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
8 Commercial Handbook 2016 www. reimag. co. za