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Through setting out policy principles on the levels of service and levels of accessibility, direct further development away from the sensitive area close to the UDPWHS and as far as possible, out of the buffer zone of the Park
Encourage the development of the small, existing settlements that will be on, or very close to the proposed new provincial through route in order to improve the opportunity for sustainability of these settlements. Capital investment will therefore be directed away from sensitive areas and towards areas of greater economic opportunity
Through the same policy principles on levels of service and accessibility, encourage only certain nodes to grow, and contain the spread of the remaining rural settlements so that they do not compromise the potential of arable and grazing lands, or of ecologically sensitive areas which provide both ecosystem goods and services, as well as provide potential income from tourism.
This section highlights the accessibility model for World Heritage Sites and Conservation Areas and suggests how Impendle fits practically into that model. Detail on the model is provided in the SDMP phase 3 report.
D1.4 Outcomes and Guidelines for the Land Use Management System (LUMS)
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transportation grid and provide opportunities for investment and growth in the Management Areas each of which is strategically located along a major transport route.viii. It is proposed to create a tourism route out of the Himeville – Lotheni – Nottingham Road route, with the road maintaining its gravel surface in keeping with the principles of accessibility within the buffer zone and of the model as set out in section 3.2.6 of the SDMP.
The table below summarises the intention of the SDMP in terms of the development of the nodes within the proposed management areas within Impendle:
Table D1: Development Nodes
AREA / NODE Incorporates the following: Key characteristics and development controls Standard controls for all nodes / centres in Impendle
Intent: to make the town/nodes more efficient economically and more cost-effective to service and to make them more attractive to investment
Urban edge defined, allowing for expansion of commercial/service area and of residential areas up to that boundary (realistic growth projections must be taken into account
Densification permitted within the nodes
Maximum lot size to be stipulated for residential purposes Standard controls for all rural settlements in Impendle
Intent: to limit settlement sprawl and ensure that the rural character of the area is retained, with land use activities predominantly agricultural in nature.
Settlement edge defined, allowing no further expansion of residential areao further densification permitted within the rural settlements; i.e a minimum lot size to be stipulated which ensures rural character of settlement retained Impendle
Management Area
Impendle Town Principal administrative centre for the municipality, multi-functional service centre for business/commercial and residential purposes
Gwanovuga, Ntshinini, Nhlabankosi, Gomane (e), GaKeta, Gomane (w), Fikesuthi, Smilobha, Sithunjwana, Phindangeni, Kamensi
Rural settlements which are to remain as rural settlements with a defined settlement edge with no further densification permitted. Other than basic level services, commercial and business applications are to be directed towards Impendle Town.
Nzinga Management Area
Nzinga node
Nzinga / Mzumbe and Cibehlihle (Compensation),
Commercial and service centre for the surrounding rural settlements.
Cibelihle, by virtue of its existing density, is considered a second growth node within this management area
Dwaleni, Enguka, Shiyabantu, Godcini, Shellfish, Mgodi (e), Mgodi (w), Mkomaze, Ukukhanya, Clairvaux Mission Station area
Rural settlements which are to remain as rural settlements with a defined settlement edge with no further densification permitted. Other than basic level services, commercial and business applications are to be directed towards the Nzinga node. The settlements and their surrounding land are
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AREA / NODE Incorporates the following: Key characteristics and development controlsfocused on the agricultural potential of the Nzinga valley Stoffelton -
Ntwasahlobo Management Area
Stoffelton node Ntwasahlobo
Commercial and service centre for the surrounding rural settlements.
Ntwasahlobo by virtue of having an existing mix of land use (school, shops) is a second node within this management area
Isupaneng, Clerence, Brotheni/
Netherby, Makhuzeni upper, Makhuzeni lower, Mkhomozana settlements
Rural settlements which are to remain as rural settlements with a defined settlement edge with no further densification permitted. Other than basic level services, commercial and business applications are to be directed towards the Stoffelton node. The focus in this management area is the protection of the high value agricultural land surrounding the settlements and going down to the Mkhomazana River
Stepmore – Mqatsheni
Management Area
Stepmore node Mqatsheni
Lower order service and limited commercial and tourism centre, located on the proposed Tourism route from Nottingham Road through Lower Lotheni to Himeville. Existing services to be maintained and no higher level of services provided. This node is recognised as a long-established settlement, but it is close to the UDPWHS and well within the buffer zone of the Park. The urban edge should allow for some additional growth, but this should be limited with any substantial growth or expansion directed towards better opportunities and service levels at the other nodes in the municipality (eg. Nzinga, Impendle, Stoffelton)
Stepmore – Mqatsheni link Bucklands Farm, Vauxhall, Littledale,
Maguswana,
These rural settlements are well within the buffer zone of the Park and very close to the Park boundary. For that reason, no further densification should take place outside of the defined Stepmore node (commercial and residential area). Mqatsheni is outside of Impendle and within KwaSani Municipality but the two areas are connected and should be managed as one. Mqatsheni is a long established settlement (over 100 years) and therefore existing services should be supported. As far as possible, however, it should remain as a limited services area with limited agricultural development which must take into account the sensitivity of the area and the boundary of the Park.
Ngqiya Node Ngqiya Rural Settlement The character of the rural settlement should be maintained with limited level of service provision. The focus is on livestock and small scale agricultural production
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AREA / NODE Incorporates the following: Key characteristics and development controlsBoston Node Boston node Agricultural service centre with emphasis on specialist services rather than residential development which should remain limited. Focus is on protecting the high value agricultural land surrounding the node.
Lower Lotheni Node Lower Lotheni node Tourism node which forms gateway to UDPWHS for the resorts in this area.
Specialist servicecentre with no residential development except that necessary to service the tourism business at the node.