Controversy continues to dog park development
It has come to light that the evidence of legality of the development in the Phil Erasmus Park, Airfield, is not sufficient to prove that all the necessary steps were followed.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) recently sent evidence to the City Times, showing that the development was advertised in the Star newspaper 11 years ago.
Development of townhouses started in the park on May 5, this year, against the wishes of many of the residents.
Keith Gardiner, an Airfield resident, asked why the development seems to have been advertised in only one newspaper, the Star, instead of three, as is required by law, according to him.
“They must give notice of the application by advertising in two daily newspapers and the provincial gazette once a week, for two consecutive weeks,” said Gardiner.
Furthermore, he pointed out, the area under development was rezoned to Residential Two, as stated in the advertisement, but, according to him, it should have been rezoned to Residential Three, as this allows for multiple houses on one property (Erf), whereas Residential Two does not.
Gardiner also pointed out that no evidence was received of the on-site notice boards or that the neighbours were informed of the development.
Andrew Radloff, founder of the Airfield Action Group, asked similar questions regarding the new evidence.
“Where is proof of placement of public notices in the local gazette, like the Benoni City Times, where the public of Benoni and Airfield would look, and not just the Star newspaper,” said Radloff.
“We just want to understand what happened and if everything was done correctly.”
According to Radloff, he was told the erven under question were rezoned to Residential Three last year, but no records of this exist.
EMM was approached for comment, but none had been received at the time of going to press.
Read more here:
Evidence of development notice surfaces
