UPDATE: Gauteng Planning Division dismisses appeal

Construction to upgrade the Northwold Junction Shopping Centre will be completed by the end of April next year.

The centre’s developer and architect, Bruce Mark is adamant that he complied with all the rezoning laws and also considered residents’ complaints before submitting the final plans to the City of Johannesburg.

The Gauteng Planning Division, Land Use Management and Statutory Board has also dismissed the residents’ appeal hearing giving the developer the green light to continue with this development.

One of the residents – who was opposing the development, Stephen Wepner – said the provincial department only found the loophole to dismiss their appeal. “When we launched an appeal in December 2014, they didn’t issue an invoice but they said they were dismissing it as we did not pay the cost, which we did not know should be paid,” he said.

Randburg Sun is in possession of all documents which the developer and town planner submitted to the relevant authorities since the application began in 2012.

It all started when the owner, Andrew Argyrou saw a need to alleviate parking problems but realised the entire shopping centre should be upgraded. The developer subsequently designed the plans and followed the procedure until the third amended plans were approved by the City.

This was done in an effort to avoid inconveniencing residents while simultaneously upgrading the centre, which began about 20 years ago.

“Initially, when I started here, this place was an open space with residents complaining about illegal dumping and vagrants loitering around,” said Argyrou.

Traffic surveys were conducted as required and the owner will add another R1.2 million to widen a portion of Drysdale Road and put up two traffic circles at the corner of Elnita Avenue, Drysdale Road and at the shopping centre’s entrance.

Only 12 new shops will be added to the existing centre as well as a specialised gym, which will only work by appointment with the trainers, unlike a normal gym. “We have gone back to the council to enquire as to whether or not they will allow it but this is all uncertain until we have followed due process,” said Mark.

Two of the existing shops will be demolished to provide a driveway to the parking lot through the centre’s entrance. The parking lot was redesigned and situated further from the households. The developer also included an attenuation tank valued at R680 000 to store the storm water in a chamber before it is released into the drainage system under controlled conditions.

Every shop will have its own toilet facilities. “We are going to demolish all the toilets and build a new public ablution block with 18 toilets, 12 urinals and 27 wash basins,” said Mark.

Three residents from Northwold have signed leases for four new shops. “My plans would never have been approved if we did not follow the proper procedure,” he said.

One of the residents, who lives in Janine Road, Carrie Minnaar said she was aware of the plans before she bought her property last year and felt that the plans would result in an increase in property value. “I am actually quite excited to be able to walk to my local shop, restaurants and health shops. I think the value of our homes will increase and the convenience factor is obvious,” said Minnaar.