Cape Town allays fears of Green Point development

Cape Town authorities have moved to allay fears that the Green Point Park being developed in the Cape Town Stadium precinct could in future become home to supermarkets and unsightly car parks.

Earlier this month the city said it hoped to have all construction and landscaping of the 12.5ha park, which will cost R54 million, completed in time for World Biodiversity Day on May 22.

But some residents of the surrounding area became concerned after the city lodged an application to alter usage permissions for the park, which some believe could open the area to inappropriate development further down the line.

However, city officials at a public meeting last night were adamant that the changes being sought were simply legal formalities, and necessary to allow for the approved plans to be realised.

"At the moment, the zoning does not allow the activities envisaged for the park, only for playing sports," said 2010 planning co-ordinator Pete van Heerden.

The application, which was submitted for approval on February 18, seeks removal of an existing condition reserving the property for "playing fields only". It also asks for departures from existing restrictions to permit outdoor trading, markets and film shoots on the portions of the property zoned as public open space and community facilities, and for consent to permit places of "assembly" and "instruction", "shops", "restaurants" and ancillary and incidental uses.

Concerns were raised that "shops" could in future be interpreted as allowing for supermarkets, restaurants or fast-food outlets.

But the city insisted that no development, other than the kind found at sites such as the top of Table Mountain or at Cape Point Nature Reserve, would take place.

"When I say shop, I don't mean supermarket. I mean a tourist shop and a place where crafts can be sold, (or) a facility where artists can display their paintings at an outdoor event," said Geoff Underwood, director of Planning Partners, who submitted the application on behalf of the city and delivered the presentation.

Residents have also raised the alarm over the tarring of a section near the stadium, expressing their reservations over the city's resolve to remove what has now become a parking lot after the World Cup.

But at last night's meeting, ward councillor JP Smith promised that the area would be re-grassed, adding that the budget to do this was available and secure.

Underwood said that written comments about, and objections to, the application could be lodged until April 12.

He said that while approvals were required in terms of the zoning scheme and the Land Use Planning Ordinance, none of the activities on the park grounds would be inconsistent with the existing record of decision.

"A shopping centre would not be consistent with the record of decision, and would not be permitted in terms of the development plan," said Underwood.

"If someone tried to make that occur, I believe you would have strong legal grounds to overturn that decision."

Another meeting is to be arranged so that more interested people can engage with the city on the matter.

Cape Argus

Posted at 02:31PM Mar 12, 2010 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[2]