Swakop residents concerned over construction work at beach

Swakopmund residents have raised concerns over construction work on the beach next to the Platz am Meer development, raising concerns over the impact on the environment.

Ministry of Environment and Tourism spokesperson Vilho Angula has not disclosed whether the project’s environmental impact assessment has received the greenlight.

Emails seen by The Namibian, sent between December 2025 and January, show that residents repeatedly raised concerns with authorities about building activities on the seashore at erf 68.

In a letter dated December 2025, residents alleged that building material was being pushed towards the ocean and that the natural beach profile was being altered.

“Over the past weeks, the construction team working at the waterfront has been pushing building waste and rubble directly into the sea,” they wrote. The residents warned of risks to residents and marine life.

In January, residents asked whether an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) had been issued for works on the seashore.

According to Namibia’s Environmental Management Act of 2007, certain listed activities may not begin without environmental clearance from the environment commissioner. Residents have also asked the ministry to confirm whether clearance was granted and whether inspections had been carried out to ensure compliance with environmental conditions.

By the time of publication, the ministry had not responded to questions.

The Swakopmund Municipality last week confirmed that final building plan approval for erf 68 was granted on 20 August 2025, with civil works approved in 2024.

Municipal spokesperson Linda Mupupa said the erf is zoned for ‘general business’, allowing apartments and hotel use.

The approved building height is 12.6m, measured from street level.

“According to the approved plans, the building is for apartments. An ECC is required for a tourist establishment under the legislation.” she said.

Mupupa said if the developer later changes the use to a hotel, “an ECC would be required”.

The municipality also confirmed that it had authorised the placement of rock ballast along the beach to protect against sea erosion.

The dispute centres on whether coastal construction works at erf 68 are proceeding lawfully without the required environmental oversight, and with apparent contradictions between municipal approvals and environmental law.

Residents argue that activities on the shoreline, including the placement of rubble, ballast and infill material into the inter-tidal zone, constitute listed coastal alteration works that require prior environmental clearance from the environment commissioner.

While the municipality has confirmed building plans and erosion-protection measures were approved, the ministry has not confirmed whether an ECC was issued specifically for shoreline works.

In an email dated 11 December 2025, Clarence McClune, the general manager of engineering at the municipality, responded to complaints after a site inspection.

“Work is progressing according to what was arranged,” he wrote. McClune explained that the contractors placed “a strip of rock ballast” and excavated “sea sand with pebbles”, which was placed onto the ballast.

He said the sea had been scouring away the finer material, leaving behind a smaller ballast. McClune said gypsum material was being used to fill excavations and that only natural material was allowed to be taken by the sea.

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