‘Illegal’ construction debacle
Phoenix residents say it’s a D’Moss site and can’t be built on
AN allegedly illegal Phoenix development has caused an uproar among residents of Stonebridge. Residents said the excavators started work on the property, situated in Shortbridge Place, last week and have already cut down five trees without following a consultation process with residents. It is not clear if houses or business premises are being built.
Sam Naidoo, a resident of Cranebridge Close, said the building inspector as well as a city official had deemed construction on the site illegal.
Naidoo said excavation had taken place three months ago on the same spot but had been stopped when residents and community leaders opposed it. “We were not consulted and it seems as if the owner is not concerned about us. He has cut down trees on the prop- erty and started excavation last week thinking that residents would have forgotten about the debacle in May when the development surfaced.
“We have lived here for the past 40 years and this is the first time a development has riled residents. Apparently it is for housing but we all know that is not true,” he said.
Naidoo said the department of parks and recreation had been on site this week, but failed to stop the project. “If it is illegal the city needs to get it sorted out. We cannot have hundreds of businesses taking our land for their self gain,” added Naidoo.
Roy Moodley said they would go all out to stop the project. The grading had upset the ecology. “We know its illegal” he said. No building could be put on the land, but people seemed to think it was okay to build anywhere.
“This is a D’Moss site many species of birdlife occupy. With the trees damaged, many parrots are left without a home and the monkeys are encroaching on our property because their area is being taken away from them,” said Moodley.
Councillor Bradley Singh said the development would “not see the light of day” and he would put pressure on city officials to stop it.
“We cannot allow opportunists to build where there is no land allocated for building. Recently it has become a trend and it leaves the community in disarray.
“It seems the owner has not followed town planning regulations and there was no consultation with residents,” he said.
MPL George Mari said when he called the city they had told him no building was to be erected at the site. “I think at this stage the process needs to be followed and the city needs to look at the objections,” said Mari.
The owner, known as Praveen, was on site with his building plans when City Watch visited but said he “was not in the mood to speak and you can call me tomorrow.”
Attempts to get hold of him during the course of the week were futile.
Head of Communications for eThekwini municipality, Tozi Mthethwa said the city was not aware of the matter, but will investigate the allegations.