GLENWOOD is struggling under the heavy weight of being the go to place for student accommodation which has led to its “degradation” owing to the overburdening of infrastructure, a rise in noise levels and crime in the area.

This was the general consensus from residents and civic organisations who attended a public meeting on Wednesday regarding the proposed demolition of 166 Brand Road to make way for yet another student residence or a block of flats. At the meeting, called by Ward 33 councillor Fran Kristopher, and attended by the developers, Nayana Properties, residents stood their ground and voiced their objection to the Amafa property being converted to a 100-bed student accommodation.

“Glenwood cannot take anymore student accommodation. There is just too many already,” said Glenwood resident Marcelle Da Silva. “Parents can’t even put their children to sleep at 20:00 because of raging parties and noise levels. Glenwood is a family area and we are being forced to have these students at our doorsteps. Our property values have reduced, there are sewage leaks and power outages everywhere because the infrastructure cannot handle anymore. For us who have been here for years, we are witnessing the degradation of Glenwood caused by developers who are just after a quick buck.”

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Da Silva suggested a ban on student accommodation in Glenwood, saying Glenwood should be restored back to the family oriented suburb that it is. “I firmly believe that not one more student res should be allowed; we should be looking at having family units for parents and kids who are attending schools in the area. Look elsewhere for your student residences,” she said.

Her sentiments were shared by Brand Road resident, Sue Jensen, who said, “Even the vets and shops have shut down and turned into student res.”

According to the developer, who lives outside the area, the demolishing of the Amafa property is due to woodborer damage. The developer said the running of student accommodation will be overseen by an agent for the first two years before he takes over. This was challenged by the chairperson of the local Community Police Forum, Calvin Thomas, who raised a number of issues regarding safety and crime in the area.

Being among the first responders to many incidents involving students and student accommodation-related issues, Thomas said, “Most of these guys are irresponsible and majority of the students do not consider their neighbours and the time frames. The quiet times that we need. They are not cautious on the road and we constantly have to educate them on safety and what not to do, to avoid being victims of crime.”

To the developers, he said, “We are the ones out there and running around, the CPFs, neighbourhood watches, SAPS and Metro, not you. We are the ones that sit with the problems, not you as developers.”

Keyuren Maharaj, chairperson of the Glenwood Bulwer Ratepayers and Residents Association, said the organisation will object to the development and called for residents to stand together to protect Glenwood. “We raised strong objections due to the impact this will have on Glenwood’s infrastructure, safety, and heritage character. The owner admitted that no Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) has been done, which is a legal requirement before any demolition,” said Maharaj.

He added, “We will be formally objecting through Amafa and the Municipality. Woodborer damage is not a valid reason to demolish a historic home. Glenwood deserves responsible development, not overcrowding and short-sighted destruction.”

A second meeting, to give feedback from the developers, will be held soon as Kristopher asked them to respond within seven days.

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