A DECISION on Shamwari Game Reserve's application to build an upmarket R1m guest house in the affluent suburb of Walmer in Port Elizabeth (PE), Eastern Cape has been delayed until April 10, after the development met with fierce opposition from the local community.
PE Local Council's Standing Committee on Town Planning and Land Use
deferred its decision during its meeting on Monday March 6 after it received a petition with 132 signatures and 24 letters of objection from residents of Walmer.
A spokesperson for the council told Travel Now that the decision was deferred until April so that a site inspection could be carried out, and so that residents' objections and the developer's comments could be properly processed and heard.
Residents say the 20-room guest house, an extension of the smaller existing Club 39 guest house, will be more like a small hotel, resulting in increased traffic, people and noise as it encompasses four neighbouring properties.
However, attorneys for Shamwari say that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the application and that the planned guest house would complement other guest houses and residences in the area.
(Adele Mackenzie & Rosemary Wilson)
