The City of Cape Town has given the green light to building plans worth nearly R8 billion in just three months – a clear sign that confidence in the Mother City remains strong.
Between July and September this year, a massive 4,733 building plans landed on the desks of the City’s Development Management Department. Of these, 4 136 got the thumbs up.
“The construction industry is the backbone of Cape Town’s economy,” said Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, who oversees spatial planning and environment. “It creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs, drives demand for goods and services, and shows us just how much appetite there is for investment in our city.”
Andrews said the latest figures prove that residents and investors believe in Cape Town’s future. Making it easier to buildThe City has spent three years streamlining its processes to make doing business easier.
Building plan assessments now take about 30 working days, while land use applications are completed within 90 days.
Money spent
The R7.8 billion approved between July and September was spread across the city:
– Table Bay district (including the CBD): 343 plans worth R2.01 billion
– Southern district: 746 plans worth R1.58 billion
– Blaauwberg: 539 plans worth R1.19 billion
– Tygerberg: 536 plans worth R794 million
– Northern district: 791 plans worth R738 million
– Helderberg: 412 plans worth R709 million
– Mitchells Plain/Khayelitsha: 572 plans worth R465 million
– Cape Flats: 197 plans worth R338 millionMost approved plans – 3,976 – cover areas smaller than 500m².
Only eight mega-developments larger than 10,000m² got approval.Land use applications on the riseThe City also received 2,047 land use applications during the quarter, with 380 of these for new developments in the Southern planning district.
Andrews reminded residents that they have rights when it comes to development applications. “When applications go beyond existing land rights, we must notify affected parties. Residents can oppose, object to, or comment on developments that might impact them.”
All City decisions can be appealed, ensuring everyone gets their say in Cape Town’s growth story
