KZN Minister raps officials over Umhlanga skyscraper decision
Publish date: 19 June 2007
Issue Number: 15
Diary: Legalbrief Environmental
Category: Development
A controversial environmental exemption notice given to a major Durban property developer has been torn up by KZNs Environmental MEC Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, who also rapped his officials for apparently putting money above the social and environmental fears of Umhlanga residents.
The effect of Mthimkhulus new ruling could lead to a reduction in the height of the Pearls of Umhlanga skyscraper development or; alternatively force the developers to conduct a more detailed environmental impact assessment process under public scrutiny, says a report in The Mercury. This follows Mthimkhulus decision late last week to uphold a legal appeal by the Umhlanga Residents Action Group, which complained that the Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Department had ignored its concerns by exempting the final phases of the Pearls development from the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act and the environmental impact assessment regulations. The Mercury report not available online
