I HAVE noted with interest the ongoing battle between the owners of Access Guest House and their neighbours ("Racism storm over PE house", February 22) and would like to point out that 3 Seventh Avenue was our family home for about 25 years, until it was sold in 1972.
My father bought the house on his return from active service at the end of World War 2, when he returned to resume his post as chief traffic officer of Port Elizabeth in 1946.
It was an attractive, three-bedroomed bungalow, to which, after consultation with an architect, having proper plans drawn up and passed by the municipality, my parents later added another two bedrooms and an additional bathroom.
The absolutely disgusting concrete block which has subsequently been added by the Naidoos has no architectural merit whatsoever and is a total eyesore, not to mention the additional "flat " which has been perched on top of the original single garage, and is, most importantly, as has been stated, in violation of the legislation of 1934.
It would appear that the only motivation of the present owners is to squeeze in as many paying guests as possible, irrespective of the manner in which the building has lowered the tone of the entire neighbourhood.
I find it utterly pathetic that now, as a final resort, the old hackneyed "racism" card is being dragged out yet again by people who knowingly acted in blatant defiance of the bylaws of this city. I sincerely hope the metro council stands by its decision to force the owners to demolish the offending structures without further delay.
Felicity Kickhofel, Walmer, Port Elizabeth
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