Residents concerned new shopping centre will threaten horse industry
KYALAMI - A new shopping centre in Kyalami continues to receive resistance from residents who believe the correct building and developing procedures have not been followed.
Property group Abland is the project manager for Kyalami Corner, which is co-owned by Dorpstraat and Pivotal Property Fund.
Anton van Niekerk, a Kyalami resident explained that although the development received environmental authorisation from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the authorisation was granted with conditions, including that certain facilities, environmental practices and safety measures were in place to ensure residents’ safety and the R1-billion equine industry in Kyalami was not damaged.
Van Niekerk claimed that these conditions were not being met and that construction had already disrupted horse-related businesses and residents’ lives.
However, Ward 94 councillor, John Mendelsohn, disagreed with Van Niekerk, explaining that the developers had followed all procedures in terms of town planning.
According to Jackie van Niekerk, CEO of Pivotal Fund, every effort was being made to keep disruptions during construction to a minimum.
Jackie explained that flagmen and women were stationed at three points of the Kyalami Corner development and the construction activities were being undertaken in accordance with the prescribed health and safety standards.
“The construction vehicles utilise public roads and we have implemented additional measures such as watering of dirt roads to reduce dust and limiting the speed of vehicles on dirt roads adjacent to the site,” she said.
Despite this, a few residents continue to complain about the noise levels of trucks, and the muddy roads from the water.
Jackie added that zoning and Environmental Impact Assessment processes required extensive public participation which were thoroughly conducted with a great deal of interaction between the residents and the developers prior to the rights being approved by the local authority.
Other residents argued that the new development would destroy their sense of place and was unnecessary; Malcolm Mackenzie, a Kyalami resident who has lived in the area for over 45 years said, “I object vehemently to this monstrous development, which in my opinion, and many others, is absolutely unnecessary.”
However, according to Jackie, the proposed development fills a gap in the area. “Most of the existing centres are smaller or bigger, and the proposed development fills a unique gap within this hierarchy,” she said.
Jackie added that the location of Kyalami Corner was strategically positioned on two provincial arterial roads that are already extremely busy and is, therefore, a ‘textbook’ location for a retail node.
“The location of Kyalami Corner is on the fringe of the equestrian zone and we see it as a gateway to the area. The location is highly accessible to the existing residential markets and also strategically well positioned to accommodate future organic growth in the area,” she added.
Mendelsohn said he had only received complaints from two residents and urged residents to contact him with any issues regarding the development.
Details: 082 547 2513; johnjay@telkomsa.net
Do you think the shopping centre will destroy the equine industry in Kyalami? Tweet @Fourways_Review with your comments
