Residents take action against the municipality’s plan to amend the urban edge
The current municipal management demonstrates a lack of concern for the preservation of the town’s historic significance, quality of life, and social fabric as they continue to facilitate such destructive practices.
This was said last night by concerned residents of Stellenbosch who gathered in a packed main hall of Rhenish Girls High School to listen to the proposed extensive development plan for Libertas Farm, which includes the construction of over 1200 residential units.
The attendees were provided with an explanation of the next steps in the process, and an interactive session of questions and answers took place. It is essential to recognize that this application represents a deviation from the municipal policy, specifically with regards to altering the urban edge in the Spatial Development Framework (SDF).
It is imperative to prevent such a deviation at all costs. Residents are strongly urged to submit their arguments to the municipality, emphasizing why the urban edge should not be amended. The argument is simple: there is absolutely no need for this development. The Adam Tas Corridor (ATC) development project is already slated to bring in thousands of new residents to Stellenbosch. The purported non-motorised transport plan (NMTP) lacks substance and fails to hold any weight until it is implemented. Consequently, the NMTP cannot be used as a valid argument in favor of the Libertas (Boord) development. It is crucial that both the ATC and NMTP are fully developed and implemented before any consideration is given to amending the urban edge.
It is worth noting that amending the urban edge to encroach upon agricultural land for urban expansion is not a novel concept, as the Stellenbosch Municipality has previously undertaken such actions to the detriment of communities in Raithby, Kylemore, Johannesdal, and Jamestown.
Residents from Die Boord and the greater Stellenbosch have created a petition against the development of Libertas farm and appealed to Stellenbsoch residents to sign the petition to prevent the amendment of the urban edge and urban sprawl on Libertas Farm. The website for the Die Boord interest group is https://boord.co.za. The petition can be signed there or at the Boord Spar entrance every day Monday to Friday 10:00-18:00, Saturday 10:00-16:00.
Deadline 20 June 2023.