Development for church precinct in Vredehoek gets opposition
An application by the registered owners to consolidate vacant land in Vredehoek owned by the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth, has garnered some opposition.
The City has received an application from First Plan Town and Regional Planners, acting on behalf of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth, for the subdivision, consolidation, rezoning and council’s consent; in terms of the Municipal Planning By-law for erven 904 and 905, on the corner of Vredehoek Avenue and Chelsea Street in Vredehoek, to eventually develop about 260 apartments.
The exact number will be determined at the detail design stage and on revision of the market demand study. The apartments will be finished with upmarket specs and basement parking will be provided.
The closing date for objections, comments or representations is Monday September 12.
Gareth Wright, regional manager marketing and partnerships for Nazareth Care Africa, told the Atlantic Sun that the current economic climate due to Covid 19 makes it challenging for congregations like the Sisters of Nazareth to secure a sustainable income.
“The Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth is extensively involved in charity work in South Africa and the greater Cape Town area. They provide accommodation and care for the elderly as well as for people with dementia. They provide a home for orphans and spiritual leadership to residents of Cape Town. Most of their activities and initiatives are funded with their own working capital as well as from donations and grants.
“The Congregation decided to partner with a developer to develop the vacant sports fields on their premises. They entered into an agreement with CalgroM3 to develop residential apartments on this land,” said Mr Wright.
While the City Bowl Ratepayers' Association declined to comment on the building proposal, some residents have objected to the proposed development. Said Herbert Voigt: “This development is a major disaster to the Vredehoek suburb. The profitability is more than the crazy scheme that is proposed.”
Another resident who have objected via an online petition on the website www.change.org is Chris Purcell, a resident of Vredehoek for 20 years. He asked who will hold the developers to account and restrict development within the regulations as they are set out.
“While Vredehoek has relied on the community to fight these battles while the City turns a blind eye (or is complicit…), the scale of this development leaves too much at stake. Already we have seen the plans deviate from what Heritage approved, with so-called ‘self-imposed’ restrictions applied in the appeal – which the updated plans have already openly flouted,“ he said.
Marleze van Loggerenberg said while the development will create a sustainable income for the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth to provide care for the elderly,” which is clever and commendable”, “but at what cost to the rest of the community?” she wanted to know.
“Our property values will unfortunately plummet as our biggest selling point here is the views, nature, and the tranquil environment. There will be a significant increase in traffic in our quiet neighborhood, not just because of the increase in people and cars, but the coffee shop and deli will lure even more traffic, cause parking issues and an increase in crime and noise pollution,” said Ms Van Loggerenberg.
Tanya Barben said this matter has been ongoing for decades. “It is the home of countless animals and forms a very welcome green lung between a crowded city and an increasingly overdeveloped suburb, with many older houses and apartment blocks replaced by multi-storeyed buildings, some being eyesores and not in keeping with the ambience of the suburb, and certainly contrary to heritage considerations,” Ms Barben said.
Mr Wright said the Congregation will retain a substantial number of apartments within the proposed development which they will manage in a rental pool to ensure a sustainable long-term income.
The property, owned by the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth under Certificates of Registered Title T12595/1926 and T6278/1929, has no restrictive title deed conditions which would prohibit the proposed development as confirmed in the Conveyancer Certificates attached in the notice.
