The draft is a lot closer to what we envisaged, says forum
USER safety, wind protection and public access to the water are some of the objectives revealed in draft development plans for Princess Vlei. For more than 15 years the vlei has been under threat by developers, with plans to build a mall on parts of Princess Vlei in Grassy Park being halted last year.
The proposed development included the mall, a car park and taxi rank but was contested by environmental lobby groups, particularly the Princess Vlei Forum, and some residents were also strongly against it.
Yesterday, the forum and some residents were shown draft plans for the vlei and were more optimistic about the developments.
Bridget Pitt, forum’s secretary, said they would still have a meeting with residents to discuss the actual proposals.
“This is a lot better than a mall, it is a lot closer to what was envisioned for Princess Vlei. The people value the recreational space and the beauty and heritage aspect of it.”
Pitt said their main concern was making sure that the space was protected and that “it is sufficiently valued”.
“We want to elevate it to a key park in society and to be an attraction in the city. We want it to be an attractive recreational space and this (plan) does allow for that.”
Gary Stewart, who is on the executive of the forum, said it was still an open document and people could still give input.
“We are cautiously optimistic but we are encouraged that they are going through public participation. The slow pace of things has been one of our concerns.”
Bradley Burger, head of the planning and development unit at City Parks, said he was involved in the draft plans and said the public participation could be open for up to four weeks.
“It should be attracting people from far away and be able to attract all types of people, both young and old.
“We want it to be an embodiment of an inclusive city. It has the potential to be a platform for that kind of city.”
Burger said there is no budget yet for the development but said some of the points made by people were about making the vlei self sustainable.
Selwym Wessels, who lives on the south bank of the vlei, said he was in favour of the mall development but was positive about the draft plans: “This looks interesting but we wish it will be regulated, we can’t have any riff-raff coming here. People that frequent here are not here for the ecology.”
The Princess Vlei Forum will have a follow-up meeting in Grassy Park on Thursday.