More than 100 Cape Town residents attended a meeting to discuss plans to redevelop the Mowbray Golf Course site. Photo: Matthew Hirsch.
The City of Cape Town has proposed redeveloping 66 hectares of land currently used by the King David Mowbray Golf Course and Clyde Pinelands Association Football Club. Housing activists welcomed the proposal, but many residents voiced their concerns at Wednesday’s public meeting. The city said the planning process is still in its early stages and will balance the recreational use of the land with the need for affordable housing near the city center.
Cape Town residents who attended Wednesday’s public meeting expressed concerns about a planned mixed-use affordable housing development on city-owned land currently occupied by the King David Mowbray Golf Course and Clyde Pinelands Association Football Club.
Last year, the City of Cape Town announced it would release 65.8 hectares of land worth R171 million. Housing activists have long advocated for the development of affordable housing on public land. Ndifuna Ukwazi highlighted how public land in Cape Town is being leased to golf courses and bowling alleys at nominal annual rents of around R1,000. Last year, a two-year termination clause was introduced in golf course leases.
More than 100 people attended Wednesday’s meeting. Some said they supported the redevelopment, but the majority expressed concerns.
An information pack distributed by the City of Cape Town explains that the proposed development will create jobs, provide affordable housing and provide accessible public space. The city said the land’s existing recreational functions will be balanced with the urgent need for sustainable urban development.
The location is located just north of the N2 in Pinelands, with excellent access to employment hubs and residential areas.
The deadline for public comment on this first phase is March 31st.
housing balance
City planner Annine Trumpelman has been appointed to assist the city with the project. He told Wednesday’s meeting that the city’s population is growing, by some estimates to exceed 5 million people.
“The city’s housing shortage exceeds 360,000 households, and that number is growing every year,” Trumpelman said.
He added that there is a huge demand for housing across all tiers, including “open market, affordable housing and public housing.” Public housing is government-subsidized housing for households with a monthly income of between R1,850 and R22,000. Public housing rent is capped at R6,475 per month.
“This is a region with great economic opportunity and social services, and we have the potential to make the wealth of facilities already in place in the region available to more people.”
Ndifuna Ukwazi political organization head Buhle Booi said the organization welcomed the development given the urgent need for housing.
“Our employees work in your area. So it’s okay to work in your area, but is it okay to stay next door to you?” Housing Council President Kashifa Akhmat said.
“We want this development to benefit all communities, because we need to focus on the poor people who are really suffering. They need access to opportunity,” she said.
A map of the area planned for redevelopment. Graphic from the City of Cape Town information pack.
Environmental impact
An environmental impact assessment still needs to be carried out. “We are currently conducting tree surveys to understand not only the location of the trees, but also the species of the trees. We also know if the trees are healthy and worth keeping,” Trumpelmann said.
She added that part of the property was below the flood line, making it difficult to develop. “This will create an opportunity to secure important green space,” she added.
“Golf tourism” and recreation
Jessica White, a member of the Pinelands Residents Association, said at the meeting that she understands the need for housing, but it needs to be balanced with the recreational use of the land.
“I think the bitter pill to swallow is that we’re passing through this beautiful green border that’s utilized every day and every hour of the day. Why mess with it? I think that’s where people’s concerns come from,” White said.
There were about nine years left on the golf course’s lease. Golf club chairman Mike Flax told the meeting that the proposed redevelopment would “threaten historic and cultural landmarks”.
He added that the golf club receives more than 20,000 visitors a year. “Most of these are foreigners who come back and spend a lot of money in our city, and create a lot of jobs,” he said, adding that “golf tourism” is an important part of the Western Cape economy.
Flax said the club has more than 15,000 members and 100 staff and “supports 100 families.”
“This type of asset is absolutely irreplaceable. Any city in the world would go to great lengths for this type of asset,” Flax added.
The land earmarked for development includes a portion used by Clyde Pinelands Association Football Club. Pinelands Football Club chairman Viren Jagannath said he was concerned his club would be affected. He said it was a fully “functional sports field” that would cater to “a large proportion of the population”. He added that there is already a shortage of sports fields. “Why would (the city) consider this?” he asked.
There were also concerns that the development would put pressure on schools. “Pineland schools are oversubscribed. We’re completely overwhelmed…We’re sinking,” local school principal Brendan Carroll said.
Development can take years
Sub-council leader Matthew Kempthorne said this was “just the beginning” of a very long process that could take more than 10 years.
“This site is one of the most valuable public lands in the city and it is essential that the best possible use is determined through a structured and transparent consultation process,” he said.
James Vos, Mayco’s member for economic growth, said in a statement after the meeting that the process was still in its early stages and some studies were being carried out to inform the concept for the site.
“We appreciate the valuable feedback we have received to date, including Wednesday night’s efforts. The City remains committed to an open and consultative process and encourages all stakeholders to provide their insights. This meeting was the first of further efforts to occur over the life of this proposal,” Voss said.
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