A 75-year-old building in Durban North could soon be demolished, however residents are hoping the KZN Amafa and Research Institute, the only remaining authority that could halt the process, will save the day.

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This follows a failed appeal by residents hoping to stop a proposed 42-unit development at 43 Stirling Crescent.
Matt Hansen, a resident and spokesperson for a group of 27 objectors, confirmed that the residents have exhausted their formal appeal process with the eThekwini Municipality.

They have written to Amafa making them aware of the failed appeal, and requested that it alerts the developer on due process.

“The building is over 70 years old. We’re hoping Amafa will consider this in their review before any irreversible decisions are made. Although the rezoning has been granted, plans still need to be approved. Sometimes developers go ahead with demolition and claim ignorance as it’s easier to just pay the fine and continue. We decided to write to Amafa to stop this from possibly happening,” Hansen said.

The residents described this as an ongoing battle against what they see as inconsistent decisions by the City’s town planning and rezoning department.

In recent years, Hansen and his neighbours have watched their suburb, traditionally a quiet residential area, shift under the pressure of rapid rezoning with many residential properties being converted into business premises or high-density housing, reminiscent of trends seen in the nearby Broadway area.

“Residents are objecting in groups because once one application is approved, it sets a precedent that permanently alters the character of the suburb,” said Hansen.

Hansen said that just two years ago, residents successfully objected to a far smaller proposal — a four-unit complex at 41 Stirling Crescent.

“In 2022, the City rejected that application on the grounds that it would disrupt the residential character and bulk scale of the area,” he said.

“Yet now, a far denser 42-unit complex right next door has somehow been approved. It makes no sense.”
Hansen argues this discrepancy highlights inconsistency in the City’s rezoning decisions.

Residents are worried about the practical implications of such a large-scale development, including increased traffic, congestion, and further strain on already unreliable municipal services like water supply.

“At 41 Stirling Crescent, the City said the changes would negatively impact the residential amenities and be out of character with the neighbourhood. Yet for 43 Stirling Crescent, a much larger development, they’ve approved it without those same concerns. We are not opposed to change or improvements in the area but wthin reason,” he said.

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