CITY FACES BACKLASH OVER LANSDOWNE DEVELOPMENT

Residents voice strong objections to development

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

THE Lansdowne-Crawford community is strongly opposing a mixed-use development on Rokeby and Lawson Roads, arguing it clashes with the residential area and will cause major traffic, noise, and spatial issues.

They have expressed their dissatisfaction with its approval by the City of Cape Town despite their appeals.

In an open letter addressed to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, the ward councillor, mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment Eddie Andrews, and the developers and architects involved, the residents cited that the size, height, and the proposed business development, namely a supermarket and residential units, would cause traffic and noise congestion.

The site has since gone through the process of clearance by heavy-duty construction trucks in preparation for the development.

Despite objections, including a town planner’s report citing zoning issues, their appeals failed.

The Lansford (Lansdowne and Crawford) Ratepayers Association, via the appointment of their own town planning experts, lodged an eight page objection with the City.

They are now questioning the City’s approval, why the entrance is on Rokeby instead of Jan Smuts Drive, and whether residents’ concerns are ignored in favour of developers’ profits.

The City maintains the application followed due process and access from Rokeby Road was deemed necessary.