Private beach fears in Clifton upgrade plan
Category Cape Town
The City of Cape Town is pushing to privatise a stretch of Clifton's beachfront and is to call for tenders to upgrade nearby Maiden's Cove beach.
Ian Neilson, Cape Town's deputy mayor, said this week it would call for tenders next month to develop Maiden's Cove.
"Maiden's Cove will be increased in size and will be upgraded from proceeds received from the sale of the (Clifton) development portions, making this space more accessible to the public," said Neilsen.
"A further public participation process will be followed in formalising the Maiden's Cove upgrade."
Neilsen was referring to the city's Clifton Development Precinct, which comprises the council's "in-principle sale and the granting of rights to use, control and manage (lease) certain portions of city-owned land".
Residents opposing the plan were "not satisfied with the design vision" and city officials said "substantial changes to the original design vision have been brought" forward.
The city said it had "balanced diverse and often conflicting input and interests and it will now move forward".
Residents were concerned public land, including exclusive beachfront access, would be privatised. But the city has denied this, even though private businesses would have the right to develop the area.
The development includes upgrades to the Clifton Scenic Reserve which includes Maiden's Cove tidal pools. The area includes tennis courts, lawns and a cricket oval.
The city wants a private developer to upgrade it and turn it into a commercial site with restaurants, shops and at least 700 parking bays.
A statement last year from the city said it "has consistently been transparent in our belief that the economic value of the site should be enhanced through limited development".
"The site covers about 14ha and has a preliminary valuation of R830 million. It is foreseen only about 4ha will be developed. The rest will remain for recreation and public areas," it added.
"The potential developers of the subject properties will be required to contribute to certain upgrades within the area, including the current pedestrian access routes (steps) to Clifton's Fourth Beach, the Clifton Caves cantilever boardwalk proposal, as well as improvement adjacent to the beach areas."
The city said it would create a "special fund whereby a portion of the sale/lease proceeds paid by the potential developers will be pooled to fund innercity housing projects".
Source: Weekend Argus (Sunday Edition)
Author: Weekend Argus
