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Noordhoek Garden Emporium Developments

Dear Noordhoek residents,
We would like to update you on the developments happening at the Noordhoek Garden Emporium (NGE). This site was rezoned from Rural/General Business 1 to Local Business 2 in 2015, with limitations imposed on the type of business activities allowed there and their operating hours. Brendhan (Jock) Kannemeijer, who was already a shareholder, bought out the other shareholders in 2022. As you may have noticed during a recent visit to NGE, Jock has put in significant effort and funds to revamp the premises. He has also indicated that he intends to construct 3 padel courts, which has caused concern with immediate neighbours as well as those overlooking NGE in Crofter’s Valley.
This message has 4 elements that we believe are relevant to residents:
  1. A chronological timeline of events
  2. A letter from the owner to the residents of Noorhoek
  3. A letter from the neighbours to the residents of Noordhoek
  4. The NRPA’s opinion on the matter
Here is a short recap of the timeline:
  • August 2015: City council approves the rezoning to Local Business 2 and imposes conditions of approval. We are highlighting a couple here since they have relevance to the padel courts:
    • “The development of the property shall be generally in accordance with what is reflected on the Site Development Plan LUM/76/933-104 dated 19-02-2014”
    • “No parking is allowed in the portion of Katzenellenbogen Road reserve located adjacent to the proposed development”
  • May 2024: NRPA meets with Jock and hears about his plans for NGE, including construction of 3 padel courts along the Briony Close fence line. NRPA indicates that while 90% of his plans are supported by NRPA, that these courts are very loud and that they should not be placed so close to the neighbouring properties and that they would be better placed at the sports fields complex.
  • May 16th 2024: A few days after the NRPA meeting NGE puts up a banner indicating that the padel courts will be “opening soon”. Neighbours are upset and form a committee to coordinate their response. NGE removes the banner after a few days
  • May 20th 2024: Jock meets with the neighbours to discuss their concerns about the padel courts
  • June 14th 2024: after doing investigations on the effects of padel courts in other areas of Cape Town, neighbours send a letter to Jock outlining their objections to his plans, indicating that they will object to the light, sound and parking nuisance that will result from the padel courts. They also indicate that a consent application is required for changes to the 2014 Site Development Plan. They remain supportive of the other improvements at NGE
  • July 6th 2024: NGE reacts to the neighbours’ letter indicating that they believe the choice of materials will mitigate sound and light pollution, without providing specifics
  • July 17th 2024: NGE sends another letter, including a draft Site Development Plan where the padel courts remain along the Briony Close fence line, 15 m from the nearest house. Now also a cafe and Village Square are mentioned. The SDP mentions “visual screening and sound deadening by specialist” without further details. The letter confirms that a Land Use application for consent use is required for the padel courts
  • July 2024: 130 people, mainly from the Horseriding community sign an online petition voicing objection to the padel courts based on their concerns the noise will have on horses passing by on their way to/from the wetlands
  • August 26th 2024: neighbours react to NGE’s letter indicating that they remain opposed to the padel courts because no details have been given on what the resulting sound and light pollution levels will be
  • August 30th 2024: Jock informs neighbours that he intends to move ahead with the application
  • January 30th 2025: Jock informs NRPA that building plans have been approved. After checking with CoCT, NRPA finds out that the building plans have been approved without the mandatory public participation for consent use having been done prior. CoCT admits that a mistake has been made and reaches out to NGE, instructing them not to start any construction until a consent use application has successfully been concluded. Neighbours also send a letter to Jock indicating the same. Jock complies and does not commence construction
  • March 14th 2025: neighbour Justin Gomes interviewed by Cape Talk on the neighbours’ objections to the padel courts (https://www.primediaplus.com/padel-courts-will-fundamentally-change-our-area-noordhoek-resident/)
  • March 17th 2025: Jock interviewed by Cape Talk to give a reaction to Justin’s interview (https://www.primediaplus.com/noordhoek-garden-emporium-responds-to-concerns-over-planned-padel-courts/)
Jock has reached out to the NRPA asking us to distribute a statement, click here to download it.
In order to give a balanced view, NRPA has also asked the neighbours to provide their point of view on this matter (document attached). The neighbours have created a petition allowing residents to voice their objections should they wish to, with 200 residents already having done so. The petition can be found by clicking here:
Having been involved since the start, NRPA is of the following opinion:
  • The majority of the improvements to the NGE are supported by the community as well as NRPA
  • The padel courts are receiving widespread objection from the community
  • NRPA is not against padel as entertainment / sport, however the noise and light pollution from open courts is considerable and must be mitigated fully. The courts at Imhoff’s Gift give ample proof of this, as do courts in Claremont and Newlands. Similarly, the parking and traffic resulting from the changes at the NGE should be managed carefully, since Katzenellenbogen Street is an important access point to the wetlands for horse riders coming down Sea Cottage drive
  • The construction of open padel courts 15m from the closest house will cause intolerable noise and light disturbance for neighbours living around NGE as well as those along Sea Cottage Drive. NGE is showing signs of traffic congestion already and this will increase with the opening of padel courts
  • There are ways to mitigate the light and sound pollution completely (and increase the net playable hours by creating a dry and windless environment). It is unfortunate that Jock has said he will not entertain these ideas since they will reduce the financial viability of the courts
  • It is possible to move the courts to the sports field complex and for NRPA to assist in this venture, but Jock has said he has no interest in this solution
  • As a result of these points the NRPA has decided it will not support the padel courts application in their current form and location
No Land Use application for consent use has been received to date, but we have been told that it is imminent. Residents of Noordhoek will get the chance to comment on the application when it does come out. NRPA will keep you up to date.
Kind regards
Bas Zuidberg
Chairman

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