MV TRP was appointed by Knysna Municipality to undertake the rezoning application for the new Masifunde health care centre. This project is a joint venture between the Western Cape Department of Health and the Knysna Municipality. This project entails the closure of a public open space, rezoning, subdivisions and consolidations.
The new health care centre will incorporate the existing fire station, hence it was also a requirement to develop a new fire station for the Knysna Northern Areas.
The motivation report argued that the devlopment was desirable as it is consistent with the mixed-use character of the area, and is consistent with provincial spatial planning guidelines of the area as it would make community facilities more accessible by foot and encourage densification. The report argued that "the proposal will have a positive socio-economic impact" and that "these are much needed social facilities in a marginalised residential area".
One issue with this project was the informal nature of the surrounding properties and lack of reliable contact information for their owners. This presented the problem of how to notify the affected neighbours in accordance with the Land Use Planning Ordinence gudelines. To overcome this problem we agreed with the Knysna Munisipality to hand deliver notifications using information from the department of housing.
The development was approved by Knysna Municipality's Town Council in September 2010 and work will begin imminently on the site.