A plan to build flats in Albion Road, Rondebosch, has drawn opposition from residents.
The public has until Monday October 10 to comment on the proposal.
The registered owners of the proposed development site, Cilet (Pty) Ltd and The Residential Portfolio Trust, want to consolidate five plots – each currently occupied by single residences – and build 16 flats in a mix of two- and three-storey blocks with 32 underground parking bays, according to an application by regional planners Olden and Associates.
Commenting on behalf of the developers, Michael Olden, from Olden and Associates, said a 2019 proposal to build a block of 38 flats and 56 parking bays had been refused for several reasons, including those relating to scale, compatibility and heritage.
Residents also objected to that proposal in 2019 (“Residents object to five-storey flats,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, May 16, 2019)
Mr Olden said the development outlined in the revised application had been reduced significantly, and is keeping within the existing General Residential 2 zoning.
“The application is desirable and will provide much-needed housing stock in a well-located area with good amenities like schools, education, sports clubs, business nodes etc,” he said.
However, Rondebosch residents are unhappy with the plan.
Liz Williamson, the owner of Rondebosch Oaks, a block of flats about 100 metres away from the site, said she was worried about an increase in traffic.
“On average, particularly during peak times, you can find at least five e-hailing vehicles as well as about ten scooter food deliveries in front of the complex.”
Thirty-two more vehicles from the new development could lead to 20% more e-hailing taxis and food deliveries, she said.
Large, existing trees would also be removed to make way for the developers’ landscape plan, she said.
Richard Cottrell, who stays almost opposite the site, said the proposal was another attempt to cram as many homes into an unsuitable area to maximise profit.
Traffic in Albion Road was already busy enough because of Rondebosch Oaks, he said. “Adding another ill-thought-out multi-unit block will add even more pressure on the road.”
Pnina Wood, a former resident of Albion Road, said it had no pavements for pedestrians.
“I am just concerned that for the developers to consolidate five properties into one may increase the bulk load of traffic in the already busy road,” she said.
Albion Road is between White Road, which leads to the railway line, and Campground Road, which leads to many schools in the area, and Ms Wood said, “There will be a lot of traffic on all three roads during peak hour.”
The developers should consider the current community and “give back” by, for example, improving the straining infrastructure in the area, setting the fence back from the road and providing a small park, she said.
Mr Olden said a traffic engineer had found there would be an insignificant impact on traffic, and that finding had been supported by the council’s transport directorate.
“There is also sufficient on-site parking for the proposed development in the form of basement parking,” he said.
Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews said comments could be sent, on a prescribed form, to comments_objections.southern@capetown.gov.za or fax number 086 202 9985. Visit capetown.gov.za/LanduseObjections to download the form.
