Development above board at 615 Stephen Dlamini Road, says city

THE lack of communication from developers at the controversial 615 Stephen Dlamini site with neighbouring residents is still of grave concern to civic organisation, Save Our Berea.

Kevin Dunkley from Save Our Berea, said despite the fact that the municipality had confirmed that plans for the development had been passed, he felt the plans should be made available for neighbours to view.

“The fears of residents over the development of 615 Stephen Dlamini Road underlines the need for more transparency from the municipality. The Constitution of South Africa encourages the sharing of information and our new council needs to get their mind around this fact. It does not matter whether a development taking place requires a rezoning or a special consent or not. It is the right of neighbours and residents to know what is going on in their neighbourhood,” he said.

Dunkley said Save Our Berea believed strongly that officials who block residents from even seeing the plans of a next door development are legally at odds with the Constitution.

“Even if they believe they are on firm legal ground, then it certainly is against the spirit of the Constitution. We implore the council to make a sincere effort to look at transparency becoming the watchword of all dealings with the citizens of eThekwini,” he said

The development of the property was brought to the attention of Berea Mail and Save Our Berea by residents living nearby. A resident had expressed concern that no one had approached neighbours to consult residents on what was being planned for the property, and the fact that once building started, fears of a monstrous development going up on the land were sparked. Save Our Berea was allowed access to the plans, however residents have been unable to view them and in the dark about what was being built.

After lengthy correspondence between the civic organisation and the municipality, Save Our Berea was informed by Claire Norton, manager of Land Use Management, that plans for the development at 615 Stephen Dlamini Road were submitted to several different Development Planning branches.

“A consolidated response was sent to our communications department on the 11 August for information and communications purposes. The response stated that building plans for two residential units were approved in terms of section 4 of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act no 103 of 1977 as amended, and the applicable Town Planning Scheme in the course of preparation,” she said.

Norton said correspondence indicated that building work was progressing steadily to the satisfaction of the office, in that all work executed on site was in compliance with the approved plans and applicable legislation.

“All building work will be monitored regularly in order to ensure compliance with the said plans, and contraventions, if any, will be actioned in line with legal and internal procedures in order to ensure compliance,” she said.

Cheryl Johnson from Save Our Berea said when there is lack of consultation, trust is broken down.

“Residents immediately expect the worst when they are left out of the loop. The developer should’ve called a meeting with the neighbours to discuss the plans. They don’t have to by law, but we need to get on and live together. There should be more transparency,” she said.