Residents question Glenmore construction

GLENMORE residents are calling for the City to intervene at a Hyder Road construction site after alarm bells were raised months ago. In October, 2021, eThekwini Municipality’s spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the City would investigate and clamp down on illegal residential buildings in the area. This after Glenmore resident, Karin Dryer called the construction at 36 Hyder Road ‘unsafe’ and ‘illegal’.

Six months later, Dryer says nothing has been done to address the construction site.

“The property prices have drastically dropped around here,” said Dryer.

She and property practitioner, Jane Tayfield have lived in the area for more than 50 years. Tayfield echoed Dryer’s concerns, saying the construction is depreciating property value in the area. She also raised safety concerns.

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“There was a house there before construction started. The sand has been dug out from under the house and it is slowly falling down. We don’t believe there are any plans for demolition or approval from the City in place. The construction site is not even cordoned off properly. If children are playing in the area, they would be at risk and it’s encroaching on the road. It’s totally illegal as far as I am concerned,” said Tayfield.

When questioned about the matter in October, last year, Mayisela said the City had not received building plans or approved plans for the property. He said the City issued a notice of unauthorised building on October 5 and 6. Mayisela added that the site would be monitored for further contraventions.

At the same time, Berea Mail heard from attorney and director of TS Law Incorporated, Trishal Sharma, who represented the property owners. Sharma said owners were awaiting approval for building plans they submitted for maintenance work at 36 Hyder Road. According to Sharma, the maintenance of the property entailed the excavation of a wall surrounding the property due to a structural crack in the wall, as well as the removal of the property roof due to wood bore (sic) infestation.

Recently Berea Mail reached out to the eThekwini Municipality and TS Law Incorporated for updates on the issue.

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Sharma responded, saying, “Our client has advised our offices that an application was submitted to the eThekwini Municipality for their consideration and approval. The proposed alteration to the existing building was made in line with the current Town Planning Controls and fell within the ambit of the National Building Regulations and Building Standard Act 103 of 1977, as amended.”

The eThekwini Municipality was not available for comment at the time this article went to press.