Mediclinic George application, take two

GEORGE NEWS - The developers of the Kraaibosch and Welgelegen housing estates aim to submit an application with the George Municipality for a new private hospital development in the eastern suburbs which will fall within the urban edge.

Their previous application for a new hospital for Mediclinic George - on the sawmill property next to the Outeniqua Family Market in Kraaibosch - was rejected, as was their appeal. According to the developers, this application is now under legal review.

The municipality's reasons for the non-approval was that development outside of the urban edge goes against town planning principles, is not cost effective and would create a precedent for other developments. The property on which rezoning is to be applied for - also for the purpose of accommodating the Mediclinic - is located in Kraaibosch Ridge, north of Kraaibosch Estate.

A resident told the newspaper that they received letters from the developer in this regard, which form part of a socio-economic study they are doing as required by the municipality.

Mediclinic George manager Kassie Karstens did not want to comment.

The George Herald earlier reported that some doctors are fervently supportive of the move of the Mediclinic to a new hospital, while others are not so enthusiastic. The latter feel there is ample space for a revamp of the existing site together with a number of satellite sites Mediclinic owns in its vicinity.

Some doctors and medical professionals are co-owners with Mediclinic in the current sectional title building, whereas others own properties surrounding the hospital.