...been identified within the Lower Central business district which is located at the existing sites of Suzuki Marine (now Knysna Marine Store), Berns Panel Beaters and Trent Tyres. These properties are located in the vicinity of New Street, Tide Street and Union Street just off Waterfront Drive.

The exciting new development will be branded as Coral Cove and the developers intend giving Knysna a high quality mixed use development together with a fully equipped public park with associated facilities.

The development will have three specific feature buildings, which will accommodate luxury one, two, and three bedroomed apartments with their own communal swimming pools, complete with retractable roofs as well as all the other high specification finishes that you could expect from a development of this nature.

The development will also accommodate a number of 'blue chip' retail and commercial units to cater for cafes/bars, ice cream parlour, convenience store, medical centre and pharmacy together with many excellent office suites and tourist related activities.

Masterplan

A Knysna Lower Central Enhancement Study was commissioned by the Knysna Municipality with a view to providing a masterplan of this area in June 2007. This study was carried out by Chris Mulder & Associates Incorporated South Africa. The Coral Cove development proposals have been formulated using this masterplan as its template.

The developers, who already have a number of holdings in Knysna, propose to redevelop these current 'brown field' sites into a high quality mixed-use development, which will be appropriate to the excellent location of these properties.

The developers focus not only lies in their own development but also in that of the general community and therefore they propose to assist in redeveloping Erf 1339, owned by Knysna Municipality, into a public park, which at the same time will form an inherent part of the development and the regeneration of the area. This public facility will be delivered on public land using private funding.

Planning Submitted

VPM have submitted a formal application detailing this proposal in April 2008.

The proposal will also include the upgrading/landscaping of Tide Street, Union Street and New Street.

The creation of a public park will strive to retain the unique character of Knysna, while still being modern in design, and will address the huge demand for business and residential property in this picturesque part of South Africa. With innovative urban design, pedestrianisation of surrounding streets, tasteful architecture and landscaping, and the interaction between the buildings, the proposed Public Park and the lagoon, the development will create a unique and pleasant environment. The proposed design will be contemporary in nature but will be constructed using traditional materials and details.

The development will be sensitive to the surroundings and create a precinct with a distinct sense of place with variety and vitality. It will promote sustainability through the latest modern technology and create a convenient and crime-free environment, accessible and safe to its inhabitants and visitors and at the same time allowing them to conduct daily activities quickly and easily.

Future Developments

It is the developer's opinion that this proposal will act as a catalyst for future sustainable urban regeneration in the immediate vicinity leading to a link to the existing waterfront complex. It will ensure the delivery of public facilities to an under utilized area of the Municipality.

Possible usages for the lands between Coral Cove and the existing Knysna waterfront could be the construction of a new 4 star 120 bedroom hotel and possibly 10 pin bowling, amusements and other types of entertainment as well as additional residential, commercial and retail units.

The proposed vision for this area of Knysna embraces the Enhancement of the Knysna Lower CBD and will create a vibrant community catering for local work, rest and play needs through the provision of both public and private facilities.

The Developer envisages that the entire lagoon edge that stretches from Loerie Park to the Waterfront could be developed into a well-equipped linear park.

It is envisaged that this park will have public ablution facilities, play areas and associated equipment for children of various ages and an amphitheatre. The theatre and park will be provided with CCTV and Public lighting. There will also be an Information centre/security facility and ablution facilities.

It is proposed that the property remains in the ownership of the Knysna Municipality, and that the developers will pay for the development of the Public Park.

Upgrade/Relocation of the Sea Cadets area

The Sea Cadets are currently located on Erf 1339 Knysna. The photo's indicate the status of the existing building, which is not aesthetically pleasing.

The developers have proposed to enter into a Joint Venture with the Municipality to relocate the Sea Cadets building to a more suitable location to provide better facilities and to improve the aesthetics of the area. At present the Cadets have limited access to the Lagoon channel due to the shallow nature of the channel.

Driving Test Center

The Municipal Driving Test Center is currently situated directly adjacent to the Knysna Lagoon. This represents a gross under-utilisation of public land. It is proposed that this facility be moved to a more appropriate location to facilitate the delivery of the public park.

Amphitheatre

By relocating the driving test center, an opportunity is created to use the land in a more economical way. The developer has investigated different land use scenarios for this land parcel. As it is public land, the developer believes that the public should benefit from it. The proposal is to provide an amphitheatre made of a strong tensile canvas type material and steel tubing in this new public park. This amphitheatre would be similar to that which is currently in the boulevard in Port Elizabeth.

This would be great for concerts, musical events, cookery demonstrations, plays, artist forum, puppet shows, watching 'the game' on giant screens etc. On favorable consideration by Knysna Municipality the Developer is prepared to build this facility for the municipality who will then manage it for its own benefit. If the proposal is accepted it is the intention to develop this facility as part of Phase one works in order to be completed for the 2010 World Cup.

Economic Benefits

•Knysna is internationally renowned as an exceptional tourist destination. The proposal will contribute to attracting new investment. It is a certainty that the proposal will create economic opportunity in terms of job creation which is ranked high up in the hierarchy of social upliftment and well-being.

Social benefits

•The provision of a well designed and equipped Public Park with public facilities, providing greater linkages between the people of Knysna and the Lagoon;
• Creation of an amphitheatre with long term income possibilities for the benefit of the Municipality; musical events, cookery demonstrations, plays, artist forum, puppet shows, watching 'the game' on giant screens etc. On favourable consideration by Knysna Municipality the Developer is prepared to build this facility for the municipality who will then manage it for its own benefit. If the proposal is accepted it is the intention to develop this facility as part of Phase one works in order to be completed for the 2010 World Cup.

Visual and Environmental benefits

• Upgrade of the entire district by improving building facades, streetscape improvements, pedestrian boulevards, landscaping etc.;
• Achieving the goals of sustainable development, by promoting densification and optimization of existing urban land;
• Provision of new street lighting, CCTV, Tourist info /security /Toilet block;
• Proposed Development will be 'green' in terms of sustainable/renewable design solutions;
• The current industrial land uses, that have the potential to impact negatively on the Knysna Lagoon, will be removed.

Improvement of road infrastructure and promote pedestrian movement

The proposal includes the closure of a portion of New Street with limited Vehicular access from 7.00-9.00 am Monday- Saturday. This can then be utilized as a pedestrian walkway to promote a Cafe Culture in the area and will also tie in with the linear park concept.

The proposal also includes the upgrade and landscaping of New Street, TIde Street and Union Street which will include designated car spaces, resurfacing, public lighting, planting, street furniture and a turning facility on the east end. This area will become pedestrianised to provide a boulevard, which will have a Cafe culture where you will be able to sit out and enjoy refreshments while overlooking a well equipped public park. The Knysna Lagoon would become much more accessible to the people of Knysna. It is proposed that these streets remain in the ownership of the Knysna Municipality and that the developers fund the development of the boulevard.

Upgrading of Tide Street

The developer envisages that Tide Street be upgraded to ensure adequate footpaths, planting, designated car parking, traffic calming and street lighting of the area. The Developer also see the boulevard equipped with adequate street lighting so that its usage can be maximized in the evenings. The Developer will provide funding to upgrade Tide Street and associate infrastructure.

This development has been submitted to Knysna Municipality and it is encouraging that the residents and businesses of Knysna have been so receptive to such a progressive development during the observation period. In particular it has been noted that South African National Parks have given a letter of support for all of the current development proposals.

We all look to forward to seeing how this development moves forward within the planning process in the weeks and months to come. Further information on this development are available from Anton Beens of Garden Route Estates, www.grestates.co.za (044 3824531) or Lizemarie Botha of VPM Planning Consultants (044 3022300).