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Heritage Application Process
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Heritage Application Owners Undertaking
What Residents Need to Know
Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng / PHRAG
If you’ve landed on this page, it’s probably because you’re planning work on your home and someone has mentioned “heritage approval” or “PHRAG”.
Don’t panic. It sounds more dramatic than it usually is.
Download the full CRA Heritage Application Process document here
HERITAGE APPLICATION DETAILS
In South Africa, any structure older than 60 years is automatically protected under the National Heritage Resources Act.
That means:
- If your home, office, or building is older than 60 years
- And you want to alter, extend, partially demolish, or demolish it
- You must first get approval from the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority – Gauteng, known as PHRAG
This approval must be granted before you submit building plans to the City of Johannesburg.
It applies to both internal and external alterations.
Most of Johannesburg’s older suburbs, including Craighall, Craighall Park and parts of Dunkeld West, were developed before 1960. So in many cases, heritage approval is required simply because of the age of the structure, not because your house is a “museum piece”.
The intention is not to stop development.
The purpose is to:
- Protect important buildings
- Protect the overall character of established suburbs
- Protect mature trees and streetscapes
- Ensure changes are done properly and lawfully
In garden suburbs like ours, the value lies in the collective feel, tree canopy, scale and liveability, not just individual buildings.
The CraigPark Residents’ Association does not approve or refuse heritage applications. We are not a statutory authority.
PHRAG is the decision-maker.
Our role is to provide community-level comment to PHRAG for properties within the CRA’s constitutional area. We focus on:
- Streetscape context
- Mature trees and verges
- Construction impact on neighbours
- Lawful sequencing of approvals
If everything is in order, the CRA may issue a support or “No Objection” letter for submission to PHRAG.
If there are concerns about significant impact, the matter may be referred to the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation for specialist input.
In most cases, your architect should handle the heritage process for you.
However:
- You are responsible as the property owner
- No work may begin until PHRAG approval is granted
- Unauthorised demolition or construction can result in serious delays and enforcement action
It is far better to do it properly upfront than to try fix a problem halfway through construction.
The CRA may only review applications within its defined constitutional area, which includes:
- Craighall
- Craighall Park
- Incorporated parts of Dunkeld West
If your property falls outside this area, even if it carries a similar ERF number, we cannot review it.
- Confirm when your house was built.
- Speak to your architect about whether Section 34 approval under the National Heritage Resources Act is required.
- Ensure your PHRAG application is prepared in full.
- Submit the complete pack to the CRA for community review, together with the applicable fee.
Allow a minimum of four weeks for CRA review once a complete submission and payment have been received.
The bottom line
Heritage approval is not about blocking sensible improvements.
It is about balance.
You have the right to develop your property.
Your neighbours have the right to peace, protection of trees, and a stable streetscape.
The process exists to keep that balance intact, and to protect the character and liveability that make our suburbs worth living in.
If you are unsure where to start, speak to your architect first. If you still need clarity, contact the CRA admin team at admin@cra.org.za.