Resident, James Pullinger, found out by accident that the agency was planning on using Valley Road Park as a construction site for the huge project, but there has been no formal approach regarding the local community.
“In May, I drove past the park one day and saw people in suits inspecting the property, so I stopped to ask them what was going on,” said Pullinger.
“If I didn’t do that, none of us [residents] would have known about it.”
There are many reasons why locals are upset about the project. The main concern being the heritage status of the homes on Valley Road.
“The park is, in fact, part of the Parktown Ridge Heritage Area,” said historian and Johannesburg Heritage Foundation representative, Flo Bird.
“So, in terms of the bylaws which the City has approved, the proposal requires a full submission to Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng for approval for the temporary use of the park as a construction site.
“Such an application would have to be advertised and, as interested and affected parties, we would have an opportunity to comment. We are trying to forestall the need for that process,” continued Bird.
“We are requesting the appointment of an environmental consultant on the site and a local Environmental Community Monitoring Committee to whom the consultant would also report. Clearly, the park must be fully restored at the end of the construction.”
Bird stated that the ‘notice to develop’ made no mention of the area’s heritage status plus the impact the construction site would have on The Valley Home, which is adjacent to the park. This historically significant house was built in 1906 and is one of the few official Randlord mansions left in the city.
“It is not necessary to name every house between Oxford Road and Jan Smuts Avenue, just to affirm that the Parktown Ridge Heritage Area is fully proclaimed, has its own set of bylaws gazetted under the authority of the minister [of sports, recreation, arts and culture] and the area is fully protected in heritage legislation as well as in local planning,” Bird added.
“This proposed activity is illegal until it has followed due process.”
The Johannesburg Roads Agency was approached for comment and has promised a full report on the proposed construction. They have also promised to address all the concerns noted by residents.
Details: www.joburgheritage.co.za
