Bo kaap
Bo-Kaap community approaches SCA to stop erection of 60-metre high building
The Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association's Fowzia Achmat says they have been fighting against this development for years.
The firm, Blok, will be squaring off with activists on 19 June in a matter which will determine who must foot the bill for a protracted legal battle.
Blok dropped its application for an interdict against Bo-Kaap residents to be transferred to Prime Point Properties, which is now the holding entity of the 40 Lion Street property.
Feeling failed by national government, resident Wahab Ahmed said it was important to make your voice heard.
The Heritage Resource Agency's Ben Mwasinga said the next phase would see other Bo-Kaap areas considered for heritage protection, including homes and streets after 19 areas in Bo-Kaap were declared heritage sites.
Ever since the Cape Town property market took off, Bo-Kaap residents have been actively campaigning for national heritage status to protect the area’s unique culture.
Nineteen locations in the area will now enjoy national heritage status.
She’s believed to be a tourist who was exploring the area before an assailant attacked her with a knife.
Municipal authorities said the move is to ensure new developments and alterations to existing buildings don't negatively impact the area s heritage.
Councillors on Thursday afternoon approved the inclusion of the community in a heritage protection overlay zone.
The public participation process into the matter has seen the majority of comments received by the City of Cape Town come out in support of the HPOZ.
Properties within this zone are more protected as additional development rules are set over and above the provisions of a base zoning.
The case relates to developer Blok's urgent interdict obtained in November to stop people from blocking the transportation of a crane to its construction site.
In December last year, the heritage body turned down an application by Any Side Investments to amend a 2007 demolition permit related to 150 Buitengracht Street.
Interested parties will be able to comment on the City of Cape Town's website, or do so by visiting one of the municipal offices in the CBD.
This would mean that while developments in the area would still be allowed, the city would first need to consider the potential impact a proposed development may have on the heritage of the area.
Judge Elizabeth Baartman ordered property developer Blok to give residents 72 hours’ notice when it intends bringing a crane into the area in future.
Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa was in Bo-Kaap on Monday to visit cultural and historical sites and engage with the community.
Protests in Bo-Kaap turned violent last week as residents took a stand against the construction of a block of apartments, calling for their heritage to be protected.