Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council is planning to develop 191 new high-density residential stands in Pumula South as part of efforts to reduce the city’s housing backlog, which has surpassed 100 000 applicants.
According to the latest council report, the local authority has since resolved to the adoption of Layout Plan TPB 813 for onward submission to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for approval.
The proposed development will be established on a portion of Stand 11604 in Pumula South Phase Two, west of Tshebetshebe Primary School and north of Emthunzini Township. Council said the project was part of efforts to provide low-cost residential stands while avoiding urban sprawl through residential densification.
“In line with the City’s mandate to provide low-cost residential stands within its jurisdiction whilst avoiding urban sprawl, an initiative was taken to reduce the size of existing secondary school stand and come up with plans that promote residential densification,” reads part of the report.
The area earmarked for development formed part of a secondary school stand measuring 14,4945 hectares.
Following a Government directive reducing the standard size of secondary school stands to eight hectares, the remaining land was set aside for residential development.
“The ministry reduced the size of secondary schools to eight hectares. Since this secondary school stand was more than eight hectares, it was rightsized to eight hectares and a residential layout was created on the remaining extent of the stand. The resultant layout was as depicted on layout plan TPB 813 and comprised of 191 residential stands,” reads the report.
The proposed layout will comprise 191 residential stands ranging between 200 and 400 square metres, a church stand, roads and an eight-hectare secondary school stand.
Council said the development is compatible with surrounding residential areas and aligns with the city’s master plan.
The report noted that the project would help ease pressure on the city’s growing housing waiting list while improving living conditions in the area. Positive impacts identified in the Environmental Impact Assessment include “the provision of residential accommodation to the people of Bulawayo thereby reducing the city’s waiting list, which stands at over 100 000 people.” Other anticipated benefits include improved drainage systems, better social amenities and a healthier built environment.
However, council acknowledged that the development could also result in vegetation destruction, dust emission, noise pollution and disturbance of natural habitats during servicing works. To minimise environmental damage, the local authority proposed preserving some existing vegetation and ensuring infrastructure such as roads and sewer systems are installed before residents occupy the stands.
The report read that the land is generally flat and suitable for development, with existing sewer infrastructure already located nearby. Council estimates that servicing the new residential area will cost more than US$1 million.
The proposed works include sewer reticulation estimated at US$352 030, water reticulation costing US$195 705, road construction valued at US$433 903 and survey costs amounting to US$40 500.
Electricity reticulation will be handled by Zesa Holdings using nearby existing power lines. According to the report, the proposed residential layout was circulated among municipal departments and “no adverse comments were received.”
