New plans for ‘sick’ hospital site

LINKSFIELD, Edenvale, Bedfordview and surrounding residents can voice their objections to a redesigned, mixed-use development at Sizwe.

Objectors can review the new site development notice, amendments and previous objections, and have until November 30 to comment or submit their objections.

The massive mixed-use development was recently rejected by the City of Joburg’s planning tribunal, which stated that the plans had not met the initial proposals.

New proposals have now been submitted.

The first proposals drew thousands of objections because part of the area was considered a heritage site, especially the Sizwe Tropical Diseases Hospital, which has 6000 historic graves.

The controversial application was first proposed in 2011.

It consisted of 8 000 mixed housing units, clinics, schools, and business and industrial developments, and was earlier this month postponed indefinitely. The main concern of residents was the sensitive environment such as the pristine Bankenveld grasslands and archaeological sites on the banks of the Jukskei River.

Also, those who objected claimed the graves still contained certain diseases which have germs that last for decades. People who died from infectious diseases such as anthrax, smallpox, bubonic plague and leprosy were buried there.

A dump site was in operation near the Linksfield shopping centre where informal refuse recyclers operate, charging vehicles from R50 a vehicle to dump waste on the graves.

Ward councillors have asked residents to participate in the process.

Residents should submit their comments and objections to the City of Joburg, Department of Development Planning, 8th Floor, A block, Metropolitan Centre, Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein. They can also be posted to PO Box 30733, Braamfontein 2017 or emailed to benp@joburg. org.za.

Also see: https://www.urbandynamics.co.za/downloads/category/25-linksfield.html