By Siya Boya

Thirteen years ago, an East London developer announced a plan to build a multi-million rand shopping complex in the heart of the suburb of Stirling.

But the R70million development, which was to be within walking distance of schools and old-age homes, never took off after the municipality denied permission.

The reasons are unknown.

On December 12, 1996, the Daily Dispatch reported that the two hectare complex was planned for the centre of the suburb.

The complex would have two levels with 800 parking bays, a food court, cinemas, an entertainment arcade and possibly a service station.

A Super Red Line Spar at the time expressed its commitment to the project and would have been the anchor tenant. It would have taken 14months to complete.

The developer was reported to be Kobus Kriel of East London-based Mega Real Estate, who applied to the city council to have the site for the development rezoned from residential to business.

With major arteries such as the North-East Expressway, Old Transkei Road, Pearce Street, Devereux and Hudson avenues serving the area, Kriel described the site as a “trump card”. “We already have an international consortium of backers behind us, who will be ready with their decision on whether or not to invest early in the new year,” Kriel said at the time.

Although the developer could not be tracked down, Dispatch spoke to project architect Warren Simpson, who said the development never took off because the local council did not approve the rezoning.

The Cape Town-based architect added: “When the developer couldn’t acquire the needed permission, we had to abandon the project.”

Buffalo City councillor Costa Gazi said he could not remember the exact details, but that there was controversy over the approval of construction for the complex.

“I think there was an issue about the licence to build there and so they didn’t get the go-ahead from council,” Gazi recalled. “The alternative was that the land could be used by the school, but I don’t quite remember what finally happened.”

Stirling ward councillor Isabel Thompson was unaware of the plan. “I honestly have no idea where they would want to build one. But I’m not sure if it would have been ideal because most of the Stirling residents shop in Vincent,” Thompson said.

Buffalo City Municipality spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said they could not comment on why council denied the developer permission to build but were going through their archives to find out.

Source: Daily Dispatch