As concerned ratepayers of Cape Town, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment where the integrity of our city's planning regulations hangs in the balance. It is crucial that the City of Cape Town (CoCT) steps up to its statutory responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of its citizens and to maintain the integrity of planning regulations, especially in our beloved neighborhood of Sea Point.

There are ongoing concerns and growing frustration over non-compliant developments that threaten not only our community's well-being but also the systematic planning regulations that ensure sustainable growth and safety for all residents. Residents should not bear the brunt of costly litigation to enforce regulations that the city should itself be upholding. Such an obligation is inherent in the governance and administrative duties expected of our municipal leaders.

We urge Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to champion Cape Town's commitment to fairness and regulatory adherence by joining forces with Save Our Sea Point (SOS) as a co-applicant in its High Court review. This action will signal to all residents that the City of Cape Town values regulatory compliance and stands firmly against illegal property developments that flout established laws.

The SOS residents association www.SOSRA.org.za was formed by area residents of East Sea Point, exacerbated by the proposed imposition of an over-massed block of flats in the midst of their historic residential community. Its purpose was to launch a legal challenge to a construction that was effectively decreed non-compliant by the CoCT appeal Authority and to prevent an appalling precedent from being set for similarly oversized future development proposals.

The same community had previously co-ordinated an appeal against the CoCT Planning Department's approval for a construction on St John's Road, which was believed to be in contravention of the City's own planning restrictions.

In quite unprecedented circumstances, the Executive Mayor, alderman Geordin Hill-Lewis, in his capacity as the final Appeal Authority, upheld the appeal by finding fully in their favour: That the building plans for the proposed development were in contravention of the City's own Development Management Scheme (DMS) regulations, and that the scale of the building was over-massed and out of context with the existing urban form, with detrimental impact on the existing rights of surrounding area residents and their properties.

Approval for the single-massed block was consequently set aside by the mayor, whose report on the decision was published on 12th December 2025, and the application refused.  However, that proved to be a pyrrhic victory as construction works commenced apace in February 2026. By all accounts, according to plans that had been stamped for approval without public consultation in June 2024, prior to the submission of the application that was rendered non-compliant and refused on appeal.

The existing, pre-approved plans are allegedly for two separate buildings, one on each of the two erven that comprise the development site - where a pair of heritage homes formerly stood. However, by all observation, the plans are for two halves of the same single structure of identical proportions to that which had been found to be non-compliant and refused by the mayor.

Inexplicably, the City has thus far refused to intervene to prevent the construction, for a structure that it effectively declared to be in contravention of its own regulations as recently as December 2025. We believe it to be incumbent on the CoCT Authority to carry out its statutory duty, “to safeguard the welfare of its ratepayers and citizens.

The importance of this matter cannot be overstated. By becoming a co-applicant, the City will not only demonstrate its dedication to uphold these essential planning regulations but will also illustrate a deep commitment to protect the interests and safety of its citizens. The residents of Sea Point, and by extension all of Cape Town, deserve a city administration that actively enforces its laws rather than shifting the burden to residents.

It is time for us to unite and call upon the City of Cape Town to take decisive action. We cannot afford to let unlawful developments set a dangerous precedent. This stand is not only about current issues but about preserving the future of our cities for generations to come.

Join us in demanding accountability and action. Sign this petition to urge the City of Cape Town to stand with its citizens and against unregulated and illegal developments.