Arlington Estate developers say project above board

Harare (New Ziana) – Developers of Arlington Estate, a low-density housing project close to the airport in Harare, denied on Tuesday that the development was illegal, and said it had met all regulatory requirements prior to commencement.

This followed press reports on Tuesday, quoting officials from the Harare Metropolitan Province local government, that the project was illegal, and all housing units already completed should be demolished.

The reports indicated the project violated the Civil Aviation Act and the Airports Company of Zimbabwe Act, which bar residential settlements close to airports.

But in a statement, Arlington Estate said it fully complied with all regulatory requirements, and obtained all necessary permits, including from the Harare City Council and the Environmental Management Agency, prior to commencing development.

The project has hundreds of housing units of different types and sizes, and is an upmarket gated community.

“Following statements appearing in the press on 25 January2022 regarding the alleged illegal non-compliance of Arlington Estate with certain laws and the threat of demolition of certain properties, we the developers of the remainder of Arlington Estate, commonly known as Arlington Estate, would like to advise our stakeholders that over the past 15 years, we have developed the Estate in strict compliance with the following:

“The Southern Incorporated Areas Local Development Plan No.31 which designates the Remainder of Arlington Estates as mixed density residential land,

“The approved Permit Number SD1750/04 dated 14 June 2005 issued by the City of Harare in terms of the Regional, Town and Country Act (Chapter 29:12) creating residential and ancillary services Stands

“An approved Cadastral Survey in terms of the Survey Act (Chapter 20:12), and• an Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) Certificate issued in terms of the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27),” Arlington Estate said.

“In line with the above, the development has been issued with Certificates of Compliance in terms of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) and we have to date transferred title to more than 550 homeowners in terms of the Deeds Registry Act (Chapter 20:25),” it added.

The project has been under development for the last 15 years.

But Harare Metropolitan Province local government insisted the location of the housing estate, close to the airport, posed a danger to the residents in case of an air crash.

It also took space for future expansion of the airport.

New Ziana