Overstrand Heritage & Aesthetics Committee is registered as an agent of Heritage Western Cape in the Overstrand. The Foundation comments on heritage applications to enable the relevant committees at Heritage Western Cape to make informed decisions on heritage matters, as well as registered with the Overstrand Municipality as an interested party and stakeholder, to comment on planning and development matters.

The Overstrand Heritage & Aesthetics Committee (OHAC) is registered with Heritage Western Cape as a conservation body in terms of section 25(1)(b) of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999).

In this capacity OHAC provides independent advisory comment on heritage-related applications

and development proposals within the Overstrand municipal area, contributing to the identification, conservation

and responsible management of heritage resources such as buildings, cultural landscapes,

historic areas and places of memory.

About us

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

To preserve the natural beauty of the Overstrand area and to protect the heritage of the towns and countryside by controlling and directing development in such a way as to harmonise with this natural beauty, thus offering an improved standard of living and quality of life for all its inhabitants in both architectural and social terms

To conserve and protect the existing historic and

'village' character of the Town Centres

To encourage and assist in the preservation of the Overstrand's existing architectural heritage and to support development aesthetically consistent with that heritage by establishing sound guidelines both for the maintenance and restoration

of older buildings and structures and for the

siting, design and construction of new buildings.

To act in an advisory capacity to the Overstrand Municipality

and to support and wherever possible assist local, regional and national government in the planning and promotion of measures consistent with The National Heritage Resources Act's

objectives and conversely, to oppose any measure, policy, activity or project inconsistent with them.

To promote conservation awareness by assisting in educating and informing the general public in furtherance of the above objectives.

To ensure that the future structures within the proposed conservation area of central Hermanus conform to criteria laid down by the committee in consultation with the Overstrand Municipality

To seek to be representative in membership of

the Overstrand demographics.

OHAC MEMBERS (JULY 2024- JUNE 2026)

Nicholas Clark

Land Surveyor (Chair)

Lize Fick

Architect (Vice chair)

Alex Edmayr

Architect

Andrew Finlayson

Architect

Andrew Greeff

Architect

Eward Grobler

Structural Engineer

Nicolette Lloyd

Snr Architectural Technologist

Hanri Pretorius

Candidate Architect

Hanna Rogers

Archaeologist

Neel Saayman

Architect

John Simson

Civil Engineer

Leon Smith

Architectural Technologist

Diann Swart

Snr Architectural Technologist

Sally Titlestad

Heritage Practitioner

Ian Paterson

Co-Opt Member (Hermanus Ratepayers)

WHEN TO MAKE AN APPLICATION

In terms of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999),

certain work on heritage resources requires approval from Heritage Western Cape (HWC)

An application to HWC is generally required when:

- A structure older than 60 years is proposed to be demolished, altered or added to;

- The property is declared a provincial or National Heritage Site;

- The development may affect archaeological resources, burial grounds or other protected heritage resources.

Properties located within a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone (HPOZ) are also subject to

additional heritage-related planning controls administered by the local municipality.

Applicants are encouraged to submit heritage-related proposals within the Overstrand municipal area to Overstrand Heritage & Aesthetics Committee (OHAC) for advisory comment prior to submission to Heritage Western Cape.

Where properties are located in Stanford, applicants are encouraged to also consult the Stanford Conservation Trust.

Early consultation can assist in identifying heritage issues and may help streamline the formal application process.

You can check whether a property falls within a heritage area or HPOZ using the Overstrand GIS system:

Useful Links > Overstrand GIS Maps > Accept Terms > Search > Property Search > Enter Erf number > Activate Layers > HPOZ/Heritage

Note that GIS layers are indicative only and do not replace formal confirmation from the relevant authorities.

Applicants remain responsible for investigating and motivating the heritage significance of a property as part of any heritage application.

OHAC COMMENT

Applicants are encouraged to submit heritage-related proposals to OHAC before formal submission to relevant authorities.

KNOW MORE

BUILDING CONTROL

Applicants are advised to engage early with the relevant municipal departments to identify any building plan, land use or HPOZ requirements before formal submission is made to HWC.

HWC

Applications to HWC must be submitted in accordance with HWC current requirements. From 5 Jan 2026, applications in terms of Sections 27, 28, 29, 31, 34 and 38 are submitted via SAHRIS:

www.sahris.org.za

know more

APPEAL PERIOD

All decisions by Heritage Western Cape are subject to an appeal period of 14 working days.

Where required, the applicant must notify interested and affected parties who have expressed a bona fide interest in the heritage aspects of the application.

BUILDING CONTROL

Separate municipal approval may still be required. Where NHRA approval applies, the relevant HWC record of decision and/or permit must accompany the final submission and municipal approval is not automatic on the strength of HWC approval alone.