The George Heritage Trust has voiced its concern over the apparent contravention of the National Heritage Resources Act by the George municipality's town planning department as well as the developers involved, while a senior municipal official has admitted there was a "problem" which led to the demolition and alteration of protected buildings.
After a meeting last month, the heritage trust committee tabled their concerns to the town planning department regarding massive alterations to, or the demolition of, certain historic buildings between 60 and 100 years old in George, the latest being the property known as Lavender House in Market Street.
George Heritage Trust chairman Sue O'Reilly said the trust was aware the buildings were more than 60 years old and qualified for statutory protection.
George municipal town planner Marilize de Bruyn said because there were no guidelines, old buildings had been allowed to "slip through" the system and had been demolished.
Following the complaint by the George Heritage Trust to the municipality, several developers have been forced by the town planning department to stop in the middle of alterations pending permission from Heritage Western Cape to continue.
O'Reilly said violating the Heritage Act incurred a fine.
"However, if a case is referred to court it is at the discretion of the magistrate as to the amount of the fine. The fine is meant to be more of a deterrent," she said.
Former George mayor John Rogers, a property developer whose grandfather John Urban was credited with having had three buildings in George declared national monuments, has been involved with the heritage trust over properties in the past.
"I have had dealings with the heritage trust before and although the trust is well-meaning in having developments stopped due to non-compliance, they don't seem to realise that some old buildings are just beyond repair and the upkeep is very costly to the owner.
"The buildings then become a liability," said Rogers.
The Herald
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge
