Land at the corner of Silvermine and Main Road in Noordhoek is set to go on auction, with the community urged to get involved in efforts to preserve it.
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The Noordhoek Ratepayers' Association (NRPA) has released a statement urging the community to contribute funds to purchase a piece of land, with the goal of preserving it as a green open space.
The land on the corner of Silvermine and Main roads is set for auction on Wednesday March 12.
The NRPA said while discussions had taken place with the owner, no formal agreement had been reached, and the auction deadline had created a sense of urgency in their fundraising efforts.
“NRPA does not have the funds required to buy this property; therefore, before going down the route of actually creating a legal structure and concluding a deal, it is important for us to gauge the willingness of Noordhoekers to contribute financially,” the statement said.
The landowner, who prefers to remain anonymous, has always wanted the community to have the land.
She initially offered it to the community before listing it for auction.
"I offered it, but nobody responded. Now, when I put it up for auction, there is a deadline, and everyone is upset. Nothing has changed for me."
She met with the NRPA two weeks ago to reiterate that her position hasn’t changed. "I told them that if we can meet at a fair price and agree in writing, they would have the first option."
She said she wanted the land to remain a green space: "I’ve always said I’d love for Noordhoek to have it, but I don’t want to do anything with it. I’m within my rights not to use it."
The NRPA has flagged several concerns about the sale in their statement. The property is zoned rural, meaning business activity is prohibited unless rezoned.
"While a future owner may be able to request departures, as it stands, normal planning rules apply. This means there is effectively only 175m² (a maximum width of 7m) that could be built on without special approvals. No business activity is allowed under the current zoning," the statement said.
The owner responded, saying, "I am not involved in the process of how they marketed it, and when I saw it, I was just as surprised. I was immediately criticised and defamed, and the comments that are going on go way beyond just saying they don’t agree."
Beyond zoning issues, environmentalists are also raising concerns about the land’s ecological importance. The NRPA highlighted that the plot serves as a natural drainage area where rainwater collects and toads breed.
"Building over this pond will not only destroy this habitat, but it is also unwise given the area's hydrology," the statement said.
Karoline Hanks from Project Noordhoeked has been vocal about ongoing development pressures in the valley.
She has frequently called out developers for failing to comply with environmental regulations and disrupting local ecosystems.
"We are seeing more and more of these open spaces disappearing," Ms Hanks said.
"The NRPA and NEAG (Noordhoek Environmental Action Group) have been working for years to engage with developers and the City, trying to ensure Noordhoek retains its natural character. However, it often feels as though developers are disregarding community concerns," she added.
She said community engagement is key to preventing unchecked development.
"Residents need to be aware of what’s happening behind the scenes. Joining organisations like NRPA and NEAG helps people understand what’s at stake," Ms Hanks said.
Those interested in contributing can contact the NRPA at info@nrpa.org.za to pledge funds.