Properties Older than 60 Years

Many properties in Parktown are over 60 years old.  These properties make up much of the charm of the suburb.  However, owners have a responsibility for the heritage of these homes. The Parktown & Westcliff Heritage Trust have graded the buildings in Parktown. Check the building_register to determine if your property is listed.

The Government has legislated that for any structure over 60 years old, no person may alter or demolish any structure or part of a structure without a permit issued by the relevant provincial heritage resources authority. In the case of Parktown that is the Provincial Heritage Resources Agency (Gauteng).  For more information of developing your old home see planning requirements.

The national body, South Africa Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) states on its website:

“Within three months of the refusal of the provincial heritage resources authority to issue a permit, consideration must be given to the protection of the place concerned, in terms of one of the formal designations provided for in the National Heritage Resources Act.  The site could be declared a national heritage site if, although forming part of the national estate, can be considered to have special qualities which make them significant within the context of a province or a region; or a local heritage site if it is worthy of conservation.

“The provincial heritage resources authority may, at its discretion, by notice in the Provincial Gazette, make an exemption from these requirements, as long as it is satisfied that the heritage resources have been identified and are adequately protected by having been declared a national, provincial or local heritage site.
“Should the provincial heritage resources authority believe it to be necessary, it may, following a three-month notice period published in the Provincial Gazette, withdraw or amend the notice which made an exemption from these requirements.”