The vacant land on the corner of Main Road and School Street in Van der Stel, which was once earmarked for a controversial multi-storeyed residential development, has been purchased by a water-storage company and will instead be a site of storage facilities.

The prime 1 488m² site, which generated significant community opposition when plans were unveiled for 62 residential units with ground-floor shops and basement parking, has taken an entirely different trajectory following its recent acquisition.

DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette previously reported on the ambitious residential development proposal that would have transformed the former “problem building” site into a six-storey apartment building comprising 62 residential units with shops on the ground floor. The plans, which included applications for rezoning from mixed residential and business use to purely commercial, sparked fierce resistance from neighbouring residents and business owners who raised concerns about traffic congestion, parking shortages, privacy invasion and potential crime implications (“Vacant plot’s plans divulged”, 14 March 2022).

However, those concerns have now been rendered obsolete as the new owners have apparently abandoned the residential development vision in favour of utilitarian storage purposes.

Angela Lopes, sales agent for Peter Venter Estates, confirmed the tract of land had been sold and is currently under offer, subject to bond approval.

“The purchasers are a water-storage company and, to my knowledge, they plan to erect a warehouse on the property for water storage purposes.”

Lopes revealed that the previously-proposed residential development had fallen through due to financial constraints.

“To my knowledge, the previously-planned development did not proceed due to lack of finance. The current status of the property is under offer. Any interested parties are welcome to contact me for more information.”