The Maiden’s Cove development was among the key issues under discussion at the Camps Bay and Clifton Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (CBCRRA) public meeting at the Rotunda Hotel in Camps Bay last week.
Delivering his report at the meeting on Monday May 7, CBCRRA chairman Chris Willemse, said the Maiden’s Cove development was putting Camps Bay and Clifton under a serious threat.
Mr Willemse that the prime piece of public open space had been sold off to a private developer by the City of Cape Town despite opposition to the development by residents.
“By law, the City had to provide public participation meetings on the proposed development.
This it did, but having attended all the meetings, it was clear that the City was ticking the boxes again and not actually paying any attention to the opinions and sentiments of the people of Cape Town, said Mr Willemse.
Mr Willemse explained that some residents had suggested that the space be turned into a park similar to the Green Point Urban Park, but that their requests had fallen on deaf ears.
“Landscape architect for Green Point Urban Park, Johan van Papendorp, offered to assist in the matter but the City was not interested claiming there’s no money,” said Mr Willemse.
Mr Willemse told those present that the Clifton Bungalow Owners’ Association had lodged an application with the Western Cape High Court to have this decision reviewed and set aside. When he asked the floor to mandate whether they should support the association, 90% of those in the room voted in favour of the decision.
When residents were given the opportunity to comment, one shouted: “The City doesn’t consider the residents and approves everything developers want.
“If the City wants to fight, we will fight. Developers are running the City.”
Atlantic Sun asked the City and the Clifton Bungalow Owners’ Association for their input, but by the time this edition went to print, neither had responded.
