A CONTROVERSIAL student residence housing 134 students has come under fresh fire after objections were lodged against its rezoning application, despite the Bulwer Rd property allegedly being converted without the City’s approval.

The occupation and student numbers were confirmed at the Problem Properties Forum meeting on Thursday (August 20).

Ward 33 councillor Fran Kristopher revealed that the former 12-unit block of flats has been converted into student accommodation with 70 rooms, despite public opposition and stop-work orders issued by the eThekwini Municipality.

Kristopher, who visited the female-only student residence prior to the meeting, raised concerns about the developer’s alleged disregard for municipal by-laws and accused the developer of exploiting the system by “building first and asking for permission after”.

Also Read: Residents to meet over disputed 247 Bulwer Road application

Highlighting the large number of students occupying the property and the design of the living space, Kristopher said: “There is no parking for the students as the old parking bays are being used as washing lines. There is no space for recreation, where students can sit to entertain themselves, which is a problem.”

Her concerns were shared by the forum’s Niki Moore, who said: “We are having entire streets being bought up and turned into student accommodation. They play soccer and netball on the street.

“It is a massive social problem that is driving property prices down and leading to urban decay because municipal infrastructure in the area was not designed to accommodate so many people.”

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

Reassuring residents that the relevant departments were consulted during the development of the property, Town Planning consultant Eric Parker said the consultants had found that there was sufficient capacity for rezoning.

Having filed the application on behalf of the developer, Parker said that should permission not be granted, there was an option to turn the property into low-cost housing. “The developer has put a lot of effort into making a good quality and convenient building for the students. Yes, he did it wrong by converting and then asking for approval, but he is trying to do that now.”

Parker added that the building has general zoning and land-use rights for flats with unlimited height.
“If, in the unlikely event that the application fails, it can remain as a block of flats. That is in place, and the students could possibly rent those flats.”

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