Six-storey forensic lab planned for Pinetown

A VACANT piece of land on Bamboo Lane in Pinetown, which has attracted a criminal element to the area, was recently approved to be utilised for the construction of a a six-storey South African Police Services Forensic Science Laboratory.

At a recent meeting of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, approval was granted for the plot of land, on 48 and 52 Bamboo Lane, to house the state-of-the-art laboratory.

The facility will be built on the property that measures 5,6493 hectares, with the proposed main structure covering 16 per cent of this and the maximum built area over the whole site will be 49 008 square meters.

“The request for development controls to be increased to allow for maximum use of the site as the forensic science lab came as a result of this site being identified as a national priority project,” said member of the Economic Development and Planning Committee in eThekwini, Marlaine Nair.

According to the report presented to the committee, the Department of Public Works plans to build a laboratory of world class standard.

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“The proposed development will serve as the key point for KZN Provincial Forensic services and crime investigations and will carry out a number of analyses and testing work in a number of specialised fields. This, in turn, will facilitate the investigation processes and also increase the capability and capacity of prosecution of crime in KZN,” said Nair.

She noted that there were no objections lodged against the project and the committee was assured the facility’s design is based on best practice and international standards to minimise the visual impact, while also taking into consideration safety and operational factors.

All activities will be contained within the site and, where necessary, soundproofing will be used so the surrounding buildings will not be affected. No bomb testing will take place on the site.

“It is very exciting and it is long overdue. It has taken many years to approve this and it will create a lot of job opportunities for the local community and help fast track any cases that involve forensics. The community will be thrilled that the land will be cleaned up and this will mitigate the problem of vagrants and criminals who have used this as a hideout,” said Ward 18 councillor, Melanie Brauteseth.

Nair noted the laboratory and the offices will take up 31 518m² and the reception, training facilities and cafeteria will take up a further 9 510m².

A 7 980m² space has also been reserved for the ancillary services required for the facility.

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“The facility will also have an auditorium, general staff, including security, storage and other general requirements for servicing the site,” said Nair.

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