Don't build illegally, Cape Town warns

Illegally-built buildings face possible demolition, Cape Town has warned.

It should not be assumed the council would simply approve such buildings after being built, Cape Town's communications department said in a statement.

Its warning comes after the city's spatial planning, environment and land use management committee turned down an application by the owners of the Rondebosch Medical Centre to rezone the erf on which it is built in order to "legalise" parts of the building.

"The owners of the medical centre submitted building plans to the city in 2006 to alter the building... in such a way as to utilise it as a hospital. These plans were approved. However, the owners proceeded to construct additions for which there were no approved plans."

The committee decided the application to have the property rezoned be refused. The owners have the right to appeal.

The city would launch a "full-scale investigation" into how the owners managed to continue with their plans.

"Owners who build illegally cannot simply assume that council will approve their illegally-built building afterwards and will face the consequence of possible demolition," the city said.

Sapa

Posted at 09:10AM Mar 09, 2010 by Editor in Residential  |  Comments[3]