General
The main reason people are attracted to Nature's Valley is because of the beauty
of nature that exists.
The people who live in Nature's Valley understand that we are but visitors in this
wonderful creation.
We are the guardians of this wonderful place and want to maintain and preserve it.
May all who visit here be filled with enjoyment and wonder at the beauty of nature.
Understanding that we must preserve and maintain the natural environment as much
as possible influences the design and construction of the buildings in Nature's
Valley.
It is with this in mind that these guidelines have been made available to draw from
when designing a new structure or modifying an existing one.
Introduction
It is surely a priority for each property owner to maintain and improve the environmental
integrity of Nature's Valley. When a house is built or alterations are considered,
the conservation of the natural environment of indigenous forest, estuary, fynbos
and dune vegetation should be a prime consideration, and every possible effort should
be made to minimise any impact on the sensitive ecololgy of the township. In addition
to the built structure itself, care should be taken at planning stage to identify
intrusive elements that could influence the surrounding environment. This type of
sympathetic approach and the planting of indigenous trees, shrubs, climbers and
plants, will play an important role in maintaining the unique character of our Valley
Acts and regulations:
Before deforestation is undertaken or an erf may be cleared, the owner must obtain
a permit in order to comply with the SCA (Sensitive Coastal Areas) Act w.r.t. fynbos
and/or the National Forests Act (NFA) w.r.t. protected indigenous trees.
The Bitou Municipality Town Planning Department is responsible for the SCA permit
(Senior Townplanner 044-501-3000). A permit to comply with the NFA must be obtained
from the Area Manager: Indigenous Forest Management, Department of Water Affairs
and Forestry in Knysna (ms Melanie Koen or mr Sass Jeffrey 044-302-6900) The municipality
requires that all building plans must be submitted to the NVRA for approval prior
to submission to the municipaliuty.
5 copies of the plans are required, 4 for the municipality, and 1 for NVRA records.
Our services are free and aimed at assisting you, and your co-operation in curbing
illegal building operations will be sincerely appreciated
All erven, with one or two exceptions, are zoned single residential. This means
that only one dwelling unit with normal outbuildings may be erected thereon, with
the following restrictions: maximum 2 storeys for dwelling, 1 storey for outbuildings;
max. height is 8,5m for main building and 4,5 m for outbuilding respectively.
Max coverage is 40% (50% with outbuildings included)
The building line on street front is 6,3m and on all other sides 3,15m.
A deviation from the latter will only be considered by the municipality if prior
written approval is obtained from the adjacent neighbour(s). Written objections
by such neighbour(s) will be regarded as final by the Planning Department of the
municipality If neighbouring owners should object to the construction of an additional
building or other deviations, written representation can be made to the same depart-
ment.
The municipality will consider the validity of such objections before making a final
decision SwimmSwimming pools must conform to National Building Regulations as regards
disposal of backwash (in all cases) and safety fencing (for an outdoors pool), and
therefore require plans as for any other construction Builder Resposibilities
The builder or painting contractor is responsible for adequate and neat toilet facilities
on the building site (one toilet per 16 workers). The public toilets are not available
to builders, and most definitely not adjacent erven (as has happened in the past)
At most two security guards may remain on the building site outside hours A non-refundable
"pavement deposit" is payable to the municipality by the owner if the sidewalk will
be used for storing building material Please see to it that all building rubble
is removed from the site before the final hand-over
Guidelines
The observance of the following guidelines by new and existing owners will play
an important role in maintaining the environmental integrity of Nature's Valley
All construction should blend with the natural environment as far as possible, by
using building materials, finishes and earth colours such as wood or naturally coloured
bricks, sand colour for plastered walls and a suitable colour green for roofs Avoid
fencing as far as possible so that wildlife can continue to roam freely throughout
the Valley. If fencing is necessary, limit the extent and impact on the environment
by using suitable materials like wood. Avoid wire fencing or pre-cast concrete walls
and built walls, plastered or unplastered, at all costs. Fencing on street front
must be handled with great circumspection, preferably set back and hidden by indigenous
vegetation TTake care that security and other outside lights provide sensitive lighting
that will not disturb neighbours or wildlife Limit the impact of an unsightly driveway
by using a sympathetic material like "grasbeton" paving or bricks, and avoid if
possible a formal driveway that extends right to the edge of the road.High noise
levels will disturb neighbouring residents and wildlife. Please take the privacy
and view of your neighbours into consideration when planning to build or alter an
existing building.
In Conclusion IIt would truly be appreciated if you would acquaint your architect
and contractor with these guidelines before the start of building, alterations or
painting. You bought a property in Nature's Valley because of its beautiful natural
environment, unique and unspoilt character and freedom. Your co-operation will play
an important role in helping to maintain the environmental integrity of the Valley
In a nutshell
Let the building blend into its environment by choosing materials the are complementary
to the natural surroundings.
Design and place your building carefully to avoid cutting down trees (You have to
have a permit to cut down trees anyway)
Take care when enclosing your property with fences and avoid surrounding walls all
together.
Use complementary paving for driveways and walkways.
Take your neighbour into consideration and avoid blocking his view.
Building line on roadside 6.3m from boundryBuilding line sides and back 3.15m from
boundryMMaximum height restriction of main building 8.5m above contour of natural
ground level.
Maximum of 40% coverage of main building and 50% coverage of main + outbuildings.
Please remember that by destroying this "Nature reserve" the attraction will disappear
and the value of property will drop.
Plan preparation and submission
Discuss your ideas with the N.V.R.A. before you
start with the design.
Obtain the required municipal submission forms from the N.V.R.A .office.
Discuss and educate your architect on the Nature's Valley requirements.Submit your
plans to the N.V.R.A. for scrutiny and approval (Please supply all your contact
details and get a reference number)The N.V.R.A. will inform you when your plans
can be collected.
(Please supply all your contact details and get a reference number)
The N.V.R.A. will inform you when your plans can be collected from the NVRA office.
Submit your plans and pay the plan submission fees at Bitou MunicipalityRegulatory
functions according to the National Forest Act (NFA) (Act no. 84 of 1998): Forests/
Protected trees DWAF is responsible for all regulatory functions according to the
NFA on State Land as well as Non State Land. It is a criminal offence for anyone
to cut, disturb, damage or destroy a protected tree or any indigenous, living tree
in a natural forest, or remove or receive any such tree, except in terms of a licence,
which is issued by the Department under certain conditions. Section 7 of the NFA
provides for the prohibition of the destruction of living indigenous trees in any
natural forest without a licence. Anyone contravening this prohibition, is guilty
of a second category offence, and can be sentenced to up to 2 years imprisonment,
or a fine, or both. This provision is a significant addition to conservation legislation,
in that, for the first time in the history of forest law, not only State indigenous
forests are protected, but now also all indigenous forests on private land, communal
land and any public land. All types of indigenous forests occurring in this area
are included, also coastal scrub forest. Protected trees like Stinkwood, Yellowwood
and Milkwood, are protected under Section 15 of the NFA and provides for the prohibition
of the destruction of these trees without a licence.
Anyone contravening this prohibition, is guilty of a first category offence, and
can be sentenced to up to 3 years imprisonment, or a fine, or both.
Applications for a licence can be made or contraventions reported to the Forestry
Office in Knysna.