Community fights against 'The Aloe': Tamboerskloof's battle for heritage
Tamboerskloof residents, represented by Friends of Tamboerskloof (FOTA), are fiercely opposing "The Aloe," a proposed 6-storey, high-density apartment block.
Image: supplied
Residents of Tamboerskloof, represented by Friends of Tamboerskloof (FOTA), are strongly opposing "The Aloe," a proposed six-storey high-density apartment block. Their concerns echo those that recently led to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis upholding an appeal against a Sea Point development.
The matter was scheduled for consideration by the Municipal Planning Tribunal on March 3, according to the City.
FOTA asserts that the developer's three plan amendments over three years have compelled neighbours to spend over R500,000 on specialists to object, creating an unfair and costly process.
Key objections to the 41-unit development, which proposes small units targeted at Airbnb rentals and necessitates the demolition of a heritage home, include:
- Inappropriate Massing: The six-storey structure is incompatible with the suburb's characteristic one- and two-storey heritage homes.
- Negative Impact: Loss of privacy, views, and light, as well as potential depreciation of property values for immediate neighbours.
- Traffic and Safety: The site is located at a dysfunctional intersection near multiple schools (German School, JVR High, etc.) in a suburb where road infrastructure is already at capacity. The proposed access via the narrow Leeukop Road will significantly increase traffic and safety risks, a fact disputed by residents' traffic experts.
- Unfair Process: FOTA criticises the City for allowing a process that benefits the developer (with over six months to redraw plans) while giving residents limited time (six weeks) to respond. They feel the City is not adequately protecting long-standing residents and ratepayers.
“Residents in Tamboerskloof are facing a similar battle to that of the Sea Point matter, where construction has since commenced following the appeal, with a six-storey high-density apartment block ('The Aloe') being proposed at the entrance to the suburb," said a FOTA representative.
“The developer has amended its plan three times over the past three years, resulting in a very difficult and costly process for the neighbours to defend, as each resubmission requires legal, architectural, town planning, and traffic specialists to be consulted on the developer's amended plans.”
FOTA has mobilised the neighbourhood to garner over 300 objections. “The cost of objecting to date is over R500,000, and that is before the matter has even been adjudicated,” stated FOTA.
“It is clear that the suburb’s residents, who voted the DA in by a large majority, are not in favour of densification at all costs, which seems to be allowed in the City Bowl.”
Residents argue that the building has heritage and historical significance: “The six-storey development is completely inappropriate for the general look and feel of the suburb. Tamboerskloof is characterised by one- and two-storey red-roofed homes, most of which were built in the early 1900s.”
FOTA attempted to obtain the services of a traffic engineer for a report on the traffic implications of the development in November 2023.
“We contend that 'The Aloe' will unnecessarily add to an existing problem in a school-focused suburb and in the middle of a complicated and already dysfunctional intersection; safety is the major concern,” they added.
In response to the grievances raised, Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, stated that procedures were followed in notifying the community: “The application was formally advertised for a period of 40 days in accordance with the applicable legislative requirements. Notifications were distributed to all property owners within the residential area, the Ward Councillor, and registered community organisations. Public notice was given through the following channels:
- Advertisements in the media
- On-site notices
- Email notifications
- Registered mail
“At this stage, the City is unable to comment further on the merits of the application, as the matter is scheduled to be considered by the Municipal Planning Tribunal on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.”
Cape Argus has since reached out to FWJK Property Development Company for its response to the concerns raised by FOTA.