Cape Farm 153, Van Schoorsdrift
Baseline Historical Background information
Prepared for
City of Cape Town, Housing Department
November 2010
By
City of Cape Town,
Environmental and Heritage Resources Management Branch
Milpark
Application
The application is for the development of a Temporary Relocation Area by the
Housing Directorate of the City of Cape Town.
Property Description and Location
The study area lies on a portion of Cape Farm 153, Van Schoorsdrift which is owned
by the City of Cape Town. The site is located east of the N7 adjacent to the Bluegum
tree avenue which is an extension of the old Malmesbury road.
The site is approximately 2,66ha in extant, with a reasonably flat landscape and
forested with Bluegum trees. The site is on the culturally significant tree avenue that
lines the old Malmesbury road.
Heritage Status
The proposed development triggers Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources
Act (no 25 of 1999) which states that: any development or other activity which will
change the character of a site (i) exceeding 5000m2.’
Historical Background
The farm was originally named Lot U and a 1901 map of the Cape Division indicates
that it used to be the Visschers Hok (Vissershok) outspan.
The N7 divides the original farm into 2 and the Vissershok landfill site is located on
the western portion. A 2004 EIA report for the extension of the Vissershok landfill site
included a brief Heritage impact assessment for the subject property. The report,
compiled by SRK Consulting found that due to the highly disturbed state of the site,
very little archaeological remains were left. No significant archaeological remains
were found on the eastern portion of the property and no material evidence of the
Outspan was located.1
1 SRK Consulting: Final Environmental Impact Report Vissershok Landfill Extension (October 2004)
Photos: Approach road to Farm 153 indicating tree lined avenue
Portion of 1901 Map of Cape division (courtesy City of Cape Town)
Photos: View of the site from the road
Heritage Significance
There are no structures or buildings on the site, although the 1901 Map indicates a
structure called the Koeberg Hotel on the original farm, roughly in position of the
existing land fill site to the west of the N7, (not on the portion of Cape Farm 153
which is the subject of this study).
The Bluegum tree on the periphery of the site is of cultural interest.
The site has no other considered Heritage Significance.
Recommendations:
•
Retain the Bluegum tree avenue
•
Visual impacts on the tree lane are to be mitigated. It is recommended that
any development on the site is set back from the Bluegum Avenue and that
any proposed boundary fencing is sensitive to the surrounding context.
Vibracrete walls are not supported.
•
If any paleontological or archaeological materials are exposed they must be
dealt with in accordance with the National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of
1999).
•
Should any burials be exposed during earthmoving activities it should be
noted that human remains are protected by law and must be reported to the
South African Heritage Resources (SAHRA).