City Planning confirms ‘No church approval’ for Douglasdale property amid community concern

Residents living at the bottom of Leslie Avenue in Douglasdale have expressed confusion and concern after learning that a guesthouse property in their quiet, boomed-off neighbourhood was recently sold, with plans to turn it into a church, apparently without any public consultation.

The Glenluce South Security Committee, which is spearheading the area’s boom renewal process, said the news had ‘rubbed locals up the wrong way,’ alleging a lack of transparency and possible violations of zoning laws and public participation rights.

“We don’t know anything,” said Janice Labuschagne from the security committee. “Not a single notice was given. We found out about the church through a Facebook page and the owner.”

Residents were further unsettled by conflicting information from the council regarding the property’s zoning status. One email confirmed the property was approved for a church, while a later email stated that only a dwelling house had been approved.

Also read: Douglasdale residents need clarity over conflicting reports about new church

Labuschagne added, “We are not against the church as an institution. We have a church called Sandton Bible Church already in the booming area. We just want to make sure all by-laws and property laws have been properly followed and that residents are allowed to voice their concerns.”

Now, the city has clarified the situation. In an email to the Glenluce South Security Committee, Sibusiso Langa, Chief Planner from the Department of Development Planning, said, the plans that were approved for the property in question are a Dwelling house and not a church, as it is a primary right in terms of a Use Zone (Undetermined).

“Should the owner wish to use the property for a place of worship, a consent use or township application will be required, depending on the number of congregants, and both applications do require public participation.”

The Cross Centred Community Church, linked to the property, declined to comment.

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