Cape Town approves R7.8 billion in building plans in first quarter

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14-11-2025
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NovaNews
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Cape Town’s construction industry is experiencing a significant surge, with the City approving building plans worth R7.8 billion in just the first three months of the current financial year, signalling strong investor confidence in the metro’s economic prospects.

Between 1 July and 30 September, an impressive 4,733 building plans were submitted to the City’s Development Management Department, with 4,136 receiving approval – representing an approval rate of over 87%.

“The construction industry is pivotal to Cape Town’s local economy,” said Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews. “It is a massive source of direct and indirect job opportunities, fuels the demand for goods and services associated with the industry, and is an important indicator of investment appetite.”

The approved developments span across Cape Town’s eight planning districts, with the Southern district leading the charge with 746 approved plans valued at R1.58 billion. The Table Bay district, which includes the Central Business District, secured the second-highest value with 343 approved plans worth R2.01 billion.

Other notable districts include:

• Blaauwberg: 539 plans approved (R1.19 billion)
• Northern: 791 plans approved (R738 million)
• Tygerberg: 536 plans approved (R794 million)
• Helderberg: 412 plans approved (R709 million)
• Mitchells Plain/Khayelitsha: 572 plans approved (R465 million)
• Cape Flats: 197 plans approved (R338 million)

The majority of approved developments – 3,976 plans – cover areas smaller than 500 square meters, indicating significant activity in residential and small commercial development. However, 152 larger developments exceeding 500 square meters and eight major projects larger than 10,000 square meters also received approval.

Andrews attributed the strong performance to the City’s three-year effort to streamline development processes and make it easier to do business with the municipality.

“These efforts are aimed at ensuring building plans and development applications can be submitted with ease, and to keep the turnaround time for assessments to about 30 working days for building plans, and 90 days for land use applications,” he explained.

The City also processed 2,047 land use applications during the quarter, with the Southern planning district again leading with 380 new development applications.

While celebrating the construction boom, city officials emphasized their commitment to transparent and inclusive planning processes. All development applications are assessed according to the Municipal Planning By-law, the City’s Development Management Scheme, and National Building Regulations.

“The City is compelled by law to notify interested and affected parties of applications that may have an impact on adjacent property owners and residents,” Andrews noted. “These interested and affected parties have the right to oppose, object to, and comment on development applications.”

The approval process may take longer when submissions face objections, but Andrews stressed that all residents, developers, and landowners retain the right to appeal final decisions, ensuring a balanced approach to urban development.

The robust building plan approval figures serve as a strong indicator of economic confidence in Cape Town’s future. Andrews concluded: “Our latest statistics indicate that residents and investors have confidence in Cape Town’s future, and that property owners are eager to invest in improving or expanding existing assets, or developing new properties.”

This construction activity not only promises job creation and economic stimulation but also suggests continued growth and development across Cape Town’s diverse districts in the months ahead.