The Bo-Kaap community and land activists have hailed a Heritage Western Cape (HWC) decision to dismiss an appeal for development in the historically significant area. Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association secretary Jacky Poking said the HWC Appeals Committee dismissed developer Any Side Investments’ appeal, regarding their proposed development of 150 Buitengracht Street.

A Cape Times report says the proposed building is a nine-storey mixed use development next to the historic Auwal Mosque on Buitengracht Street. It includes retail and short term rentals.

Any Side Investments had appealed a decision by HWC of December 2018, in which the Built Environment and Landscape Committee did not approve their proposal of a significant amendment to a set of plans that were approved in 2007. The developers were hoping to amend some of the conditions that formed part of the 2007 record of decision.

Activists charged that the development would tower over the surrounding buildings and was out of character with historic Bo-Kaap buildings. According to HWC, the appeals committee felt that the development proposal was ‘insensitive to the heritage context of Bo-Kaap’.

Full Cape Times report