Community rejects church services

SECOND Avenue residents in Ashley have raised their concerns about a church in their neighbourhood, which, according to them, was served with notice to terminate their services as per an appeals board finding.

The residents are worried that the operating of this church will continue to deprive them of their rights to peace and privacy while at the same time increasing the security risk in their area, thereby impacting negatively on their property values and quality of life, as it is a residential area.

One of the residents, Craig Dennill, said the church started operating in 2011 and they have been fighting for its removal since then. “The property was sold to a church, and apparently the property has special consent for the operating of a church with provision for 17 vehicles.

“But over the last months, we have had many vehicles parked down the length of our street and on our verges, restricting access.

“There is also a continuous stream of public transport delivering and collecting people; there is no provision for the safe stopping and loading of passengers.

“We cannot open our gates for the fear of our pets leaving our premises as there are always people just standing around on the verges,” he said.

Among other concerns was the health factor, as the area is always strewn with waste. The residents believe that the building needs to be sound-proofed because of the noise.

Dennill added that the approval, granted on 31 July, 2014 and posted on 4 August, 2014, failed to address many of the objections raised, and residents have accordingly appealed the approval.

Pastor of the church, Rev Ngwenya, said the matter has not yet been concluded. The chairman of the hearing referred the matter to the minister to give a ruling on the matter

EThekwini head of communications, Tozi Mthethwa, said the city received a special consent application for 11 Second Avenue, Ashley for it to be turned into a place of worship.

“The municipality supported the application and this was taken on appeal by the objectors.

“The matter was heard by the Town Planning Appeals Board, which is an independent body, a few months ago, and we are currently awaiting the judgement of the board before the matter can be finalised.

“To date, the municipality is not aware of any verdict stating that the place of worship be moved,” said Mthethwa.