GETTING STARTED
GETTING STARTED
Town Plannning
Town Planning and Enviromental Surveys Explained
BY JONATHAN S SMITH
In a previous edition of Real Estate Investor Magazine , we discussed the important process of compiling and submitting a zoning application in anticipation of a new or extended property development .
We mentioned that there are simultaneous processes that are followed ( such as the environmental impact study and the town-planning application ) and eluded to various other subordinate applications which are critical to these two main applications being approved .
These subordinate applications – the results of which feed into the main town planning and environmental applications – are instrumental in succeeding with a town-planning application for a new development or for the extension of an existing property .
The importance of obtaining the required development rights When a ( new ) development is completed in accordance with a new or an amended townplanning scheme , a fresh zoning certificate is issued for each ( new ) land portion ( erf ), indicating the zoning of each particular property portion . The
zoning certificate indicates the use zoning and any other conditions that are to be applied by the town planning scheme .
Town-planning schemes indicate ( in their associated diagram ) which parts of the scheme are to be used for which purpose . Although some erven ( land portions ) may be used for what is called consent-use rights – uses which are in addition to their designated primary use – land portions may only be used for their designated use rights and to the extent that building rights have been allocated to the erf . Thus , it is imperative for developers ( and investors who wish to redevelop or extend their properties ) ensure that the correct use and development rights have been obtained for their property in anticipation of their proposed construction . The following subordinate investigations and applications are necessary in support of your main town-planning application :
Applications to the various town-council departments When progressing a town-planning application through your relevant local authority , it is important
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