CAVERSHAM Glen residents have banded together against a rumoured development planned for the Caversham Glen Natural Area and Dog Park on Mariannridge Drive.
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According the eThekwini Municipality documents on Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D’MOSS), these areas should not be developed or transformed and rather prioritised for rehabilitation and restoration.
It further states that development in these areas (for example, infrastructure, roads and so on) should be carefully controlled to limit the development footprint, avoid especially sensitive habitats and species and avoid causing fragmentation of the natural asset or cutting off corridors.
Residents claim they are in the dark regarding this matter as there was no consultation involved.
“We, the residents of Mariannridge Drive and surrounding roads of Caversham, Pinetown, have given much thought to the proposed development of an informal soccer field/ outside gym/ children’s sand pits and jungle gyms/ area on Mariannridge Drive,” stated the objection letter by the residents to the eThekwini Municipality in April.
In the letter the residents have listed more than 10 objections including: safety of the children, since Mariannridge Drive is the main road with a high volume of traffic including taxis, speeding motorists and huge delivery trucks en-route to a supermarket.
This is a combination inviting hazards and fatality to the children if a ball is accidentally kicked onto the road as children will have to cross or go onto the road to retrieve the ball.
Most importantly, the residents felt this development will jeopardise the wildlife and indigenous plants.
“There are indigenous plants which will be destroyed in the process of converting a nature conservation area to a play area. We have spotted birds, bucks and blue cranes in the area and it would be sad to have them taken away,” said resident. Samantha Marais.
Crime was also concern for the residents. “We do not want this area to become like Lahee Park where there are numerous robberies, overgrown areas and criminal activity,” Marais added.
The residents, with the go ahead from the municipality, want to take full responsibility for the upkeep of this natural area.
“We, as the residents of Mariannridge Drive, are in a process of forming a conservatory for the endangered indigenous plants, bird and animal life and want to have the area rezoned,” stated the objection letter.
Despite numerous attempts to contact the municipality for clarity and comment, there has been no response the time of going to print.
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