Woodstock is a designated ‘Heritage Area’ – this means that the visual streetscape is seen as a cultural asset, and is protected by law. Anyone planning to renovate or build on their property is strongly recommended to contact the Woodstock Aesthetics Advisory Body for advice.

The committee meets every first Monday of the month at 2a Devonshire Road at 19h00. If you want to attend the meeting regarding building/renovation plans, please contact the WAAB chairman, Ernest Ford. Contact details: e-mail [email protected] or phone Ernest Ford on 072 7224404.
The Aesthetics Committee can also be contacted regarding any concerns you may have regarding actual or proposed building activity in the area.

Certain sections of the Woodstock area were declared an architectural heritage area a number of years ago. All buildings over 60 years old are covered by national legislation with regards to building renovations and maintenance of the character as part of our South African cultural heritage. The Aesthetic Advisory Body, has been set up as a result of the concern of residents that the heritage and architectural character of Woodstock should be maintained, and with it our property values.

We are working with the Heritage section of the City of Cape Town Planning Department to ensure that building renovations, particularly those to street facades, should be sympathetic to the architectural style and history of the area. We will have input to Council regarding controversial building plans submitted and will seek to notify Council if we are concerned about building works that seem to be proceeding without approved plans or contrary to the style of the area.

Woodstock/Salt River: Guide to Building & Repairs

The Woodstock community have expressed a desire to maintain the architectural heritage of the area. Concern has been expressed that this is being threatened through lack of building maintenance, inappropriate renovations and new construction, and the intrusion of commercial buildings into the residential neighbourhood. These guidelines have been developed to help owners maintain affordable housing, assist residents increase the value of their homes and maintain the quality of public spaces. It aims to encourage the protection and sympathetic development of Woodstock and Salt River, fully recognising that repairs, renovations and new constructions will and should occur in the area, but that these should enhance the area’s special qualities.

Download Guide-to-Building-and-Repairs.pdf (6.1 MB)

Heritage Brochures from the City of Cape Town

Heritage resources
“Heritage resources” is a broad concept and can include many traditional and cultural resources inherited and valued by society. Heritage resources may have survived by accident, through neglect, or by having been nurtured by previous generations. The notion of curatorship is central to the conservation of heritage resources in order for one generation to pass down what they value to the next. Heritage resources may include language, traditions, oral histories, natural environments, historical uses and physical objects and places which have values attached. Individuals and communities value these resources as part of our collective heritage and for this reason, the need for conservation and protection is important.
Download Heritage Brochure – introduction (2.4MB)

Heritage areas
Where are the declared heritage areas?
Woodstock has a number: Chapel Street, Cavendish Square, Queens Road, Regent Street, Roodebloem Road, Chester/Coronation Street, Albert Road, and Victoria Road.
Other declared Heritage Areas are in Salt River, Observatory, Rondebosch, Mowbray-Rosebank, Wynberg Village, Muizenberg, Muizenberg – St James – Kalk Bay, Simon’s Town, Glen Beach Clifton and Bakoven Bungalows. Areas in Bo-Kaap, Lower Rosebank, parts of Wynberg and Langa have been identified as future Heritage (conservation) Areas yet to be declared. Areas in Claremont, Harfield Village and Newlands Village have been identified as “Special Areas” due to their heritage value. The City of Cape Town has developed guidelines for development within these special areas.

Cultural landscapes and historic vegetation
This Heritage Advice pamphlet introduces you to the concept of cultural landscapes and explains the value of historic vegetation. Cultural landscapes and historic vegetation add value to environments by enhancing the character of the historic landscape and providing a sense of place. In particular, this pamphlet focuses on the contribution made by mature plants and historic vegetation in the creation of the unique historic character of the Cape Peninsula and environs, by illustrating a sense of the passage of time and historic value, invested in the unique, diverse and dramatic landscape that we live in. This pamphlet advises on the care that conservationists, homeowners and property developers need to take in order to protect and enhance the unique qualities created by historic patterns in the landscape.

Download Heritage brochure: cultural landscapes & historic vegetation (2.3MB)

Design guidelines
The aim of this brochure is twofold, firstly to outline a process for assessing and identifying design requirements for new developments within declared heritage areas and buildings, and secondly to provide specific design-related guidelines for new developments in proposed and declared heritage areas.
A Heritage Area, as defined in the National Heritage Resources Act, (No 25 of 1999), is a designated place of environmental or cultural interest, and is a combination of architectural, historic, aesthetic, scientific and social characteristics. Many parts of Cape Town are worthy of conservation and are declared Heritage Areas (Urban Conservation Areas).

If your property is situated in a declared Heritage Area, your building is older than 60 years or you believe it may have heritage value, it is advisable that you discuss your proposals in sketch form with your Local Planning and Environmental Office, and in particular with the Heritage Resources Section. They will advise you about any regulations that might impact on your proposed building work.

Download Heritage Brochure: design guidelines (2.23 MB)

Boundary enclosures (walls and fences)
Boundary enclosures like walls, fences, hedges or the sides of buildings are vitally important contributors to the character of the streetscapes in Heritage Areas. The dense urban qualities of areas like Woodstock or Kalk Bay, or the low garden walled green environment of the Gardens and Oranjezicht, are created by their respective boundary enclosure patterns. These patterns create memorable places and the character of these needs to be conserved. New boundary enclosures and alterations to boundary enclosures have a great impact on this character.

Download Heritage Brochure: boundary enclosures (1.70 MB)

Garages and carports
The special character of Heritage Areas is defined, amongst others, by the high quality of streetscapes. The nature of these streetscapes creates memorable experiences of certain areas of our City. The trees of Newlands Avenue, the front gardens of the houses in Oranjezicht or the dense urban character of the Old Wynberg Village are examples of such memorable streets and urban spaces. The increasing need for on-site parking and garages is rapidly changing the character of these streetscapes. With thought and care, these changes can retain and enhance the character of our streets.

Download Heritage Brochure Garages

Roofscapes
Roofscapes contribute greatly to the character of Heritage Areas and historic buildings. Changing the shape, form or materials of any roof needs to be done with care, so that the character of the individual buildings as well as the streetscape can be conserved.

New roofs, Partial roof additions, Dormer windows, gable windows and skylights, Roof materials and colour, Flat and low-pitched roofs, Roof decks and entertainment decks.

Download Heritage Brochure: roofscapes (1.9MB)

Security
The need for improved security can have a dramatic effect on the special character of Heritage Areas and historic buildings. In the past, high boundary walls and metal fences have been built around many of our City’s buildings and houses and burglar proofing measures have been introduced to doors, windows and verandahs.

Download Heritage Brochure: Security (2.1MB)

Guidelines to Signs in Urban Conservation Areas

Download Guidelines to signs in Urban Conservation Areas (8.1MB)