Provincial environment and planning authorities have given the go-ahead for Cape Town’s R2,5-billion 2010 soccer stadium to be built on the site of the golf course at Green Point.
However, they have set tough conditions to limit noise and light pollution, and reduce its visual impact.
The conditions are contained in a so-called ”record of decision” issued on Tuesday afternoon by the Western Cape department of environmental affairs and development planning, in response to an application by the City of Cape Town.
The department said the golf course site was preferable to building on the site of the existing dilapidated Green Point stadium because it would have less visual impact and would be less intrusive on a revitalised Green Point common.
The stadium will provide seating for 68 000 spectators during the 2010 World Cup, and not more than 55 000 after the event.
It will be designed to have three tiers of seating during the tournament. After the event, the upper tier will be removed and that space converted for ”multipurpose use”.
The department ruled that the stadium building, which together with a surrounding podium will cover about 10,6ha, should be no higher than 50m.
It said noise-mitigation measures had to be incorporated in the design, including a ”carefully designed” double-membrane roof.
Internal light sources should be shielded to reduce light spillage and pollution, and the building itself should be colour-coded to reduce visual impact.
The existing dilapidated Green Point stadium will be demolished and that site and the common surrounding it will be transformed into what the city calls a ”quality open space and sports complex” accommodating a range of sporting codes.
The city and province on Monday finalised a business plan for Cape Town’s preparations for the Cup.
The plan will form the basis for negotiating what portion of the R8,4-billion allocated for 2010 stadium construction nationally will go to Cape Town.
The cost of the stadium has been calculated by the city at R2,49-billion, excluding VAT.
The city has committed R400-million and the province R100-million, leaving a balance of R2-billion, which is being requested from National Treasury. — Sapa