The advertorial (Gazette, week ending 8 November) raised the ire of residents and community stakeholders, who said it contained several inaccuracies.
Craigpark resident Tim Owen disputed Grant’s claims that the development would not invade residents’ privacy.
Owen said Grant’s use of a cherry-picker raised to the projected height of the building to take photographs was of no consequence, due to its positioning. Grant said it could not have been placed anywhere else on site, as construction had already commenced. He added that the Site Development Plan insisted the western facade windows must be high and sandblasted to prevent a view into neighbouring properties.
On the subject of the impact of the development on property values, Grant remained confident that values would increase. “I have reports from property companies Broll and Pam Golding, as well as from a bank evaluator. The property companies said values would increase, while the evaluator said it wasn’t possible to say whether properties would increase or decrease in value.”
The subject of Hugh Wyndham Park’s wetland status was a matter of semantics, according to Grant. “I never said it wasn’t a wetland. I said it wasn’t a natural wetland. There has always been an underground river there, but the Gautrain construction affected the water table, forcing water to the surface,” he said.
Grant alleged that his proposed upgrade would have increased property values around the park.
When asked about the alleged discovery of two dead bodies on the koppie adjacent to 1 Bompas, Grant said it had happened two or three years ago. “I drove past the site and saw a police van there. I asked what was going on, and was told that two bodies had been found and that they had probably frozen to death. They seemed to have it under control, so I left and gave it no further thought.”
With regard to the allegation that Reea Foundation was to close its residents’ hostel, Grant said he thought his public relations company misunderstood his interpretation of the foundation’s situation.
“We were told they were in a financial crisis. I think the company assumed they were closing their hostel. Neither I nor my attorney instructed the writer to write that. I formally apologise to Reea management and residents for any distress caused,” said Grant.
However, Grant made it clear there was no love lost between the residents’ association and himself.
“At the end of the day, I have the rights to build. I’ve tried to communicate and made every effort to be accommodating, but they cost me millions of rand, stalled building work, and tarnished my reputation through lies.”
