Cape Town - As the V&A Waterfront prepares for its R20 billion upgrade, which is expected to be rolled out in phases over the next 15 to 20 years, you can have your say as the Heritage Impact Assessment stage gets under way.
Donald Kau, head of communications for the V&A Waterfront, said an application for rezoning was submitted to the City of Cape Town and is now open for public comment.
The Heritage Impact Assessment report is in response to the requirements of the National Heritage Resources Act.
Kau explained the report discusses the heritage significance of the V&A Waterfront and identifies several themes which have evolved over time reflecting the Waterfront’s transition from a working harbour to a major tourism destination.
This extended to buildings, infrastructure and possible old shipwrecks to artefacts.
According to the V&A Waterfront’s history, in June 1858, winter storms wrecked over 30 vessels.
In September 1860, Midshipman HRH Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria’s second son, began the first construction of the breakwater for Cape Town’s first harbour to make it safe for passing ships.
“The V&A Waterfront includes rich and diverse heritage resources, which contribute significantly to how the V&A Waterfront is used, enjoyed and experienced by South Africans and visitors from abroad,” Kau said.
“The site’s heritage significance extends beyond individual structures to include the spaces around buildings, the relationship between buildings, the Waterfront’s public spaces as well as iconic views, vistas and landmarks.
“The Heritage Impact Assessment reflects on the V&A Waterfront’s evolution from a working harbour and place of forced labour and incarceration, in the mid-19th century, to a place of international trade and commerce, to its present role as a place of commercial business, hospitality and tourism.”
Adding to the background to the V&A Waterfront’s Application for Rezoning, Kau said that 30 years ago, rights were granted for Cape Town’s then neglected docklands through a Zoning Agreement to develop 603 859m² of floor space, which later increased.
“Today the Waterfront’s remaining development rights are mostly accounted for through approved plans, and limited opportunities remain for future development.”
The V&A Waterfront has since applied to rezone its property from ‘Development Zone’ (the unique zoning established for the Waterfront in March 1993) to Mixed Use 3 in terms of the City of Cape Town’s Development Management Scheme.
Kau added that there was another phase connecting the Waterfront to the Atlantic Ocean coastline, which meant the rezoning would enable the V&A Waterfront to realise its vision for Granger Bay.
Approximately 66% of the 440 000m² of floor space applied for is earmarked for the Granger Bay development area.
It is envisaged as a residentially led, mixed-use development with significant public and cultural amenities, including re-establishing public access to the ocean edge.
Kau explained the remaining 34% of floor space is proposed for other parts of the Waterfront property, including Canal District.
An inner-city park, with leisure and recreational facilities centred on remnants of the historic Amsterdam Battery, is also planned.
* Any person wishing to object or comment on heritage grounds to the application must make such comment / objection in writing to Ms. C Postlethwayt at cindy@cpheritage.co.za on or before September 2.
The office of Heritage Western Cape (HWC), CEO, Michael Janse van Rensburg said they were aware of the development application.
"It has required that a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) be conducted by the owners of the property," he said.
"This impact assessment will need to identify any potential impacts on heritage and HWC will have to consider whether the HIA has indeed done so and what actions need to be taken to conserve heritage or mitigate impacts."
Some of the key features for planned developments on the Granger Bay site would include: a public walkway linking the city centre to Mouille Point, which would connect with the current Atlantic seaboard promenade, a new Bay area created by coastal protection, suitable for water sports, opening up public access to a new protected area suitable for swimming, with adjoining public amenities.