Housing, school among plans for Heja
Planning and research for a lifestyle estate on the premises of Heja Game Lodge outside Windhoek are in full swing.Preliminary plans for the estate include various housing options as well as potential school and healthcare facilities.
This is according to a report by Environmental Compliance Consultancy (ECC) released on 12 December 2024, regarding the proposed construction of the Heja Lifestyle and Country Estate.
The report provides background information on the project and aims to give interested and affected parties an overview of the scope of the proposed construction and operation of the estate.
The estate is set to include 2 000 residential erven featuring single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. The development aims to meet the growing demand for diverse housing types in the Windhoek area.
“The mixed-use development, which will include facilities such as a school, medical amenities, retail options and possibly even a commercial component, will offer families a unique living environment,” the report states.
A development outside Windhoek’s city centre could also help alleviate increasing traffic congestion.
Heja Game Lodge closed its doors in July 2023 before being sold to Gondwana Collection.
No comment
When asked about the project, Gondwana’s group brand marketing manager, Jescey Bekker, said they were not ready to provide formal comments at this stage. “There is currently nothing to report on. All matters related to this are still in very early stages. Formal communication will be shared with relevant parties at the appropriate time,” Bekker told Network Media Hub this week.
A traffic study has already been launched to assess the project’s potential impact on nearby roads.
“The study is underway to determine whether intersections will need upgrades once the new (Dr. Hage Geingob) freeway is operational, considering the proximity (~70 meters) between the existing B6 and the D1527 road intersection, and the new B6-Dr. Hage Geingob highway intersection,” the report notes.
While the report does not include a date for construction to begin, it outlines the phases for site preparation, earthworks, electrical installation, and the building of water reticulation infrastructure and sewer systems.
The estate will then be developed in three distinct phases.
The report also highlights that plans may evolve over time to adapt to changing market requirements.
Potential environmental impacts
The report identifies potential environmental impacts and ensures that best practices will be followed during construction.
“Commitments will be made to ensure that construction and operational activities adhere to best environmental practices, as stipulated in the environmental and social management plan,” the report states.
Identified impacts include potential human-wildlife conflict and increased noise that may affect wildlife and neighboring property owners.
However, the estate is expected to reduce social stress due to the increased availability of housing in the Windhoek area.
The report further suggests that the project will boost the economy of the City of Windhoek and the broader Khomas region through both local and foreign investments.
Next steps
The public and key stakeholders will receive invitations to register their interest, after which a period for input will be allowed.
“The environmental assessment practitioner will collect any concerns or comments from registered interested and affected parties. Feedback from the initial public consultation process will be included in the scoping report,” the report states.
The terms of reference for the impact assessment will then be finalized and submitted to the office of the environmental commissioner for approval.
The scoping and impact assessment report will subsequently be drafted and made available to registered stakeholders for comment before being submitted to the relevant authorities.
The scoping section will include a description of the project, the biophysical and socio-economic environments, any specialist baseline studies, and the stakeholder engagement report.
The impact assessment section will include ECC’s ESIA methodology, a discussion of identified impacts, an evaluation of impact ratings, and management and mitigation measures to minimize impacts. – [email protected]