Plans for the eagerly anticipated construction of a private hospital in Hutten Heights have hit a roadblock following the rejection of zoning plans by the Newcastle Municipality.
The proposed R1.1 billion investment, earmarked for development on Rooibok Avenue, was halted at the end of October 2023, after a back and forth on the development of the facility.
When looking back, in July 2022, Newcastillian News reported how the R1.1 billion investment was meant to be a new offering to the town’s medical sector. At the time, Newcastle Municipality’s Chairperson for Town Planning and Development, Cllr Bertie Meiring explained that the rezoning process of the land would take approximately a month and once approved, the facility would offer significant benefits to the Newcastle community.
To read more, click here.
In August of the same year, the architect of the project, Viresh Mahabeer of Exar 2.0 Architects, shed light on the project. At the time, he emphasised that the brain behind the initiative, Dr Rajendrakumar Singh, recognised the necessity for another private hospital in Newcastle through meticulous market analysis. Dr Singh, already operating practices in Durban and Pietermaritzburg under Midlands Laser Clinic, had identified Hutten Heights as an ideal location back in 2016.
In an interview with Newcastillian News in August 2022, Mahabeer pointed out that the project site would be approximately 30 000sqm, with the buildings occupying about 25 000sqm.
“The development will be in three phases. Phase 1 (the hospital) will comprise 150 beds. Phase 2 (the medical centre) will comprise 25 medical suites and phase 3 (the nursing college and residence) will accommodate approximately 205 Nurses,” said Mahabeer.
Also, Mahabeer highlighted that the hospital would be providing approximately 450 full time jobs and 100 outsourced jobs. He further elaborated that the nursing college would additionally provide approximately 40 full time jobs.
To read more click here.
However, the endeavour faced a setback after the Newcastle Municipality officially declined the investors’ plans to rezone the land.
In a municipal letter dated 25 October 2023, Municipal Manager Zamani Mcineka explained that the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) Registrar had consulted with him, and he had been notified about irregularities by the Department processing the matter.
“Furthermore, I have been briefed about an outcome of the town planning application which was lodged by the land surveyor and consequently disapproved by the Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) in the year 2021. MPT is the structure entrusted through the operation of the Law and Council with authority to make a determination on land use applications,” stated Mcineka in response to the investors rezoning application.
Mcineka additionally stressed the need for adherence to local government principles and statutory regulations. He recommended a new application be submitted in line with the municipality’s bylaws, urging compliance with the requisite development plans.
In his letter to the roleplayers in the hospital project, the Municipal Manager pointed out, “Given the procedural and material noncompliance attributable to your so-called appeal, as the Head of Administration I have made a determination that this appeal does not comply nor promote principles of sound governance enshrined on local government: Municipal Systems Act No 32 of 2000 for which I am responsible.”
One of the concerns leading to the matter being rejected, according to the Registrar, was the fact the Site Development Plant was changed from the original plan, which was not part of the information considered by the Newcastle Municipal Planning Tribunal. Therefore, this allegedly gave rise to the change in the circumstances which seem to render the process inconsistent with the SPLUMA and Regulations.
Moreover, the decision to reject the proposal stirred disappointment and concern among those involved in the project. Mandy Austin of the Survey Workshop, an integral figure in the development, expressed frustration at the extensive effort and resources already invested in the venture. She explained that despite the investors meeting the various requirements and facing no initial objections, the unexpected hurdle has led to a substantial loss in both time and finances.
The investors were unavailable for comment at the time of publication, leaving the future of the project uncertain and prompting reflections on the situation. With the project in limbo, what are your thoughts?
Be sure to let us know in the comment section below.
3 Responses
They forgot to include the stacks of R 200 Forms that need to accompany the application…….
Very disappointed about the new hospital it is so needed in our town
Saw this coming a mile away, the newcastle municipality will never approve anything unless they get their cut of the pie. Corruption still runs rampant in the municipality, IFP collision is do different to the ANC