The site is situated on a country hilltop overlooking Knysna and enjoys a 360-degree view of the Knysna lagoon and inland countryside.

It is accessed through a valley to the north west of the property off Welbedacht Road. The whole property is 3,2 hectares in size, with nineteen erven (eighteen of which are dedicated to the homes of The Orchards@Knysna), zoned general residential, of differing sizes and orientation with 16,000㎡ of common property. The Orchards uniqueness lies in the fact that it is a small, eco-friendly, off the power grid, exclusive development on a hilltop with understated style and quality at affordable prices and inexpensive to maintain with very few fortunate Owners, encouraging a self-sufficient country lifestyle. It has generous road verges and boundary hedges of vines, fruit or nut trees. Focused attention will be given to landscaping the road verges and common property with vineyards, fruit and nut trees, the produce of which will be shared between the Owners.

The already installed services to the development comprise water born municipal sewerage, municipal water, Telkom connections and fibre optics. Each home will be provided with enough off the grid power in the form of roof mounted photo voltaic panels, gas for cooking and water heating and a standby generator. The Orchards aims at making Owners as independent as possible in a cost-effective way with a constitution that is upheld by a Homeowners Association that will protect the collective interest of its members.

The Town Planning requirements for The Orchards are as follows:

• Maximum height above natural ground – 6m.

• Maximum footprint/coverage (i.e. all areas under roof) – 200㎡ including garages (which means that some of the concepts can be made larger).

• Street, lateral & rear building lines – 1m.

• Erf 16694 has a 1.5m building line on its Western boundary which will act as a servitude for access to the common property named ‘C’ on the site development plan.

Only three sites remain, completed show house available for sale!

The philosophy behind the development is that the homes will be built within an orchard, be “off the grid” and be self-sufficient when it comes to power.

1x 2,500L water tanks collect rainwater for garden irrigation. If an Owner wants to use rainwater as the primary source of water for the house then this can be done as an optional extra. The off the grid homes have been designed to take optimum advantage of the views and orientation afforded by each site, with roof pitches that provide maximum energy absorption for the photovoltaic panels. There are four choices of Architect designed homes with each site being allotted the design best suited for that site. Some sites have a choice of two or three designs suitable for their size and location. The external design and look of the house cannot deviate from the approved concept design. The estate Architect TMBA (Pty) Ltd, together with the estate Engineer Hofmeyr & Associates, will then develop the internal layout of each home with the purchaser to suit their requirements before obtaining building plan approval with the local authority. The Architect’s service includes design development, documentation, site administration and close out and will be for the purchaser’s account and has been agreed in advance at affordable rates. Simultaneously with the purchase of the property, the purchaser is to conclude a separate contract with the estate Architect and the estate Engineer for their services.