Invest in the Renishaw Coastal Precinct Now and Be Part of a 150-Year Legacy

Excitement about the potential possibilities, opportunities and investment value of the 2.6-million square metre Renishaw Coastal Precinct on the KZN mid-South Coast is building.

Backed by Renishaw Property Developments – a subsidiary of the JSE-listed Crookes Brothers Limited – the Renishaw Coastal Precinct is a Scottburgh-based development, a mere 40-minutes from Durban.

Renishaw Coastal Precinct has already received consent for mixed-use development from the KZN Department of Environmental Affairs, National Department of Agriculture and the Umdoni Municipality, and rights have been secured to develop a significant number of sizeable properties. This is aligned with more people semigrating to quieter, scenic coastal areas in search of spatial properties.

A Humble Railway Siding

The once sleepy Renishaw was originally a railway siding to transport sugar cane to the crushers at the mill. According to the Dictionary of Southern African Place Names, by Peter E Raper, Lucie A Moller, and Theodorus L du Plessis, Renishaw was a “Settlement and railway station across the mouth of the Mpambanyoni River from Scottburgh. Originally an estate belonging to the Landers brothers, it takes its name from a village in England.”

This was confirmed by a further Google search that revealed Renishaw Central to be a former railway station in Renishaw, Derbyshire, England.

Railway Siding

Crookes Family Pioneering Begins in Renishaw

The history of Renishaw in KZN is interwoven with that of the pioneering Crookes family, their story dating back to 1860 when Samuel Crookes from Finningley in Yorkshire, England, arrived on the shores of Durban aboard the Rydal.

Samuel moved to Scottburgh and soon began farming sugar cane. He settled down, and proceeded to get married and have three sons and three daughters.

Renishaw Farm is the site of Samuel Crookes’ first cane farming and milling operation in the 1860s. He registered his company in 1878 as Samuel S Crookes & Sons for his farming and milling interests.

The family grew up, Samuel died at a rather young age of 67, and his sons consolidated the family farms and milling operation into Crookes Brothers Limited in 1913. The Crookes family played a dominant role in the management of farming and milling operations, and the next generation followed suit and listed the company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1948.

A Centenary of Success

Today, the Crookes Brothers own and manage extensive cane farms, banana plantations and deciduous fruit and macadamia nut orchards. 

The company has agricultural operations in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Western Cape Province, as well as Swaziland, Zambia, and Mozambique.

The brothers faced challenges and undaunted, overcame weather, natural disasters, pests and diseases, which tested their ingenuity, spirit and perseverance. A success story for the past 150-years, it is the core values of the company: integrity, excellence and fairness that have shaped its success – values maintained in all their endeavours to this day. 

“The early South African sugar industry consisted of an exclusive club of planter-cum-miller family businesses all pioneered before the turn of the 19th century; Natal Estates (the Campbells), Tongaat Sugar (the Saunders), Illovo Estates (the Pearces), Reynolds Brothers, Sir JL Hulett and Sons and Crookes Brothers. The sugar produced was sold through agencies such as CG Smith and Co.” (https://cbl.co.za/financials/ar2013/business-overview/company_history.php)

New Dispensation Triggers Transformation

New challenges arrived with the new dispensation and government in 1994, which transformed the country. However, Crookes Brothers went all in and not only co-operated but made transformation their priority, and this endeavour shaped the company’s development. 

Keeping to their strategy, they spearheaded joint venture farming with the recipients of the lands claims. And they did more; they trained the community in farming and management skills. 

This cooperative model enabled large-scale transformation and a developing black commercial farming community.

The Property Arm Set Up 

Renishaw Property Developments was established to use marginal farmland on the Crookes Brothers Limited farm for development for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.

Renishaw Property Developments’ managing director, Barto Van Der Merwe, said “Of the total 1 800 ha farm size between Scottburgh and Umkomaas, 1 308 ha have been approved for rezoning with 266 ha comprising land suitable for development, the balance consisting of wetlands, coastal forest and areas too steep for development.”

“The long-term project is made up of different development zones,” Van Der Merwe said. “The successful billion-rand Renishaw Hills, a gated, mature lifestyle village, was started in 2016. The first property owners took occupation in the second part of 2017.”

“Renishaw Hills constitutes only 28 ha of the 266 ha developable land, giving an indication of the total extent of the project.” said Van Der Merwe.

Heritage Survey Digs into the History

It is interesting to note that in line with their integrity values, Crookes Brothers has appointed SIVEST Environmental Division to obtain an understanding of the current status of the areas from an environmental, social, economic and heritage perspective, after which full Environmental Impact Assessments were done and the parcels of land identified for development. 

SIVEST Environmental Division appointed Albert van Jaarsveld to do a Heritage Impact Assessment to obtain an understanding of the current Heritage Resources on the affected land.

In his report, Van Jaarsveld said, Renishaw “has a rich history and has buildings of architectural value that should be preserved for future generations. It is recommended that the buildings with heritage status are suitable to become part of any kind of development.” (https://sahris.sahra.org.za/sites/default/files/heritagereports/Renishaw%20Estate%20Heritage.pdf)

Working with the Local Community

The Crookes Brothers’ legacy of working with the local community continues. To include the local KwaCele community and provide for their participation in development projects, a memorandum of understanding was signed. The agreement includes giving preference to local emerging businesses when appointing sub-contractors. A formal training programme for unemployed youths has already been initiated under the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA). 

The total developable prime coastal area of 2.6-million square metres at prices far lower than on the North Coast, offers great returns if you take advantage and invest now.

The picturesque, pristine beaches surrounded by golf courses paired with the options mixed-use give you, investment and development become a no-brainer.

The business and social hub of the development is appropriately called the Renishaw Coastal Precinct Interchange, which will encompass residential, commercial, retail and light industries, with zoning for a private school and a private hospital.

The residents of the Renishaw Coastal Development flagship, the billion-rand Renishaw Hills mature lifestyle village, are already enjoying great value for money, a healthy outdoor lifestyle, convenience and a rich sense of community.  

The Alluring but Sound Offer

Renishaw is offering prime land at fantastic prices, a technologically smart and forward-thinking precinct. It is a precinct that supports eco-living, sustainable building materials and solar power. 

Built around the principles of independence, honesty and reliability, the business remains true to Samuel Crookes’ founding vision, while its longevity testifies to the dedication and professionalism of the family and employees who followed him.

And with the focus on excellence, integrity and community support, the business continues to transform its fine heritage into a pioneering, successful and sustainable future.

You can become part of the next generation and partner with the Renishaw Coastal Precinct to continue its fascinating history and leave your legacy along with the developers.

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