A desperately-needed housing plan is gathering dust at Greytown's local authority, while the municipality drags its heels over the allocation of the intended land.

Despite a developer's private funding pledge of R70 million to finance a much-needed affordable housing project in Greytown, the Umvoti Municipality is alleged to be dragging its heels over the allocation of the intended land.

That's according to Johan Fouche, principal of Brink Real Estate in Greytown, a small but potentially economically vibrant town in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Fouche says it has been two years since the developer first approached the local authority for permission to proceed with the development. With plans already drawn up, environmental impact assessments complete and the backing of the Department of Housing, the project is gathering dust in the municipal offices, says Fouche, in spite of the fact that 200 houses have already provisionally been sold and the list of buyers is growing daily.

Commenting on the 24-month old stalemate, Fouche says current demand is for at least 300 houses, mostly by people who are being forced to commute substantial distances every day from areas such as Muden, Tugela Ferry and Dundee, to their town-based work places.

The proposed new development, which will offer affordable homes ranging from R190 000 to R250 000 including all transfer costs, represents the answer to hundreds of people's dreams for a safe haven in which to raise their families, he says. These prospective buyers comprise largely teachers and other professionals who earn between R7 000 and R8 000, which limits them to this price range. In desperation, some have built temporary shelters while waiting for their new homes, he continues, but with no explanation forthcoming for the delay - despite repeated calls by Fouche and the developer to the local authority - no-one can predict when this will be.

"What's so frustrating is that the developer has submitted a more-than-fair offer of R1,5 million for the land, secured financing from a government source and set aside R10 million for services, so everything is in place. New houses are selling before the slabs are even down yet the urgency of the situation is not being addressed."

He adds: "South Africa as a whole has a shortfall of around 3 million houses, yet some authorities are stonewalling development. And in so doing, they are hurting the very people they are supposed to be helping."

An hour's drive from Pietermartzburg and a similar distance away from the coastal town of Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, Greytown has enormous potential to grow its economic and residential housing sectors while retaining its village charm, says Fouche. "There are not a lot of job opportunities but there is huge scope for entrepreneurs."

Already there are around seven buyers for every property that comes on to the market across the board, and up to 12 purchasers for houses priced up to R400 000. "This demand is indicative of the growing popularity of the town, where despite the fact that its real estate prices have doubled in the last two years, property is still about 30 percent less expensive than in larger towns," Fouche says.

Despite repeated calls, Umvoti Muncipality's acting municipal manager Sakkie Archer was not available for comment at the time of going to press.

For more information contact Johan Fouche of Brink Real Estate on (03341) 32001.

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