The running underground battle between Ken Denton and residents seeking to preserve our built heritage has been on the go for a number of years now.
On the one hand I feel curiously sympathetic for Ken’s plight as he seems to be ‘stuck’ with buildings that he cannot get permission to renovate due to the stop go antics of the PHRA. I know that if I owned just one historical building I certainly could not afford to let it lie ‘fallow’ whilst other people told me what I could and could not do with my investment.
But, on the other hand, surely Ken is intelligent enough to have been aware of section 34(1) of the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999, which states that no person may alter or demolish any structure or part of a structure which is older than 60 years without a permit issued by PHRA?
Whatever the answer and knowing full well that people watch him like hawks I find Ken’s latest antics puzzling.
He has embarked on extensive renovations to his properties on both sides of Constitution Hill and a large road closed sign has been placed at the top of the road.
Much like a throbbing pimple on a teenage forehead Ken has now drawn attention to his ‘renovations’.
First out of the blocks and eager to ‘pop the pimple’ was Ward 5 Councillor, Jeremy Davis who wrote; “It was brought to my attention on Thursday 04/07/2013 that the Constitution Hill Road had been closed and building activities were taking place, which has resulted in the permanent closure of the road.”
Dawn McCarthy, Director: Land Planning and Management in Human Settlements Directorate of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality replied; “It has been agreed that the Building Inspectorate is serving notices this morning with respect to the the illegal construction. I can confirm there has been no closure approved. The Building inspectorate will also investigate whether there are any other building regulation infringements.”
Sigh – why can’t we all just get along?
Like a pimple on a teenage forehead the illegal road closure draws the curious.
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