The residents have been engaged in a wrangle with the owner of the property, local businessman Les Dyason and the George Municipality since January, when the site was erected without prior notice or public advertisement. It is situated adjacent to the complainants’ properties in an area that is zoned agricultural.
Heavy equipment, construction materials, a number of large trucks and the resultant noise, exhaust gases and repair work disturb the rural character, the area’s biggest asset, complained one resident. A nextdoor neighbour also said trucks are packed and started up at six in the morning and at weekends and some nights noise emanating from there disturbs their peace. It is alleged that about 40 construction workers from out of town are housed on the property.
Confirmation regarding the number of employees based here could not be obtained from Babcock, the UK listed construction company contracting for Eskom, before the paper went to press.
Land use departure ignored
The municipality's chief of housing, Steven Erasmus, told the George Herald that the site was already up when they got wind of the illegal occupation after residents started complaining.
He said that Dyason had failed to apply and obtain approval for a departure in land use prior to the arrival of the tenant. The municipality was left with no other option than to instruct Dyason to put in an application, which he then did. It was advertised. Objections were received and the municipality is now awaiting Dyason’s response to these.
"We wanted to take legal action against the property owner, but the duration of the construction contract having been stated as only six months would mean that the camp would be gone long before the legal process reached conclusion," said Erasmus.
Visit to the site
The George Herald visited the site during working hours together with Dyason’s son, Dennis. He pointed out a number of steel containers that are being used for storage and said the workers are not, as is being alleged, living in the containers, but are being accommodated in the houses on the property.
One house is being used as an office. The site appeared neat and organised, but it was obviously a construction site. A few workers were noticed, but the rest must have been out in the field.
Dyason Snr said in a statement that he understands the concerns of local residents, but that the site was put up because important infrastructure for energy supply in the area has to be upgraded.
"The company in question is actually renting the accommodation from us on a temporary basis, and I am unsure of the impact that stalling such important work would have on the George community. We are not aware that providing accommodation in an area which is licensed to provide accommodation is against the law.
"The visiting company’s employees are spending their money in the area and providing much needed extra capital for the region through their purchases. As to the noise and starting up of trucks early in the morning, we should be thankful they are getting up early to get the job done as quickly as possible. Plus I am sure the affected parties could just stop by and ask the people to moderate their noise a bit.
"These are reasonable African people doing their job miles from home for the benefit of the local community."
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A few workers enjoy teatime. At the back are two of the houses they occupy.
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The construction site that has residents up in arms.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD REPORTER
