UPDATE: Umdloti says no to private university

Up to 10 000 students might be flocking into Umdloti to the university planned for the quiet beach village with roughly 3000 residents.

The ADvTech Group, owners of Crawford schools and Varsity College, wants to develop a private university as part of Tongaat Hulett Developments’ (THD) Sibaya precinct.

While their preferred location for the planned university was next to the entrance to the village, the residents want it moved south of the Sibaya Casino traffic circle.

Also read: UPDATE: New voice for Umdloti

EcoLink Consulting director Debbie Weldon, appointed by THD to assess the best site for the university, agreed at a public meeting in Umhlanga last week that the impact on the Umdloti entrance road would be substantial.

“Node six (M27 into Umdloti) can more easily and more cost-effectively be provided with the necessary infrastructural services where node three (between Sibaya and Umhlanga) requires a substantial investment in new infrastructure.

“Node three also has more of an impact on existing vegetation on the land surrounding the site.

“However, from a traffic perspective node three has far less of an impact on specifically the M4 and the entrance into Umdloti,” said Weldon.

“The primary overriding impact, that is not easily mitigated, relates to the social impacts that will arise from the node six alternative and the associated impacts on the existing services and facilities of Umdloti. According to the findings, node three is recommended as more suitable.”

Real Consulting’s Luci Coelho, responsible for the social impact study, said the location of the university will play a massive role in the ‘sense of place’ of the village.

“The overall feeling for a university on the North Coast is positive due to the major shortage for tertiary education in the province which will also reduce the KZN brain drain.

“However, node six will have a major impact on Umdloti’s existing sense of place, whereas in node three it will contribute to creating a sense of place for the Sibaya precinct,” said Coelho.

Also read: Letter: Why build a university on the coastal belt, straining already inadequate resources?

THD portfolio strategy head Rory Wilkinson said they fully endorsed the recommendations made by the specialists.

“The node three site location clearly offers the most appropriate solution in response to the issues that have been raised by the affected stakeholders,” said Wilkinson.

This view was also supported by Umdloti UIP manager Terry Rens, who said use of node three would have less impact on Umdloti’s public open spaces.

“Students and their transient nature will most certainly change the vibe of our village. At node three, having quick and easy access via the N2 would possibly drive more student activity to Umhlanga New Town and Cornubia,” said Rens.

These views were welcomed by the Umdloti Forum, representing ratepayers and the UIP, which is actively involved in the planning process.

Spokesman Brian Gibson said they appreciated that their views were being taken into consideration by the were grateful that the developers were considering the option of moving to the southern site.

The only dissenting note was struck by councillor Geoff Pullan, who said he would encourage Umdloti residents to look at the bigger picture and see the potential advantages the northern site could bring Umdloti.

“I believe the northern location seems a more beneficial choice for Umdloti residents.

“Any leverage that new development can create for improvements in Umdloti are worth exploring such as the proposed two metre wide walkway along the M27 into Umdloti which would benefit domestic workers and walkers/joggers.

“Being a private university, wealthy students will be likely to attend who have wealthy parents which means they will inject money into the area and its businesses,” said Pullan.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram