Minister retracts approval
2009-08-20
THE approval for the development of a security housing project of five units on the slope of Paarl Mountain above Bosman Street, granted earlier this year by the former minister of local government and environmental affairs, Pierre Uys (ANC), has been retracted by his successor. The proposal to subdivide and develop the steeply sloping former vineyard on the Kleinplaas smallholding was repeatedly submitted by the owner of the property, Dr Pieter Troost, since 1997, but was twice turned down by the municipality and province, due to the possible visual impact of the development. However, the proposed development received the green light from Uys in the week before he retired from his post after the April elections, overruling his officials in the matter. The appeal was upheld although the property (erf 3504) does not fall within the urban fringe demarcated by the municipality. Earlier this month, the new minister of Environmental Affairs and Planning, Anton Bredell (DA), retracted the environmental authorisation for the development, because due process had not been followed by the applicant’s lawyer to inform affected parties. Should the applicant wish to continue with the proposed development, he would have to reapply to the Department and repeat the environ- mental process. - Anne Kruger
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