Blouberg residents are objecting to applications for rezoning and liquor licences that they say will open the door to “multi-storey beachfront hotels, bars and restaurants” on the beachfront.
Beachfront properties seeking rezoning and/or liquor licences are Rockhaven guesthouse, in Sir David Baird Drive; Belle Maroc guesthouse, in Belloy Street; the former Café Blouberg, in Stadler Road; and the guesthouse and coffee shop known as Lighthouse Coffee Company in Stadler Road, according to the Bloubergstrand Village Residents’ Association (Village BRA).
The association says the properties are in a quiet residential area that has resisted development over the years and if that changes it could set a precedent and open the door to similar development.
The Village BRA’s chairman, Jan Derksen, announced in December last year that they would be objecting to the plans paving the way for multiple developments on the beachfront.
So far more than 150 individual objections had been made, he said.
“On the 24th October 2023 a meeting was held in the NG Kerk Bloubergstrand to discuss the proposed Rockhaven redevelopment. Discussions covered many different aspects of the impact of densification, and the overturning of the single residential zoning, which is predominant throughout the village. We believe that this development model should be avoided. With Cape Town already having lost such a large part of our beachline to concrete, congestion, noise and resultant crime, further loss should be prevented at all costs,” he said.
Other residents, like Cheryl Skeepers, agree, and she adds that on top of noise pollution and traffic congestion, crime is her biggest worry.
“We have seen this happen in many parts of the city. A development goes up, more people start moving into the area, and all of a sudden we have an influx of new faces who might bring baggage with them.
“We know that places like Blouberg and Table VIew are regarded as affluent areas by people who don’t live here, and they see this place as a good target. The residents of Blouberg are nice and very giving people so people from other places in Cape Town prey on this kindness. We can’t let these developments mess up our good neighbourhood.”
Another Blouberg resident, Jeanne Legrand, said the proposed development threatened the legacy and heritage of the village.
“This place is a favourite destination for families from inland suburbs. This is a public space and one of the last few swim-safe beaches and rock pools along this stretch of coastline that must be protected and conserved to remain accessible to everyone, not just a select few.
“The proposed developments aggressively and self-servingly lay claim to the landscape with no consideration for the needs of beachgoers – from the inland suburbs – who come to enjoy the rock pools at Bokkombaai or for the negative impact the proposed developments will have on the public in respect of traffic infrastructure and parking, as well as the proposed Rockhaven hotel’s encroachment on public spaces, particularly the beachside public pathway, which if allowed, will adversely affect access to the beach.”
Ms Legrand added that the development would advance the footprint of the building seawards into “the coastal high-risk flood zone at a time when globally developers are advised to retreat from the coastline to prevent long-term damage to property and infrastructure due to increasingly high tides and the increase in severe storms”.
Ward councillor Paul Swart said he would support his constituents if they had “substantive objections” against the building plans.
“I am not against development in the City and in certain areas, but if developments have negative impacts on the people, I will support them.”
Another resident, Carl Becker, said: “This will obviously be a long process, and we know the City and developers will fight until the very end. To help in this fight, I encourage residents to donate to the Bloubergstrand Village Residents’ Association in efforts to fight this, and other proposals like it, legally. Together we can keep our area safe and clean. We will not be exploited.”
Rockhaven and Lighthouse Coffee Company referred our questions to the City, but we were unable to reach the owners of the other establishments for comment by deadline.
The City did not respond to questions by time of publication.
