HOMS

The Heritage Officer Management (HOMs) Committee plays a pivotal role in heritage resource management, focusing on the preliminary assessment and processing of applications. These applications often pertain to:

Heritage permits for: Alterations or demolitions of structures older than 60 years, restorations, subdivisions or changes to planning statuses of heritage sites and other heritage-related developments in terms of Section 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 of the NHRA

HOMS is also responsible to:

• Streamline the application process and to uphold the highest standards of heritage conservation.
• Thoroughly evaluate each application, the HOMs Committee ensures that decisions align with provincial and national heritage preservation policies.
• If an application requires specialised input or raises complex heritage issues, the committee recommends it for further review by HWC’s specialised committees, such as the Built Environment and Landscapes Committee (BELCom) or the Impact Assessment Committee (IACOM).

Who Makes Up the HOMs Committee?

This committee is composed of highly skilled professionals with diverse expertise in heritage management, ensuring that each application is meticulously evaluated and aligned with conservation principles.

This committee is composed of professionals with diverse expertise in heritage management, ensuring that each application is meticulously evaluated and aligned with conservation principles._WD inputs

Key Members of the HOMs Committee

1. Deputy Director: Heritage Resources Management
   This leader provides strategic oversight and makes critical decisions, particularly in complex or urgent cases. Their role ensures that heritage resources are managed in line with legislative requirements while balancing the needs of development and preservation.
2. Deputy Director: Legal Support to Heritage Resources Management
   Equipped with legal expertise, this role ensures that all applications and decisions comply with heritage legislation. They play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the process and ensuring that the guidelines are followed.
3. Assistant Directors
   These professionals bring additional oversight and technical expertise. They play a critical role in ensuring that applications comply with conservation principles and align with HWC’s broader preservation goals.
4. Specialist Heritage Officers
   These specialists contribute their knowledge in specific fields, such as:
   • Architecture: To assess the impact of alterations and restorations on historical structures.
   • Archaeology: To evaluate applications concerning excavation or changes to archaeological sites.
   • Paleontology: To safeguard sites of paleontological significance.
   • Urban Planning: To address planning changes that could affect heritage sites.
5. Heritage Officers
   Heritage officers bring multidisciplinary expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, paleontology, history, and urban planning. Their evaluations ensure that each application respects the cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance of heritage resources.

Key Members of the HOMs Committee

1. Deputy Director: Heritage Resources Management
   This leader provides strategic oversight and makes critical decisions, particularly in complex or urgent cases. Their role ensures that heritage resources are managed in line with legislative requirements while balancing the needs of development and preservation.
2. Deputy Director: Legal Support to Heritage Resources Management
   Equipped with legal expertise, this role ensures that all applications and decisions comply with heritage legislation. They play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the process and ensuring that the guidelines are followed.
3. Assistant Directors
   These professionals bring additional oversight and technical expertise. They play a critical role in ensuring that applications comply with conservation principles and align with HWC’s broader preservation goals.
4. Specialist Heritage Officers
   These specialists contribute their knowledge in specific fields, such as:
   • Architecture: To assess the impact of alterations and restorations on historical structures.
   • Archaeology: To evaluate applications concerning excavation or changes to archaeological sites.
   • Paleontology: To safeguard sites of paleontological significance.
   • Urban Planning: To address planning changes that could affect heritage sites.
5. Heritage Officers
   Heritage officers bring multidisciplinary expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, paleontology, history, and urban planning. Their evaluations ensure that each application respects the cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance of heritage resources. WD inputs

The HOMs committee convenes weekly, contingent upon the receipt of applications and operates in accordance with the Rules of Order and Conduct of Meetings of the Council of Heritage Western Cape and its Committees. These meetings are open to the public, allowing interested individuals to attend.

For more information on submitting heritage applications, visit Heritage Western Cape’s official resources on the following link; https://heritagewesterncape.co.za/applications/