- When did the development start: Installation of services started on 16 January 2023. Transfer of 90 stands were effected in December 2024. The rest of the stands from phases 1-3, were registered during 2024, as well as a number of resales
- How does the sales process work: Buyers sign an offer to purchase (OTP) and pay a R40,000 deposit to be held in the conveyancer’s interest-bearing trust account. Your agent will make all documentation available to you for perusal and signature. Get Go Home Loans bond originators have been appointed to assist you with any finance requirements, if needed. The documents travel to the conveyancer for countersignature, and a copy can be returned back to you.
- What will happen to my deposit in the interim: The conveyancer will invest the deposit on your behalf and interest earned will be for your benefit. The deposit is refundable.
- What other financial commitments are there: You need to provide guarantees for the balance of the purchase amount within 30 days, either through a bank, investment company or an attorney. Alternatively, pay the balance of the purchase price into the conveyancer’s Trust account.
- What properties are being sold now: Phases 1, 2, and 3 were sold out by the developer in 2023. There are some resales available. The marketing is now focused on the Village Post (plot-and-plan duplex homes). The launch of the retirement complex will commence at the end of 2024/ beginning of 2025.
- What stands are being sold in the Village Post: 116 Plot-and-Plan stand & home packages, to be built by the developer’s appointed builders, Darling Homes. Construction is estimated to start in the last quarter of 2024. You can leave your details on the contact portal for a preferential choice of homes or you can click on the following link https://darlinggreen.co.za/#enquire, or call one of the dedicated agents.
- Can I build my own home: Yes, on the freestanding phase 1,2, and 3 stands, as long as your contractor is accredited with the Home Owners Association and you abide by the Architectural Guidelines compiled by Osmond Lange Architects. You may also ask any of the already accredited builders, to build your home. Village Post Plot-and-Plan stand & home packages are built by the developer’s appointed builders. Construction is estimated to start in the last quarter of 2024 and the first occupation will be in 2025.
- When can I start building: As soon as your stand has been registered in your name and your plans have been approved, you must complete your building within 3 years of the stand’s transfer into the original owner’s name. Village Post homes will be built in batches.
- What if I don’t build within the 3 years of transfer: A penalty levy will be charged.
- Can I build a second dwelling: Yes, you can, on the freestanding phases 1,2, and 3 stands with the consent of the local authority and your neighbours.
- Does the developer’s marketing team sell building packages: Yes, packages are available. Pricing is available from your agent.
- What will be in the wetland area: The wetland is a sensitive ecological area and no future development may take place. It’s called the Apolisvlei wetland, and is being developed in accordance with conservation principles, with elevated/movable wooden walkways, and a bird hide on the water as the centrepiece.
- Do I have access to the 9-hole Golf Course, Bowling Club or tennis courts (Darling Sport Club): Yes, all owners have automatic social membership to the Sport Club, which is included in the levies. Membership of any of the sub-clubs is voluntary. There is direct pedestrian, bicycle and golf cart access onto the golf course and to the Sport Club.
- What about schooling: Darling College (a 25-year-old private school; offering from pre-primary to grade 7) is walking distance away. High school – there are currently busses running to Malmesbury and Curro Langebaan. A bus to Melkbosstrand Private School will be operational from 2025. A high school is nearing completion at the existing Darling Primary School.
- What security will there be: The estate will be equipped with a smart security system that comprises biometric access control, monitoring, patrolling, armed response, and cameras atop an electrified game fence.
- What are the levies for and how much: Levies are R1,200 per month. This includes membership to the Sport Club, 24-hour security, access control, common property maintenance, roads, gardening, and maintenance of cycling and running/walking routes on the extended adjacent properties.
- What green initiatives do Darling Green have: Solar power for the estate, recycling of waste will be promoted, individual harvesting of rainwater for use as grey water, and each house to have a collection tank/bladder installed. The developer is also investigating a grey water system that will feed off the Estate, Sport Club’s/Darling Town’s excess grey water. Nature takes precedence, no tarred roads, but rather a combination of tortoise-friendly paved and gravel networks. Green areas on the adjacent property are being developed with the aim of restituting as much of the indigenous floral habitat as possible, in mind. Eco-friendly building methods & materials, sustainable construction, and carbon negation are encouraged, and in some cases prescribed.
- I’m a mountain biker, so what can I expect: Darling Green aims for Darling to form part of the “big four” cycling locations in the Western Cape, closing the loop of Durbanville, Paarl and Wellington. This provides in excess of 500km of mountain biking track. There are established tracks on, among others, Ormonde wine farm, Wolwefontein, and !Khwa ttu. Successful races have been organised by Living Colour, an establishment on Wolwefontein farm. The annual DBX race takes place around the Darling countryside, hosted by Darling Brew.
- What is happening on the adjacent vacant property: The Darling Green Estate development company, also owns the adjacent land, which is approximately 430ha, in addition to the 70ha of the Estate, i.e. 500ha in total. Residents in Darling Green Country Estate have direct access to the rest of the property for mountain biking, trials, horse riding, jogging, walking and the like.
- What is planned on the Darling Trading Post property: The details are still to be finalised, but it will be similar to a Spice Route/Root 44, with an anchor commercial tenant, and food vendors. Other facilities include a multi-disciplinary medical centre, nursery, kids’ playground area, amphitheatre and an outdoor gym. Darling Trading Post will be open to the public, and other Darling residents, while Darling Green residents have access through the gatehouse.
- When will the retirement village be developed and what will the nature of ownership be: 220 sectional title units are planned, with access to the medical facilities in the Trading Post. The complex will include assisted living and frail care run by Total Care Living, a leading authority in integrated older person preventative care, with over 50 years of experience. They will also provide life-right apartments. Sales are expected to start by the end of 2024/beginning of 2025.
- Will there be fiber: Yes. The estate is fiber-ready as the secondary WACS cable to Cape Town runs past the estate’s entrance, coming onto Africa at Yzerfontein. Sleeving infrastructure has been installed by the civils contractor.
- Is there a Body Corporate or Home Owners Association (HOA): Yes. Each owner becomes a member of the HOA.
- Will I need to pay VAT or transfer duty: On sales from the developer the selling price includes VAT and no transfer duty is payable. You will however by responsible for bond registration fees, if you will be using bank finance. On resales, the buyer will pay be liable to pay transfer duty, if the sale price is above a certain amount (currently R1.1m).
- What about bank finance: The development has been approved for end-user finance for land sales, and bonds are available. You can discuss your requirements with Get Go Home Loans, the home loan originator. The Village Post has also been approved by all the major banks for end-user finance.
- Who will fence my stand: Each owner will be required to fence their own property. On the Plot-and-Plan stands, and where the developer’s builders do the construction, the perimeter fencing is included in the building package.
- Are horses and pets allowed: Yes, in line with the HOA rules.
- How many horses may I keep: A maximum of 4 horses on 1-ha stands and 2 on ½-ha stands. Horses cannot be kept on smaller stands.
- Can I sink a borehole: Yes, you may, but only on hectare, ½-ha and ½ acre stands and 2000 SQM.
- Who is the developer: At Darling Green Estate (Pty) Ltd, with extensive property development experience.
- What club-house facilities will be available: All landowners can make full use of the Darling Sport Club amenities. There will be a swimming pool and braai area in the Estate, as well as offices for the HOA, will be situated at the clubhouse facility.
Please visit www.darlinggreen.co.za for more information and documentation.