THE house at the corner of Loop and Derksen Street in Paarl is a disgrace.
This fine 19th century residential property was bought by the present insensitive owners many years ago, to be demolished and replaced by a high rise apartment block.
The owners were fully aware of the historical significance of the building, which limits use of the property to repairs and restoration and not to demolition.
Thus the owners have deliberately let the building go to ruin over the years, waiting for the public to demand demolition.
This is now happening.
Let us not play into the owners’ hands by demanding demolition and thus losing another Paarl landmark.
Surely the Municipality must now insist on repairs and renovations from the owners, if not to its former glory, at least to some semblance of respectability.
John Phillips
