Ethekwini to pull plug on coastal skyscrapers

Ethekwini municipality is to pull the plug on the construction of skyscrapers along the coast. This will happen once the Minimisation of Shadows on Beaches Policy come into effect.

The blueprint the city is deliberating on, calls on developers to do shadow impact assessments, before construction starts. The rules restricting shadows are already in place in Umhlanga on the north coast. But the city says the rules should be applied throughout its jurisdiction.

The Pearls Hotel in Umhlanga sparked controversy when it emerged that the sky-scraper would cast shadows on the beach. The beachfront is the city's major tourist attraction. But officials say if shadows from tall buildings are not controlled, visitors might stay away, particularly in winter.

South African Property Owners Association supports the planned new policy. But it says the policy is vague in some areas. Once it kicks in, the policy would have more impact on underdeveloped areas, near the beach. The policy does not affect existing buildings.