The proposed R100-million development of a private day clinic – The Edge – in Jutland Crescent near the St George’s Park cricket stadium has residents up in arms.
The luxury six-storey “wellness centre” overlooking the Baakens Valley would have 34 beds, four theatres and associated consulting rooms.
The plans have caused concern among residents over the narrow access road, which already suffers from congestion.
While the necessary environmental assessments for the proposed construction are being done, a public participation process is also under way.
Residents have until June 4 to submit their grievances to the CEN Integrated Environmental Management Unit.
The body corporate of Echo Edge, a luxury apartment block adjacent to the site, applied for registration to be involved in the public participation process.
Their main concerns hinge around traffic congestion and safety issues, after a study conducted nine years ago indicated that no further major development should be allowed on the road unless it was widened – which has not been done.Other concerns include sewage capacity, wind and the ageing water supply systems.
Echo Edge body corporate trustees representative Ralph Boettiger, who lives in the lavish apartment block, said residents’ view of the ocean and valley would also be affected.
“We received a letter from the municipality to say that the executive mayor had approved the development of this property for a five-storey day hospital.
“We were not happy about it. “The traffic in this area during peak times is a nightmare because parents are dropping off or fetching their kids which makes it hard to get in or out.”
Boettiger, who previously lived in Summerstrand, said he had invested about R3million in his apartment for the view of the ocean and Baakens Valley.“Having this day hospital here would be a safety problem because it will increase the traffic in the road, but now that it will be six storeys high, it is going to restrict a lot of people’s views as well.
“We did invest in this property for its views.”
Boettiger said the body corporate had not seen the plans for the development.
Well-known Nelson Mandela Bay doctor Cameron McIntosh, however, dismissed concerns about traffic congestion.
“I purchased this piece of land about four years ago and there was no objection back then,” he said. “In fact, I had to get special consent from the municipality for the day hospital, which was approved.
“I have long been motivated to open a day clinic because there is a real need for one not only in the Bay but in the country, and my plan is to open the doors to the public within the next 18 months.”
A former Olympic athlete and a specialist nose surgeon, McIntosh said: “Our vision with this is cutting-edge, affordable care [for patients].
“We are looking at employing 80 people at the centre, which is great for the city.
“Before I bought the property, the municipality had given permission for an eight-storey block of flats to be built there – but we are looking at [having] three storeys underground and only three above the ground.
“We are in no way going to be impacting anyone’s view, and traffic will not be a problem because it will be a relatively small hospital catering for only a few people.”
McIntosh said they had undergone a public participation process almost three years ago, without any objections.