HARARE – Following a spate of demolitions, illegal settlements and unauthorised housing development on wetlands, undesignated and private lands, The City of Harare and Chitungwiza municipality have come out advising its residents and ratepayers on processes to follow in acquiring and developing on pieces of land.
The City of Harare has advised residents that they need to get their housing developments plans approved before any development can take place.
“The four step Building Plan Approval Process is meant to ensure that structures are built in compliance with the set regulations.
Residents after having their building plans drawn by architects and draughtperson can then submit the plans to the District Office as they pay the fees while the District Office can then submit the plan to Department of Works at Cleveland,” the process alludes.
The plans are then discussed at one stop shop which meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some plans are submitted to ZESA and Fire Brigade depending on size and scope of the building for example boundary walls and commercial buildings for public safety.
“The plan has to be accompanied by proof of ownership (Title deed, Agreement of Sale, Allocation letter from Council or Goverment), and a certificate of compliance for new developments.
The applicant also must submit a filled-in TPD1 Form and Architect Form (commonly for low density and commercial buildings).
“Building approval fees will be required together with a general plan for the stand which is commonly referred to as site plan.
Plans that do not have any corrections to be made will be approved at the one stop shop and later signed by the Chief Building Inspector within a week.
Those that require corrections will need amendments from the architect planner or draughtsperson before it is taken back for approval”.
On the other hand, Chitungwiza Town Council issued a statement of concern following the continuous development of stands without due processes being followed.
This has resulted in demolitions of people’s buildings as they will be built without approval from the relevant authorities.
Before construction or development is undertaken, there should be an offer letter, signed lease agreement or valid proof of ownership and a valid service clearance certificate.
The authority requires an approved site plan, signed survey diagram by a registered surveyor or General plan.
They will also require an approved valid building plan, copy of peg form and copy of stage form which indicates inspected stages by Council.
The statement also urged people not to purchase properties without verification from council.