Sandton is the undisputed financial capital of South Africa and one of Johannesburg’s most dynamic development nodes. From the towering corporate headquarters along Alice Lane to the residential estates of Bryanston and the commercial corridors of Rivonia, this area generates a constant stream of development applications that require expert town planning guidance. Our team has extensive experience navigating the specific planning frameworks that govern the Sandton CBD and its surrounding suburbs.
The Sandton Development Node
The City of Johannesburg’s Spatial Development Framework identifies Sandton as a primary economic node, actively encouraging intensification and mixed-use development. The Sandton Urban Development Framework provides additional policy direction, promoting higher densities, transit-oriented development around the Gautrain station, and the consolidation of the CBD as a world-class business district. Understanding these policy documents is essential for any successful development application in the area.
The Johannesburg Town Planning Scheme governs the underlying land use rights for all properties in Sandton. Many sites still carry older zoning designations that do not reflect the area’s current development trajectory, creating significant opportunities for property owners willing to pursue rezoning or consent use applications through the Municipal Planning Tribunal.
Common Applications We Handle
- Commercial rezoning - Converting residential or underdeveloped land in the Sandton CBD, along William Nicol Drive, and in the Rivonia business corridor to accommodate office parks, retail centres, and corporate campuses
- High-density residential applications - Preparing rezoning and site development plan submissions for apartment complexes and sectional title developments, particularly in Sandhurst, Morningside, and along Rivonia Road
- Mixed-use development approvals - Submitting applications for integrated developments that combine retail, office, and residential components, aligned with the nodal development policies that encourage live-work-play environments
- Business rights and consent uses - Securing additional use rights for properties in transitional zones, including guest houses, medical consulting rooms, and professional offices in suburbs like Benmore and Atholl
- Subdivision and consolidation - Managing the subdivision of larger residential stands in Bryanston for cluster housing, or the consolidation of adjacent commercial erven to accommodate larger developments
Nodal Policy and Strategic Planning
Sandton’s status as a metropolitan node means that applications are assessed against specific policy criteria that differ from suburban areas. The Municipal Planning Tribunal and officials at the City of Johannesburg expect detailed motivations that demonstrate alignment with the Spatial Development Framework, the Regional Spatial Development Framework for Region E, and the Sandton Urban Development Framework. We prepare comprehensive planning reports that address bulk infrastructure capacity, traffic impact, urban design considerations, and socio-economic benefit.
Key Suburbs We Serve
Our Sandton expertise covers the full spectrum of suburbs within this node, including Sandton Central, Sandhurst, Morningside, Rivonia, Bryanston, Benmore, Atholl, Strathavon, and Wendywood. Each suburb presents distinct planning characteristics, from the heritage-sensitive properties in Sandhurst to the rapidly densifying areas around Katherine Street.
Whether you are a developer assembling a site in the Sandton CBD or a homeowner in Bryanston considering a second dwelling application, our knowledge of local planning policy ensures your application is strategically positioned for approval.
Contact us for a consultation about your Sandton property.