East London to be turned into a ‘lifestyle city’ by proposed revamp

A proposed revamp is said to turn Buffalo City into a ‘lifestyle city' boasting a golf themed hotel, a holiday resort and formalised beach access amongst others.

Major  plans are being proposed to revamp Nahoon Mouth, with hotels and resorts on the cards for the upmarket East London suburb.

The idea to transform Nahoon forms part of Buffalo City's grander vision of turning East London into a "lifestyle city".

If the project takes off it will see the construction of a golf- themed hotel with a conference facility, and at least three holiday resorts.

The details form part of the Nahoon Mouth and sports precinct development proposed by the Buffalo City Development Agency (BCDA).

The draft development framework will be presented at a public participation meeting next week.

Some proposed developments in Nahoon Mouth and the sport precinct include:

 A golf-themed accommodation and conference facility;

 An extended Astroturf facility;

 A holiday resort and conference centre;

 A low-impact resort with chalet-type accommodation and a restaurant; and

 Formalised beach access.

The draft report states that the Buffalo City development strategy sets out an ambitious "development agenda" for the greater Buffalo City area.

"Whilst (the report) focuses on the strategic and investment objectives required to enhance the economic growth prospects of Buffalo City, it also relates a vision of economic growth in Buffalo City linked to the development of East London as a so- called ‘Lifestyle City', which has the potential to attract entrepreneurs and other influential role players in the development of what is called the tertiary economy rather than the secondary economy," the report says.

It adds there will be a focus on attracting investment into the area through the release of "strategic, municipal- owned land parcels as well as the promotion of the area as a venue for events such as sports tournaments, trade fairs and arts and cultural festivities".

"It is from within the accumulated references to developing a ‘Lifestyle City' and attracting investment into the area, that this current project to investigate development options for the sites identified within the broader study area should be seen."

Border-Kei Chamber of Business managing director Les Holbrook said the development was "positive".

"It ties in well when you've got specific lifestyles. With tourism it will also promote East London as a sports destination. And the fact that we've got world-class sport facilities is conducive to that kind of thing. It will also be in close proximity to accommodation," said Holbrook.

The proposed development has not been without problems.

At one of two public hearings last year, Nahoon residents said the city should rather focus on fixing their ailing sewerage system.

And other BCDA projects like the Marina Glen and Seaview Terrace developments on the beachfront have come to nothing, raising questions about the agency's ability to see its ideas to fruition.

Holbrook said BCDA needed to learn from its failures which had been a "huge disappointment".

"Surely they need to go back to square one ... and see where the mistakes have been made," he said.