A storm is brewing between a Bakoven homeowner and his neighbours over his proposals to extend his house in the expensive seaside suburb which they claim will wreck their picturesque views.
Bertrand Phillips's neighbours in Kreef Lane have slammed the proposed extension which, so far, is a temporary framework of wooden poles that give an idea of the extent of building.
Phillips has missed the five-day deadline - set out in a lawyer's letter on behalf of four residents - to remove the structure.
The city council, the neighbours say, does not allow residents to change the structures of their homes. If the extension went ahead, their sea views would be ruined.
House prices in the scenic enclave start at about R5-million, spiralling to as high as R30m. A local estate agent said a similar bungalow to Phil-lips's, with no drastic alterations, had been sold recently for R12m.
The city confirmed that when the owner approached the Environmental Heritage Management Section about the proposed extensions, they had asked him to build a profile of the planned alteration.
He had since been informed that the proposal was "outside the certified maximum development envelope", and would not be supported by the city.
The lawyers' letter from the four neighbours formally records their objections to the proposed alterations and gives Phillips five days in which to remove the structure.
The letter was dated May 29, but now, almost two weeks later, the frame remains intact.
One resident called for the structure to be removed urgently.
Another, who did not wish to be named, said they had told the owner verbally that they did not approve, but were told that the structure was only in order to effect a small alteration to the roof of the house.
Another neighbour said their fear was that if the development was allowed, it would start a "scary trend".
"What if he gets away with this and it sets a precedent? It will kill the whole feel of the area. We just think this is totally wrong."
The estate agent said the proposed alteration would be a "real scar" in the area.
"The place will lose its charm.
"This simply can't happen. There is no question about it."
Chris Willemse, chairperson of the Camps Bay Ratepayers' Association's development body, said the association was aware of the residents' concerns. But he pointed out that the extension was only a proposal at this stage, so they had not yet taken any action.
"When we are officially notified, we will bring the applicant and the affected neighbours together.
"If the neighbours are rightfully outraged, we will hopefully try to reach some kind of compromise," he said.
The City of Cape Town's Charles Cooper confirmed that a portion of the lawyer's letter, relating to Section 112 of the Municipality of the City of Cape Town: Zoning Scheme Regulations, was in fact correct.
It said that "no point on any structure erected or to be erected on any site shall project or extend beyond the maximum development envelope".
Cooper said the bungalow fell within the declared Heritage Area.
The city had inspected the mock-up of the planned alteration on June 2 and had informed Phillips that his proposal was outside the certified maximum development envelope and would not be supported by the city.
He emphasised that the existing structure was there "only for discussion purposes", and that the city had not yet received an application in respect of this property.
Homeowner Phillips, however, has confirmed that he will apply to the city for the alteration to the maximum development envelope.
"Those are temporary poles that show what the intended full structure will look like," he said, adding that he had followed all the correct procedures because he wanted to extend his home for his family.
"I have three children, and I need more space for my family," Phillips said.
By Ziyanda Sidumo and Bronwynne Jooste
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