A proposal to build a shopping mall on a floodplain wetland some 100 metres from the Hout Bay River would lead to the loss of a valuable ecosystem, says an environmental group.

An email, dated Friday June 28, from Monique Sham, of MS-EC Environmental Consultants, gives notice of the proposal by Variflex Trading (Pty) Ltd to clear between one and 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation to build the single-storey mall on Erf 666 between the Hout Bay River and Main Road below Berg-en-Dal Estate.

The email provided a link to a pre-application basic assessment report, which is available for review for a 30-day period, and noted that concerned parties could comment or participate in a “basic assessment process”, before Monday July 29.

“The shopping centre will have a footprint of approximately 1.2ha, while the road widening, and parking and loading areas will have a footprint of approximately 1.7ha with the remaining area to be landscaped,” the report says.

The mall will have 26 shops, offices, on-site parking and landscaping.

“In order that the proposed shopping centre lies outside of/above the 1:50 and 1:100 year flood line, infilling and construction using retaining walls and columns, where necessary, will be undertaken,“ says the report.

Resident James Pyatt has grave concerns about the plan.

“It will mean the area having to be rezoned from a current wetlands and greenfields site, and safe home to the associated wildlife that lives there, to a general business zone. It will decimate local wildlife.

“All this building on the floodplain will mean the flood water has to go somewhere, and it will cause big floods. Obviously the water pipe bursts are huge at the moment as the pipes are so old and have so many new estates being plumbed into them. A whole new shopping centre will just be too much for it.“

Berg-en-Dal Estate chairman Janssen Davies said he was aware of the proposal but declined to comment further.

Ian Raubenheimer, who is listed as one of the directors of Variflex Trading, according to company records, confirmed he was the developer, but declined to comment further.

Friends of the Rivers of Hout Bay member Jackie Whales said they opposed the proposal.

“This development is situated on a wetland and on land that has been infilled over many years. Only a small portion is naturally elevated. As you know, wetlands are protected and a very threatened and valuable ecosystem. This erf has a great potential for rehabilitation if the invasive species were removed, and it would be a great loss to Hout Bay to have yet another shopping centre instead of irreplaceable wetlands.”

The Friends and the Hout Bay Rivers Catchment Forum had signed up to be interested and affected parties, she said.

“They are now busy with their first round of public participation so I urge all members of the Hout Bay community who are concerned about this development and the environment to do the same,“ Ms Whales said.

In a heritage impact assessment, Dr Jayson Orton notes: “The cultural landscape may be impacted by the removal of trees and greenery on the site. Sterilisation of the site through vegetation clearing would be a significant concern. Some stone pines on site will need to be removed. They appear, from aerial photography, to be less than 60 years old. Due to the current surface levels on the site, it will not be possible to retain these trees.”

Ward councillor Roberto Quintas said the developer had not yet lodged a formal rezoning or development application with the City.

“So I can only comment on an email that was being distributed from a developer, which included a link to various proposals for design, landscaping etc. Regarding any formal application, until one is submitted, I would be unable to comment, nor could I pre-empt any outcomes of assessments in regards of environment or traffic,“ he said.

For more information or to participate in the basic assessment process, contact Monique Sham, of MS-EC Environmental Consultants, at monique@ms-ec.co.za on or before Monday July 29.

A Google Maps screen-shot shows the site proposed for a shopping mall in Hout Bay.

Most of the oak trees along Main Road would be retained as part of the proposed development, according to the basic assessment report.

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Plan for mall on wetland slammed