A large group of residents are objecting to a proposal for a high school to be built on Coniston Park. They feel that the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has “deviated” from their original building specs.
A Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) for a Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) school for 375 children took place in May 2023. It was approved in the same month according to the City of Cape Town’s website.
The school is scheduled to be built on Coniston Park, Steenberg, on Erf 124690. Plans for the school were approved for the following reasons according to the City:
1. Adequate consideration was given to the location of the school within the flood plain.
2. The school is compatible with the surrounding residential area.
3. Sufficient conditions are imposed to mitigate potential risks and impact.
However, Keegan Ford, vice-chair of the Coniston Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (CPRRA), feels overlooked by the department and the City. He believes they have largely ignored their grievances regarding the school’s impact on traffic congestion and noise pollution in Coniston Park.
“The urgent issue is the lack of procedural fairness and legal compliance in moving forward with the current high school plan. The WCED’s proposal represents a significant change from the original zoning approval. This approval was specifically granted for a Special Needs School (LSEN) limited to 375 learners. However, the Traffic Impact Assessment and current school plans now outline a mainstream high school with over 1 120 learners—tripling the intensity and scope of the approved use,” Ford claimed.
No new rezoning application has been filed. There has not been any public participation meetings, despite the increasing number of learners,” adds Ford.
Millicent Merton, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), could not confirm whether the school has changed from being purely a special needs school. It is uncertain if it will now accommodate 1,000 learners. “The curriculum pathway has not been finalised yet. We are aware of the complaints and will manage them accordingly. All required approvals from the local authorities are in place,” Merton adds.
People’s Post received an email from CPRRA. It contained documents highlighting the school’s application for Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA). Kantey and Templer conducted this assessment in 2020. The TIA states that “the school will no longer be designated as an LSEN institution.”
It is scheduled to be operational next year. It will accommodate 1 120 learners from Grades 8 to 12 across 30 classrooms.
Ford agrees that the original zoning was approved. However, he still feels that a large portion of the residents were absent from voicing their comments.
“After 22 comments were received, 21 objected, 1 was in favour. That was it. Please note we have 457 homes, comment was sent to 22 homes. We have been speaking with our Ward councillor, Marita Petersen. She has not been supportive of our concerns.”
The CPRRA recently conducted its own survey. It asked residents who are part of the ratepayers association if they were in favour of the high school. “There were 382 submissions with 13% agreeing and 87% objecting. The number of residents taking part in the survey is still growing,” says Ford
People’s Post reached out to Petersen for her comments on the matter. She said: “The land was originally intended for a school. The intent was for a special needs facility, then the proposal came in lieu of the amount of Grade 8 learners not placed for a high school. This process is still running.”
The CPRRA feels that the high school could cause severe traffic congestion. It may pose risks for pedestrian safety. Additionally, it could negatively impact property values in the area. At present there are no set dates for construction work to commence on the high school according to Merton.
The planning for a new high school in Coniston Park has begun. However, the full project has not yet received approval. Infrastructure has found available, serviced, and zoned land in the area. This land is intended for a high school to meet the demand in the Metro South,” Merton said.
Ford explains that they are not opposed to education. They are firmly against projects that ignore proper planning processes. These projects also bypass transparent public participation.
The City stresses that all floor levels of the school will be above the 1:100 flood line. An emergency gate will be provided. This gate will offer an exit onto Muritz Way in case of an emergency.
The WCED still awaits further confirmation before they can move ahead with construction work. Ford believes a recreational space for their senior citizens should be given more attention from the City.
People’s Post reached out to the City for comment on the number for learners increasing, but they could not provide a response before the time of publication.
A community meeting organised by Petersen to address some of the issues raised by residents is taking place today (8 April) at Coniston Park Hall at 17:30.
For more information visit https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/city-council/meeting-calendar/mpt-meeting-detail/mpt-resolution?MeetingItemId=147648.
