I am the proud owner and Principal of Little Farm School (now known as Country House School) in Witfontein Street, Heather Park.

Our property lies directly across a public park in Chestnut Street, several weeks ago we enquired with the necessary departments for permission to make use of this park as an outdoor play area for our children. For years this land has stood unused with a broken, unsafe jungle gym and usually occupied with hawkers, homeless and young adult residents drinking and playing loud music.

We received written permission from whom we thought held authority and in return gave our word to upgrade the play area, jungle gym, level the grounds with fresh organic soil and erect a perimeter fence for safety and avoid kids running into the road, with passing by vehicles.

We had saved for this project for several weeks and had many existing clients donate and give sponsorships for the upgrade of this public park, we communicated to the department that this park would not only be improved and upgraded for our Schools use but will benefit the entire community and will be open for anyone to enjoy.

Sadly the day construction began, the 2 elderly adjacent neighbours complained, spoke rudely to our staff and reported us to the Municipality and too contacted the George Herald.

We were then told by who originally gave us permission to suspend all operations and that we would now have to participate in a public participation in order to continue our meeting plans, understand our frustration and that of our clients were already told and excited about the new improvements, understand the unhappiness caused where we have already spent money on this property for this purpose, given permission and then permission being taken away…

We kindly ask for the communities support by giving us their favour in upgrading this unused park, allowing everyone in Heather Park and surrounds to enjoy a safe, outdoor play park.

Humbly thanking you all in advance