THE ox wagon has been replaced by the motor car, the carrier pigeon by the internet and the outdoor kazi by internal waterborne toilet. The world has changed for better or worse, with progress at huge cost to the rain forests, ozone layer, the extinction of many types of wild life and sadly some old buildings.
The interiors of old buildings have been modernised to the point where they are no longer old buildings and all that remains is a face. If I had the outward appearance of a gentleman, but in reality I was a thug, I would be called a fake.
Beause of the objection of a faceless person, the owners of property in Drakenstein Road, with no architectural or historic merit, had to wait almost two years for a demolition certificate.
Legal costs and increased building costs in excess of half a million rand are for their account. No-one cares as it is only “other people’s money”.
The heritage society’s “dog in the manger” attitude not only detracts from its higher goals, but also erodes its support base.
The business hub of Paarl has moved from Lady Grey street to the Mall, never to return. Urban decay has set into the area which excompasses Loop Street. The area needs to be re-energised and such rejuvenation should not be suppressed.
No reasonsably intelligent person would invest a huge amount of money in a single dwelling which he cannot inhabit safely or let profitably.
The thought of restoring the building in Loop Street to its former glory and using it as crèche or home for the needy is very noble indeed - a challenge for Don Quixote.
No-one has come forward with the millions needed to restore the building and the further contributions to run it as a charitable concern and I am prepared to bet that no-one will. Yet there are those who expect the current owner to pay up.
My (dwindling) admiration and sympathy to the heritage society. Their task is not an easy one, a task made more difficult if not impossible by the fact that age currently is the only criteria for preserving a building.
There must be other criteria such as architectural significance, history, location, and cost to others, as well as the economic and social needs of the community. Disputes must be transparent with the names of all involved on public record.
The buildings designated for preservation should be listed with reasons for the listing. This will enable the society to be proactive and prevent listed buildings from being neglected to the point where demolition becomes a health or safety necessity. It will also squash rumours of bias.
Sadly the house in Loop Street has deteriorated be- yond economic repair and the property on which it stands is too valuable for a single dwelling alone.
In my view an apartment block should be erected on the site, allowing people to live close to their work environment.
Effort should be made to save those buildings that can be saved.
A prime example is the old post office building and the old Paarl prison building which are sinking into terminal neglect while the heritage society sits back and waits for the problem to be taken care of by other people with money.
Far more will be gained by saving these buildings, rather than the Loop Street house - the big question is with whose money.
There is no problem that cannot be solved with a little common sense or a lot of other people’s money. Sadly both are in short supply.
I conclude with a prayer: Lord give us the strength to do what is possible, the courage to leave that which is not possible, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Lew Roberts
