About Us	Search	Advertising

	Brought to you by:

MUIZENBERG RESIDENTS have expressed concern at densification propo?sals contained in the City of Cape Town's Draft Coastal Deve?lopment Guidelines. The public has until the end of the month to submit their comments at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre.

The guidelines aim to regulate future coas?tal development along the city's coastline. They form a component of the district's Spatial Development Plans, which are intended to be presented to the public for comment in September.

One of the proposals, which appears to have caused the greatest concern, is the identification of Muizenberg as an area for significant densification and future growth.

The guidelines propose that future developments could rise to 10 to 12 storeys along the beachfront and in amenity areas, and rise higher behind the front row.

David D'alton, manager of the Muizenberg Improvement District, is against this propo?sal. "Muizenberg is not a place where we need multi-storey buildings along the beachfront. Personally, I don?t want to see another Strand."

Holdie Ford, a resident who has been actively involved in various Muizenberg community projects over the past nine years, agrees.

"To propose high-rise buildings of ten or more storeys up against the lower slopes of the mountain is ludicrous. It would completely destroy the sense of place that Muizenberg offers, and would not be in keeping with the surrounding area," she says.

Ford is also concerned that the future impact of rising sea levels may not have been thoroughly explored in the drafting of the guidelines.

Leif Petersen, chairperson of the Muizenberg/Lakeside Ratepayers' Association,says the association has made a submission based on similar concerns of the proposed building heights and the implication this may have on the historic and cultural aspects of Muizenberg's sense of place.

"This was a draft plan, which has been released for comment, so we will see what happens. Otherwise I am happy with the pro?cess," he added. "I think the council has handled it well and we look forward to the next round of participation."

Dudley Ellam, who lives close to Sunnycove Station in Fish Hoek, feels the proposal needs to be carefully scrutinised as it does not only affect Muizenberg residents.

"From my balcony, we have a panoramic view and we are able to see views of the mountain in Muizenberg. At the moment there is one building that sticks out and blocks the view," he says.

Ellam is worried that if the proposals of 12-storey developments should bear fruit, then the view of the mountain would be seriously compromised.

Kier Hennessy, a senior planning officer from the City of Cape Town's Spatial Planning and Urban Design department, says, "This first draft still awaits input of key information, and the draft acknowledges that refinement of the document will be required.

"There has been generally wide support for the guidelines, with concerns around the issue of densification in some areas," Hennessy said.

Gregg Oelofse, from the city's Environmental Management Department, said, "The guidelines will be revised, based on input. It is an interactive process. It will take time".

For those wanting to comment, written submissions can be dropped off at the Fish Hoek Civic Centre or e-mailed to gregg.oelofse@capetown.gov.za.

	Back to top
©