Heritage Cases

The property is on Clair Avenue in Cato Manor, Durban, it lies roughly 500m North East of The Memorial Tower Building at the University of KwaZulu Natal about 100m along Clair Avenue from its intersection with King George V Avenue on the ridge running North East to South West above Glenwood, Durban. The property does not appear to have any significant historical value however is automatically protected as it is over 60 years old with the earliest records found at the Development Control Department dating to 1942, no earlier records have been found. The existing structure is a combination of solid masonry bricks and concrete/timber hybrid floors with a roof structure of hand cut king-post joists and tie beams with modern spanish cordoba tiles. The windows are of a combination of large and small frame hard wood timber frames with clear glass, some of the original window frames have been replaced in the recent past. All the doors in the house have been replaced at some time in the recent past and are a combination of soft and hardwood panel doors internally and mainly glazed 'french' doors to the externals. The external walls are rough cast plaster which has been painted with all internal walls been smooth plaster. There is an existing small double garage on the site which is constructed primarily of concrete with the roof having integral steel beams supporting the concrete, the internal walls are showing signs of moisture egress and this will need to be addressed as part of the works. The site slopes steeply down from the existing dwelling towards boundary structures and the Clair Avenue elevation, the fall from floor level to street level is approximately 8 meters. The site is planted with semi and mature trees all of which are severely damaged by white termites, bar one which will be protected on the site during the works, and most will be required to be felled. The property has recently been purchased as the primary residence to a family that has relocated to Durban. The dwelling currently enjoys three generously sized bedrooms and three bathrooms to the first floor. The family however need an additional bedroom as there are three children and have proposed the alteration and addition to the rear of the building to create the required space. The rear of the building has been remodelled and extended a number of times since the original building was constructed and is seen as the elevation to change with the least impact on the structures visual appearance from public space. The extension mimics the scale and geometry of the existing dwelling and materials such as window frames and roof finishes will match that of the existing. Much timber in the existing dwelling has been severely damaged by wood borer and white termite activity, certain door and window frames as well as a significant amount of roof timbers will be replaced as part of the works to preserve as much of the structure and finishes as possible. The family have a severely disabled close family member (fathers mother) who is currently unable to visit the site due to there been no suitable access to the dwelling level from the street level due to the steep topography and limited garden stairs. The proposal allows for the creation of vehicular access to the dwelling level via a new secure/automated gate and vehicular access to high level parking with level access to the dwelling and entertainment area to the rear suitable for disabled access. The family have requested the inclusion of an ancillary unit to the street elevation along Clair Avenue to be used as a revenue earning Garden Flat or for long term accommodation for family. The Garden Flat has been designed to limit the impact on the existing dwelling and incorporates the existing double garage on the corner of the site. The garden flat mimics the construction ethos of the main dwelling although modern materials and forms of construction have been incorporated.