Land Use Applications

CapeNature is the statutory custodian of biodiversity in the Western Cape as per section 9 of the Western Cape Biodiversity Act (Act 6 of 2021). CapeNature’s role in land-use applications is to provide official comment to Competent Authorities on biodiversity related constraints on development in terms of the principles of ecological sustainability indicated in the Western Cape Biodiversity Act (Act 6 of 2021) (WCBA).

In addition to biodiversity-related constraints, CapeNature comments on the consistency of spatial development frameworks and applications for environmental, water, agricultural and mining authorisations with the objectives of the Biodiversity Spatial Plan (BSP) as contemplated in section 34 of the WCBA.

Land-Use applications refer to applications related to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), NWA (National Water Act), the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA), the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land Act (PDALA), and relevant municipal by-law applications.

Guidelines for land-use applications to be considered in the planning and submission of applications to CapeNature, alongside the legislative requirements are indicated in documentation under supporting information below.

Land-Use Planning, Development applications, Environmental Management Frameworks, policies, and legislation for review can be directed to the following CapeNature officials according to local municipal area and as illustrated in the map below.