Woodrock

Frankenwald Update

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Buccleuch Residents & Ratepayers Association

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Gauteng Media Statement

 

Dear Wendy

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On 14 August the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlement published a media release following a meeting with Alexandra representatives' organisations. The Statement included the following statement regarding the Frankenwald land (bordered by Buccleuch, Kelvin and Linbro):

 

"There is a land in Alex that is owned by Wits University as a Trustee, the land was owned by Alfred Beit who donated it to Wits University for educational purpose. The trust requires that there should be student's accommodation in that land, in addition we will build RDP, walks-up that will yield more than 20 000 housing units for the development of this community" said Moiloa."

 

Response from Wits

 

As the media statement conflicts with our understanding of the plans for Frankenwald, BRA approached Wits for a response, received today:

 

Thank you for sending us the Media Release sent out by the Gauteng Dept of Human Settlements.  I am responding to the emails received both from Davy Ivins and Tanisha Bhana.  I should note that we were not aware of the meeting, nor the media release.

 

We have been in previous communication with both the previous and current MECs and outlined the intentions of the University to develop the  Frankenwald Property. In general, the University’s intentions put to the MECs are along the lines outlined to  the FDC in a number of meetings.  In summary, and at the risk of repetition, these are

•  The University intends to develop the land as a mixed use development. This is in line with zoning approvals granted by the City in 2004. The proposed   development will provide for residential, commercial, light industrial and educational opportunities.  It is intended that these developments will provide homes and jobs particularly for people in surrounding areas.

•  All income derived from the development will be directed towards supporting students as well as better educational services at the University

•  The intention is to undertake the development partnership with a private developer and the University is currently in negotiation with a development consortium.  

As previously stated, in my email of 16th August 2018, we have not yet finalised the agreement in relation to the development of the property. I have noted before that the negotiations have taken longer than expected.  I will communicate with you as soon as we have a final agreement. Only once we have a signed agreement will we be able to commence the planning process.  And then only once the planning approvals have been finalised,  can a firm proposal be put to the City and the Province.  We would have to follow the regulated planning processes in order to finalise the zonings and certainly the legislative process, as well as our own commitments, would require community comment and participation.  

 

On the press release specifically,

• the statement is incorrect with regards to the legal status of the sale of the land. As per our previous communication, Wits has the authority to sell the land. We are clarifying this matter with the MEC and will provide him with the necessary documentation which supports the legal status of Frankenwald.

•  We have not discussed specific proposals for housing as this must await the outcome of the planning process and approvals noted above.

Please come back to me should you require any further clarification.

Regards

Taffy Adler, Wits

 

Comment from BRA - We will ask Wits to revert after they have engaged with the MEC, and we will also contact the Gauteng MEC to help us understand the conflicting information.

 

 

Kind regards
Buccleuch Residents and Ratepayers Association
info@mybuccleuch.co.za  |  www.mybuccleuch.co.za

 

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