Residents’ association disapproves of pending construction
Residents’ association argues that suburb has inadequate infrastructure to take on Saxon Square Development in Parkwood.
The Saxonwold and Parkwood Residents Association (Sapra) is seeking an urgent interdict to stop the construction of a residential complex in the area.
The developers of Saxon Square had the project’s ground breaking ceremony on June 20.
Saxon Square is delivered by Tri-Star Construction while construction solutions company Profica is both project and development manager.
Development director of Profica Alan Dinnie said to secure the required rights for development in line with the City of Johannesburg Nodal Review Policy, Saxon Square submitted an application for rezoning of the property for a six-storey residential development of 150 units. The policy identifies the area in which the properties are located as a metropolitan node, which is earmarked for high intensity urban development in support of a compact public transport driven and environmentally sustainable city.
Dinnie added that this application was fully supported by professional services reports confirming the availability of adequate electrical water, sewer, roads and storm water services.
Bill Haslam, chairman of Sapra said, “The precedent of such a huge development in Parkwood bodes unfavourably for the future of our suburbs’ quality of life and property values. And based on service delivery issues over a number of years, the local infrastructure is hopelessly inadequate to cope with the present situation, notwithstanding an additional [150] units in the suburb. The development also has very limited parking, condemning Worcester Road to becoming a parking lot and taxi stand.”
Haslam added that there was also a concern that a high-rise construction might infringe the Gautrain rail servitude along Oxford Road.
He said Sapra was consulting with their attorneys to establish the costs of an interdict, and would have to establish a fund to take this action. An appeal will be going out to residents to protect their assets by contributing towards the fund.
In response to Haslam’s assertions, Dinnie said, “This application was advertised for public comments and an objection to the rezoning was received from Sapra. After engagement, Sapra originally agreed to withdraw their objection, subject to the inclusion of conditions relating to the activation of street edges and attending to interfaces, but subsequently withdrew this agreement.”
He added the application was accordingly referred to the Municipal Planning Tribunal who considered the objections and resolved to approve the application on September 29 last year.
“Sapra lodged an appeal against the above approval in December last year, which was considered by the municipal appeal authority who resolved to dismiss the appeal on June 8. The rezoning will now be promulgated and finalised on July 20.”
Details: For more information contact Bill Haslam at billhaslam@me.com
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