Renishaw Hills – sweet on the south coast

Best known for its sunny days, lovely beaches, breathtaking views and laid-back lifestyle, Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Coast is rapidly becoming quite the place to retire – and one of the better options is the newly built Renishaw Hills Estate.

The brainchild of Renishaw Property Developments, which is a subsidiary of the JSE-listed Crookes Brothers Group, the estate is on a former sugar cane farm that now forms part of a 350-hectare mixed-use precinct. Working closely with other stakeholders, the developers plan to phase out sugar farming and re-establish the coastal forest, grassland and wetlands that were there before. The process has already begun, and the new lush green belts of vegetation already attract an abundance of animal and bird life.

The estate

Renishaw Hills is a full sectional title development for over- 50s, offering a combination of 340 houses and maisonettes and 170 apartments, spread over 24 hectares of conservation land. The estate was officially launched in October 2016, and is following a phased approach to sales, with an augmented price for each phase launch. The first and second phases sold out within six months of launch, and were built and occupied a year later. Phase Three launched in October 2017, and is almost sold out with only 10 units left. Phase Four will be on the market by the end of June 2018, and the apartments will be on offer later, when the demand arises.

Residents can choose one of  12  design options for their home, as well as all the fixtures and finishes. To date, average prices for homes in the development vary from  R2.3 million to R2.5 million for a three-bedroom freestanding home, while a two-bedroom maisonette can go for between R1.5 million and R2.2 million. The apartments, when released, are expected to come to market at approximately R1 million and above. Some sites have beautiful sea views and – obviously – go for a somewhat higher price. But purchase costs are not everything, and it is important that levies be kept to a minimum on retirement estates. To this end, the levy rate is carefully set, and 20% of profits from reselling homes goes into a levy stabilisation fund. With 60 homes completed and occupied, and a further 30 under construction, there is already a mix of tenants aged between 50 and 80 – from the region and upcountry.

As with most developments, there are strict architectural guidelines, and a neutral outdoor palette to blend in with the environment. The houses offer a good indoor-outdoor flow with plenty of glass to take advantage of natural light and the lovely views.

Facilities

Facilities already in place include a ladies’ bar, library, post office, chapel and healthcare centre. The small temporary healthcare facility, which is provided through a partnership with external service provider TruCare, is supplemented by home-based care. When completed, the community centre will also include a dining area and coffee shop as well as a convenience store, hairdresser, laundry area, guest rooms, and transport services to the nearby town. There is fibre and DSTV connection direct to all homes.

On the activities front, there is a gym, swimming pool and numerous walking and cycling trails, and tennis courts, a bowling green and a croquet lawn are planned. The bird- watching is great, and many residents have joined together to form a bird-watching club. The estate is dog-friendly, with residents of some units being allowed one or two small dogs, but cats are not allowed because they are likely to hunt birds and other small creatures. There is ample parking as well as additional parking for long- and short-term guests. The on-site community liaison officer ensures that things run smoothly, and works hard to create a sense of shared community.

Safety and security

Although Renishaw Hills is an active estate, the developers acknowledge that restricted mobility is always a possibility

so all homes are wheelchair-friendly with minimal stairs, and lifts in the apartments, and the passages are wide. All residents have direct and immediate communication with the central security control room. The estate is secured with an unobtrusive electrified perimeter fence, and there are 24- hour security patrols done via vehicle and on foot. State-of- the-art security lighting and monitored surveillance cameras – both thermal and optical – provide added peace of mind, and a staffed access control gate ensures that only residents and

pre-approved visitors can enter the estate. An integrated storm-water management system prevents flood damage and the on-site waste-water treatment works ensures a secure water supply – which is supplemented by a borehole.

Recent trends indicate that  the  KZN  coast is becoming more and more desirable as a retirement destination, so Renishaw  Hills  is  likely to offer a good investment option even for people who will not  be  considering  retirement for a few decades. It is estimated the estate will be completed within the next seven to nine years, so there is still time to get in on the ground floor.