Who decides
Open space matters for property in Alice and surrounding areas are dealt with by Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, in Eastern Cape. It forms part of the Amathole District, but the district municipality is not assumed to decide these applications.
| Municipality | Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality (local) |
|---|---|
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| District | Amathole |
Local requirements
This guide covers open space land in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality: zones for public and private open space, parks and conservation. The scheme uses its own zone names, which a zoning certificate confirms.
Areas covered by Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality include Alice. Neighbouring municipalities in the Amathole District, such as Amahlathi, Great Kei, Mbhashe, Mnquma, Ngqushwa, are separate planning authorities with their own by-laws and schemes, so the correct municipality must be confirmed from the property's location.
Applications are made under Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality's Municipal Planning By-law, read with SPLUMA (2013) and the applicable land use scheme. Decisions are taken by an authorised official or the Municipal Planning Tribunal, with appeals to the appeal authority. Fees, documents and timeframes are set by Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality and change from time to time, so they are confirmed for each matter.
What to check for your property
- The property's zoning as recorded by the municipality (zoning certificate or official map)
- The exact wording of the applicable land-use scheme for that zone
- Title deed conditions, which can be stricter than the zoning
- Overlay zones, heritage or environmental controls and servitudes
- Any previous approvals and conditions attached to the property
- Who owns the land and whether it is a public place
Professional fees, municipal application fees, advertising and specialist costs are quoted separately for each matter. Timeframes depend on completeness, objections, specialist work and municipal processing.
Questions
Which municipality handles open space in Alice?
Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in Eastern Cape is the planning authority for Alice. The exact property location should still be confirmed, as municipal boundaries do not always follow town names.
Does the Amathole District Municipality decide open space applications?
Not by default. Under SPLUMA, local municipalities such as Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality are their own planning authorities for most land-use applications.
What should I check before starting with open space in Alice?
Useful starting points are: The property's zoning as recorded by the municipality (zoning certificate or official map); The exact wording of the applicable land-use scheme for that zone; Title deed conditions, which can be stricter than the zoning. Title deed conditions, servitudes and previous approvals should also be checked.