The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality has voiced serious concerns about the growing number of illegal businesses, buildings and zoning violations in the city.

About 600 such cases are being investigated by the municipality.

"The municipality is concerned about illegal uses as they contravene the zoning scheme and have an adverse impact on the quality of life in and around the adjoining neighbourhood," said municipal spokesman Lourens Schoeman.

Although most areas in the city contributed to the problem, Schoeman said, he singled out Korsten and Bethelsdorp as the most problematic areas.

He said the problem had grown to such an extent that the municipality had to employ staff to counteract this trend.

"We are prosecuting where necessary," he said. The municipality had prosecuted the owner of an illegal building in Mackay Street, Richmond Hill.

Heugh Road, Walmer, where certain sections had been earmarked for office businesses and commercial development, was also experiencing problems, with people opening businesses that fell outside the municipality's prescriptions. But these, Schoeman said, were not necessarily illegal as the municipality had accommodated them through a special zoning programme.

Walmer councillor Ann Knight said there were some illegal retail businesses in Heugh Road.

Main Road, she said, was increasingly problematical. "Businesses there are allowed only between Sixth and 10th avenues, but there are quite a few beyond 10th Avenue. Some of these could be illegal."

Eastern Province Herald
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge