Constantia valley residents have raised a red flag over part

• Published date: 24 February 2022
• Author: Karen Watkins karen.watkins@inl.co.za
• Publication title: Constantiaberg Bulletin

They are questioning how property owners in the area came into private ownership of land identified as public open space on City maps

The remainder of erf 3029 between Strawberry Lane and Willow Road was purchased by Schumacher Real Estate in September for R20 million.

The company’s owners are German former racing driver Ralf Karl-Heinz Schumacher and Peter Tauber. They own the neighbouring Villa Coloniale luxury retreat and a B&B in Price Drive.

Efforts to contact the owners have been in vain. Villa Coloniale staff said Mr Schumacher was overseas and only returning at the end of the year, and Mr Tauber did not respond to emails and phone messages.

Architect Jaclyn Cattell, who has drawn up designs for a housing development of 13 double-storey houses, a clubhouse and gym, 26 parking bays and three swimming pools, said it was far too early to comment about the development and that residents had “jumped the gun”. She referred us to Karlo Hendriksz, of First Plan Town and Regional Planners, but he did not respond to calls and emails.

Earlier this month, the land was cleared of vegetation and fenced, including across the Pagasvlei stream and Grootboschkloof greenbelt, which is used by the public, according to Maureen Fienberg, who lives in the bend of the L-shaped plot. The greenbelt runs between Spaanschemat River Road and Ladies Mile.

About three years ago, a mandala was created on site, with input from the municipality and Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

The zoning is split, with one third being single residential (SR1) and the rest open space (OS2).

Strawberry Lane resident Wil Wolter is objecting to the high-density of the development, and he has accused the owners of slotting a gate into his boundary fence for access to the land without any notification.

His neighbours, Richard and Maureen Fienberg, live in the bend of the L-shaped land. They believe that the proposed development is out of keeping with the peaceful, rural feel of the area. They are concerned that there will be an increase in noise and traffic that will disturb the natural habitat and set the wrong precedent for future developments.

Dr Gareth Jones, who has lived in Willow Road for 30 years, said it was not the development that he was opposed to but rather “the total disregard for surrounding neighbours and the veiled communications from the developer and the City which erodes trust”.

Angie Montandon, who has lived in Willow Road for almost 40 years, said she...