Possible zoning changes to certain Overberg small holdings

Around Rooi Els, Pringle Bay and Betty's Bay lies a wealth of smallholdings, subdivisions of the Farm Hangklip 559. From Rooi Els on the R44 to Kleinmond the highway cuts through dozens of such holdings. They range in size from less than one Ha to Sea Farm's 260Ha. Of these plots 10 are owned by the WWF.

Because the smallholdings are subdivisions of an agricultural zoned farm (HANGKLIP 559), the original zoning of the holdings on their title deeds were throughout AGRICULTURE. Over time, the Zones have changed to UNDETERMINED.

The local authority is currently working on a process to provide the owners the choice to change the zoning to several possible new zonings. Back to AGRICULTURE is one such option, while a new zoning (RURAL ZONE 2: CONSERVATION USE) will also be an option. The latter zoning’s primary uses are the following: Conservation Use; Guest Rooms; Home Occupational Practice; Dwelling. Application under this zoning can be done for many consent uses: tourist friendly practices such as Recreational facilities; Plant nursery; Place of education; Place of Assembly; Place of Entertainment; Tourist Accommodation; Tourist facilities; Second Dwelling Unit.

The new land use zoning scheme should be effective and in place from the first of January 2014. From that date, owners will be in the position to do applications for rezoning and to apply for consent uses.