A NOTIFICATION calling for public participation in relation to the contentious 247 Bulwer Road has raised alarm with the Problem Properties Forum which in-turn has called for community meeting on Thursday, August 13, to discuss the matter.

The meeting will be held at the Berea Bowling Club from 18:00. The call for public participation was put out by the eThekwini Municipality following the developer’s application for rezoning permission, from general residential to student accommodation.

“Permission for what, we ask, seeing that it has been operating illegally for at least a year,” said the Forum’s Niki Moore on their social media group where she alleged that the block of flats that was turned into a student residence, despite community objections and multiple stop-work orders from the eThekwini.

“It is unfortunately a trend in the municipality that property owners ignore the law and then ask for permission afterwards,” said Moore.

Also Read: Stop-work orders ignored as renovations push ahead on Bulwer Road property

“We need to make sure that this never happens, in order to show the municipality that blatant lawlessness will not be tolerated.”

According to the notification addressed to Ward 33 Councillor Fran Kristopher, the public are invited to lodge written objections by August 30.

“We have until August 31 to lodge an objection, and we have put together a competent team to make sure the objection stands up. Therefore we will be calling a community meeting of affected property owners next week. We will make sure that a member of the municipality attends.”

To view the application, visit https://www.durban.gov.za/page/lums-adverts.

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