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Building guidelines

New buildings and alterations

MCVA, on behalf of Owners, seeks to ensure that development meets the aspirations of the community, particularly with regard to preservation of the natural and built environment and of the "sense of place" that is presently enjoyed. The MCVA works closely with the Local Authority in this regard, and the Local Authority requires the MCVA to comment before it will approve any Plans for new buildings or extensions or alterations.

The MCVA has engaged a qualified Architect to scrutinise all Building Plans, including sketch plans and rider plans and to advise on compliance with the Scarborough and Misty Cliffs Special Area Building Guidelines and Regulations, which have been drafted together with the Local Authority. The Association has an Environmental Conservation Officer who monitors all aspects of environmental management in Misty Cliffs including the conduct of contractors during building operations. These professionals are there to assist Owners in any way they can.

The procedure to be followed in any building project:

  1. The Owner's Architect is invited to submit sketch plans to the MCVA Architect who will advise whether there are likely to be conflicts with the Guidelines.
  2. When the Owner's Architect has completed Final Plans:
    • five sets are to be submitted to the MCVA Architect for formal scrutiny; and
    • the Association's Building Agreement is to be signed by Owner and MCVA; and
    • the Initial Portion of the Deposit is to be paid to MCVA (presently R2,500 but reduced in the case of extensions and minor building works).
  3. The MCVA Architect will make recommendations at the Association's next monthly meeting.
    • If the Plans are supported by the MCVA they are stamped accordingly.
    • If they are not supported, the MCVA Architect will advise the Owner's architect and jointly steps will be discussed to address the MCVA's concerns.
  4. Stamped Plans are submitted to the Local Authority which has agreed not to consider Plans that do not incorporate the MCVA's stamp of support.
  5. Seven days prior to commencement of building operations, the Owner or the Owner's Architect is required to inform the Environmental Conservation Officer who the main contractor is, with contact details, and to pay the remainder of the deposit provided for in the Building Agreement.
  6. The MCVA's Environmental Conservation Officer will monitor building operations and bring any concerns to the Owner's attention or to that of the Architect or Contractor(s) as appropriate. In extreme circumstances the ECO may request attention to some concerns in writing.
  7. When building operations are complete and Contractors have left the site the Environmental Conservation Officer will conduct a formal inspection of the site and surrounding area, together with the MCVA Architect if necessary, and advise the MCVA at its next monthly meeting whether the repayable portion of the building deposit can be returned and, if not, what remedial action is required. The MCVA will advise the Owner in writing of its decision

Note that the plans will not be scrutinised by the MCVA until such time as the initial portion of the deposit has been paid and the Building Agreement has been signed by the owner and received by the MCVA.

The Scarborough and Misty Cliffs development guidelines are available for download in the MCVA document archive.