The Bloubergstrand Village Residents’ Association (Village BRA) have stated that they are opposed to beachfront property owners that are seeking to ‘rezone and licence their single residential properties’, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This is done to turn the single residential properties into multi-storeyed beachfront hotels, bars and restaurants, according to a press statement issued by the Village BVA.
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The parties that the Village BVA have has opposed are the owners of the ‘beachfront properties’ that are seeking to rezone and/or liquor licences.
‘Currently these properties include Rockhaven guesthouse at 7 Sir David Baird Drive; Belle Maroc guesthouse at 6 Belloy Street; the former Café Blouberg at 20 Stadler Road; and the guesthouse and coffee shop known as Lighthouse @ 47 situated at 47 Stadler Road,’ according to the statement.
Residents fear that if these properties are ‘allowed to proceed with their plans’, it will set a precedent that will lead to many more such developments. They wish to preserve the ‘picturesque ambience’ of their village, the access to its safe beaches for inland families, and its world-famous picture-postcard appeal.
‘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,’ said Jan Derksen, Village BRA chairperson.
‘This battle is so much more than just the interests of the residents of the village – it affects the legacy and heritage of our village and its beaches as being a favourite destination for families from inland suburbs,’ said Jeanne Legrand, Blouberg resident.
‘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,’ Legrand added.
‘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,’ Legrand continued.
The four properties are located within a ‘quiet residential area’ that has resisted development efforts over the years to retain the low-key, unobtrusive character of the area that comprises of the original village.
‘The village excludes the nearby Big Bay high-density development with it shops, bars and restaurants, a development the residents agreed to some years ago on condition that the City of Cape Town would protect and support the retention of the village character of the original Bloubergstrand village. This undertaking by the City now seems to be in jeopardy,’ according to the statement.
‘We hope our local metro councillor from the governing Democratic Alliance will join hands with us to preserve one of the last areas where children can safely enjoy playing in the rockpools and families can easily access the unspoilt beaches,’ said Derksen.
‘These are my constituents – I represent them. And where they have any substantive objections, I support them and will advance their cause within the council, as I have already done on a number of occasions,’ said Paul Swart, local DA ward councillor.
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