After 5 years of meetings, petitions, lawyers, consultations, deciphering and writing of documents – not to mention much consternation, the Malmesbury Aviation Estate Application has been withdrawn . We are absolutely delighted and plan to celebrate with champers and glee. We would like to thank all those who have helped and supported us in our struggle – both as individuals and as organisations . It has been great to know there is a community of the environmentally concerned people out there, and that environmental legislation exists which does allow people to counter inappropriate developments.
The Malmesubury Aviation Estate
For those who don’t know about it, the MAE was an application made for an aviation estate near the Paardeberg in September 2008 for about 300 houses, each with its own hanger for leisure craft (helicopters, gyrocopters etc) along with a host of infrastructures such as helicopter pads, fuel storage, 1.2 runway, control towers etc . A hundred flight movements in the region per day were estimated. The legislation for golf and polo estates was used to deal with the fact that the proposed development was outside the urban edge .
After a fair bit of scurrying about, the Swartland Forum formed to oppose this development comprising a committee of 6 with a wider group lending support. We worked in close association with the Paardeberg Sustainability Initiative, supported by other groups such as WESSA. Overstrand Conservation, University Environmental Departments and so on.
Objections were mostly centred around the noise pollution and disturbance to a large rural area. Air pollution, safety issues and carbon footprint were all raised, as well as economic feasibility and the biased nature of benefit in favour of a small number of wealthy leisure fliers . At a legislative level, objection was raised in terms of provincial guidelines and legislation for land use, and at a broader level the creation of a precedent for similar such development elsewhere in the country (so potentially filling our skies with noisy planes and jeopardising a distinction between town and country.)
For more information on the MAE and Swartland Forum, visit http://swartlandforum.yolasite.com/
Responses
We have been amazed at the responses received in just one day to the above news. Here are some of them.
Break out the Champers! Rozelle
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!! I'm so thrilled for the farm! Such good news. Sophie
So bly oor die goeie nuus van die vliegveld! Julle weerstand was toe nie alles verniet nie.
Liezel Basson
This is thrilling news! Such a good battle to have fought – Bravissimo. Chris Ballantine
I cried when I received this a few moments ago. Congratulations to all of you who worked so hard and tirelessly to have this development scrapped for the benefit of all who live here.
You did a splendid job. I would like to say a very special thank you to Diana and Charles who gave of their time and energies, and tirelessly did the major work of developing the replies to the scoping reports and EIA reports.... Without you we would probably not have achieved this magnificent victory.We need to have a get together for "oulaas" and break a bottle of bubbly together. I have grown to love and appreciate all of you. Thank you for the team spirit and hard work that you all put in. Warm love and hugs, Lindy
Well done! What a great victory. Thank goodness for tight times. Thought it sounded more than slightly excessive. Annie Templeton
AAAAHHHH!!!! Diana! I am ecstatic. Here is to all our hard work and long hours of studying, phone conversations.... got goosebumps all over! Ronel Basson
Does this prove the existence of god? Perhaps, but anyway, we are all three very thrilled about it.
As I work on applications for tall buildings in our neighbourhood all the time, I know what a fabulous win this is and long may it last.
Divine peace and quiet and salvation of your farm and mountain. Love Lyds
Awesome; I can only endorse what Lindy has said!!! We will be there for the celebration!!! Cheers Rick
Hourah! Now where is that bottle of Mac’s Hill Zinfandel I was keeping for a special occasion? Michael Rolfe
Good news! David Douglas
That is great news indeed ….a storm cloud has been lifted….as you say it was well worth the effort. Well done for mobilising everyone. Cheryl Veitch
Yay :) David Tullis
Wow! Well done!
Many thanks to you & all your team for all your hard work & attention to this issue. Kind regards CATHY LAKEY
Well done so pleased for you. a battle well fought. Estelle
Yay and well done! Julia Martin
way to go !!!!!!!! Shiraz
Fantastic! thrilled to hear it! a luta continua! viva peace and quiet! David Barkham
Yay!!! The universe is wonderful, and you! Ingrid Obery
I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo very happy for you all well done!!!!!! That is brilliant – calling on you the next time we need to fight a cause
Lee Harris
WELL DONE ALL! Philippa Huntley
Hi and well done to all involved, but particularly to you Diana, for driving the process and keeping it going. Thanks. James Sleigh
Wonderful news! Fiona
That is such good news! I am very pleased. It just goes to show what you can do when you are determined and take a stand. Arlene Bertscher
And well done to you all for your hard work and persistence! nice to hear one battle has been won! Regards carol
Whooohoooooo! That is wonderful news. It was a mammoth undertaking, so I hope you are suitably elated. I'm so proud of you
Much love and happy vibes to you. Peter
Yippieyippieyee!!! Well done!! What a fantastic achievement
Lots of love, Evelien
Good news! Warmest regards Simon Alexander
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