Excerpt from the PBCEF’s letter of objection (24 April 2026):

The PBCEF [Plettenberg Bay Community Environment Forum] herewith voices its strongest objection to this application for the reasons listed below.

1] The development is outside of the Bitou municipality’s proclaimed URBAN EDGE (…)

2] The development fails to meet the objectives of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (…)

3] The developer fails to produce a clear “no go” alternative and has not
included the 2009 “Eco-Tourism” layout known as Alternative 3 (…)

4] The 1,039-hectare site is situated within a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA), a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and a focus area for the National Protected Area Expansion Strategy (NPAES)

5] The developer notes that the footprint is on previously modified land, but we argue that in a CBA and NPAES focus area, such land should be rehabilitated rather than further developed, as per the relevant guidelines.

6] Portions of the development (the “Foothill” precinct) are situated on the 100-year flood line of the Bitou River (…) Development of these areas would be in conflict with the legislation and guidelines (…)

Document: Letter of Objection 24/04/2026 (unabridged original)