In a report to the Good Hope subcouncil the City of Cape Town's environmental management unit said the planned development would "benefit a few at the cost of many", was at risk because of future climate change-linked storm surges and was "irresponsible" because it was within a particularly active and dynamic coastal dune system characterised by wind-blown sand.

The subcouncil refused an application to rezone and subdivide the property, Erf 559, which would have been step one in the development of a four-house "residential estate, with controlled access, situated in a dune landscape".

The proposed development is next to the existing Beach Club development which is significantly affected by shifting sands and where there is a highly controversial proposal to build a hotel almost on the high-water mark.

A 1995 proposal for 34 sectional title units, 16 beach chalets and a club house was approved for Erf 559 but lapsed because it was never acted on.

The current development application was submitted in January 2007 and drew 38 letters of objection, including one from the Residents' Association of Hout Bay.

The developer asked for it to be re-advertised, saying some objections appeared to be based on a misunderstanding of the development proposal and its exact location.

The city agreed it was not within 100m of the high-water mark, which triggers statutory environmental requirements but said it "effectively forms part of the greater beach development".

The developer, D-Groep BV, said an environmental impact assessment was conducted and the site was considered sensitive because of the presence of coastal dunes and a wetland. Limited development was therefore proposed with the rest of the site being reserved for rehabilitation.

Article Continues: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=14&art_id=vn20090409112446886C820348