Community calls for action on overgrown Table View site affecting safety
Residents of Table View have raised serious concerns over a proposed development on Erf 38599, situated at the corner of Circle Road and Eagle Crescent in Table View.
Image: SUPPLIED
Residents of Sunridge,Table View, say they have spent years engaging with the City through the Sunridge Action Group (SAG) in an effort to secure enforcement of municipal by-laws at Erf 38599 in Eagle Crescent.
They say the land, earmarked for development, has in the meantime become an eyesore and safety concern for families.
Resident, Des Palm, said the community’s concern is not about development itself, but about accountability and enforcement.
He said the site, part of a land restitution-linked process supported by the City, raised early concerns about higher-density development.
“From the outset, proposals for high-density development raised serious concerns,” he said, citing environmental sensitivity, traffic impact and pressure on infrastructure.
Palm said enforcement has been inconsistent.
He pointed to a previous case where an unauthorised container was erected on the site.
He said residents now face a different concern: Neglect of the site itself.
“Today, Erf 38599 stands in a state of severe neglect. It is overgrown with invasive vegetation, occupied by vagrants, and presents clear safety, health and fire risks,” said Palm.
He said repeated attempts to engage the City had not yielded results.
“Numerous C3 service requests have been logged,” he said.
“The response remains that the matter is not the City’s responsibility, with accountability shifted to the landowner.”
Palm said he received no response from the City to an email sent on April 16 and residents want action.
Sunridge resident, Claire-Ann Jacobs, said: "Residents feel like they are being left to live with the consequences of a neglected site that no one is taking full responsibility for. It’s not just an eyesore anymore - it’s become a real safety concern for families in the area."
The floorplan for the proposed Millview development in Table View at Erf 38599
Image: SUPPLIED
Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, said a rezoning and subdivision application was approved in May 2023.
“The approved development comprises 377 flats, nine group houses, and sixteen single residential erven. The site is currently vacant.”
He said community concerns were considered during the approval process.
“These matters were addressed in reports to the Municipal Planning Tribunal and Appeal Authority and carefully considered in decision-making,” he said.
Andrews said land restitution issues fell outside the planning application scope and on the container issue, he confirmed enforcement action was taken and that a notice was served on the owner on February 18.
“The container has since been removed and the owner has complied. No further enforcement action is required.”
Andrews did not comment on residents’ concerns regarding the current overgrown state of the property, alleged informal occupation, or the reported safety, health and fire risks associated with the site.