Draft Western Cape Spatial Development Framework (WCSDF) 2035

Invitation for public comment: Draft Western Cape Spatial Development Framework  (WCSDF 2035)

In terms of Section 4(1) of the Western Cape Land Use Planning Act, 2014 (Act 3 of 2014) (LUPA), and section 15(1) of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013 (Act 16 of 2013) (SPLUMA), the Premier is required to compile a provincial spatial development framework for the Province. Members of the public are invited, in terms of regulation 6(2)(a) of the Western Cape Land Use Planning Regulations, 2015, and section 15(6)(b) of SPLUMA, to submit written comments or representations on the draft WCSDF. 

The draft WCSDF 2035 is the Western Cape Government’s primary spatial policy framework and seeks to promote an inclusive, spatially just and sustainable Province. It gives spatial expression to national and provincial development priorities and contains a spatial diagnosis of the Province, a long-term spatial development vision, spatial policy priorities, and an implementation arrangement aimed at: strengthening coordinated spatial development and investment, addressing opportunities and challenges that extend across municipal boundaries, and facilitating resilient regional development. These objectives are consistent with the spatial development principles set out in LUPA and SPLUMA. 

Compared with the 2014 Provincial Spatial Development Framework, the draft WCSDF 2035 places greater emphasis on strengthening the resilience of the Western Cape region and improving the coordination of spatial policy decisions that shape development.

You can find the electronic copy of the WCSDF here or hard copies of the draft WCSDF 2035 can be viewed at the following locations on weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00, by prior appointment. Please use the following template when you do provide comments.

You can also access the Provincial Gazette notice here.

Stakeholder engagements on the Draft WCSDF will be held from 16 – 27 November 2026, at:

Please register for the stakeholder session before the event date.

PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE STAKEHOLDER SESSIONS HERE

While the draft WCSDF 2035 neither confer or remove development rights, nor replace municipal spatial development planning frameworks; it provides a spatial framework that will guide provincial plans, projects and programmes, and may inform future decisions relating to development, infrastructure, environmental management, and investment. It may, therefore, affect rights and interests relating to these matters.

Any person or organisation interested in, or affected by, the draft WCSDF 2035 may submit written comments or representations by 29 January 2027, by –

1. post to: 

   Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

   Attention: Mr Themba Mnisi

   Private Bag X9086 

   Cape Town 8000;

2. email to: 

   psdf@westerncape.gov.za; or

3. hand delivered to at all above mentioned offices and public libraries

Comments or representations received after the closing date may be disregarded.

All further enquiries may be directed to Mr Themba Mnisi at 021 483 4796 on weekdays between 07:30 and 16:00 or via email to psdf@westerncape.gov.za.