New development causes concern for Mbombela residents

Residents of two estates in Stonehenge, Waden Hill and Avebury Hill, are on the warpath against a development that they say could not only cause serious traffic congestion for them, but also destroy a wetland adjacent to their property.

If the owners of Erf 1033, according to the objectors, the Johan Swanepoel Family Trust, have their way, the entrance road will be built through a wetland to their property, situated on the corner of the R40 and Van Rooyen Street.

A serious problem the developers face, being situated right next to the R40 and opposite the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), is not having direct access to their land from the R40.

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The proposal, which has residents of at least four estates consisting of about 100 households hot under the collar, is the plans to construct a new road from Narina Trogon Street to Erf 1033.

The property across which the planned route will be constructed belongs to the City of Mbombela (CoM) and is zoned as a park/wetland. The parkland runs along the R40 from Van Rooyen Street to Akwamaryn Street.

According to Jacques le Roux, an irate resident of Waden Hill, the current security gate to the four estates is situated just off Van Rooyen Street and about 300m from a traffic circle. The developers now want to move the gate higher up in Narina Trogon Street.

“They offered to pay for the new gate, but as residents we were forced to pave the whole road and for security purposes erected palisade fences on both sides along the road. We are also paying for the maintenance of the area as the council refuse to contribute towards the cost. As it is, there are already about 150 vehicles that use the security gate in Narina Trogon Street daily. If the new development, whatever is planned there, adds more traffic, it will cause serious congestion,” Le Roux said.

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In his lengthy objection document to Indurain Urban Planners, he, among others, complained about the environmental impact it will have on the wetland.

“The wetland area would be heavily impacted and affect all the wild animals currently making this their home, from vervet monkeys, banded mongooses, guinea fowl, tawny owls and other smaller animals. We also have a baobab tree in this wetland that many are not aware of, and possibly some other plants and trees that are unique. Not to mention that the main purpose of this wetland includes and controls storm water drainage.”

According to Le Roux, there is currently no clear indication what the intended use of Erf 1033 will be. “Student accommodation is a big suspicion among residents, since the TUT is situated just across the road.”

Mandre Joubert of Eco 8, who is doing the environmental impact assessment, told Lowvelder there is no clear plans of what type of development will be done. “The owner has numerous options on the table, but we will be guided by what the CoM’s wish is,” he said.

Of concern to Le Roux was a call he had received from the town planners, pleading with him to withdraw his objection.

“I told them in no uncertain terms that this will not happen,” Le Roux said.

The property in question, marked as Stonehenge Ext 8, Erf 1033, is almost 2ha and is valued at R400 000.