Bompas developer hits back at residents association
DUNKELD WEST - Stuart Grant, the man behind the controversial 1 Bompas development, has hit back at Craigpark Residents Association and their "unfounded allegations".
The Dunkeld West development ruffled the feathers of Craigpark residents, and the association raised concerns about the legitimacy of the development in terms of the area’s Regional Spatial Development Framework (No end in sight for Bompas Road fight, Gazette week ending 16 August).
Grant, a Craigpark resident, said the association spread inaccuracies about his intended office block.
“There is no traffic problem on Bompas Road in the morning. The only problem is when taxis jump the queue near the intersection with Jan Smuts Avenue. I spent R100 000 on traffic engineers, and they confirmed there was no problem,” he said.
Grant added that one of his plans was to give future tenants access to the premises off North Road, while visitors would have access off Bompas Road.
“Another lie was that the building would be higher than the Dunkeld West Shopping Centre, and that neighbours’ privacy would be compromised. I brought a 17m high cherry-picker to the site, went up on it and took photographs. You can’t see into the neighbouring properties,” he said.
Grant was adamant that the development would increase the value of neighbouring properties.
“Look at how property prices in Parkhurst and Sandton increased with densification in those areas,” he said.
“I saw an opportunity to invest in this community, which is why I bought the property. When was taking an opportunity wrong in capitalism?”
Grant said his relationship with the residents association had been acrimonious from the outset.
“I offered to make a presentation to the association five times. We had three confirmed meetings, all of which were cancelled one hour before we were due to meet,” he said.
He also offered to use soil from the site to fill in the wetland at Hugh Wyndham Park, but, according to Grant, the offer was declined by the association.
Construction work came to a halt following a stop order issued by the department of town planning. Further delays were caused by the city council not yet having approved the site development plan.
“My plans haven’t changed. It’s just the timing that has changed,” he said.
