Heritage protection for Bo-Kaap gazetted

Cape Town - 181124 The Bo-Kaap civic association is planning legal action against Blok property developer for allegedly traumatising residents protesting against the company. Photographer Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency(ANA)
The inclusion of the Bo-Kaap area in a heritage protection overlay zone (HPOZ) was published in the Western Cape Provincial Gazette on Friday April 12.

All land units and public streets in the Bo-Kaap are now included in the HPOZ and as such have heritage protection.

Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt, said: “From now on development applications for properties within the Bo-Kaap will be assessed more critically with an additional focus on the impact that the development proposal will have on the heritage value of the building and site and on the area. This is to prevent inappropriate development and alterations within the Bo-Kaap and also to provide clarity to property owners as to what is allowed and desirable.”

The Bo-Kaap, which is the earliest established Muslim community in South Africa, is also Cape Town’s oldest surviving residential neighbourhood with well-presented and coherent streetscapes.

The City Council approved the inclusion of the Bo-Kaap area in a heritage protection overlay zone on Thursday March 28.

The HPOZ for the Bo-Kaap extends to the Table Mountain National Park and includes the northern green verges to the northwest of Strand Street and includes Buitengracht between the intersections with Carisbrook and Strand Street.