Coast KZN

There are now 2 850 signatures on the Friends of Beachwood petition which is against the development of Beachwood Country Club in Fairways. Speaking to Northglen News, Vanessa Knight, who spearheads the petition, said she was asked to mobilise residents when she was chairperson of the Durban North Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association.

“Our aim was to get 1 000 signatures, but it has far exceeded that. There are thousands of people who don’t want to see this development happen,” she said.

The country club has been earmarked for a multi-million-rand mixed-use development by owners Beachwood Investments. It includes a hotel, a health studio and even a conference facility, to name a few. This is the subject of the current Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application and SPLUMA (rezoning) application.

Two weeks ago, Beachwood Investments evicted tenant Simon Draycott for failure to pay rental. The country club is now closed until further notice.

“As residents, we would like the land to remain a golf course. If this property is developed, it will have several negative environmental impacts and will affect residents, as well. It is upsetting that one of the most environmentally renowned ecosystems is under threat, and residents will not stand for it. Nobody can build on the flood plain as it stops the mangroves from flooding,” she said.

“As per section 7 of the National Building Standards and Regulations Act 103 of 1977, no building is allowed that would adversely affect the surrounding properties with regards, but not limited to, property values and homeowners’ peace and quiet,” she added.

Speaking about the history of the Beachwood Country Club, she said that in the 1920s, Durban North Estates had set the 42-hectare piece of land aside for recreational use only, which was linked to its residential development.

“In 1949, the land was sold to Beachwood Golf Club and in 1998, was transferred to Durban Country Club as the two clubs had merged. There was another proposed development some seven years ago, but that was stopped in its tracks. The bottom line remains that there’s a clause in the title deeds from Durban North Estates that prohibits the land from being developed and only allows for recreational use because of the servitude that cannot be ignored,” said Knight.

She said another important factor that must be taken into consideration is the Virginia Airport emergency runway.

“On the side that the development is taking place is the Virginia Airport’s emergency runway. What happens to the emergency runaway then? This is a legislated requirement that cannot be pushed aside, ignored or amended,” she said.

“It is the City’s decision as to whether it will allow this development or not, but the residents will definitely not stand for it,” she added.

Knight encouraged residents who have not signed the petition yet, to do so by visiting https://friendsofbeachwood.co.za/