The Rondebosch Belmont Zone community is calling for transparency, inclusivity and for their concerns to be heard, citing they were not informed following the demolition of a building in Tannery Park which is making way for the redevelopment of business premises and flats.
The community said they have been kept in the dark from the start and that they were concerned that the number of units being built would impact infrastructure capacity and traffic congestion.
Eddie Andrews, the City of Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, said the application had been advertised since 2022, with one objection received. The application request is for the existing building to be demolished and to redevelop the property into business premises and flats containing 505 dwelling units, of which 458 are studio units and 38 one-bedroom units along Tannery Park.
“The application was for rezoning (from General Business Subzone GB1 to General Business Subzone GB3), departures from the Development Management Scheme (relating to parking, width of a carriageway crossing, the use of the property, coverage, floor space and building height) and Council’s approvals relating to shared parking and to permit building work in a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone.”
When asked about the public participation process, Andrews explained that the application was advertised in February and March 2022, citing that communication had been done. “One letter of conditional no objection and two objections were received. The application was advertised in the media, through notices to neighbours, to the civic organisation, and via an on-site notice.
“The application was approved by the Municipal Planning Tribunal on 22 August 2023. The Final Notification Letter was issued on 11 October 2023. “The building is currently being demolished. The question as to when the development is scheduled to take place should be directed to the developer.”
Andrews told the Cape Argus that a subsequent application was submitted for amendment of conditions, Council’s approval for building work in a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone and a departure.
“This was to amend the previous proposal involving changing the land use from flats and business (shops and restaurants) to a boarding house and business (shops and restaurants) and to permit an amended development design. No decision on this subsequent application has been made,” he said.
Kas Chandramohan, a community representative, said there was a lack of communication during the process and that they were concerned about the impact on traffic and the infrastructure. “No notice received: Neither I, nor any of my neighbours in the Rondebosch Belmont Zone to our knowledge, received any notification,” said Chandramohan.
“There was absolutely no notice on public display that was visible to everyday residents. Receiving only three responses from the City, for a huge development, is proof that the public participation process was “an invisible box-ticking exercise, not meaningful community engagement.”
“Infrastructure crisis: Reducing the figure from 681 to 505 units does not change our alarm. “This is a massive injection of density into an already gridlocked area.” “The intersection of Belmont, Station, and Queen Roads is notorious for severe traffic congestion during peak hours. Furthermore, our localised water and sewer infrastructure is already heavily strained; a capital charge on paper does not stop the reality of gridlock and utility failures on the ground.
“Bait-and-switch tactics: Hearing now that a pending application exists to change the development from flats to a high-density “boarding house” is deeply concerning. It feels like a bait-and-switch manoeuvre. The community was kept entirely in the dark until demolition began.”
Cape Argus approached Rawson Developers about the development, who revealed their related entity was no longer part of the redevelopment or ownership and that new owners had taken over. “Please be advised that neither Rawson Developers nor any of its related entities are involved in the proposed redevelopment of Tannery Park,” said Rawson Developers.
“Rawson Developers did have office space in Tannery Park for several years but relocated in February 2026 after receiving notice to vacate by the current owner.” Cape Argus has since attempted to reach the new owner but was unable to source contact details for them publicly.