Update
GEORGE NEWS - Clarity on the possible development of a chicken farm on portion 14 of farm 158 in Wilderness Heights between Constantiakloof and Whites Road, will only be known at a later stage.
An application in this regard was lodged with George Municipality and the deadline for lodging complaints was 20 July, but a resident who rents a neighbouring property, Samantha Bowen, has approached George Herald after only learning of the application after that date.
Bowen has expressed concerns regarding possible bio-security, odour and pollution problems, which she believes will affect at least seven properties.
Municipal communications manager Chantel Edwards-Klose said 130 comments and objections were received during the public participation process. The applicant has 30 days to reply to the comments. The period may be extended upon request of the applicant.
Once the reply is received, the directorate must finalise the town planner's report and submit it for the Eden Joint Planning Tribunal's (EJMPT) decision within about 90 days.
The EMJPT meetings are presently held virtually and those who have an interest in a matter on the agenda can make a request to the presiding officer to observe the meeting.
Notice of the meeting will be published in George Herald 14 days in advance and the agenda will be made available on the municipality's website seven days before the meeting.
The decision of the EJMPT will be communicated to the applicant, the objectors and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. Any party aggrieved by the decision may submit an appeal to the Appeal Authority (the executive mayor) within 21 days of the decision being issued.
The opposing party/ies will be granted 21 days to comment on the appeal. A report will be submitted to the appeals authority, addressing the grounds for the appeal and any new substantiated facts or merit that may transpire in the appeals process.
Once the appeals authority has taken the final decision, the parties will once again be informed of the decision. Detailed information regarding the application and decision-making process and time frames is available in the land-use planning by-law for George, 2017, which is available on the municipality's website.
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