Development reminiscent of apartheid-style hostel, says civic group

SAVE OUR BEREA (SOB) has raised concerns regarding a proposed housing development at 80 to 84 Clark Road which has been earmarked for student accommodation.

In a recent report regarding the development on the property in Berea Mail, councillor Nicole Graham encouraged residents to lodge any objections regarding the establishment of a student hostel on the premises.

A meeting will be held on Monday 1 December at 5pm at Councillor Graham's office in Devonshire Place, Bulwer, where SOB representatives and other residents have been invited to raise any valid concerns.

Cheryl Johnson, one of the founding members of the Save Our Berea civic organisation, said the design of the multiple cell-like rooms proposed for the development was being held in question. According to Johnson, the developer claims he intends to provide affordable living units for surrounding working class people.

“We are not opposed to demolition per se as in our view the houses in question have little architectural merit. Residents may have another point of view and they can exercise their right to oppose demolition through the correct Amafa channels. However, we believe this new development as it stands should be resisted most vigorously on the grounds that the proposed accommodation is bleak and the architecture deplorable. We are not against developers providing accommodation for students or to use the developer's terminology 'working class people' in lower Glenwood, or in any other appropriate areas on the Berea, Greyville, Morningside and Sydenham, but we are against this type of dormitory-type building that to us, is reminiscent of the Apartheid-style hostel buildings of the 50s and 60s in the townships,” said Johnson.

She said durability, utility and beauty were three elements remaining as the essential components of all successful architectural design.

“In relation to these tenets, what can honestly be said about the proposal for the building at 80-84 Clark Road? Durable it will not be. Pleasant to live in it will not be. Beautiful it will not be,” said Johnson.

She said SOB proposed pressure be brought to bear on the owner, to make his intentions clearer to the community with regard to managing what clearly will be student accommodation, to improve the design and to give an undertaking that he will not deviate from the approved plans should a settlement be reached with residents.