AN environmental process is underway to construct a new triple storey magistrate’s court building with 98 parking bays, a walled-in prisoners yard and guardhouse along Premium Promenade, directly opposite Netcare The Bay Hospital.
It will replace the dilapidated court with an outer pre-fab structure near Taxi City.
The project, first proposed by the Independent Development Trust and Department of Justice in 2014, was set aside after the uMhlathuze Municipality voiced traffic concerns for the already congested Premium Promenade.
Consultant EnviroPro’s Stephanie Denison said this has now been addressed.
‘An updated traffic assessment has been concluded and will form the basis of the new application.
‘Public meetings will be held to address concerns, but so far we have not received more complaints.’
EnviroPro is lodging the application for environmental authorisation with the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs for the infilling and excavation of more than 10m3 of material from within the watercourse on the earmarked site.
More than 300m2 of vegetation will be cleared from within the Kwambonambi Hygrophilous Grassland Ecosystem, which is critically endangered.
A Water Use Authorisation is also mandatory for the development as activities on site could alter the beds, banks and flow of the watercourse.
The plot is within a fully serviced urban area equipped with existing storm water mains and water borne sewage.
For more information, email to steph@enviropro.co.za
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