same profit or, who knows, even much more! This also would have had a much more positive impact on the surrounding environment, as animals and plants could have been spared; the expected crime increase would have been reduced or even prevented and the new plot owners would have had much more space.Security to the surrounding neighbours also seems to be of no concern, although the commission assures that “employees will be picked up in the mornings and dropped off in the evenings”.Experience has revealed that such developments in big cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg have had a detrimental impact on inhabitants, and the persistent crime says it all.Now, they realise that such developments on the outskirts of cities do not work, because pets and humans even more need boundaries (fences), so that they can live in peace together! The only positive aspect: The profits the planning commission earns are twice or thrice the invested amount and the buyers that purchase at these prices are left carrying the can! Concerned Residents Via e-mail 14In 2007, we, the concerned neighbours, heard rumours of developments in our area.Only Then we heard that the Town Planning Act had been passed during December 2006.For what reason were the neighbours and residents of the area never informed about this development? What was the reason for this secrecy? Residents of private property neighbouring the current development site were only made aware of this construction when they were asked whether ‘drinking water supply pipes’ could be laid across the surrounding private properties.In addition, the arrogance with which the cartel threatens neighbouring residents to have those pipes laid on their properties is quiet appalling – at what compensation? A ridiculous amount in comparison to their profits.Beyond this, this commission actually wants to assure the residents that the development had been announced in the media in advance a number of times.When asked which newspaper, the specific planner could not remember, and this is the reliable developer YOU have confidence in? Has anybody ever conducted an Environment Assessment Study regarding the abovementioned project? Concerned neighbours have never been informed of such a conducted study (supposedly with good reason).Again, why not? Additionally, the planning commission had stipulated in 2006 “that any plot offered for sale must have a minimum size of 5 hectares”! And the planning commission? It purchases a private area exceeding (farmland) 200 ha, splits it up into plots smaller than 1 hectares, between 7500 square metres and 9300 square metres each.It seems that laws are only to be obeyed by the man in the street/or owner of a plot, not by those who draw them up! Such a development will have a negative effect on the neighbouring dwellings: * noise pollution * light smog * unpleasant smells * increased traffic * a definite increase in crime * and the peace and tranquillity during weekends is a thing of the past! Besides this, rare fauna and flora species that have been there for centuries will lose their natural habitat.Does nature conservation exist in our country only by word of mouth – is it shifted aside as soon as the financial greed of some individuals comes to the fore? The planning commission must have been aware of this, otherwise they would have been permitted to built their lodge on the adjoining municipal area to the present development site a while ago already.In the papers the investors try also to mislead potential buyers by telling them that the nature will be protected and that they have a complete new revolutionary concept.But how will it be protected with streets 13m wide, cul-de -sacs 30m in diameter, 218 houses, shopping centre, swimming pool, drains, community facilities…? Why did no one consider dividing the 230 ha into bigger sized plots, like 10 to 20 ha plots? This would have led to the same profit or, who knows, even much more! This also would have had a much more positive impact on the surrounding environment, as animals and plants could have been spared; the expected crime increase would have been reduced or even prevented and the new plot owners would have had much more space. Security to the surrounding neighbours also seems to be of no concern, although the commission assures that “employees will be picked up in the mornings and dropped off in the evenings”.Experience has revealed that such developments in big cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg have had a detrimental impact on inhabitants, and the persistent crime says it all.Now, they realise that such developments on the outskirts of cities do not work, because pets and humans even more need boundaries (fences), so that they can live in peace together! The only positive aspect: The profits the planning commission earns are twice or thrice the invested amount and the buyers that purchase at these prices are left carrying the can! Concerned Residents Via e-mail 14