Residents in Groenkloof say they are not opposed to development in their community but have voiced strong concerns about current plans they believed threaten the area’s established green belt and iconic sports facilities.

The Groenkloof Residents’ Association (GRA) has raised questions about a proposed development in Totius Street that could see the Vriendekring sports club grounds, including bowling greens and sports fields, replaced with a mixed-use development.

According to GRA deputy chairperson Carla Ferreira, the proposal could include a shopping centre, office complex and up to 1 800 residential units.

“We do understand the need for development in the metro; however, the scale and nature of the proposal could have far-reaching consequences for the character of the area,” she said.

The association has submitted petitions to the Tshwane metro, calling for a thorough investigation into the proposed development and for greater transparency in the consultation process.

Ferreira said the community is not rejecting development outright but believes the current proposal raises too many unanswered questions.

“The community is confused about the plans. Last year in May, the city presented an outdated proposal from an unsolicited bid they received in 2020. There was no documentation provided,” Ferreira said.

She said residents raised strong objections during the meeting, but felt their concerns were ignored.

According to Ferreira, the metro did not listen to the community’s objections and asked residents to submit their concerns via email, but none of the submissions was ever acknowledged.

Ferreira stated that the communication from the metro eventually stopped altogether.

“By the end of January this year, they went silent,” she said.

Ferreira emphasised that the land earmarked for development is not an unused piece of land but a sports facility that plays an important role in the community.

She explained that the land is a thriving sports club and part of the established green belt.

“It hosts various community activities and is part of the identity of the area,” she said.

Residents say the sports club and bowling greens have become iconic landmarks and contribute to preserving the green belt that stretches through surrounding suburbs such as Lukasrand, Groenkloof, New Muckleneuk and Brooklyn.

They also fear the development could negatively affect property values in these neighbourhoods.

Ferreira said residents are particularly worried about the scale of the proposed development and the pressure it could place on local infrastructure.

“One of the buildings they want to put up in that area is a 12-storey building. They want to build 1 800 apartments, and remember, those 1 800 apartments will require parking on that tiny piece of land,” she said.

She added that the surrounding infrastructure is already under strain.

According to her, the roads are tiny, and the sewage and water infrastructure are outdated.

“Electricity is another big issue. We have regular electrical outages in that area. The developer has not updated any of those things,” she said.

Ferreira reiterated that the community is not opposed to development but wants proper consultation and clarity about what the city plans to do with the land.

She added that they want the metro to understand what they are going to do there and to understand community concerns.

“We just want to understand that this is the process that the metro has established and that all parties comply with it. We want to know what happens next.”

She added that the issue dates back several years.

“In 2019, the city received an unsolicited bid proposal from a developer. Then last year they presented that outdated, unsolicited proposal at a community meeting,” she said.

“We all sent our comments and concerns, but nothing came out of it.”

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the lease agreement with the Vriendekring MSW sports club remains valid until 2056 and will remain effective until the expiry of this period.

He explained that the club currently leases 29.699 hectares of Portion 2 of the farm Groenkloof 358 JR, although only a portion is actively used.

Mashigo said the metro plans to divide the land to allow for development while retaining part of the sports club.

“The city will divide this portion and release 24.417 hectares for development, while the club retains the 5 282 square metres that they are currently using,” he said.

He said, in return, the club will benefit from a new bowling club that will be developed by the successful lessee.

Mashigo added that public participation processes had already been conducted.

“Public participation was conducted with all relevant stakeholders on May 14, 2025, during a physical on-site meeting and again on May 20, 2025, on Microsoft Teams,” he said.

He noted that the proposal to lease the property was initiated by the sports club after discussions with a developer.

According to Mashigo, the club then approached the metro to initiate processes to lease property for development.

Mashigo added that the lease still awaits a final council resolution and will also undergo a tender process before any development can proceed.

“The successful lessee will craft development plans and conduct the necessary studies required for the rezoning of the property,” he said.

Mashigo also noted that the land is currently zoned for agricultural use and is not designated as a public green space.

“The portion of the property is not a green space. It is zoned under agriculture, and therefore, there is no environmental legislation preventing the development of the property,” he said.

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