With the increased appeal of our village, property prices have escalated resulting not only in changing demographics but also the character of our built environment. New owners want to justifiably renovate and upgrade however our textured heritage and characteristic environment can never be replaced once it has been destroyed. Even the smallest alterations may have a disastrous cumulative effect. The Built Environment Committee (BEC) is therefore charged with the responsibility of ensuring minimum destruction of our heritage and protection of public open space. It is particularly alert to demolition notices of houses and buildings older than 60 years and ensures that the City shares with them applications which require comment if there are waiver and departure requests which could impact on immediate neighbours.

The Committee also comments on land use as well as subdivisions, lifting of title deeds, scale of buildings and even boundary walls and balconies. Guidelines for obtaining planning consent for modifications to or redevelopment of property can be found on the GPRRA website (click here to view). Should a paid up member of the GPRRA wish to discuss a planning application ahead of submission to Heritage Western Cape or to the City Planning Department, please contact bec@gprra.co.za

The BEC fought hard against the rezoning of Erf 1056, which is alongside the Stadium, for business purposes. This piece of land is part of the Green Point Common which was bequeathed to the public in 1923 as public open space to be used for sport and community activities for all residents of greater Cape Town. The BEC is concerned that by consenting to small pieces of the Common to be sold will lead to the entire area being used for purposes other than it was granted. The long-term preservation of an ever declining amount of open space is crucial even though the City needs to generate funds to develop infrastructure outside the City. The BEC has been pressing the City to ensure that the procedures of disposing of public open space and rezoning is more transparent and open to participation by the general impacted public to lodge objections rather than favouring developers. The proposed redevelopment of Granger Bay Boulevard, Somerset Hospital and Granger Bay Precinct is currently being reviewed. The GPRRA urges residents of Green Point to follow notices about the destruction of our built heritage and encroachment on public open space.