Heritage Western Cape (HWC) has confirmed it is not considering any application for demolition of Dagbreek Cottage in Sunnydale, following growing public concern and objections from heritage organisations.

The provincial heritage authority recently confirmed to People’s Post, that it was aware of the property at 11 Kommetjie (Main) Road and its involvement in it is under the strict guidelines of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) of 1999.

Heritage organisations, which include the Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association and Friends of the Museum, have lodged formal objections to the proposed demolition of Dagbreek Cottage, a historic building in Sunnydale, arguing that the City of Cape Town should preserve its heritage and revive the structure.

The cottage, which is owned by the City, had been the subject of speculation over a possible demolition application to HWC, the provincial body responsible for making the final decision (“Heritage groups hold on”, People’s Post, 9 June).

Years of neglect lead to dilapidation

Dagbreek Cottage, located on historic Poespaskraal land, was built before 1945.
Over the years the cottage has deteriorated and become dilapidated due to years of neglect.

“In its lifetime, the cottage has had several uses and has, over the years, undergone several renovations and ad-hoc additions,” Mayco member for spatial planning and the environment and Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews previously stated.

“It is now, unfortunately, in a derelict state.”

HWC Deputy Director Colette Scheermeyer said Dagbreek Cottage is “not a formally protected heritage site; it is older than 60 years and is therefore protected in terms of Section 34 of the NHRA.”

She said any proposed demolition or significant alteration would require a permit from HWC and must follow the correct heritage-management processes.

However, the authority at this stage was not considering any application for demolition of the building, nor had it received a formal development proposal relating to the site.

“HWC recently issued a letter in terms of Section 51 of the NHRA to acknowledge and regularise unauthorised work undertaken on the property,” Scheermeyer said.

“Following assessment, HWC noted the property is graded IIIC and the work undertaken had a limited impact on its heritage significance. The City supported the proposal relating to this work.”

Action assessed within applicable legal guidelines

Should an application requiring HWC’s approval be submitted, it will be assessed according to the NHRA and applicable heritage-related processes, Scheermeyer added.

“HWC engages with heritage bodies, interested and affected parties, and relevant authorities as required by the NHRA and the consultation requirements applicable to each application. As HWC has not received any application relating to the demolition of the building, any enquiries regarding future development plans or the intentions of the City of Cape Town should be directed to the City.”

Fish Hoek Valley Museum curator Sue Maude previously described Dagbreek Cottage as one of the earliest farm structures in the valley, warning that many historic buildings in the area had already been lost.

She has called for stronger protection of smaller vernacular buildings, not only prominent heritage homes, arguing that they reflected the lived history of working rural communities.

People’s Post reached out to Maude for further comment but she had not responded at the time of publishing.

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