National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) exemption areas
In 2023, the City and Heritage Western Cape (HWC) concluded an investigation to exempt demarcated areas in certain development focus areas (DFAs) and part of the Voortrekker Road Corridor from the requirements of Sections 34 and 38 of the National Heritage Resource Act (Act 25 of 1999). These areas have now been approved and promulgated as NHRA Exemption Areas.
About
A focus of the City’s integrated
District Spatial Development Frameworks and Environmental Management Framework (DSDF-EMF, 2023) Implementation Plan, is to investigate mechanisms to incentivise development and/or streamline the development application processes in spatially targeted areas, i.e. Development Focus Areas and Urban Support Focus Areas (DFAs and USFAs, respectively).
In terms of Section 34 and Section 38 of the NHRA:
- Any person who wants to alter or demolish a structure older than 60 years must apply to HWC for a permit (Section 34) to do so.
- Any person planning to develop a property or properties that trigger a Heritage Impact Assessment process (Section 38) must complete a notification of intent to develop, and depending on the outcome of the notification, may be required to undertake relevant heritage specialist studies to assess potential negative impacts on heritage.
The NHRA also makes provision for exemptions from the requirements of Section 34 and 38 within a defined geographical area known as NHRA Exemption Areas or Heritage Exemption Areas. Once approved, no further heritage permissions in terms of S34 and S38 are required in the defined geographical area(s) following the publication of a notice in the Provincial Gazette.
Demarcated areas in certain development focus areas (DFAs) and part of the Voortrekker Road Corridor have now been gazetted as Heritage Exemption Areas.
The areas exempt from the requirements of Sections 34 and 38 of the National Heritage Resource Act (Act 25 of 1999) include defined areas in the following DFAs:
- Airport Industrial
- Atlantis
- Flamingo
- Kuils River
- Mitchells Plain CBD
- Ottery/Lansdowne
- Voortrekker Rd Corridor (Goodwood/Parow) including De Grendel DFA
This is in addition to Parow Station Precinct, which
was exempt from the requirements of Section 34 and 38 in 2021 and 2023 respectively.
Download the Gazette Notices.
The exemption from Sections 34 and 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) allows owners of properties in these development focus areas to alter, improve or demolish buildings that are older than 60 years and undertake development that may impact the character of an area, such as consolidation or rezoning applications, without obtaining prior approval from
Heritage Western Cape.
All building plans and land use applications submitted for development in these heritage exemption areas will now be processed through the City’s
Development Application Management System (DAMS).
protecting our heritage
The NHRA provides general protection for all buildings older than 60 years. A permit from Heritage Western Cape is required for any alteration to a heritage building.
Conservation worthy heritage buildings and places that fall within the exemption areas will be placed on the Heritage Register and formally protected by the NHRA. These properties will be managed through the Heritage Protection Overlay Zoning (HPOZ), and City heritage approval would be required for any building works or alterations.
Read or download the
Heritage Exemption Areas Pamphlet for more information.
What are the benefits of Heritage Exemption Areas?
By reducing red tape in heritage exemption areas, property owners and developers:
- only need to submit one application, namely to the City for assessment and approval
- no longer need to apply for a permit from Heritage Western Cape
- do not need to pay additional fees to Heritage Western Cape for a permit
- will save money and time
- will have certainty that there will be no potential heritage restrictions in terms of the 60-year clause
Other benefits of NHRA Exemption Areas include:
- a reduction in unnecessary regulatory processes
- faster development approval times and reduction in cost will improve financial viability of development in the designated area
- more interest from investors, which increases the likelihood of the development of affordable housing opportunities
- regulatory reforms that encourage appropriate urban development, which will stimulate the construction industry and provide much needed jobs
Please note
NHRA processes remain applicable for exemptions not applicable to Section 27 heritage resources located in a S34 and/or S38 NHRA Exemption Areas.
Does my property fall into a Heritage Exemption Area?
To check if your property falls into one of the Heritage Exemption Areas, go to
City Map Viewer and follow the guidelines in the navigation guide for detailed instructions.
View or download the
NHRA Quick Navigation Guide.
Would you like to print this page?
print 