City tells owners to demolish eyesore
The derelict house in Essex Road, Umbilo, remains an eyesore.
AN old, dilapidated house that has been left to fall into ruin over many years despite requests by the eThekwini for the owners to demolish the property in Essex Road, is still cause for concern amongst local residents.
Errol Eyden, a Glenwood resident who works at a businesses in Essex Road said action needed to be taken with some urgency as the dilapidated state of the property posed a danger to people walking by. “People walk past the wall that is severely cracked. There is also a vendor who works just outside the property. I am worried it will collapse and someone will get hurt,” he said.
Councillor Nicole Graham in whose ward the property is situated said the owners of the property had been instructed by the municipality last year to demolish the building within a certain time frame. However, they had failed to do so. “A new notice was issued, and now they need to demolish within the stipulated time frame or legal proceedings will be instituted,” she said.
The property has featured in Berea Mail many times over the years. In July 2004, the first article appeared where angry residents claimed the derelict house was destroying the image of the area, decreasing the value of their homes, and was a health and security risk.
Over the years, various ward councillors have attempted, unsuccessfully, to have the matter sorted out, but it was only in November 2011, that AMAFA finally gave the owner of the property permission to demolish the house.
Lynn Lancaster, speaking on behalf of the owner, Paul Hawkins, said the property had been allowed to deteriorate as they had to wait on the estate of the late Mr Tom Hawkins to be sorted out before anything could be done about the property.
Bowan Nathoo, whose family owned and lived in the house for many years, said the Group Areas Act forced his family to move out the house which was then sold to Mr Hawkins.
“Ever since we moved out this beautiful house was never occupied and, remained empty. It was allowed to deteriorate to its present condition which has gone from bad to worse. I would love to buy back this property if given the opportunity,” he said.
