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Rob Munro
Posts:39
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| 08/30/2007 4:43 PM |
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http://www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4008730
Heritage threat
August 30, 2007 Edition 1
Following ongoing community opposition over more than 20 years to attempts at development in the area, the prospects of the recent proposal of Dormehl Properties for cluster housing in the buffer zone to the south of Langebaan between the town and the West Coast National Park (the so called Baia Sardinia Development) have in the past few days been dealt a severe blow.
Opponents of the proposed development on the shore of the Langebaan lagoon at Klein Oesterwal (also known as Shark Bay) have maintained that, aside from its negative environmental implications, the development would constitute unwarranted urban sprawl.
Opposition has been forthcoming from conservation bodies as well, not least SANParks, the SA National Parks Trust and the West Coast Biosphere Reserve.
Now the official view at municipal level is that the proposed development indeed lies outside the southern urban edge of Langebaan and will, in keeping with the intent and guidelines reflected in the Provincial Spatial Development Framework (PSDF), not be supported.
As residents of Langebaan, we would encourage you to visit the Shark Bay Website at www.savesharkbay.org and participate in the photo competition sponsored by Friday Island in Langebaan.
The land slated for this development has amongst the most spectacular wild flowers in the area every year.
The extent and vehemence of opposition to yet another insensitive and gratuitous assault on our unique natural heritage has been remarkable, and has illustrated once again the importance and leverage of concerned good citizens inside and outside of Langebaan in shaping our environment for the better.
We need constantly to be energised by the dictum of Burke - all that is necessary for the triumph of the undesirable is that good men (and women) do nothing.
Johan Ackron
School of Public Management
and Planning
University of Stellenbosch
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