Cape Town - The Cape Town city council plans to amend two by-laws to make the city more film-friendly.
But some residents are not happy with proposals that would accord film companies more freedom to film in residential areas.
According to amendments to the Municipal Planning By-law that are to be considered by the council later this week, filming which only enjoys “occasional” land use rights on council property, will be given full land use rights.
The effect of filming on private property and surrounding land is to be regulated through amendments to the filming by-law, which was last amended in 2005.
These would include allowing filming on private property for five days a month, limited to 7am and 8pm on weekdays and 8am and 1pm on Saturdays.
Filming crews will have to be limited to 15 people, and not more than three vehicles may be parked on site.
But residents, who have objected to these amendments, said these proposals were already being flouted by film companies who received permission to film in residential areas - noise levels were high and street access was affected.
The council says the changes to its by-laws were necessitated by the booming film industry and its capacity to create jobs and stimulateeconomic growth in the city.
Over the past three years, the film industry has contributed R5 billion to the local economy and created more than 35 000 jobs.
In the first three months of this year, the city council issued 2 870 filming permits, netting income of R3.58 million.
The bulk of the permits were issued for micro-shoots (1 066), followed by commercials (846) and stills photography (769).
Fifty-one television series and 30 television films were also shot in the city between January and March. Cape Town was also the scene of 27 music videos and 11 feature films.
The Constantia Property Owners’ Association said: “These amendments will effectively result in residential neighbourhoods becoming commercial districts with far-reaching consequences for the Constantia Valley.”
One complainant said: “To have this huge inconvenience occurring five days a month is crazy and not acceptable.
“This effectively means that for two months out of every year we will be subjected to this.”
The complainant recommended filming be limited to only two days a month in residential areas, and not more than 10 days a year.
Another complainant said the filming amendments were not in the public interest and would only benefit the city and a few residential property owners: “Only direct neighbours will be allowed to comment, whereas the entire street will be impacted.”
In a report to the council, officials said further public participation would be arranged.
Cape Argus