City of Cape Town calls Fish Hoek housing claims 'misleading'

The City of Cape Town has refuted claims of plans for 10 000 low-cost housing units in Fish Hoek as "unfounded" and "misleading."

Officials explained that the draft Masiphumelele Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) designates Lochiel smallholdings near Masiphumelele as the preferred site for affordable housing, but no development rights have been approved.

This statement comes after Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) councillor Pieter Jansen van Vuuren said he supports residents of Fish Hoek, Bloubergstrand, Big Bay, Sea Point, and Green Point, who he claims are "outraged at the City's ill-considered plans to impose thousands of low-cost housing units in established middle-class areas."

Mr Van Vuuren acknowledged the housing need but attributed the crisis to "uncontrolled influx" into the Western Cape.

"Official census data reveal a net influx of more than 646 000 people into the Western Cape between 2011 and 2021, most of whom are unemployed and homeless," he said.

He warned that years of such migration - without job creation or integration - risks turning prosperous suburbs into "melting pots of poverty, traffic congestion and crime.

"The City's proposal for erecting 10 000 low-cost units in precious open spaces in Fish Hoek defies all logic,"  said Mr van Vuuren

"Roads are already congested and public transport is a farce; there are not enough schools and the single small hospital is inadequate. With no industries or large factories in the area, there are no jobs for new residents."

Mr Van Vuuren also criticised plans for Erf 1117 in Blouberg as "equally catastrophic," claiming it would house 25 000 people in a key evacuation zone far from employment opportunities.

The City's mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews,  dismissed the allegations.

He said the claim that 10 000 low-cost housing units are planned for Fish Hoek is unfounded.

"This is a deliberate attempt to mislead residents," he said, adding that the draft LSDF for Masiphumelele identifies several land parcels for affordable housing, with preferred options adjacent to Masiphumelele at the Lochiel smallholdings.

Mr Andrews said the City is currently reviewing comments submitted during the public consultation process, which concluded on 21 October 2023, through its Urban Planning and Design Department.

"These will be considered as the department refines the draft LSDF," he said, adding that "further inter-departmental and community liaison is required before a revised LSDF is ready for submission."

For the Big Bay LSDF, Mr Andrews said the plan proposes approximately 3 600 residential units for Erf 1117, which belongs to the National Department of Public Works and is earmarked for housing across various income levels

"It is important to clarify that there is no existing development proposal or application for Erf 1117 at this point," he said.

Noziphiwo Sigwela, a researcher at Ndifuna Ukwazi, condemned the VF Plus statement as "reckless and misleading fear-mongering."

"Their arguments are just a repetition of outdated rhetoric used for years to maintain segregation and keep the poor and Black majority out of well-located areas in the city," said Ms Sigwela.

She said that the influx of people to the Western Cape for opportunities is not the core problem. 

Meanwhile, in a response to the Cape Argus last month, residents continue to oppose aspects of the plans in the Big Bay area.

Jan Derksen, chairperson of the Bloubergstrand Residents Association, earlier requested an extension to the public comment period, while the Greater Table View Action Forum accuses the City of ignoring its own planning policies and endangering biodiversity on Erf 1117.