Among the plans, which collectively total over R31m, are:

* A R1m plan for internal alterations at Pick 'n Pay in Vincent Park shopping centre as a result of flood damage;

* An R859000 Airhart aircraft hangar at the airport; and

* A new R772000 used-car showroom for Whytes Auto in Nahoon.

Other plans included new dwellings, additions and alterations in Berlin, Beacon Bay, Amalinda, Southernwood, Gonubie, Cambridge and Mdantsane, and 46 houses in a low-cost development in Berlin.

The 249 plans approved in November represent a considerable increase over those of November 2001, when the municipality approved 134 plans worth a total of R18,4m.

According to the report, 2596 plans worth R324,625m were approved between January and November last year compared with 1765 plans worth R340,5m approved for the same period in 2001.

The report said of the 249 plans approved in November, 49 plans worth a total of R5,2m were from Mdantsane alone.

Between January and November, 336 Mdantsane plans worth R30,6m were approved . -- DDR

Daily Dispatch