Cape Town - A proposed six-storey development in Cape Town's historic Bo-Kaap has ignited fierce opposition from local residents, who fear it will irreparably damage the cultural heritage of their neighbourhood, particularly its proximity to the revered Auwal Mosque.
Plans for the six-storey hotel and restaurant on Buitengracht Street have been approved by the Municipal Planning Tribunal, but have been met by resistance by the Bo-Kaap community.
Bo-Kaap residents argue that such a development threatens the integrity of one of Cape Town's most cherished heritage areas.
The Auwal Mosque, established in 1794 and recognised as South Africa's first mosque, stands just 10m away from the proposed site, intensifying concerns over how the new structure will interact with this pivotal landmark.
Opponents, led by the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association (BKCRA), are gearing up to appeal against this decision, citing potential disruptions to both privacy and community cohesion.
Chairperson of BKCRA, Osman Shaboodien, says while development is welcomed in theory, it must not come at the cost of displacing cultural heritage.
“This is a destructive development that destroys the very essence of our heritage. We are not only a community of brick and mortar.”
Shaboodien advocates for a redesign that aligns with Heritage Protection Overlay Zone (HPOZ) standards established two years after Flyt Property Investment acquired the land in 2017.
This project was an eight-storey building initially but was scaled down following consultations with the South African Heritage Resources Agency.
The BKCRA claims that narrow streets and historic cobblestones have already suffered damage from prior developments, and further construction would exacerbate these issues.
Local resident, Shireen Sampson, voices personal concerns about privacy.
“You will have this monstrosity here, and the balconies are facing us.
“We want advancement in the Bo-Kaap, but it must be consistent with the community's objectives,“Sampson said.
Despite criticism regarding public participation timelines, which have stretched over two years since community engagement last took place, Cape Town's deputy mayor, Eddie Andrews, defended the tribunal's process, stating that all HPOZ regulations have been followed and adhered to.
Flyt Property Investment contends that reactions focus disproportionately on their project while neglecting other nearby developments within the same HPOZ.
Their official statement argues: “Most concerns have been raised around the scale of the building in terms of bulk and height.”
This suggests ongoing ambiguity surrounding policy guidelines for HPOZs may fuel misunderstandings.
As debates continue, it remains clear that balancing urban development with heritage preservation is critical for maintaining the unique essence of Bo-Kaap, a neighbourhood steeped in history and cultural significance.
The BKCRA insists on revisiting planning proposals to ensure they reflect both community needs and historical respect before any construction progresses further.
grecia.mgolombane@inl.co.za