Earlier this year, Rhodes University made an application to purchase a piece of municipal land near the 1820 Settlers Monument. The application has recently been accepted by the municipal council.
Earlier this year, Rhodes University made an application to purchase a piece of municipal land near the 1820 Settlers Monument. The application has recently been accepted by the municipal council.
Grocott’s Mail previously reported that Rhodes University was interested in purchasing a portion of land located between a small quarry and Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village.
But the university’s plan to build student residences there was dealt a blow when the municipality announced that the land is likely to go on public tender due to some interest from local developers.
It was also reported that the quarry is no longer being mined and, according to the regulations of the Department of Minerals and Energy, it has to be closed.
A special council meeting was held and it was resolved that the application to purchase Erf 8507 portion of Erf 1 (Municipal quarry) along with Erf 5448, be accepted.
The portions of land in question would be approved on condition that the land is alienated at a total fair market value of R20 253 33.
An offer from Rhodes University to off-set the purchasing costs for Erf 5448 (amounting to R 975 333.30) by incurring the costs of rehabilitating the quarry and conducting mine closure plans, would free the municipality from the obligation of paying for the mine closure plan and rehabilitation process.
“The cost of which is expected to be significantly greater than the fair values of R1 050 000 and R 975 333 that were attached to the two erfs,” said Rhodes Registrar of Finance and Operations, Ross Marriner.
According to Marriner, the way forward for the university will be determined through a process of acquiring all the necessary information that will place the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the Rhodes University Council in a position to make a decision.
“The university is currently working with civil engineers to determine an estimate of the costs involved in this project.
As part of the process, the university will be required to consult with a number of other parties to ensure that all the necessary legal and environmental requirements are understood,” he said.
Should the transfer take place, Marriner said that the university is considering a number of options for the final use of the quarry. “One possible option under consideration is an indoor events centre.
If this were to be the case, the existing structure would be incorporated into the construction as much as possible, and then any remaining areas secured as per the required plan.
However this is just one of a number of options under consideration,” Marriner said. Grocott’s Mail was also informed that the Rhodes University council is spending around R225 000 on research to determine what will be required as well as the final cost of the rehabilitation.
Local property developer Pierre Ranchhod said that he had not been informed about the council acceding to the request from Rhodes University to alienate the concerned erwern.
He added that the normal process of advertising to interested tenders should have been followed. “It is strange and unfair and has denied the rights of individuals,” he said. He added that Rhodes already owns pockets of land that require developing.
