A heritage battle is unfolding in Somerset West as residents mobilise to stop the proposed demolition of an 80-year-old property, known as Blue Waters, on the remainder of erf 7691 at 14 Lewes Street.
The property, identified by concerned residents as a rare local example of arts and crafts-influenced Cape Revival architecture, is the subject of a development application seeking to replace the single dwelling with a 10-unit group housing scheme.
The controversy centres on the initial heritage assessment, believed to be a draft, which concluded that the building’s demolition would be “positive”. The document, made available through an advertised public process, confirms the administrative timeline and scope of the proposal.
Prepared by Bridget O’Donoghue, an independent heritage practitioner appointed by the owner, it details that the future proposal is to redevelop the large 5 877,4 m² site (zoned as single residential 1) with 10 new residences under a general gesidential 1 (GR1) rezoning.
Dr Bill Harding, who lives near the property, has submitted a detailed objection to Heritage Western Cape (HWC), arguing that the assessment is fatally flawed and appears “structured to enable development, rather than to neutrally assess the site’s heritage value”.
He contends the report failed to adequately evaluate the property’s significance across historical, aesthetic, social, scientific and contextual values, as required by the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA).
Heritage-related features
“The building is a textbook example of the ‘arts and crafts’ style, as recognised by the City of Cape Town,” Harding stated.
Key features include a sweeping, low-pitched thatch roof, small-paned casement windows and integration with the landscape. Surrounding residents claim that at least a dozen objections to the demolition proposal have been submitted.
Said Sandy Stead, another resident of Lewes Street: “As residents of Monte Sereno and Briza, we feel the wider community of Somerset West should also be made aware of the proposal to prevent the history and architecture from being lost for future generations.”
Resident Kevin Cummins added: “Notably even German ‘swallow’ residents have voiced their objections based on their values and concerns about the importance of heritage preservation.”
Blue Waters was once the base of the Bahari Blue Waters Stud Farm, owned by Captain GAR North.
Stud farm
In 1962, North imported the Arabian stallion Shalwan from the world-famous Crabbet Stud in the UK. It became a cornerstone of South Africa’s Arabian breeding programme shortly after the national Arab Horse Society was founded, achieving the singular honour of winning the South African Supreme Champion Male title twice.
The house, built between 1942 and 1946, also had its original stables, now converted into a separate dwelling, nearby.
Residents noted that this historical role, connecting the property to the development of Arabian horse breeding in the country, was “not mentioned at all” in the report, countering the report’s conclusion that the property has “limited social or associational significance”.
In response, Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, confirmed the City of Cape Town has received a rezoning application and that the heritage significance of the property “will still need to be investigated by the City and HWC if required by the anticipated development.
“The application must still go through the advertising process to provide interested and affected parties with the opportunity to comment.”
He clarified there was no record of a demolition permit or an application for one.
Residents had formally requested HWC withhold approval for the Section 34 demolition until a second, independent heritage assessment is completed.
Developer DB spaces said: “An application has been submitted to HWC following the completion of comprehensive research into the site’s development history and the succession of ownership since its original granting. We respectfully request that the application be allowed to proceed through the HWC review process…”
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