Annandale goes from farm to flats

De Zicht development offers buyers one to three bedroom apartments.

The wheels are in motion to build a housing estate on the old Annandale Farm nearly a decade after its tenants left.

They reached an agreement with the farm’s owner Ronald Shell in 2008 after he sold it for development (“Fruitful harvest,” Tabletalk, July 23, 2008).

Now years later, a board has gone up on site advertising one-, two- and three-bedroom flats, ranging in price from R800 0000 to just under R2 million. Built by Balwin Properties, the De Zicht development, will have a clubhouse, more than 1 500 parking bays and 876 flats.

Tabletalk asked Balwin how much the De Zicht developmentwould cost to build and when it would be complete, but it did not respond to those and other emailed questions by deadline.

The first environmental authorisation for the entire Annandale Farm was issued in November 2008. The land is subdivided into three erven: 36554, 36555 and 2.

In May, Balwin acquired the rights to develop erf 36555 and it has applied to consolidate erf 36555 and 2 to build De Zicht.

Erf 36554 is owned by the City and is zoned for agriculture.

Kenny Brookes, chairman of the Richwood Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (RRRA), said he had been in communication with the developers since last year September.

“The residents are not opposed to the development, in general, but do have concerns about the flats and loss of privacy. The developers have given reassurances that the residents of Morris Shell Drive will not have their privacy infringed upon.”

Mr Brookes said the RRRA was still seeking clarity on the “use and impact” the clubhouse would have on Richwood, and he has concerns about infrastructure. “As with all the building work in this area, increased traffic is a concern. The roads are already in a poor state.”

Also a worry was the safety of those who would be crossing the N7 on foot to seek work.

“We anticipate there will be an increase in job seekers and therefore an increase in fatalities. Crime is also a potential issue as Richwood is often used as a gateway to cross the N7. The risk of increased crime to the neighbourhood is of concern to the residents,” he said.

As for erf 36554, Brett Herron, mayoral committee member for transport and urban development, said the City wanted to prepare it for an “integrated human settlement development” and a team would be appointed to plan and oversee the building of civil infrastructure.

The draft amendment report for the De Zicht development is available for public comment until Thursday October 26 and can be found at www.dougjeff.co.za

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