What happens when a shopping centre revamp begins without residents feeling informed or heard?

In Lonehill, it has led to growing frustration, safety concerns, and questions about whether proper procedures were followed.

Ward 94 councillor David Foley said he was contacted by Boschendal Estate residents in Lonehill when construction activity first started at Lonehill Shopping Centre about two months ago.

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The shopping centre is currently revamping its rooftop delivery and access area. “With any construction, you need to notify residents, especially your neighbours. It looks like the building inspector has signed it off. I have contacted him but my main concern is what public participation happened and where notices were placed.”

Angela Wood, one of the residents, said the development could significantly alter their surroundings and reduce the value of their properties, particularly as structures appear to rise above the existing boundary wall. “Where residents could see a skyline before, they may now just see a wall. That is unacceptable,” Foley added.

An anonymous resident, who reached out to Fourways Review, said the issue goes beyond aesthetics and points to possible safety risks. “The regulations in South Africa require certain safety standards for structures like these, but there’s nothing like that in place.

There are makeshift materials being used, including plastic and rock placed on top of a six-metre wall, and directly below that is a restaurant where people sit outside.”

The resident described the situation as unbelievable, raising concerns that basic engineering safety considerations may not have been followed.

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Foley said that, while approvals may have been granted, transparency and meaningful public participation remain essential. “This is about accountability. Residents deserve to know what is happening in their area and to have their voices heard before developments of this nature proceed.”

The concerns were discussed further during a meeting held on April 16 between the shopping centre’s project team and the management, residents, and Foley. The management indicated that the upgrades were necessary after tenants below the structure experienced ongoing leakage during periods of rain.

They said the project, which has cost millions of rand, is being carried out according to approved plans, which were shown to residents during the meeting. However, questions around public participation remained unresolved.

Residents and the councillor queried where official notices had been published, saying they had not seen any communication in community groups, local newspapers, or other public platforms.

Management acknowledged that a public notice should exist and promised to investigate.

On April 17, Fourways Review, which was also present at the meeting, followed up with the shopping centre’s management to establish whether the notice had been located.

At the time of publication, no response had been received, despite an April 18 deadline, and following up on April 20.

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