Lodestone Wine and Olive Estate

HilLand Environmental have been appointed as the Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAP) by the applicant, Alguada Farming Ventures CC represented by Mr B. Archibald, to ensure compliance with regulations contained in the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA Act No. 107 of 1998) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (2014), as amended, for the proposed clearance of indigenous vegetation in order to expand the existing agricultural activities on Portion 21 and 22 of Redford Farm No. 232, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay.

The proposed expansion of cultivated lands calculates to approximately 6.15 ha, as such a listed activity in terms of NEMA EIA Regulations (2014, as amended) will be triggered. The clearance of vegetation has been assessed by a botanical specialist. The layout of the new cultivation areas has been informed by the sensitivity of the site and buffers have been specifically retained along the water courses and as linking ecological corridors through the property. The farm makes use of wild bees for pollination and as such the fynbos corridors are a valuable link for these bees.

An agricultural specialist study has been undertaken as part of the process to assess the potential of the proposed agricultural fields and to inform the CARA application which has been submitted to the Department of Agriculture. A CARA permit has been issued for the proposed cultivation lands (date: 04/03/2022, reference: 19/7/3/R333).

A Basic Assessment Process will be followed and the Draft Basic Assessment Report (BAR) and associated appendices for a 30-day commenting period commencing on the 28th of March 2022. In terms of Regulation 3 (4) and 40 of NEMA: EIA Regulations (2014, as amended) you are hereby advised that you have 30-days from the 28th of March 2022 to submit any comments. Please provide us with your comments / concerns relating to the proposal during the timeframe (28 March 2022 – 3 May 2022) in written format via email.

Please note that you need to declare your interest in the above matter and that any comment provided by yourselves will form part of the public record in terms of POPIA.

Please note if you do not have access to e-mail, internet and / or are experiencing any problems with downloading information (when notified), please do not hesitate to contact this office and we will assist you according to your needs/requirements. Additionally, a full hard copy of the Basic Assessment Report (BAR) and associate appendices are available at HilLand Environmental’s office. Should you wish to view this document, please make sure to make an appointment with the administrative department at admin@hilland.co.za or Tel: (044) 889 0229. All of the necessary Covid-19 hygiene protocols and social distancing will be implemented during such a visit.

If you require any further information or assistance, please contact us on (044) 889 0229 (Tel) 086 542 5248 (fax) or Email: environmental2@hilland.co.za / admin@hilland.co.za.