From Delay to Delivery: Working together on faster plan approvals

Delays in the approval of building plans remain one of the most pressing challenges facing the construction sector in KwaZulu-Natal and across the country. Industry stakeholders have voiced growing concerns about how prolonged turnaround times in municipal planning departments are stalling projects, increasing costs and undermining investor confidence.

Building plans play an integral and fundamental role in the construction lifecycle. The plan is a blueprint that translates vision into reality. It defines what must be done, how it must be done and sets the standards by which quality and safety are measured. It reduces uncertainty, prevents costly mistakes and ensures that all role-players on a project are on the same page by serving as the common language that aligns everyone’s efforts. It is therefore a blueprint to ensure that all project participants are in tune, allowing them to sing from the same hymn sheet.

In terms of the latest statistical release by Stats SA entitled “Selected building statistics of the private sector as reported by local government institutions (Preliminary)”, dated June 2025, the value of building plans has decreased during the first half of 2025 when compared to the first half of 2024 across the following comparisons overall:

- Building plans passed by larger municipalities at current prices by type of building.
- Building plans passed by larger municipalities at current prices by province.
- Building plans passed at constant 2019 prices.

Beyond safety and compliance, a building plan is an economic trigger and every time a plan is approved, its sets a whole value chain into motion:

- Architects begin design execution.
- Contractors and subcontractors mobilise on site.
- Suppliers receive material orders and deliver materials to site.
- Workers and artisans gain employment.
- The Community benefit from new infrastructure, housing or commercial activities. 

Therefore, delays in plan approvals do not just slow down projects – they stall jobs, investment confidence and growth in towns and cities while also impacting potential revenue collection by the municipalities. One could go further on this basis and state that plan approval is a matter of public interest and not just industry interest.

To address this issue directly, the Association recently hosted a series of workshops across four regions – Durban, Zululand, South Coast and Pietermaritzburg. Each session featured presentations from municipal planning approval departments in the various areas, which consisted of eThekwini, uMhlathuze, Msunduzi and Ray Nkonyeni Municipalities with some municipalities also including contributions from their Building Control Officers. These engagements created an important platform for open dialogue between the private sector and municipal authorities and was well attended overall.

Key Issues Highlighted

The Way Forward

The workshops underscored the importance of collaborative problem-solving between municipalities and the private sector. While municipalities highlighted resource constraints and regulatory requirements, industry representatives emphasized the need for clear timelines, transparent communication and consistent application of legislation. The municipalities in all areas were accommodating and supportive of measures to improve the overall planning approval process. 

Proposals included:

Conclusion

Plan approval delays are not unique to KwaZulu-Natal, but their impact on our provincial construction industry is particularly acute given current economic pressures. The workshops provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen dialogue and lay the groundwork for collaborative solutions. As the Association, we will continue to advocate for efficient, predictable and transparent plan approval systems – systems that support sustainable growth, create jobs and unlock much-needed development across the province.