Langebaan Country Estate Lodges Social & Environment Initiatives

Social & Environment Initiatives

Tiptoeing among the fynbos
Environmentally responsible development at Langebaan Country Estate

The 450 hectare Langebaan Country Estate is still very much an unfolding story, with many phases and projects yet to be unveiled. This Estate falls within the West Coast Biosphere Reserve, an international designation awarded by UNESCO to promote a balanced relationship between humans and the natural environment. Craig Scott, CEO of Langebaan Country Estate Joint Venture, feels very strongly indeed about protecting the very special local environment. He explains some of the lengths he has gone to in order to achieve just this.

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From the outset, the developer of Langebaan Country Estate saw the LCE as helping to bring growth, job opportunities and improved facilities to the region. LCE provides work for hundreds of local residents, ensuring that they are able to bring home a salary and provide for their families, thus fostering social upliftment.
In addition, a percentage of all sales at LCE are paid into LCE’s Section 21 company, Keep the Dream, and community upliftment projects are undertaken in consultation with the Mayor of Saldanha Bay Municipality.

Says Craig Scott: “We believe that this approach will enable the local community to be actively and meaningfully involved in the decisions as to how the substantial funding which we are committing will best be utilised to make a positive impact on the region in which we live.

Based on the total number of projected houses on the entire Estate, Keep the Dream will receive a projected total income of R22.5 million at present value - around R7 500 on completion of each house. Sales of phase 3 stands on the LCE contributed over R700 000. Sales of stands in all future phases at LCE would contribute a further present value of R15 million over the lifespan of the project. Ongoing funding for Keep the Dream will be ensured by setting up a system whereby a further percentage (around 1%) of all future re-sales of units in future phases developed at LCE (beyond phase 3) will be contributed to it.

Says Scott: “It is appropriate that we target the needs and issues of Langebaan specifically, for the obvious reason that it is the community in which we exist, and we believe that this type of partnership is one that can be encouraged between local organs of Government, NGOs and Developers in other communities.” LCE has had ongoing discussions about contributing to the upgrading of phase 2 of the Municipal housing adjacent to the Estate, has pledged R100 000 towards a Community Arts and Crafts Centre, and has funded numerous Community Projects in Langebaan.