Property Development
City of Cape Town clarifies plans for Three Anchor Bay site
Katja Hamilton 20 Aug 2025
Green Point public land release sparks debate over housing and development
The City of Cape Town is moving ahead with the sale of public land in Green Point, despite mounting opposition from civic groups, activists, and political stakeholders, in a decision that underscores ongoing tensions between urban development and spatial redress.
Source: Pexels.
The release of Erf 2187 at Three Anchor Bay Road in the Green Point / Three Anchor Bay area to the open market will enable interested private developers or investors to submit proposals and compete to buy the property.
Officials maintain that such transactions are necessary to unlock economic value, attract investment, and generate revenue that can be redirected towards essential services and infrastructure delivery.
However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism, particularly in the context of Cape Town’s acute housing shortage. Opponents argue that well-located land such as Green Point should be prioritised for affordable and social housing, rather than being transferred into private hands for high-end development. The site’s proximity to the city centre and key economic nodes makes it especially significant in efforts to address apartheid-era spatial inequality.
Critics further contend that the sale reflects a broader pattern of public land being disposed of without adequate consideration of long-term social impact. Concerns have also been raised around the extent and effectiveness of public-participation processes, with some groups claiming that community input has been insufficiently incorporated into final decisions.
Legal hurdles cleared
Legal efforts to halt the sale have thus far been unsuccessful, clearing the way for the City to proceed. This has intensified scrutiny of the municipality’s land-release programme, which includes multiple sites across Cape Town earmarked for disposal or redevelopment.
From a property-development perspective, the move signals continued opportunity for private-sector participation in strategically located urban precincts. Yet it also highlights the growing pressure on developers and policymakers to balance commercial viability with inclusive development outcomes.
As Cape Town continues to grapple with rising property prices and increasing demand for centrally located housing, the Green Point land sale is likely to remain a focal point in the broader debate over land use, development priorities, and the future shape of the city.