The City of Cape Town has proposed moving the ragtag flea market from the Green Point stadium parking area to the common - drawing a mixed reaction from ratepayer bodies.
John Ford, of the Green Point Sea Point Fresnaye Bantry Bay Ratepayers' Association, said he was opposed to the move as it could prove to be the thin edge of the wedge of commercialisation of the common.
"The title deeds are specific. It is essential we keep the green lungs of a city for people to play in," Ford said.
But Jack Levin, chairman of the Mouille Point Ratepayers' Association, said he was "very happy" to have the flea market move on to the common. He did not believe this was in conflict with the title deeds as the flea market was a form of recreation.
Having a "management vehicle" would mean the flea market would be properly managed.
The proposal had been halted while council sought legal opinion on whether the plan was in conflict with the common's title deeds, said ward councillor J P Smith.
He said the flea market was "rampant with crime".
"Also, the council gets only R18 000 a month from the market, while a few leaseholders get R150 000 a month," Smith said.
The council has budgeted R4,5-million to tar several soccer fields, build a road through this section of the common and erect permanent buildings for a new management for the flea market.
The flea market would take over the Cape Technikon Salesians Green Point Football Club fields. It would also affect the Argus/Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour, which has its finish on the common.
Andy Johnston, chairman of the soccer club, said yesterday: "We've told the council the common must remain common. A flea market is a commercial operation. We're staying put until our lease expires in 2011 - so they can go fly a kite."
The club would agree to move if the council gave it another section of the common with a clubhouse and 25-year lease.
Ken Sturgeon, of Events Management Trust, which runs the Argus/Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour, said it had taken organisers four years to work out the best finish for the race. They would have to redesign the finish if the council carried out its proposal for the flea market.
"Why has there been no public process about this and why is the council not looking at other sites for the flea market?"
Smith said the city was negotiating with the cycle tour and soccer club.