Residents opposed to Beachwood housing plan

The meeting sought to provide an introduction to the project and explain the environmental authorisation process of the development. Mick Hyatt, a member of the Durban Country Club trust, said the development would strengthen Beachwood and tried to allay residents fears over the proposed development. “There are no losers in this equation. The land we wish to rezone will not only help the security of the area, but will also enhance the value of properties around the area,” Hyatt said. In total, 2.6 hectares of land will be re-zoned and the Beachwood course will be reduced to par 69 from a 71 par course.

However, Fairway residents and DA ward councillor, Dean Macpherson, raised their objections to a number of issues including the proposed restriction of Beachwood Close, which is a public access route to the beach. The only other access point is 800m north of the proposed development.

“Residents feel the bulldozer used for the development would cause more damage and stop them from freely accessing the beach. It could also be problematic for emergency services. It is clear the process has a long way to go before being finalised. I am not against development, but I would like to see is a solution that benefits the residents of Durban North and to ensure the correct procedures are followed through,” Macpherson said.

Residents also questioned whether the development would allow for more houses than the 19 proposed. There was no clear answer from the panel which prompted DA councillor, Geoff Pullan, who asked whether the houses would be built on stilts with the rising sea levels which could have an adverse effect on the development. The biggest applause of the night was reserved for local resident, Angela Baker, who asked the Durban Country Club trust members to have the Fairways residents’ interests at heart and not just the club’s.