GEORGE NEWS - Lauren Waring, director Human Settlements, Planning and Development, responded as follows to residents' concerns around the proposed Building Control by-law:
"The proposed Building Control by-law is aligned with the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977. It ensures that all information pertaining to building plan requirements are now collated into one document, making it easier for applicants to know exactly what is required and ensure they are adhering to all building and construction requirements.
"The municipality is aware of attempts by individuals to raise emotions regarding this by-law presumably for their own purposes. We are also aware that these individuals are encouraging the public not to adhere to the by-law, and thus disobey national legislation. However, many of the emotive criticisms actually confirm the need for this by-law.
ALSO READ: Municipal press release about the by-law
While a contravention may not be seen as important now, it may well cause the delay in the process of sale of a property when a prospective buyer demands approved building plans and some of the construction is not authorised and does not meet safety standards.
58 cases of illegal building work since January
"The majority of complaints received by the municipality is from neighbours and pertain to the contraventions which are now being portrayed by some as 'insane', such as braais, pool pumps and generator housings.
If any of these structures were to collapse or damage a neighbour's property, for example, then no doubt those very people who are now encouraging non-compliance with the legislation will be the very first ones expecting the municipality to act against the offending property owner.
"It is this lack of knowledge of what is required when a person wishes to undertake construction that leads to the high level of illegal building works in George.
The Building Control office has dealt with 58 cases concerning illegal building work since January 2023, most of which were as a result of complaints received. This by-law will strengthen the municipality's hand to act against property owners in contravention of National Building Regulations."
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