New development causes unease
Developers plan to build new houses opposite 5 Star Super Spar in Secunda.
SECUNDA – Residents voiced their concerns about a new development of affordable houses that will be built opposite 5 Star Super Spar, at a meeting held by the developers on Thursday, 21 August.
Developers answered questions and explained the details of the new development.
A total of 159 units will be built in the open field between Vaalrivier Street, Soetdoring Street and Camelia Street.
Developers plan to close the park which is now an open space.
“People want to be closer to schools and shops, among others,” said a businessman.
“We want to use the land that is available optimally.”
Developers will now have to apply for a re-zoning process that will be advertised soon.
Residents had questions about the capacity of the electrical services and the electrical engineer assured them that the capacity will be enough.
Pre-paid meters will be installed for all the units.
According to the developers the water and sewage systems were upgraded when 5 Star Spar expanded and upgraded the shopping centre.
Another matter that residents were concerned about, was the traffic flow if 159 units are built.
However the traffic engineer said they looked at the demand of future traffic in the area and did a capacity analysis which confirmed it will function well.
“We worked on 180 units although there will only be 159 units,” said the traffic engineer.
Residents were not pleased with this answer and reckoned there will definitely be a traffic problem once the units are built.
“The potholes in this area are not even being fixed, what is going to happen with all that extra traffic?” asked a resident.
“The roads will be able to carry the traffic and we will not exceed the environmental capacity of the roads,” said one of the developers.
Mr Pierre Bosch, DA councillor, said if the developers build 159 units, it will definitely affect people in the near area’s lifestyles and create noise pollution.
He requested the developers to put up a big spot light in the green strip while construction takes place because he reckoned contractors always bring crime to the area they build in.
