Quarters Hotel is another example of Hermanus town planning corruption

YOU WILL FIND THE PUBLIC TOILETS IN THE QUARTERS HOTEL!

THE OLD LIBRARY SITE - NOW THE QUARTERS HOTEL

This vulgar and grossly inappropriate building, which is now known as Quarters Hotel, was on the drawing boards as Harbour View. It is probably the best example in South Africa today, of town planning, gone wrong. Read some of the comments below, what some highly respected professional residents of Hermanus have to say about it.

§ When the final plans were submitted to the authorities for approval, did they take into consideration the historical characteristics of this area? In my shop situated across the road, I am often asked by both local and overseas visitors how this building was ever allowed to be erected in this locale?

§ The property was zoned for a ground floor plus three extra levels. Did the Municipality have no control over the proposed building, taking into consideration that they were the original owners of the property? Surely they would have imposed some restrictions as to the style and aesthetics in keeping with the identity and sensitivity of a historical fishing village?

§ When the plans were submitted for approval, were there no objections or comments from the Heritage Committee on the grounds that a structure such as this was not conducive to the layout of Lemm’s Corner and the historical buildings such as the Burgundy Restaurant or the adjacent fishermen’s cottages? And if so, why were these objections not considered?

§ The original tender documents for the purchase of the property was on the basis that the approved tenderer was to build a boutique hotel – from the plans attached to the bill board it appears that this building is now to be apartments with ground floor shops and underground parking. If this is the case, how do the other interested parties who might have tendered to build a hotel feel, or is it normal practice to change the goal posts at will? Interesting that the above paragraph was written a year ago. it was subsequently changed back to a boutique hotel, as we presently find it.

§ The building appears to exceed the height restriction. Has permission for the relaxation of this building bye-law been approved? If this is the case would this not then be creating a precedent for future developments such as this?

§ Added to this list of examples of gross irregularity and maladministraion in town planning processes and proceedures, is this fact - there are no public toilets. A stipulation in the original tender documents was to ensure the planing and building of public toilets. Where, it can be asked, is the town planners ruling and the voice of oversight, of the Heritage Committee, on this particular issue?