Makro to dig deep for proposed store

Massmart, the company which owns Makro, has vowed to proceed with the construction of the giant store despite stiff resistance from nearby residents of Magaliessig in Fourways.

The company’s group communication manager, Annaleigh Vallie, told Fourways Review on 22 June that construction of the shop would commence soon.

“Having followed a rigorous and fully transparent process, including public hearings, the development of a Makro store has been approved by the relevant authorities thereby opening the way for construction of the store,” she said.

Vallie dismissed as untrue claims that her company was insensitive to Magaliessig residents who are against the giant retail shop’s encroachment into residential space.

The Magaliessig Action Forum has staged protests against the development for the past eight years. “Makro has met on numerous occasions with representatives of the Magaliessig Action Forum. These meetings have resulted in a number of initiatives to address residents’ concerns,” she said.

Read: Magaliessig residents stage human chain protest over Makro development

Vallie said construction would take the form of a new urban store design which, she said, was consistent with the architectural principles applied in the retail outlets immediately adjacent to the proposed site. She said that new ‘urban’ design had already been deployed in Cape Town.

Vallie revealed that the store’s visibility impact will be reduced by excavating the proposed site to a level seven metres below Merrow Lane. She maintained that the store and the surrounding community will be buffer zoned by a two acre (8 172 m²) landscaped and fenced park.

“[We have engaged] landscape architects to landscape the perimeter of the site in order to integrate it with the suburban environment. [We will reroute] delivery vehicles within the precincts of the proposed site to the furthest point from the residential area,” she said.

“The site was subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment and was given the go-ahead. Traffic congestion will, in fact, be lower than would be the case if the site were developed for residential units because retail peak traffic patterns are counter-cyclical to residential traffic.

“We will also upgrade the road network.”

Vallie added that the development would lead to the creation of 3 000 jobs which, she said, would benefit residents of Diepsloot and surrounding areas.

“Makro is coming to Fourways and will benefit small business growth in Diepsloot through services to informal traders.”

Read more:

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Makro application overruled

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