Deadline for comments or objections: 11 November 2026
City reference: 20/01/3411/2026
Current zoning: Residential 1
Application: Consent for a place of instruction (Pilates instruction studio)

An application has been submitted to the City of Johannesburg to regularise the existing Pilates studio at 119 Buckingham Avenue, while retaining the property’s Residential 1 zoning.

CRA has reviewed the application and obtained clarification from the applicant’s town planners. CRA will not be submitting an objection. Residents remain entitled to submit their own comments or objections.

What is proposed?

The property accommodates a dwelling house and an established Pilates studio offering booked sessions and instructor training. The application seeks consent for this use, with a maximum studio floor area of 350 m².

The planners have confirmed that the floor area relates to the existing studio, with no enlargement or separate office use intended.

The proposed consent conditions include:

Operating hours of 05:30 to 18:30, Monday to Saturday.
The owner or manager of the studio residing on the property.
Retention of the property’s residential appearance.
Protection of the amenity of adjoining properties.
Approval of a site development plan, with access and parking to the City’s satisfaction.

The draft site plan shows 21 on-site parking spaces, comprising 19 for the studio and two for the residence. The layout and proposed conditions remain subject to the City’s assessment.

CRA’s review and the planner’s responses

Following our initial engagement in March, CRA asked for clarification on the scope of the application, operating hours, parking and outstanding approvals. The responses from VBH Town Planning, acting for the applicant, are summarised below.

Does the application involve an enlarged studio or a separate office use?

The planners confirmed that the proposed 350 m² limit relates to the existing studio and that no separate office use is intended. This clarifies the public notice’s reference to the existing house and office.

Why is an 18:30 closing time requested when the motivation refers to usual sessions ending at 17:00?

The planners explained that peak activity includes sessions at 08:00 and 17:00, with afternoon activity potentially continuing until 18:30. The requested operating window is therefore 05:30 to 18:30, Monday to Saturday. The response did not separately elaborate on the early start.

How will parking work during busy periods and between sessions?

The planners advise that arrivals and departures are managed around session times. The layout permits vehicles to park behind one another during busy periods, and the response describes on-street parking as unnecessary and discouraged.

They also acknowledge that comments from the Johannesburg Roads Agency may affect approval of the parking layout. The spaces shown on the draft plan should therefore not be taken as confirmation that the City has approved the parking arrangements.

What approvals remain outstanding, and how will neighbours be protected?

The planners advised that the most recent City-approved plan identified dates from 1999 and shows conversion of the dwelling house to offices. A site development plan and as-built building plans are intended to follow consent approval.

The application states that no amplified music is used. The proposed conditions address residential appearance and the amenity of adjoining properties, although a specific prohibition on amplified music is not expressly included. The planners confirmed that the City may amend or add conditions when deciding the application.

CRA’s position

CRA has agreed not to object, subject to the required municipal procedures being followed.

Our assessment takes account of the existing scale of the studio, its appointment-based operation, continued residential occupation and the proposed controls. The application seeks to bring the existing use through the formal approval process.

CRA has considered the application independently. VBH Town Planning represents the applicant in this matter.

The City remains responsible for deciding the application, assessing the parking arrangements and determining appropriate conditions. Our position does not replace the necessary site development and building-plan approvals.

Residents, particularly those living nearby, may have their own concerns about operating hours, vehicle movements or other effects. Residents remain entitled to submit their own comments or objections, whether or not they agree with CRA’s assessment.

How can residents participate?

Written comments or objections must be submitted on or before 11 November 2026 to all three addresses below:

City of Johannesburg: objectionsplanning@joburg.org.za
Applicant’s town planner: susie@vbhplan.com
Please copy townplanning@cra.org.za for our records. Sending a submission only to CRA does not lodge it with the City and applicant’s agent.

Suggested email subject: Comment or objection – Erf 272 Craighall Park, 119 Buckingham Avenue – Ref. 20/01/3411/2026

Include your full name, address and contact details, the application reference and your reasons. The notice requires objections to explain the right, interest or legitimate expectation being protected and to include an email address.

Keep proof of submission and request acknowledgement.

Further guidance is available on CRA’s town-planning page.