Bo-Kaap plot causes headaches for residents

A vacant piece of land in Bo-Kaap is a source of frustration for nearby residents.

According to 2011 news reports, John Meddick bought the Lion Street plot in 2007 with plans to build flats there.

However, that development has failed to materialise, and the property was put on the market earlier this year for just under R10 million, according to Trudie Broekmann, an attorney representing the unhappy residents.

She said the plot had since been taken off the market.

Ms Broekmann said residents had asked her to write to the owner about the site, which they claim is plagued by dumping and squatting. They also complained that fires were being lit there and that several alien trees risked toppling onto neighbours' houses.

“The plot has been a problem for many years, but the community members I represent came together in February to try and determine what we might be able to do about it,” she said.

City Law Enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason said the Problem Building Unit had done a follow-up inspection at the site on Sunday July 9.

"The site was cleaned and vegetation cut back with no signs of illegal occupation,” he said, adding that the unit would contact the owner to discuss fencing the property and would continue to monitor the property for contraventions.

Ward councillor Francine Higham said she reported the property to the Problem Building Unit in March.

“I’m aware that Law Enforcement did have some challenges initially in contacting the owner, but, in more recent months, this has been resolved, and steps have been taken by the owner to clean the site,” she said.

Ms Broekmann said invasive species and rubble had been cleared from the site, but not all of the residents' requests had been addressed.

The Atlantic Sun emailed questions to Mr Meddick, but he did not respond by deadline.