Survey puts heritage at new level
2010-03-11
HISTORY has been made with a local heritage survey that has been completed by the Drakenstein Landscape Group commissioned by the Drakenstein Municipality to look at buildings and developed zones older than 60 years. Drakenstein Municipality is the first municipality in South Africa which has conducted such a survey to streamline and speed up future development in the municipal area. Last week the draft survey was presented to members of the mayoral committee. After Council’s approval, this survey will follow a public participation process after which it will be handed to Western Cape Heritage for approval. “Once this survey is approved by Western Cape Heritage, it will be the end of administrative problems. There will then be effective decision-making in the process of planning and development applications affecting heritage resources older than 60 years,” said Graham Jacobs of the Drakenstein Landscape Group. “It will be a fundamental step when Drakenstein will be given the authority to approve or reject demolitions and alterations to structures formally classified as Grade 3 sites,” he said. “The public has to see this survey as a tool to facilitate and not to prevent development. This will help the municipality to manage and to prioritise developments,” he said. To complete the survey, a second round of public participation, in the form of open house meetings, will also be held.
More
News
|
