SEA POINT RESIDENTS WIN DEVELOPMENT APPEAL

Mayor overturns tribunal approval

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

RESIDENTS of the Atlantic Seaboard have successfully had their appeal against the development of a block of flats in Sea Point upheld.

The appeal concerned properties located at 29 and 31 St Johns Road, where buildings as old as 60 years once stood.

"I wish to advise that the appeal was upheld as per the attached decision dated November 18 and that the application has been refused, and the process has therefore now been concluded," stated the final appeal notification letter by Development Management, which was received on December 12.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, who serves as the final appeal authority under the Municipal Planning By-Law, upheld the residents' appeal, setting aside the decision previously made by the Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT).

The property is under development by well-known property developers who have yet to respond to queries by the Cape Argus on the decision.

Residents had been appealing against the demolition and development process for months, with their concerns previously highlighted by the Cape Argus in July.

Luthando Tyhalibongo, the City's spokesperson, confirmed: "The mayor is the final appeal authority in terms of the City's Municipal Planning Bylaw. Due process was followed in terms of the bylaw, and in the end the final determination to uphold the appeal was made.

"The City has no further comment."