Heritage Western Cape (HWC) says a consultative process was conducted regarding the proposed hotel development at 150 Buitengracht Street.

Bo-Kaap residents have been concerned about the development, known as an aparthotel, as it is near the historic Auwal Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the country.

According to HWC, the process, facilitated by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), involved discussions between them, the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers’ Association (BKCA), and the developer.

“An application on the proposed development at 150 Buitengracht was previously submitted to HWC,” said Dr Michael Janse van Rensburg, the chief executive officer of HWC.

“The structure which is before the City of Cape Town has been through a consultative process which was facilitated by SAHRA, between HWC, the Bo-Kaap Civic Association and the developer. The BKCA was represented and involved at each stage of these consultations. At the conclusion of the consultations the plans were stamped off by HWC. The process at the City of Cape Town is a separate process. Guidelines for the management of the heritage protection overlay zone should be developed by the City of Cape Town,”

Dr Janse van Rensburg says that the Auwal mosque has been formally protected as a National Heritage Site by SAHRA and that the City has declared a heritage protection overlay zone for the Bo-Kaap.

The Erf 3032, at 150 Buitengracht Street, was bought by Flyt Property Investment in 2017 with an approved building envelope and rights prior to any HPOZ status.

In 2022, Flyt development manager Sebastian van Greunen, said they intend to build a hotel and restaurant that will help the neighbourhood by generating jobs and more economic prospects (“Development dispute over vacant lot”, March 31, 2022; “Bo-Kaap residents reject plans for hotel near Auwal mosque”, August 1, 2024).

The City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said the matter is with the Planning Appeals Advisory Panel (PAAP).

“Please note that the City will not be making any comments until this development application process has been concluded. The process is not concluded until such time as a decision has been made by the Final Appeals Authority, who is to apply its mind after the PAAP meeting, which took place on 21 January 2025. In terms of the City’s Municipal Planning By-law the Appeal Authority has 90 days to make a decision,” Mr Andrews said.

In 2022 the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers’ Association (BKCRA) acknowledged that there was an approved plan but that they would like the developer to reconsider it.

At a meeting hosted by the BKCRA at the Auwal mosque, residents raised their concerns about whether the developer was aware of the Athaan (call to prayer) as well as their objection to the sale of alcohol.

Mr Van Greunen responded that they were aware of the Islamic culture of the neighbourhood and would not sell alcoholic beverages at the proposed building.

The developer and the BKCRA were contacted for comment by the Atlantic Sun, but no response was received at the time of publication.