Regional spatial development framework vs municipal zoning scheme - which trumps the other?

Abstract

For a considerable time, many municipalities, or their officials, have considered themselves bound by the provisions of the spatial development framework (SDF) or the regional spatial development framework (RSDF) or development strategies in the approval of land development applications. A recent decision of the Gauteng High Court provided a rare opportunity to bring clarity to the legal status of these policies. This article seeks to discuss and analyse this judgement.