Plans for a multi-million rand hotel and convention centre on the East London beachfront - rumoured to be up to 15 storeys high - have angered residents of flats who fear losing their sea view.

One thought it "ridiculous" to allow a hotel double the height of the nearby Kennaway.

The proposed development by NV Properties, a group that manages Premier Hotels, is on vacant land just behind the Regent Hotel.

This week labourers were busy digging on the site of what will be Marine Park.

NV Properties managing director Samuel Nassimov confirmed that his company was probing the soil to assess ground conditions ahead of phases two, three and four of the development. Once completed it would comprise a hotel and convention centre and a cascade of apartments.

It could not be established yesterday whether the development is the continuation of a R10million November 1997 deal signed between the Industrial Development Corporation and Nassimov.

At the time the deal was hailed as signalling the go-ahead for Phase One of the R133m Regent Hotel, as well as apartments and a conference centre.

Elizabeth Court apartment owner Jan Smit was not opposed to development taking place but, he said a 12-15-storey building would have a disastrous affect on his sea view.

"How can you just put such a building on the beachfront. The (nearby) Kennaway has eight storeys and this one will be double," Smit said.

Smit agreed with residents of nearby Inverleith Terrace that the loss of a sea view would devalue his apartment. Flats in Elizabeth Court represented a considerable investment and were bought especially for the view.

Another flat owner Johan Aereboe said he bought his flat two years ago because "it was an investment on prime property".

At the time of purchase he said the estate agent had assured him any development on the vacant land would be no higher than the Regent Hotel.

A building higher than 10 storeys was "totally ridiculous".

Another flat owner Derik Dewing, who has two units, was equally angry about the notion of losing his view and the subsequent financial implications.

All the flat owners said they hoped they would be consulted before development took place.

Buffalo City Development Agency chief executive Gaster Sharpley declined comment on the matter and referred questions to Nassimov.

Daily Dispatch
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge