‘Cell tower’ concerns
Mast built seven months before application made
The erection of cell towers is a highly controversial topic among residents of Port Alfred, where concerns have been raised about both health and property value implications.
In the past, cellular network companies identified suitable sites to erect their towers, negotiated with the owners and then submitted a comprehensive application to the municipality.
Several applications have already passed through this process and were rejected by residents, and ultimately denied by the municipality.
However, in the case of a private property in Tamarisk Road, Port Alfred, a “telecommunications tower” was erected as early as April last year without any consultation or approval by council. There has been no public participation, and no environmental impact assessment (EIA) performed.
Resident Allan Stephen brought the matter to TotT’s attention last week, aware that we had first raised the matter in May last year, when we asked the municipality to explain how the tower had been erected without due process.
At the time, municipal spokesperson Cecil Mbolekwa responded: “There was no application submitted to us, our inspectors will go and do an inspection and we will issue them with a notice.”
TotT received no further information until the issue was raised again this year.
In the case of the development of land, the law demands the regulations as laid down in the SPLUMA (Spatial Planning and Land Use Act) be followed and the area for construction be rezoned before any work can commence.
SPLUMA regulations are extensive and require sketches, plans, an application for relaxing of property boundaries, an EIA and heritage impact along with public participation and approvals, abutting neighbour’s consent and more. These documents and approvals are required before any construction is undertaken.
Stephen said that no public participation had ever taken place.
He shared an e-mail he received on January 20 2021 from Ndlambe Municipality’s land development officer, Ukho Nxesi, regarding an “Application for a permanent departure for a telecommunications mast (internet tower) and consent for a home enterprise.
“It is hereby confirmed that council received an application with regards to the above. Attached please find a copy of the application form and supporting documentation for your comments.”
The communique adds that comments must be received by the municipality before or on March 1 this year and should be e-mailed to townplanning@ndlambe.gov.za or unxesi@ndlambe.gov.za or sent to Ndlambe Municipality, PO Box 13, Causeway, Port Alfred, 6170 or
directly delivered to the Town Planning Offices at the Civic Centre.
Brendan Hindes of Setplan in Port Elizabeth is dealing with the matter and has power of attorney regarding the property from owners, the Bodill family.
TotT contacted Hindes on Tuesday and asked him how the tower had been erected without SPLUMA being followed, and he asked for our questions to be sent to him by e-mail, on the basis he had been misquoted in the past.
However, we had not received an answer by the time of gong to press.
Mbolekwa did respond to our questions in a three-point missive. The first two points repeat the facts already established regarding approvals.
In the third point, he said: “The application at Tamarisk Road has not been approved. It is still at the public participation stage and will still be advertised for comment. Currently the owner has applied to the municipality to formalise the use of the internet tower.
“It is also important to note that this is not a cell tower but an internet tower for personal use. The owner has also applied for a home enterprise to run a home business as an internet service provider. The details of the application will be posted on the municipal website under Town Planning Portal, once the application has been advertised.”
Mbolekwa did not explain how the tower was allowed to be erected without any of the statutory requirements being met, or the absence of any consequences for not meeting a 30-day deadline for compliance.