The City of Cape Town is busy preparing a local spatial development framework (LSDF), or neighbourhood plan, for the Gordon’s Bay Development Area in the Helderberg District. This area concerns vacant underdeveloped land situated to the north of the coastal town, between the existing N2 highway and just east of Sir Lowry’s Pass Road. This is an ideal opportunity to influence the development vision for one of the biggest parcels of vacant land within the city’s borders. Residents, businesses and interested and affected parties are encouraged to attend a public information meeting at the Strand Town Hall on 19 July 2023. Read more below:
A local spatial development framework, or LSDF, is an important plan as it determines the development vision for an area on a local level. The City uses the LSDF for guidance when making decisions about development applications and land uses; and in the end, these decisions very much determine what a neighbourhood will look and feel like, a few years down the line.
‘This area is one of the biggest parcels of vacant and underdeveloped land within the City’s borders. It has a lot of development potential and includes Vlakteplaas, where the City will develop housing, as well as Firlands. Apart from development pressures stemming from population growth, the intended LSDF must also take into account the upgrade of the Sir Lowry’s Pass River corridor, and Sanral’s intentions to realign the section of the N2 freeway that borders the area.
‘The City’s view is that as much as we need development to keep up with population growth demands, this must be managed in a sustainable manner that promotes and protects the unique characteristics of the area. In this sense we want to collaborate with residents and affected parties in the drafting of the LSDF that will guide future decisions on how this land should be used, developed, and importantly, how the natural environment should be protected,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
The City is calling on residents and interested and affected parties to register to be part of this process.
We will present the LSDF-initiative, its intention and purposes, to residents at a public engagement session where attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
The public meeting is taking place as follows:
- Wednesday, 19 July 2023
- From 17:30 to 19:30
- At the Strand Town Hall, Piet Retief Street, Strand
‘The local residents, land owners and businesses have a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be extremely useful as we draft this plan. I encourage all to attend the upcoming meeting, and to give us your comment on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and other ideas you may want to see included in the draft LSDF. Officials will also be present to answer questions about the process going forward. Your contributions will play an important role as the LSDF will also identify strategic public and private investment projects, and development priorities,’ said Alderman Andrews.
For more information:
- Send an email to GBDA_LSDF@capetown.gov.za
- Visit the Subcouncil 8 offices
- Go online: https://bit.ly/3Jz7rem
The public’s contributions will be used to finalise the draft LSDF and thereafter it will be advertised for public comment, and further refinement.
The LSDF for the Gordon’s Bay Development Area will elaborate on and support the spatial development guidelines as set out in the Helderberg District Spatial Development Framework, which is a higher order spatial plan for the greater Helderberg area.
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