Welcome to the site for objecting to the proposed development of Oesterwal 292 - known to many people as Shark Bay or Klein Oesterwal. Recently the original Section 28 Application under the name of "Bahia Sardinia" which was sent back to the developers and were instructed to re-apply under Section 24 of NEMA (National Environmental Management Act) under their new name "Shark Bay!" 

Located in Langebaan on the doorstep of the West Coast National Park, in South Africa, this beautiful part of the lagoon plays host to 1000's of visitors each year seeking peace and tranquility in safe, warm water or beautiful flower meadows.

The Shark Bay site has a deep ongoing history of court cases, objections, planning applications and environmental issues.

The aim of this website is to provide comprehensive and non political views about the proposed destruction of one of South Africa's prime environmental areas.

The Save Shark Bay website has since the original application stayed away from discussing the person behind the scheme but lately the owner, Riccardo Scappelini, has been voicing his opinions openly and we now see no reason but to refer to the individual and no longer the "company."

Langebaan is currently confronted with a development proposal from Riccardo's Dormell Properties 391 (Pty) Ltd operating as Shark Bay for the development of in excess of 100 elite residential housing erven in the buffer zone to the south of Stompneusrots between the town and the West Coast National Park and on the south eastern shore of Langebaan Lagoon - a Ramsar site of international conservation significance. This land is currently reflected in the proposed local 2007 Zoning Scheme as agricultural land and in the 2004 Spatial Development Framework still current as buffer conservation land category 2. Prior similar proposals in respect of the same land on the part of earlier developers have been opposed and interdicted by Order of Court.

The NEW proposal has already met with significant opposition from residents, the West Coast National Park, West Coast Biosphere, the Langebaan Rate Payers Association and the National Parks Trust. With approximately 50% of the available erven in Langebaan town vacant, and a large tract of vacant and disused agricultural land within the urban edge within the centre of Langebaan, the development would mean the expansion southward of the urban edge into a sensitive area when other less environmentally and aesthetically sensitive options exist, most notably to the north and east of the town should the need arise.

Objectors maintain that the development would constitute a clear instance of unwarranted urban sprawl, thus flying in the face of the intent and letter of the Provincial Spatial Development Framework whose imperative amongst others is toward in-fill development in the interests of the conservation of the biosphere and of containing the resource costs of providing infrastructure and other services.

As things stand at present it appears that the rapid development of erven in Greater Langebaan has led to a situation where the construction of housing on existing vacant erven could result in a doubling of the functional population of the town – and that without setting out a single new erf. This would have severe implications, not least for the water resources in the area that lies on a semi-desert coastline which already is particularly vulnerable to the stresses of climate change.

The land has in the past been identified for possible incorporation in the West Coast National Park, thereby containing the southern extremity of the town to the north of the Stompneusrots mini-escarpment. Objectors are adamant that the EIA process currently underway should clearly interrogate the need for the development at all relative to other softer options consistent with sound environmental and physical planning and provide a clear and convincing motivation for its incorporation into the built environment rather than into the National Park where it would be accessible to all, and particularly to future generations. Exotic development on the West Coast is eroding the once unique character of this area and the sense of place of the south-eastern shore of Langebaan Lagoon is now directly under threat. When will the destruction of our unique South African heritage stop?

Of great concern must be the fact that development proposals are currently being entertained and adjudicated piecemeal for the Greater Langebaan area outside of the context of an Environmental Management Plan such as provided for in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

Over the next few days, weeks & months, this site will become the site for all things to do with this objectionable application.

Please take time to 1) REGISTER and 2) OBJECT to this terrible abuse of our natural land.

If you have any questions, please make a posting in the FORUM and we will endeavour to answer them for you.

Regards
The SaveSharkBay.org team

Who We Are

The Save Shark Bay team is made up of an informal group of Langebaan residents. At no time do we feel that we have a mandate to speak for the community as a whole but certainly do represent the grass roots feelings of Langebaaners. What we are able to do is to promote the safe management of the Site and to maintain Shark Bay's natural beauty and to make introductions between various Parties.

We do not pretend to represent "Facts" but only Legal Opinions of our esteemed Environmental Lawyers and Advocates. Facts are often used as a wedge to change public opinion, yet these "Facts" are purely opinion and we do not believe in stating what we stand by as facts, just "The Right Thing to Do!"

The SaveSharkBay.org wants to see the land remain as it is and that NOBODY will destroy the natural beauty of this amazing place.

Recently the Langebaan Action Group was adopted as a SUB COMMITTEE of the Langebaan Rate Payers Association. 

SSB

Copyright

The information contained on these pages is updated on a regular basis. However, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. Langebaan Ratepayers Association will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any inaccuracies or errors within these pages.

Langebaan Ratepayers Association is not responsible for typographic errors. Information contained in advertisements is neither confirmed nor warranted by Langebaan Ratepayers Association. Links from our site lead to pages or e-mail addresses maintained by individuals, agents, or other organizations. These are provided purely for your convenience. They do not imply that Langebaan Ratepayers Association endorses or supports those individuals or organizations, the information on their pages or their products or services in any way. No responsibility is assumed by Langebaan Ratepayers Association for the contents of their pages or any unauthorised access of this website by third parties

Langebaan Ratepayers Association shall not be held responsible for any injury, loss, expense or damage of any kind whatsoever suffered or incurred by any person who makes use of our products, utilises any service offered on this website or relies on any information contained on this website for any reason whatsoever including but not limited to any injury, loss or damage suffered as a result thereof.

Langebaan Ratepayers Association reserves the right in its absolute discretion to alter, modify, upgrade, update, suspend or withdraw this website or any part hereof at any time.

Visitors to this website hereby indemnify Langebaan Ratepayers Association against any demand, claim or action against Langebaan Ratepayers Association relating to or in connection with the visitors' use or accessing of this website whether directly or indirectly for any reason whatsoever.

E- mail Jaco Kotze if you discover any information on our pages which you believe to be inaccurate, inappropriate or misleading.