Beachfront Brouhaha in Buffalo City

20 September 2008 - 7:09am

That's Buffalo City, South Africa, where public open space along the coast is being rezoned to business and residential, to the dismay of locals worried about beach access.

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"Local environmentalist Dr Alan Carter said although he was not opposed to the upgrading of the beachfront, the process needed to be transparent. Some of the areas highlighted as part of the proposal should be retained for public use.

'What is going to be left of the beachfront for the people to enjoy?' he asked.

Carter said instead of building houses and developing businesses, the agency should consider upgrading amenities and braai facilities and also focus its attention on tourism. Architect and developer Alan Ter Mors- huizen said there has a lot of debate among stakeholders about the development of housing units at the Marina Glen site.

'It’s crazy. It makes no sense to put housing there. That is a strategic site in terms of recreation for the city. This development should be the recreational heart of the beach front,' he said.

Source: Daily Dispatch, September 19, 2008