No stopping Kloofendal development

Though die-hards might still want to fight their particular good fight, the Kloofendal development that caused such controversy is going ahead legally and the controversial Dr Alf Levin’s Township Realtors has done everything by the book.

After a drama that already started way back in 2007, Levin has decided to set the record straight once and for all.

Being the realtor and not the actual property developer, Levin could provide the Record with every document, report and study since 2007, including all approval documents and expert reports. Based on these documentation, of which the Record has proof, residents’ argument of not having been informed has also been refuted – Levin presented a large number of objections that forms part of a bigger body of objections that was submitted. This, plus reports from meetings held by former Councillor Rae Baur also prove that the public was informed fairly and given the opportunity to object.

The project was approved on 5 December 2007 and an amendment was approved on 17 April 2008.

The development took place within the legally prescribed strip and care has been taken to avoid Scorpion Hill and the Protea Reserve. Over and above environmental impact studies (EIAs) Township Realtors has done an environmental management report (EMR) by which they and the future body corporate undertake to manage the land appropriately. This includes planting indigenous species only and constantly removing alien vegetation. It goes as far as prohibiting kikuyu grass to be planted because it is an alien grass that is common and popular in South-Africa.

Levin also pointed out that as far back as 2007 the issue was widely reported on in the Record, Northsider, Wes-Beeld and advertised in The Citizen, inviting the public to view the documents and plans at two local libraries.

The lawyer handling Township Realtor’s affairs made an affidavit regarding the notices that were placed at the sites.

Ironically a substantial part of the approved property will not be built on owing to the rock off-set, thereby leaving a bigger park.

Not only has a traffic impact study been done in 2006 and approved by JRA, but to be on the safe side and appease the residents, another one was done in 2013 and approved again. The realtors will have to spend R600 000 to implement its findings. Levin also told the Record that owing to the dragged-out dispute it has cost them R90 000 to clean up garden and building rubble, and other refuse dumped by the “very same neighbours who now complain”.

According to the Town Planning Department the proclamation of the town is imminent.

Levin and company are only awaiting the outcome of the appeal that was submitted six years after the development was approved.

“I find it ironic that most of the houses belonging to the complainants would not have been allowed under current Environmental Affairs laws yet they want to stop a perfectly legal development,” concluded an unfazed Levin.