Suburban
GLEN LORNE residents who live close to Munyonga River have expressed a deep concern over a residential development taking place on Stand Number 267 which lies on the river bed.
Ivan Zhakata Suburban Reporter
The residents filed their objections with the Department of Physical Planning and the Environmental Management Agency opposing the development and enquiring the basis of its legality but their pleas found no takers as the development is reportedly continuing.
“As owners of the adjoining properties we wish to register our reservation in the manner the above mentioned property’s use was changed from a public open space and recreational to residential,” said the residents in their letter of objection.
“We do so not because we are against development but the process should have been transparent as envisaged by Section 49 (3) (a) of the Regional town and Country Planning Act [Chapter 29:12].
Since notification for change of (land) use was served on some of us, we have been making frantic efforts in a bid to understand what was really going on with the application for change of (land) use but could not be furnished with a detailed plan which ordinarily should accompany the application and notification for change of use.
“Stand Number 267 is huge in nature of which we are not sure which part of the stand is going to be affected by the change of (land) use. It was important and still important that public participation be emphasized in the formulation of town plans and their amendments.”
The residents said what was more worrying was that there were developments taking place along the stand and there was no official feedback from the Department of Physical Planning since the said notification of 27 February 2020.
“It appears therefore that the whole process is shrouded in secrecy against the dictates of the law. Such developments happening along the stream have serious social environmental impact.
In fact, an environmental impact assessment should have been a condition precedent to any development.
“There is no plan for offsite services like water, roads and power among others. The development therefore needs to be stopped until correct procedures and approvals have been made transparent to all affected residents,” read the residents’ letter.
After petitioning the Department of Physical Planning the residents also wrote to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) enquiring about the subdivision of the stand in question.
“We would like to express our concern about the subdivision of a portion of Stand Number 267, a greenbelt to residential stands 4396, 4397 and 4398.
This is because according to information gathered from the Harare City Council, Stand Number 267 is a greenbelt with vegetation.
“The notice of intention to change the reservation of a portion of Stand Number 267 was served on us in 2020.
The understanding is that on Stand Number 267 mentioned all Environmental Management (Environmental Impact Assessment and Ecosystems Protection) Regulations 2007 should be followed.
In this regard, 30 metres from the highest flood level of the river must not be altered without a license, (and this should) be observed,” said the residents.
The residents said part of Stand Number 267 has a water way whose function will be disturbed if the area is built up.
“Therefore, we request as we hereby do that there be an investigation into the development happening at Stand Number 267 to ascertain whether is satisfies environmental laws.”
In a letter seen by this publication, the chief director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Department of Physical Planning responded to the Glen Lorne residents’ objection letter explaining why Stand Number 267 was changed from a public open space and recreation to residential.
“The main issue you raised in your objection relate to the recent abuse of the area and the residents’ wish to maintain overstretched infrastructure which can no longer able to cope with demand, likely negative environmental externalities and your wish to have access to the layout design,” reads the letter.
“The proposal seeks to carve off portion of the remainder of Stand Number 267 Glen Lorne Township for residential development with the remainder retaining its current use (greenbelt for unique flora and fauna) open to the public.
“We took note of the environmental issues you raised and proffered suggestions which shall form part of the development conditions that shall guide the development.
Among the conditions shall be the preparation of a full Environmental Impact Assessment.”
In 2019, the Munyonga River Protection Trust (MRPT) urged residents of Glen Lorne to come together and protect Munyonga River which cuts across the leafy suburb.
Munyonga River falls under the Nyagui sub-catchment area and flows into Umwinzi River. The two are tributaries for Mazowe Dam.
MRPT, which provides support to the protection of the environment and wildlife, said then it had noted with concern that some of the residents of Glen Lorne were dumping garbage into the river while others were cutting down trees on the river bank destroying the purity and natural flow of water in the river.
The trust urged residents to come together and be part of the body that will be responsible for the preservation and protection of Munyonga River as it provides water to residents who live downstream.
“We are trying to get support from the Glen Lorne community to both form and participate in the Munyonga River Protection Trust.
The Munyonga River catchment of Glen Lorne is a unique environment comprising an amazing array of indigenous trees and associated bird life.
Wild olives over a thousand years old, as characterised in Mullins book of ‘Famous Trees of Zimbabwe’ and river combretums, of similar age, are part of this ecosystem.
“The river itself hosts four of the kingfisher species including the giant kingfisher and many other rare birds.
The river has run normally for 80 percent of the year and has been remarkably clean, allowing many residents to utilize the water for domestic purposes which is invaluable given that Glen Lorne is inherently poor in underground water,” the MRPT said in a statement issued in October 2019.
