Mediclinic George application was 'only for hospital'

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The Mediclinic development application included only a hospital on 5,4 hectares, contrary to what the George Municipality said in a statement in the George Herald last week.

This is according to the developer who launched the application, Fred de Kock from Magnolia Ridge Properties.

Responding to the municipality's statement, De Kock handed the appeal papers to the newspaper which show that their application included only the Mediclinic and "limited local businesses" normally associated with such a hospital, on 1,7ha of land adjacent to the proposed hospital.

The municipality rejected the application of Magnolia Ridge Properties to develop a new Mediclinic facility on the sawmill site next to the Outeniqua Family Market in Kraaibosch, and also dismissed the developer's appeal.

In their statement issued last week, the municipality said that its decision was based on, amongst others, the proposed development being too expansive, comprising 29ha and including a hotel and conference facilities, educational use, and production.

However, according to the appeal papers, the environmental impact assessment process for the more extensive proposal was halted and the application reduced drastically.

According to De Kock, the decision-makers "ignored" site specific circumstances that make the sawmill site the Mediclinic's preferred location for developing.

"We were not allowed a fair hearing," says De Kock.

"We submitted written requests to be allowed to present our motivations to the council and tribunal in person before a final decision would be made. There was never a council meeting where the Mediclinic application was discussed. If there was indeed one, I do not know of it."

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ARTICLE & PHOTO: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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