The Plan Specialist

26/03/2026

blimey, who knew US / Israel / middle east conflict could come up so quickly and have such an impact all over the world. Fuel price is a worry - I can actually remember the 1973 embargo, solutions at the time where, a don't drive, and b, don't fill up your tank, because the extra weight means you use more petrol.
Personally I have filled up the car and replaced my empty gas bottles before an increase hits next wednesday, but
be aware of what a big fuel price increase can do to building cost. Obviously most building materials are in bulk, heavy, and will require delivery to merchant and then to your site. This will kick in quickly, so budget for a contingency until this settles down.
best wishes, David

13/01/2026

Gotta love the CoCT planning department, a maids quarters is no longer a maids quarters or even a domestic quarters . it is now a " supplementary Dwelling unit "

29/12/2025

For anybody affected by current water outages in our area

12/12/2025

The Plan Specialist team will be taking a break after what seems to have been the busiest year ever.
Our thanks to all friends, family, neighbours, clients and colleagues for your support this year, and best wishes to you all, as well as to those we haven't met yet - 2026 I am sure will be another milestone year.
we will be back and ready for the new year from 8th Jan, but, in our position, the work never really stops so we will be monitoring e mails, and applications in progress from time to time over the holidays - if you need to grab our attention, e mail to [email protected] and we will do our best respond within a couple of days.
Happy Christmas from the team, David🎅 Laura 🤶& Matthew 🧑‍🎄

30/10/2025

After a typical mid year quiet period, work is definitely ramping up towards the year end ! October almost done now and resulted in 15 building plan approvals, and 18 new applications submitted. Typically we average about 120 building plan approvals a year, which is one every three days or so.
Wouldn't be possible to keep this up without the team, Laura and Matthew making this possible. We currently have about a 2 - 3 week lead time to starting the next new thing, so still some capacity for additional work to be done and submitted before we close.
We are genuinely local residential specialists limiting our work to the Milnerton to Melkbos areas, so we can maintain our service levels and stay efficient. Give us a call if we can help you !

01/10/2025

hi all - see attached link to a survey canvassing opinion as to whether we should have a Table View City Improvement District. Seems a good thing to me given the general degradation of our area recently, but whether you are for it or against it, please express your opinion. Thanks. David

Dear Community Member, We are embarking on an exciting initiative to enhance the quality of life in our community through the establishment of a City Improvement District (CID) for the greater table view area. This initiative aims to address key issues in urban management, including public safety, c...

29/05/2025

Link to revised CoCT rates calculator for existing vs new rates charges. My increase now 17% where before was 29%. Should I be pleased ?
If you want to check yours have a rates account handy for property valuation etc.

https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/rtcalc/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKk3mVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHt4ZGwLRQICn8mHHCeFUgFjYYP8n4JvHCyVqD98qAvt6bkucdqIwRX_geZL0_aem_BvM1ahVo-0U9XV2pZAQL_Q

The rates and tariffs calculator estimates monthly rates and tariffs based on numerous factors, including property size, water consumption, electricity consumption and refuse collection.

19/05/2025

Make sure you update your e mail and
Cellphone numbers on city records. If these are not up to date, the plans system does not allow submission of plans until updated !

24/10/2024

IF YOU HAD A FIRE AT YOUR HOME AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT PAY OUT, YOU WOULD BE DEVASTATED - RIGHT ?

I have been saying this to clients for ever, but again, it is vital that all structures on your plot are on plans and approved by the local authority.
This from my buildings outsurance policy received this morning :

"A general exclusion, "Construction approved", was added under the “What is not covered under your policy” section. This policy does not cover legal liability, loss or damage directly or indirectly
caused by or contributed to by defects in the design or construction of your property, or where the structure of your property would not have been approved by the relevant local authority at the time of construction. "

If you have work built for which plans are not approved, you could give the insurance company a reason not to pay !!!!

So for instance, if you built a braai / patio roof, without plan approval, and the braai sets the patio roof on fire, and this burns your house down - you could be in for a life changing disappointment !!!!!

If a fire at your house affects an adjacent property, this could be much worse.

The amount of work we get for approval of as built structures that were never included on plans constantly surprises me, the result of just winging a braai or a shed, and finding that as built, this does not meet the regulations, is a very real risk.

Have plans approved before you build ANYTHING

07/10/2024

Simple flat panel on our roof connected to existing geyser, heats water up to well in excess of thermostat temp during the day. It does lose a bit of heat in the cylinder overnight, but still above thermostat temperature in the morning so although electric to geyser is on a timer for shower hour in the morning, it doesn't actually use electric because still above thermostat temp. Win win.
Nb. Fitting an alternative method of heating water is actually a requirement now for any new work that requires any new or additional hot water supply