A MAJOR new shopping mall to be constructed in Suider Paarl between Paarl railway station and Cecelia Street is due to open at the end of next year.

To optimise access from the N1 to the R220 million Paarl Mall, a new intersection at the Cecelia Street bridge has been proposed by the developer, who will also foot the bill.

The developers have now decided to solicit public comment on their proposal for a new intersection.

The R5 million road project entails the construction of an off-ramp at the Cecelia Street bridge, taking traffic from Cape Town directly into Paarl via Cecelia Street to Berg River Boulevard.

An on-ramp south of the Cecelia Street bridge will take traffic destined for Cape Town back onto the N1. It will cut down on traffic at the Main Street/N1 intersection.

To enable the construction of the new intersection, the on-ramp onto the N1 taking traffic from Main Street to Worcester, will have to be closed as it is less than the required 1300m from the proposed on-ramp.

According to a spokesman for BKS traffic engineers, Colin Tiechauer, the Main Street on-ramp does not carry a high volume of traffic.

Traffic from Paarl to Worcester via Main Street will have to take a circuitous route via New Vlei Street, New Eskdale Street and Arboretum Street, as the section of New Vlei Street between the Jones Street Bridge and the Cecelia Street Bridge will be closed for through traffic.

The proposed intersection will give direct access to shoppers from outside Paarl, who wish to visit the new mall on the Langeberg site next to the KWV cellars.

The shopping centre, with a first phase of 35 000 square metres, is to be developed on the 15 hectare site by a consortium consisting of Spire Properties, Flanagan & Gerard and Coronation NIB (Coronib).

The centre  is  already 75% let, says developer Patrick Flanagan.

It is hoped that the new centre will halt the urban decay in the Paarl station area, which could be connected to the centre by a pedestrian bridge.

The changes to Paarl's road network have been planned by BKS and should relieve the heavy traffic on the southern section of Main Street.

A public open house where more information can be obtained, will be held at the Oak Room at Tiger Food Brands (formerly Langeberg) in Jones Street, on 23 May from 16:00 to 19:00.

A document on the traffic proposals is available at the municipal planning department on the third floor of the Paarl Civic Centre from tomorrow.

Comments should be directed to Doug Jeffery Environmental Consultants at PO Box 44, Klapmuts 7625 or e-mail dougjeff@iafrica.com. For enquiries, phone 875-5272.

DIE De Poort museumdorp wat in Suider-Paarl beoog word, gee vandeesweek 'n tree nader aan die werklikheid sedert die Paarl Post 'n jaar gelede vir die eerste keer daaroor berig het.

Hersonering van die grond vir die ontwikkeling van dié dorpie naby Paarlstasie word vandag geadverteer en sal na verwagting binne die volgende paar maande afgehandel word.

De Poort se hooftrekpleister sal die uitbeelding van die wamakersbedryf tussen 1875 tot 1895 wees. Dié bedryf het daardie tyd 'n opbloei in die Paarl beleef om fortuinsoekers na die goud- en diamantvelde te dra. La-ter is die waens ook na die oorlogsfronte toe. Dit is hierdie era van ekonomiese vooruitgang van die vallei wat deur De Poort voorgestel gaan word in 'n aktiewe lewendige museumdorpie. 

Die waversameling van die Drakenstein Munisipaliteit is in die bekwame hande van die De Poort-komitee geplaas en sal verskuif word sodra gepaste huisvesting in die erfenisdorpie gebou is, waar dit uitgestal word. Die versameling bly die eiendom van die Munisipaliteit.

By hierdie spesiaal-ontwerpte gebou word 'n opelugarena beplan waar die vaardighede van die hanteerders van waens, perde en muile ten toon gestel gaan word aan die publiek.

'n Lid van die De Poort-komitee is reeds hard aan die werk om muile af te rig sodat besoekers ritte kan onderneem op replikas van veerwaens en ander rytuie soos wat deur Domingo, Retief en ander plaaslik gebou is.

Tydens beplanning is die behoud van die dennebome op die terrein in gedagte gehou. Gevolglik word die meeste geboue op die rand van die grond geplaas.

'n Skool, stadsaal, winkeltjies, tipiese huise en menige ander geskiedkundige voorstellings van die era word beplan vir die aktiewe museumdorpie.

Die winkels wat op die grense beplan word, sal 'n dubble doel dien: na buite sal hulle hedendaagse goedere verkoop, maar aan De Poort se kant moet die winkels, winkelassistente en die ware wat te koop aangebied gaan word, eie wees aan die negentiende eeu.

Entrepreneurs kan een of beide bedryf soos hulle dit  verkies. 

Om die gebied ten beste te benut, sal parkering op die perseel van Spoornet verskaf word. Dit is in beginsel goedgekeur deur die betrokke owerhede. Sover moontlik is die geboue wat gebou gaan word, eie aan die era en sommiges sal herinner aan ou Paarlse geboue wat gesloop is.

Onder hulle is die ingang in Tabakstraat wat herinner aan die ou Paarl Wyn- en Brandewynmaatskappy, die stadsaal grensend aan Hoofstraat het elemente van die ou stadsaal wat afgebrand het en die ou negosiewinkel van weleer in Stasiestraat is ook herkenbaar.

Die projek het die ondersteuning van die Drakenstein Munisipaliteit en Raad en dit is positief ontvang deur die gemeenskap. Dit word gesien as 'n belangrike stimulus vir toerisme in die gebied.

Die loodskomitee van De Poort (almal vrywilligers) het lang ure gespandeer om bande op te bou met 'n wye spektrum van organisasies en instellings sodat die hele poging so verteenwoordigend as moontlik kan wees.

Raadslid Herman Bailey, die onderburgemeester, is afgevaardig om namens die Munisipaliteit op die De Poort Raad te dien, met raadslid Johann von Wielligh as secundus. 

'n Lewensvatbaarheidstudie is verlede jaar uitgevoer met fondse bewillig deur die Wes-Kaapse regering.

Dit het getoon dat nie net broodnodige direkte werkskepping bevorder sal word nie, maar dat die hele omliggende gebiede finansieel op verskeie maniere kan baat vind by die projek en 'n toename in toeriste.

De Poort word ook beskou as 'n belangrike katalisator om verskillende toerisme-besienswaardighede in die omgewing saam te snoer om toerisme te bevorder: waaronder stoomtreine, Het Gesticht, die Slaweroete, Madiba-huis, die Taalroete en Roete 62.

Die twee erwe tussen Turk en Pinestraat (een provinsiaal en die ander munisipaal) gaan saamgevoeg word en sal, na kommentaar deur die algemene publiek, hersoneer word vir spesiale besigheidsregte en toerisme. 

Die Raad het reeds in beginsel die huur van die grond aan De Poort goedgekeur vir 25 jaar met die opsie om te hernu. 

Alles dui daarop dat die projek 'n bate vir die Drakenstein-area gaan wees, veral vir die gebied om Paarlstasie waar ou geboue na verwagting opgeknap sal word om in te skakel. 

Besoekers aan De Poort sal teruggevoer word na 'n lewendige, aktiewe dorpie eie aan die tydperk van 1875 tot 1895 en getrakteer word op verskeie spesiale ervaringe:

* Werkers in die kompleks gaan in eietydse kostuums geklee wees;

* Orkeste gaan musiek maak soos in vervloë dae;

* Kinders en volwassenes sal kan deelneem en leer van speletjies van ouds;

* Besoekers sal afgeneem word in kostuums van die era;

* Die Kaapse Berede Polisie sal marsjeer en hul passies toon met ou gewere;

* Families sal pieknieks tipies van die era onder die bome kan hou;

* Handvaardighede van die tydperk sal gereeld ten toon gestel word.

* Vir die kooplustiges sal daar unieke eietydse artikels te koop wees.

Vir navrae, skakel Frances Graves by 863-3902 of epos fegraves@mweb.co.za. Kommentaar op die planne moet die Munisipaliteit bereik voor 17 Mei.

* The Municipality has advertised a site in Suider Paarl for rezoning for the purpose of building the proposed De Poort heritage village.

WELLINGTON is currently experiencing a property boom, which is expected to continue with the influx of students to the expanding local campus of the Cape Technikon.

Among a number of new developments is Wellington Mews, an exclusive new security complex of 31 single storey residential units planned in Piet Retief Street, Wellington.

The entrance of the development is in De Villiers Street in the Uitsig neighbourhood. Prices range from R235 000 for a two-bedroom unit of 68 square metres to R275 000 for a three-bedroom unit of 80 square metres, plus single garage.

The spacious erven range from 300 to 450 square metres. There will be ample open space, and cobbled streets will give character to the development.

The single title houses in a Cape Victorian style will each have two bathrooms (one en suite), a built in stove and a braai area. Bonds of 100% are available.

The developers, Top Coat Property Investments, have developments in Stellenbosch (Barlinka flats) and Blaauwberg (Blue Waters) to their credit.

The architect is Christian Bam, For enquiries, phone Duar Burger of Protea Estates on 872-6611 or 083-225-4349.

A NEW security complex consisting of 70 luxury units is planned 8 km outside Paarl on the R301 to Franschhoek. The development around a dam of 3 hectares will adjoin the southern boundary of the new Pearl Valley golfing development.

The proposed development will be located on 27ha of land with waterfronts on the dam. It will provide small erven of 500 to 600 square metres with luxury houses and secluded private open spaces supported by larger common park areas.

The houses will range from 140 to 200 square metres. Twenty four hour security will be provided to create a secure living environment. 

The dam will serve not only as open space and an attraction to water birds, but also for recreational purposes such as canoeing.

The section of the property abutting onto the R301 will serve as a buffer for the residential component by providing tourist related facilities which may include a guest house which could also serve as club for residents.

 An environmental assessment, design and costing of the project are in progress. It is envisaged that the rezoning applications be submitted to Drakenstein Municipality by the end of the month.

For more information contact drakenstein@enviromon.co.za or phone 873-2807 of 082-573-1589 or visit the website http://home.intekom.com/slategan.

THE first estate ldoges have been completed at Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate in Paarl.

The estate lodges consist of luxuriously fully-furnished and serviced units with two or four double bedrooms (both with en suite bathrooms), a living room and patio, dining room and kitchen.

Some units will be available with swimming pools and terraces.

All maintenance costs are included in the levies, thereby offering buyers a complete no-nonsense, lifelong 

refurbishment of the building, or even the responsibility of replacing furniture, linen, crockery or glassware over time.

As a special launch offer, units are available from R1,3 million which includes a golf car, as well as all Paarl Golf Club membership benefits while in residence.

The Estate Lodges at Boschenmeer offer top class accommodation adjacent to the estate's biggest lake and bird sanctuary.

Surrounded by majestic mountains, the development is located on the Cape's only 27-hole golf course, where the existing, upgraded Paarl Golf course meets up with the new Boschenmeer nine holes, which was designed in association with David Frost.

Aimed at the corporate market, groups of friends or families and out-of-towners, estate lodges offer a range of other benefits. These include the use of facilities that are currently under construction, such as swimming pools, floodlit tennis courts, a high-tech golf academy, conference facilities, the estate hotel and the new Paarl Golf Clubhouse.

Depending on the particular design chosen, the estate lodge product is sold either on a freehold or sectional title basis, registered into a company and may be syndicated with a maximum of 12 shareholders in each unit.

If required, Syfin Properties, the developer, will assist in the formulation of syndications.

The estate lodges may also generate income if buyers choose to make use of the option to place unoccupied accommodation in a rental pool that will be managed by the appointed hotel operator on the Estate.

It also offers an excellent Rand-hedged investment as the Boschenmeer Estate Lodges are affiliated to the renowned Interval International Exchange programme.

This provides estate lodge buyers with the option to enjoy free accommodation when travelling abroad on business or holiday. Boschenmeer has a dedicated sales team on site from 10:00 to 18:00 seven days a week. Phone 863-1133, fax 863-1134 or visit the website at www.boschenmeer.co.za.

TWO streets in Franschhoek may be closed for the construction of a housing development including a retirement village. The streets are Pepler and Haumann Streets.

A total of 26 houses, 120 group houses, a block of flats and a business unit are planned as part of the La Chantelle Ferme project at the entrance to the town, east of
the main street.

Any comments or objections must reached the municipal manager at Stellenbosch Municipality by 1 March.

For details, contact the chief town planner in Stellenbosch.

A LARGE scale plan to develop part of Lady Grey Street as an enclosed predestrian shopping mall, has been proposed to the Drakenstein Town Council.

The scheme is based on the premise that Paarl's Central business district is currently underutilised but viable, and needs to be repackaged as a modern shopping mall.

According to planning consultant Jan Hanekom, property owners in Lady Grey Street are enthusiastic about the proposal, based on the closure of Lady Grey Street and construction of a double storey parking garage covering the street between Main Street and Verster Street.

This will allow the redevelopment of ground level shop fronts in Lady Grey Street. An additional 5000 square metres of lettable space would be created.

Ramps leading to the overhead parking area could be situated in Fabriek and Derksen Street, while atriums and openings between the overhead parking and shopfronts would admit daylight.

"We need to give consumers a total shopping experience, so that we can bring them back to Paarl. Consumers want to shop where there is climate control, access control and ample parking," says Hanekom.

"The lower section of Lady Grey Street, although not covered, should also be closed to traffic and redeveloped as a St George's Street type open walkway, with stands for informal traders.

This could lead to a general upgrading of the area and its architecture, revitalising the Paarl CBD.

And if one includes the Wamakersplein Centre (Pick 'n Pay) it becomes a sizeable mall of 30 000 square metres."

"We have a large number of property owners and consultants on board, but need an undertaking from the Municipal Council that they would allow such a development."

According to the municipal manager, Jacques Carstens, the Council is positive about the project.

"However, closure of Lady Grey Street cannot be considered before a study has been done on the impact of the proposal on traffic, informal trade, parking and taxis.

A business and development plan should also be submitted and the issue of public competition for the development must be addressed."

THE exclusive Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate & Spa development is rapidly taking shape in the Drakenstein Valley between Paarl and Franschhoek. 

Once complete this development will offer luxury golf course living designed around the centrepiece, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, in a scenic setting. The residential infrastructure for phase one is progressing well and is scheduled for completion by July 2002. Pearl Valley Estate and Spa will consist of 320 homes and 180 executive lodges.

Phase 1 of the development consists of 194 units, including 127 executive "lock-up and go" lodges and 67 exclusive homes.  The challenging 10th and 11th holes will be completed by February and the pinnacle 18th hole will also be finalised by this date.  Sales staff are hosting an informal braai on Wednesday 5 December on site.

For more information, please contact the Pearl Valley Sales Office on 864-0442 or 419-3240 or visit the website www.pearlvalley.co.za.

Ruim gesinswoning, loopafstand vanaf skole. Drie slaapkamers met 2 en-suite, en aparte badk. Lugversorgers in die groot leefvertrek en hoofslpk. wat 'n skuifdeur het na die sprankelende, besonderse swembad. Gerekenariseerde sprinkelbesproeiing. Goed toegeruste kombuis met wask., groot studeerkamer met ingeboude rakke. Sitkamer met 'n uitsig om van te droom. Dubbelm/h en afdakke. Moenie die koop misloop nie.

SKAKEL SUZETTE 083-553-7844 - BOLAND REAL ESTATE

PROPERTY AGENTS

Aida 872-2161
Alpha 872-4815
Boland Landmark 871-1020
Boland Real Estate 863-2046
Caprop Homenet 872-1487 or caprop@iafrica.com
Duvenage & de Villiers 873-3140 or duvenage@intekom.co.za
Era Steer 871-1240
Erica Schell 864-2037
Germacor 873-2269
Joss Eiendomme 872-2007/9
Newdor 862-5877
Nr 1 Properties 872-1140
Private Seller 872-8600
Pam Golding 871-1480 or paarl@pamgolding.co.za.                  Protea Estates 872-6611 or protea-paarl@new.co.za
Remax 863-2046
Samuel Benans 083-261-9011
Seeff 872-1997
Tony Ward 872-8004
Western Properties 872-0899