Community invited to explore their conservancy

The event will be held on 6 March at 231 Sevenoaks Avenue, Chartwell Country Estates Conservancy, Klein Jukskei River from 12pm to 4pm. It will offer informative signposts, highlights and explanations of special natural features on the river walk, and a stroll on the bush trails which depict a different natural world will also be enjoyed. A special ‘nature hunt’ will keep the children occupied.

The CCE’s Conservation and Wetlands team will be on hand for information and advice, and a birder will be present to help identify different species. There will be expert advice on water treatment (French drains) and how to create your own mini-wetland, as well as an opportunity to chat to the CCE board members.

According to the chairperson of Chartwell Country Estate Conservancy Board, Ben Jowitt, Chartwell Country Estates was granted conservancy status last year, encompassing two registered wetlands and the Klein Jukskei River on its western border. “Naturally this designation comes with responsibilities, but it also carries restrictions – which are both important and valuable to anyone involved in real estate in our suburb,” Jowitt said.

Jowitt explained that the conservancy lies outside the urban development boundary, which is sometimes referred to as the urban edge, and is bordered by Cedar Road, Cedar Lakes and Cedar Creek and the Klein Jukskei River. He further said that the properties range in size between roughly 8 000 to 24 000m².

“CCE is a registered Section 21 non-profit organisation with a very astute and involved board… actively engaged in developing CCE as an independent country lifestyle estate,” Jowitt said.

“Recent developments such as, Steyn City and the purchase of several Cedar Road properties by Summercon, have focused real estate agents’ attention on the CCE Conservancy, unlike the Cedar Road properties, which lie outside the urban edge. So naturally our properties are now of great interest to developers.”

Jowitt expressed that, as a community, they are determined that CCE will not become a light-industry hub or a high-density jungle, similar to areas of Bryanston. “We recognise our enviable position in proximity to major, high-end neighbours such as Dainfern and Steyn City. The significant Fourways precinct development around the Fourways Mall has begun. Unlike the much publicised outlying country estates, such as Blair Atholl and Monahan Farm, Chartwell Country Estates Conservancy is the real thing,” he said.

“As a community, we welcome the support of estate agencies within our area, but do require that due diligence is exercised with respect to the special circumstances which legally apply, and to avoid conflict with new neighbours, some of whom have been historically misled in terms of land use.”

You are advised to bring a sun hat, sensible shoes, sun cream and insect spray. Do bring along a picnic blanket and chairs as bratwurst rolls and soft drinks will be for sale on the day. No dogs or fires will be allowed.

Details: jenni@chartwell.co.za

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