Inclusive development in Sea Point

HOUSING activists have hailed the city’s Municipal Planning Tribunal’s (MPT) approval for the first inclusionary housing in Sea Point.

The tribunal for the North West District approved a land use application for a new skyscraper in Sea Point by developer Berman Brothers Group.

The proposal put forward was to retain 20% of the 140 flats as “affordable” housing.

In effect, 28 new flats, each between 35m² to 39m², will be reserved for rental to households whose monthly income is less than R18 000.

The development for the 18-storey residential building is located at the intersection of Main Road and Kloof Road, Sea Point.

Ndifuna Ukwazi’s co-director Jared Rossouw said the MPT’s decision was a milestone for inclusivity in the CBD.

“What makes this decision so remarkable was that the tribunal had overruled the city planner, who opposed the proposal because of the height of the building.

“The tribunal’s argument was that if you were on a ship overlooking Sea Point, the building would be within the skyline.

“If there is going to be density in the CBD, we say make it inclusive.”

Rossouw said the next step would be for the developer to place a notice in the newspaper and this would in all likelihood lead to opposition from ratepayers.

The Sea Point, Fresnaye, and Bantry Bay ratepayers and residents association was unable to comment.

“The city notes the decision and has no further comment at this stage,” mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment Marian Nieuwoudt said.

Former urban development and transport mayoral committee member Brett Herron said: “This Sea Point development is an example of the willingness of private developers to pursue an inclusionary housing approach.”