Proposed Archaeological Investigations on Block 30, Cape Town

HERITAGE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON THE BLOCK BORDERED BY BUITENGRACHT, PRESTWICH AND MECHAU STREETS, CAPE TOWN

Stakeholders and interested and affected parties are invited to comment on a permit application for proposed archaeological investigations at a site located between Prestwich, Buitengracht and Mechau Streets in the Cape Town City Bowl. A 60‑day public participation process will be undertaken from 16 April 2026 to 16 June 2026.

SITE DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND

Block 30 is located within the Cape Town City Bowl and is bounded by Buitengracht Street, Prestwich Street and Mechau Street. The site comprises the following properties: Erven 744, 745 RE, 748, 749, 750 RE, 757, 758, 759 and Erf 181058 (a portion of Erf 746), Cape Town. The area is situated within a historically sensitive part of Cape Town and has potential for the presence of archaeological and heritage resources linked to earlier phases of urban development.

The City of Cape Town is undertaking preparatory work on Block 30 in advance of possible future redevelopment. As part of responsible planning and compliance with heritage legislation, heritage permit applications are being submitted to enable archaeological investigations prior to any future development activities. Infinity Environmental has been appointed to manage the public participation process in support of heritage permit applications submitted to Heritage Western Cape (HWC) by TerraMare Archaeology on behalf of the City of Cape Town.

It should be noted that heritage approval was previously obtained in terms of section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1998 (reference HWC23060204SJ0822 dated 25 September 2024), and a land use application for rezoning, consolidation, subdivision, and departures was approved by the City of Cape Town on 16 January 2026 (Case 1500145057). The current application and public participation process relate only to the proposed archaeological investigations.

It should be noted that the existing historic pub located on the block will not be affected by the proposed archaeological investigations.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

The City of Cape Town is applying for heritage permits in terms of Sections 35 and 36 of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999) to allow for archaeological investigations on Block 30.

The proposed work includes:

• The excavation and investigation of any archaeological resources that may be encountered on the site
• The appropriate management and recording of archaeological material uncovered during investigations
• The curation of all archaeological material by Iziko Museum, which will retain such materials for safekeeping and further research

These investigations are required ahead of future redevelopment and are intended to ensure that heritage resources are identified, protected, and managed in accordance with national legislation and best practice.

The current application does not include redevelopment proposals and relates only to the proposed archaeological investigations.

APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

The proposed archaeological investigations are subject to the following legislation:

National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999)

• Section 35: Protection of archaeological and palaeontological sites and material
• Section 36: Protection of burial grounds and graves

Heritage permits are required from Heritage Western Cape to authorise archaeological investigations and the management of any archaeological material that may be uncovered during the proposed work.

OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE

A 60‑day public participation process will be undertaken from: 16 April 2026 to 16 June 2026

During this period, Interested and Affected Parties are invited to submit written comments, queries and requests for clarification related to the proposed archaeological investigations and heritage permit applications.

You may relay your comments, queries, or concerns by –

• Sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• WhatsApp to 060 524 7676
• Completing the form on this page below.

Please note that no public meetings or workshops are planned for, and that participation will occur via written submissions.

Submission Deadline

All comments must be submitted on or before 16 June 2026.

Comment and Registration Form

You may request registration as an interested and affected party (I&AP) for this public participation process by filling in your name and contact information below.

Once you have entered your registration details, you may choose to enter or upload comments.

Please note that any comments submitted will be included in future versions of the report and publicly available. If you have any direct financial, business, personal or other interest in the application, please ensure you declare it below.

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Personal information is gathered only for the purposes of facilitating public participation and is not used for any other purpose.

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Personal Information and Privacy

We are required by the EIA Regulations, GNR 326 of 2017 and the National Environmental Management Act to maintain a register of interested and affected parties including of people who have commented, attended meetings, or requested registration. This requires us to collect and process certain personal information as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013. The following personal information has been collected for the purpose of public participation from registered I&APs and will be collected from anyone who comments or registers:

 

• Name, contact details and address;
• A copy of any comments submitted; and
• Details of any interest declared in the granting or refusal of the application.

Should you register and/or comment, your name and your comments will be included in published documents. Your contact details, address, and interest declaration will be provided to the competent authority. Personal information will be stored by Infinity Environmental (Pty) Ltd at 2 Fir Street, Observatory 7925, and on a password-secured cloud storage system which may include servers in other countries. You may at any time request access to or rectify this personal information by contacting us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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