CoCT taking Heritage Western Cape to courts in bid to develop green energy hub at old Athlone power station site
City officials have approached the Western Cape High Court to challenge the provisional protection of the entire site.
The defunct Athlone power station site in Cape Town. Picture: Google Maps
CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town is hauling Heritage Western Cape before the courts in a bid to develop a green energy hub at the defunct Athlone power station site.
City officials have approached the Western Cape High Court to challenge the provisional protection of the entire site.
The cooling towers of the defunct power station were demolished in 2010 after the facility stopped generating power in 2003.
The city's plans to demolish chimney stacks and an ash handling plant at the defunct Athlone power station were opposed by heritage activists in 2020.
The activists approached Heritage Western Cape to declare the property a provincial heritage site.
Despite the city arguing for certain areas of the site to be excluded, last year Heritage Western Cape made a declaration for the entire property to be provisionally protected for two years.
Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg, said that the heritage declaration was hampering the city's plans to develop a green energy facility on the site.
"The city confirms that litigation is currently underway in the Western Cape High Court, where we are challenging the provisional protection of the entire Athlone site. This designation covers not only the old power station site but also multiple city facilities."
Heritage Western Cape has indicated that it will oppose the city's court application but will not be providing further comment while the matter is before the court.