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Tuesday 10 May 2011
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CHILL FACTOR: Despite the colder weather as winter begins to make its presence felt, these women braved the icy surf at Fish Hoek Beach on Tuesday 26 April when the water temperature was a mere 10°C. Although average temperatures in Cape Town between June and August range between 7°C and 20°C, the season is punctuated by warm days. Photo: Gwen Rea
Kaolin mine Private hospital planned for old mine to be shut DALEEN FOUCHÉ
DALEEN FOUCHÉ
A PUBLIC participation process is under way for the closure of the kaolin mine in Noordhoek, just off Chapman’s Peak Drive. Sybrand van der Spuy, the owner of the property, previously told People’s Post that the kaolin mine had reached the end of its lifespan. The environmental consultant for the closure of the mine, Natio van Rooyen, from EnviroSci Africa CC, says the closure of a mine entails a public participation process. A complete risk assessment of the mine must be completed, along with a closure plan. These documents will then be submitted to the Department of Mineral Resources. Van Rooyen asserts that the kaolin mine has left no long-term negative impacts on the land. Van der Spuy is currently proposing to build an events venue as part of an upmarket wine estate on the property. The proposed estate comprises 28 residential units, a restaurant, a wine retail outlet and the function venue on the 28ha site. Interested and affected parties have until 25 May to submit comments on the closure of the mine. To view the closure plan for the mine, or for information on how to comment, contact EnviroSci Africa CC on (021) 889-9005.
A PRIVATE hospital and a retirement village are set to be built on the site of the old kaolin mine on the corner of Kommetjie Road and the Glencairn Expressway, also known as Black Hill Road. The proposal for the retirement village – which has already been given the green light by the City of Cape Town and provincial authorities – has also been welcomed by community leaders. However, concerns about traffic remain. Sybrand van der Spuy, who owns the land, confirms that plans for a retirement village have been approved. Plans for the private hospital on the same premises have not yet been approved through a provincial Record of Decision by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP). He says the public participation process for the hospital application closed in April. “We did not get a single objection.” The hospital will be open to both residents of the retirement
village and the general public. Van der Spuy says the “most difficult” permission to acquire – from the provincial Department of Health – has been gained. The Department of Health approved the construction of a 50bed hospital, but he is now appealing this. Van der Spuy wants permission for a 100-bed hospital. The hospital and retirement village are to be built on an old kaolin mine which has been out of use for over 35 years. Kaolin is a clay mineral used in products such as paper, ceramics and toothpaste. The retirement village will consist of two apartment blocks, each with 36 two- and three-bedroom apartments, a healthcare facility with 14 two-bedroom garden apartments, 56 two-bedroom houses, 44 three-bedroom units, 38 single-room apartments and a club house and service area. Ten luxury townhouses, with separate access from the retirement village, are also being proposed. Janet Holwill, chairperson of the Fish Hoek Valley Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (FHVRRA), welcomes the development, and says
it addresses a “real need” in the valley. She says that even though there are several retirement villages in the Far South, there seems to be a demand for another. Van der Spuy says retirement villages have a long waiting list, and people have to wait “years” before getting in. Holwill says a private hospital will also be welcomed. “The closest private hospital for residents of the Far South is in Constantia, which is too far.” The entrance to both the hospital and the retirement village is planned to be on the Glencairn Expressway. Holwill says the only concern is the increase in traffic on an already burdened four-way stop. “I hope council will consider upgrading the four-way stop and the beginning of Ou Kaapse Weg.” Councillor Felicity Purchase says the City has been expecting a development on the site for over 15 years, and is not of the opinion that the proposed development is inappropriate for the Far South. Purchase, however, acknowledges the concerns regarding traffic at the four-way stop, Kommetjie Road and the be-
ginning of Ou Kaapse Weg. She says the developer will have to pay a developer’s levy, which will be used to alleviate the worst traffic problems in the area. City engineers are currently assessing what part of this congested road needs the most urgent attention. Once this is established, building levies will be used to upgrade the recommended portions. Van der Spuy says that if the proposed private hospital should be approved, it would be on condition that he builds an entrance which may include an extra turning lane, at his own expense. Van der Spuy says half of the property is still unstable after mining activity. He says a contractor has completed tests on “dynamic compaction”, a method used to densify the soil and to stabilise the ground. The “biggest” job on the site will be the demolition of the two old mining buildings on the property. Van der Spuy says that because there are no chemicals used during kaolin mining, no chemicals need to be extracted from the ground before the new development can commence.
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