Building plans to the value of R2.8 billion were approved by the City during the lockdown period, up until May 31.
This was announced by the City’s mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Marian Nieuwoudt.
She said the City had assessed and approved 2 225 building plans during this period, with plans
ranging from minor building work applications to larger developments. These projects will be able to start as regulations for the construction industry are eased.
“We are encouraged by the number of sound development applications we were able to facilitate and approve during the lockdown period. This will amount to hundreds of thousands of building contract staff who will immediately be able to start working once regulations allow. The construction industry as a whole will provide much needed job security at a time when it is needed the most,” said Ms Nieuwoudt.
Since the start of the lockdown in March up until 31 May 2020, the City has approved:
1 762 building plans comprising of less than 500m² each. The value of the imminent building work amounts to approximately R1.1 billion
463 minor work applications to the value of approximately R31 million
* 78 building plans comprising of more than 500m² each. The value of the imminent building work amounts to approximately R1.7 billion
In terms of Land Use applications, the City has created 1 321 and managed to finalise 881 applications.
The City Council did a review of the City’s Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT), which it adopted in 2015, and deals with the final decision making processes on certain planning applications.
Council has approved for the nine external MPT members’ term to be extended for another year and for the 16 authorised City officials to be appointed for another five years.
They’ve also approved technical advisors to the MPT which they described as invaluable support service to ensure the MPT functions effectively within the provisions of the applicable laws, procedures and council policies.
“The Municipal Planning Tribunal consists of highly experienced public and private sector planning professionals and we are very proud to have these technical advisors as responsible municipal planning remains the core of our approach to development,” said Ms Nieuwoudt.
“Over the past five years, the implementation of the MPBL (Municipal Planning By-law) and establishment of the MPT has allowed the City to consider all planning applications within a locally suited context and ultimately facilitates a more responsive development regulation in Cape Town,” she said.
