The construction of a major new business centre and a 150 bed hotel in the greenbelt area north of Stubbs Street and west of the N1 in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) received the green light last week.

The Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism announced that environmental authorisation was granted to Day Break Properties 7 (Pty) Ltd for the construction of a 35 000 square meter retail centre, a 10 000 square meter office complex and a 150 bed hotel. The project is intended to include all internal services related to the development, as well as ancillary facilities such as parking.

The application for environmental authorisation was made on 6 August last year and amended on 8 August and 20 September 2011. The final Basic Assessment Report (BAR) was received on 11 June this year.

Specialist studies included a vegetation report, faunal survey, riparian delineation and assessment and an archaeological impact assessment.

The department says all information presented was taken into account. Details provided indicate that the EAP is competent to carry out the environmental impact assessment procedures. It says a sufficient public participation process was undertaken.

The department found that the possible impacts relevant to the proposed activity can be mitigated by using among others the recommendations outlined in the final BAR. It says the proposed development will be located within a residential/business development node and will therefore not significantly alter the sense of place of the surrounding area. The department says the approval of the development will impact positively on the local economy, resulting in the creation of numerous job opportunities for local residents during construction and in the operational phase. Existing businesses will also benefit by means of providing services such as contract cleaning, general maintenance, repairs and landscaping.

The development will also assist in alleviating crime in the area and the capital investment will assist the local municipality’s goal of becoming a city. Contributions to be paid to the municipality will assist in the overall upgrading and maintenance of the civil infrastructure, resulting in better service delivery for the residents of Makhado (Louis Trichardt). The department is convinced that any potentially detrimental environmental impacts resulting from the proposed project can be mitigated to acceptable levels.

Appeals against any aspect of the decision must be submitted to the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism within 20 days.