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WEDNESDAY October 1, 2014 |0 041 503 6111 | Email express@media24.com | peexpress.mobi | www.peexpress.co.za
Walmer Heights residents object to low cost housing LIZEKA TANDWA
R
ESIDENTS of another affluent area has come out vehemently objecting to the development of low cost housing by the Municipality, citing that the development would cause devaluation in property and increase crime. Residents of the Walmer Heights neighbourhood are opposed to the proposed development of low cost housing which will cater for residents currently living at informal settlements in Walmer’s Gqebera area. This is the second proposed low cost housing development in an affluent area this year, which has been met with a backlash by residents. In August the PE Express reported that Mount Croix residents were objecting to a development scheduled next year in the area saying this would devalue their property and increase crime. According to the Municipality’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process the Walmer Gqebera housing development will see over 1 400 families relocated just 200 metres from Beethoven Avenue and luxury estates such as Walmer Heights Beau Monte estate. Walmer Heights resident and leader of an objection campaign, Lawrence Joubert, said they have already printed out 500 petitions and will be making it their mission to make sure every home in Walmer Heights gets a copy and is aware of the proposed project. According to some of the residents, the Municipality did not inform them of the proposed development and their rights to object were infringed. Another resident, Anna-Marie de Waard, said they were only informed of the development and their right to oppose just two days before deadline. With houses priced around R1.2 million in the
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area, Walmer Heights residents said the development will cause a huge dip in the already tumbling property value. “We tried to sell our house in an attempt to avoid issues should it be approved for building and was told no one wants to buy there anymore. “The only way we can sell our house now is if we drop the current value by R400 000. The agent went on to say should this development be built, our house value will drop from current market value to more than half it is currently worth. That is why we have no choice but to fight this development. We can basically lose our house investment value totally and sit with a big loss on our hands,” said Joubert. Joubert said the foreseeable negative impact of the proposed Walmer Gqebera housing development includes road noise with traffic day and night and traffic congestion that will directly affect them. Crime increases, pedestrian traffic increases, disturbance of peace, violent strikes and burning of tyres, property devaluation, insurance price increases, and security-related issues were some of the concerns mentioned by Joubert. DA Ward 1 Councillor, Rob Wylde, said he was aware of the concerns raised by residents of the area and has scheduled to meet with the Municipality today to address the residents’ objections. Wylde said while he was not opposed to low cost housing, residents’ objections and concerns needed to be addressed by the Municipality. “It would be hasty for me to comment on the development at this stage, but I am aware of the rising concern by the residents in the area.” The Mount Croix development scheduled to start in 2015 will be situated in lower Mount Croix in the property bordered by Turvey and Knowles Streets, situated below Erica Primary School. )At the time of going to print on Monday, the Municipality did not respond to questions from the PE Express about this issue.
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