The developers of a R4.5bn office park, the City of Cape Town, a group of First Nations People and the Western Cape Government have lost the right to appeal against an urgent interdict stopping construction, which was to include low-cost housing, a public park and what was intended to be the African headquarters of e-commerce giant Amazon.

This means the order remains in place and the 750 workers on site may not work there pending a review of the project.

That could mean an entirely new legal process, suggests a Business Day report, It says Western Cape Deputy Judge President Patricia Goliath interdicted the construction in March and ordered fresh consultations with Khoi and San people, some of whom are opposed to the development.

On Tuesday, Goliath handed down a new judgment, denying the groups leave to appeal against her order.

She ruled it was unlikely they would succeed in another court.

The developer, the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust, said the continued delay in construction was a massive blow to all the people of Cape Town who stand to lose significant economic, social, heritage and environmental benefits.

Those opposed say that laying of concrete and construction of tall buildings will damage land of cultural and spiritual significance to Khoi and San people.

The report says the developers will now approach the SCA for permission to appeal against Goliath’s interdict.

Full Business Day report