Pensioners protest housing development plan

A group of Westridge pensioners are taking a stand against the proposed relocation of their bus stop and the development of private housing on their cherished green space.

The bus stop on Dagbreek Avenue, across the road from Mitchell’s Plain Fire Station, is next to Erf 555, which was sold to a private developer on August 20, 2018, by the City of Cape Town.

According to the City, the property was advertised for disposal on May 27, 2015, and auctioned on February 21, 2017.

Pensioner and community worker Wayne Fisher said neighbours and residents living close to the plot were not consulted about the sale of the land; that the open space was used for parking by visitors to the Dagbreek community hall, and that commuters parked there to catch the bus. 

Mr Fisher said the property was advertised in the Cape Times and Die Burger and not in the local community newspapers; that notices were not sent to the adjacent neighbours but to people outside of Westridge; and the signage for the auction pointed at another property.

He said they were alerted to the sale in 2020, during the national Covid-19 lockdown, and had been helped with raising objections to the development by then-Councillor for Ward 78, Eddie Andrews.

The residents successfully reduced the number of units from 18 to 12. 

“The second batch of objections were sent, the City went quiet until the 26th of April, 2025, when the landowner came to erect poles for the site. The community managed to stop the process,” he said.

Mr Fisher said the number of units proposed would create congestion and obstruct vehicles from entering and exiting the fire station and the busy Dagbreek Avenue. 

He said that at the price the land was sold, residents could have had the option to buy.

Shernelle Louw argued that assessments were not conducted properly as the City sold the area’s only remaining green space.

“The impact on our sewer system, as planned, was only passed for six of the 12 houses due to the City’s sewer department having issues with the infrastructure. The light and view of the new development will take away from the existing houses as they plan on erecting a new building metres from their windows,” she said.

Neighbour to the plot, Leonie Bunton, who had raised her five children in their home for nearly 50 years, said they were not consulted. 

"I support the protest because I am not happy with what is happening here. I do not want a lane against my house. A lot more needs to be done to benefit the community," she said.

Her son Brandon, who is an amputee and lives with her, said the building would block sunlight and their view.

Pensioner Brenda Barnes, 69, who lives three streets away from the bus stop, had in her pocket a plan of Westridge from 49 years ago. 

"When my father wanted to build on his property in his yard, he needed this pla,n which he got from the council's offices," she said.

Reading from the map, Ms Barnes said "reserve", which she says means it should be used as a park. 

"It (bus stop) is safer here. It is the only open space. I use the bus stop to get to town, to visit my sister, and my niece uses it every day," she said.

"When there is a robbery. Mrs Bunton can call for help, but now if they move the bus stop, who is going to help them?" she asked.  

Mr Andrews, now deputy mayor and mayoral committee member of spatial planning and environment, confirmed that the plot was previously City owned.

“The previous zoning of the property was Limited Use, and it should be noted that the property was never earmarked or intended as a park or open space and was not a designated public place,” he said.

According to the City, an application for rezoning and subdivision was submitted on June 19, 2020, to rezone the property to single residential zone 1,  subdivided into 18 portions. 

Following input from interested and affected parties and from internal line departments, the proposal was reviewed to be subdivided into 12 portions. 

A total of 73 objections were logged, and a comprehensive report was tabled before the Municipal Planning Tribunal on April 28, 2021, who approved the application. 

Mr Andrews said that the owners had followed due process to obtain the land use rights for rezoning and subdivision of the property into 12 units.

“To date, building plan approval was also granted for six of the erven. No objection was received from the fire station,” he said. 

He said that the residents’ objections were duly considered and assessed during the land use application stage.

“It is noted that the property has been used for informal parking in the past. However, the property is not a designated parking area," he said. “No provision is made for any lane."

In terms of safety concerns, Ashley Potts, now councillor for Ward 81, said the proposed development could potentially improve safety by providing additional opportunities for passive surveillance. 

“Safety will forever be our main concern and we will continue to resource the local safety structures through the ward budget, which has been done for the full duration of my term,” he said. 

Mr Potts said as a councillor, he had listened and responded where possible.

He said the few seniors who came out to protest were being misled by people who wanted to push a narrative contrary to the truth.

"I can confirm that the bus stop will not be moved to the doorsteps of the fire station. The correct location is as per the City plans and is above board," said Mr Potts.