The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has joined forces with the Groenkloof Residents’ Association in an effort to have a controversial property development project in Totius Street, Groenkloof, investigated through submitting a formal petition to the Tshwane Metro Council.
The Metro currently leases the disputed site to Vriendekring MSW, a non-profit organisation that has operated a popular bowling green for decades.
These sports fields and bowling greens are iconic landmarks in Pretoria, and form part of the green belt that preserves the character, lifestyle and property values of established suburbs such as Lukasrand, Groenkloof, New Muckleneuk and Brooklyn.
According to information from public consultations, the Metro plans to terminate the long-term lease with the bowling club and replace it with a new long-term agreement with commercial developers.
The proposed development includes a shopping centre, office complex and a twelve-storey apartment building with approximately 1 800 low-cost residential units.
Freedom Front Plus Councillor Anne-Marie Sparg, who serves on the Metro’s Standing Committee on Petitions, is extremely concerned about the lack of transparency and proper processes in this regard.
There was no formal tender process to publicly make the property available for lease or purchase nor have any land-use or rezoning applications been submitted to amend the current uses and rights.
In addition, a traffic impact study assessing the possible effect of 1 800 additional households on the already busy Totius Street-Magnolia area has not been conducted or submitted.
Despite this, the project is presented in public information sessions as a done deal, as though the development has already been approved.
The Metro’s plans clearly demonstrate the growing gap between city administration and communities.
In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, the proposal is an attempt to transform one of Pretoria’s oldest suburbs – bordering on one of the city’s green belts and nature reserves – into a massive municipal housing complex.
This is the ultimate betrayal of residents and highlights the urgent need for a change in government, which will help communities in the Greater Pretoria area reclaim ownership of their suburbs.
The Freedom Front Plus fully endorses the Residents’ Association’s demand for a lawful and transparent process that thoroughly considers all community submissions, environmental impact studies and the conservation of Pretoria’s green heritage.
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