THE Umhlanga Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (URRA) has raised serious concerns about the approval for a ‘Place of Entertainment’ venue on Lagoon Drive.

According to the City, the proposal for the space includes a plan for up to 150 electronic bingo machines, something which the residents and Ward 35 councillor Bradley Singh stand opposed to.

Last year the eThekwini Municipality said it had received ‘approximately 500 objections’ to the project, however URRA said this was particularly troubling as they allege there were between 900 to 1000 objections to what they call a ‘large-scale gambling facility’.

Related story: Residents stand opposed to proposed ‘bingo hall’ in uMhlanga

Terri MacLarty, the chairperson for the ratepayers’ body, said the go-ahead for the project carries negative implications in the area, including increased traffic and lowering property values.

She also raised concerns that numerous residents had submitted objections within time but these do not appear in the circulated objector register.

“Many objectors state that after lodging objections they were never meaningfully engaged again, nor given clarity on how their concerns were assessed before the final decision. Residents argue that public participation cannot simply be reduced to receipt of objections if objectors are left uncertain whether substantive concerns were properly weighed.

Also read: uMhlanga ratepayers raise concerns over property valuations

“Residents further point out that uMhlanga has long positioned itself as a family-orientated coastal destination, and many objectors specifically raised concern that what is effectively a large-scale gambling facility is fundamentally inconsistent with that identity, particularly in an area heavily used by families, holidaymakers and visitors. There is also concern that the broader social consequences of gambling accessibility, including addiction risks affecting vulnerable households and younger adults, have not been sufficiently weighed,” she said.

She added that residents are now mobilising affected parties, including bodies corporate, neighbouring owners and resident groups, to lodge formal appeals.

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