Proposed plans for Durban’s biggest development of low-cost housing in an affluent suburban area were unveiled by eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba last week, according to a report in The Mercury.

The four-year project is set to begin next year and is expected to cost around R10-billion, the report said. The tended site will border Umhlanga Ridge, Mount Edgecombe and Phoenix.

The announcement of the Phoenix East Integrated Housing Development Project follows last year's proposal by Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to build low-cost houses on prime land. Sisulu’s proposal was aimed promoting integrated neighbourhoods, increasing the number of people living in inner cities and boost the economy.

The Mercury said the announcement had elicited strong reaction from opposition parties, who said the plan had not been discussed with the council.

The land is owned by Moreland Developments, which is part of the Tongaat-Hulett Group. The will house between 15 000 to 20 000 families in homes ranging from R50 000 to R500 000 in value.

Moreland is reportedly in full support of the project and recognises the land is "uniquely positioned to make a key strategic contribution to the consolidation and integration" of the area.

Mlaba is reported by the newspaper as saying that although the plan was to build houses up to the value of R500 000, demand for homes may push up this figure.

People in bordering upmarket communities should “not be concerned about their properties decreasing in value. The planning of this project has taken this into account," Mlaba said.

The Democratic Alliance's Lyn Ploos van Amstel told the newspaper the plan had not been put to council and she was “outraged”.

"The mayor has bypassed the council and he has to know that this plan is going to be controversial as it is going to affect property prices in bordering areas," she is reported as saying.

Ratepayer and resident associations in bordering areas declined to comment to the newspaper.

Source: The Mercury. Read the full story.