Kingsley Private Christian School moved into the home on the corner of Camphersdrift Road and Keurboom Street in November last year, sparking off opposition from a neighbour across the road, Gerrit Lambrecht, a resident there for many years. Lambrecht complained that the school is in contravention of the building regulations which require a 10 metre building line for an educational facility. He also aired his dissatisfaction about parents who he says use driveways of surrounding homes for turning and parking when they drop off and fetch their children. He has been trying to get an appointment with the mayor for the past three weeks, but to no avail, he said.
Defending their move to Camphersdrift, School Principal Annelize Vermaak said they were forced to find a new school building after their lease agreement had expired at their former premises in Market Street. The move had not, however, happened without prior notice to the municipality.
"We were informed when visiting the municipality that we would have to obtain a building line relaxation, a process that takes about three months. We are an existing school that cannot close our doors for three months until such time as the formalities have been completed, so we had to move in. Although our part of the application was ready for submission in October last year, we had to wait for the title-deed from the owner who was not available at the time to supply the necessary documentation.
The school has 48 pupils from Grade 1 to 12. Vermaak said Kingsley Private is reputed for the much-needed service that it renders to children with special needs. "There is nothing wrong with their IQ, but they need specialised, individual attention. They have, for example, auditory hindrances or struggle with poor concentration. There is not a place from them in existing main-stream schools.
"Never in our wildest dreams had we thought that we would be opposed by the neighbours. I don't think we give neighbours reason to complain about noise. We have two 20-minute breaks per day and by 14:00 most of the children go home.
"We are realising, however, that small private schools such as ours will always encounter problems with location. We are not allowed to operate in a business zoned area, only in residential areas, but residents do not want schools in their suburbs. Where must we go? I have viewed a number of possible properties, but have not found anything suitable."
Vermaak admitted that parents at first parked in neighbours' driveways, but since Lambrecht's complaint they are using a parking area that is not near any private property.
Mayor's response
In response to a call from the George Herald, Mayor Charles Standers said the matter was brought to the attention of the municipality last year. "The municipality is well aware of the situation and also that certain approvals for use of the premises as a school are outstanding."
Standers said they are also aware of the point of view of neighbours as well as the position that the school children find themselves in. "With consideration of the interests of all the parties, the municipality has been trying to settle the matter and we remain in contact with the school. Should the school want to submit an application to obtain the necessary approvals, there are a number of challenges that have to be addressed successfully before such an application will be considered.
"Alternatively the school will have to vacate the premises. In order not to inconvenience innocent children, the municipality would like to grant a reasonable concession to enable the school to find alternative accommodation." A meeting between the municipality and the school is scheduled for this morning (Thursday)."
.jpg)
Grade 1 pupils of Kingsley Private School at their desks.
