Residents and local stakeholders are being invited to comment on ambitious plans to develop part of the historic Altydgedacht wine farm in Durbanville — one of the largest residential projects planned for Durbanville in recent years.
The public participation period will run until 9 January next year.
The proposed mixed-use development would see approximately 105 ha of the 260 ha farm transformed into a new residential community, whilst preserving the majority of the property for continued agricultural use and conservation, according to the executive summary of the second draft basic assessment report, which was issued on Friday 14 November.
This came despite the land being outside the urban edge. The City of Cape Town has also not received any application for the rezoning of the land from agricultural to residential purposes.
Range of housing types
The development plans centre on the southern portion of Portion 18 of Farm 276, Altydgedacht, located near Tygerberg Valley Road and Jip de Jager Drive. Of the total farm area, only about 40 ha would actually be built upon, representing roughly 15% of the property.
The development will consist of 1 233 new homes across a range of housing types — from single-family houses to townhouses, apartments and retirement units.
It will consist of 110 erven larger than 300 m² in extent, 100 erven less than 300 m² in extent, 82 erven less than 500 m² in extent, 90 retirement units, 807 three-storey apartments and 44 single residential units.
A mixed-use precinct would be established around the historic farmyard, featuring approximately 3 531 m² of retail space, 791 m² for restaurants and 5 933 m² of office space.
Water reservoir
Infrastructure improvements form a significant part of the proposal, including a new 1.8-million-litre water reservoir, stormwater management systems with infiltration ponds, and a substantial 130 000 m³ dam for agricultural irrigation.
Environmental consultants from Guillaume Nel Environmental Consultants have concluded that the development is “environmentally acceptable and sustainable” provided proper mitigation measures are implemented. Specialist studies found no fatal flaws in the proposal. However, the development would result in the loss of approximately 4 ha of existing vineyards and 15 ha of high-potential agricultural soils.
To address these concerns, the plans emphasise that 85% of the farm would remain undeveloped, including critical biodiversity areas and the most productive agricultural land.
The northern portion of the farm would continue as working agricultural land and conservation areas, preserving important ecological habitats including wetlands and riparian zones along local watercourses.
Historic werf
The proposal includes restoring the farm’s historic buildings and maintaining its wine-making operations, whilst adding new community amenities and green spaces along the nearby Elsieskraal River.
However, heritage specialists have noted potential impacts on the sense of place around these historic buildings, as well as concerns about burial sites and other heritage resources.
Traffic impacts have been identified as a key concern, with necessary upgrades planned for nearby intersections and road networks to accommodate increased vehicle movements from the new residential community.
Detailed studies have examined potential health risks, particularly exposure to agricultural spray drift from neighbouring vineyards and construction dust during building phases. The project would be implemented in seven phases, allowing development to proceed gradually as infrastructure is completed and market demand develops. The proposal must still receive environmental approval from the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, with a decision expected by November 2026. If environmental authorisation is granted as expected, construction could begin in January 2027, according to the report. This is the second commenting period in the pre-application phase. A third commenting period during the formal in-process phase will also be conducted, where all comments received during this commenting period will be addressed and incorporated into the assessment and ultimate recommendation.
Outside urban edge
According to Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment of the City of Cape Town, the land is, according to the current council-approved 2023 Municipal Spatial Development Framework(MSDF) and Northern District Plan, located outside of the urban development edge in an area of agricultural significance.
“The site’s location within this agricultural area and beyond the urban development edge in a discouraged growth area means the type of activities supported on the site are those linked to agriculture and rural zoning as opposed to conventional urban development or land uses which can ordinarily be accommodated inside the urban development edge,” he said on enquiry by TygerBurger.
Andrews confirmed that the City’s land use management department has not received a land use application for the land. “It is important to note that this is the environmental process, not the rezoning. Rezoning is not required before the environmental process is started,” he said.
Residents can voice opinions
Local residents have until 9 January to voice their opinions on the proposals. Due to Christmas holiday arrangements, people effectively have 56 days to submit comments — nearly twice the usual consultation period.
. The public can review detailed plans online at www.gnec.co.za or contact Guillaume Nel Environmental Consultants by email to a.p@gnec.co.za. Comments should be emailed to a.p@gnec.co.za.
