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Diana Nherera
Suburban Reporter
Residents of Ridgeway South in Highlands have objected to the construction of an industrial structure at 15 Ridgeway South.
In a letter addressed to City of Harare director of urban planning, Mr Samuel Nyabezi, residents raised their objections.
“Firstly, we seek to formally inquire whether the City of Harare has granted a development permit or a development order for this project,” reads the letter.
“Additionally, the proposed industrial structure falls within the parameters of Section 26 (3)(b) and (c) of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act as it is a development which would have ‘an adverse effect or important impact on the locality’ and which ‘does not conform to the nature of developments normally permitted in the area.’
“Our area is residential, with light commercial activity that falls within the accepted parameters of the law. We wish to place on record that no public notice of the development was given nor were adjacent neighbours notified.
Consequently, the residents have been deprived of their right to be heard and to raise objections as provided for under the law.”
They claimed that no consideration was made on issues such as the noise and air pollution that would be caused by the plant, as well as the lack of adequate water and underground infrastructure as most homes rely on boreholes.
“We respectfully request that you furnish us with the requested information within the next seven working days,” reads the letter.
“We further request that you implement a suspension of construction activity on the property in line with your development control mandate until the law has been fully adhered to.
“For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the development continues in the absence of a permit or without lawful notice to us, we will have no option but to pursue legal remedies to protect our community.”
The letter was copied to Ward 7 Councillor Rosemary Muronda, Highland’s District Officer Mrs Stella Mukwedeya, the Environmental Management Agency and the occupier of the said premises.
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