Heritage building might be threatened in CBD

Benoni historian says the building is being demolished.

The building is located on the corner of Prince’s Avenue and Swan Street in the CBD.

Concerns have been raised about the building on the corner of Prince’s Avenue and Swan Street in the Benoni CBD.

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Glynis Cox Millett-Clay, administrator of the Benoni History – Now and Then Facebook page, posted the building is being demolished.

On the facade, it states the building was built in 1917 and it is named Union Building.

The Provincial Heritage Resource Authority of Gauteng (PHRA-G) said the authority does not have any records of application for the demolition of the building.

“Without approval sanctioned by the authority, any demolition process of a protected structure is unauthorised and as such should and will be stopped,” the authority said in the news statement.

It also explained, in terms of section 34 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999, no person may demolish or alter any structure that is 60 years and older without a permit issued by the relevant provincial heritage resource authority, in this case being the PHRA-G.

“Every structure older than 60 years, is automatically protected by the heritage legislation,” it stated.

For a developer to receive such a permit, a formal application must be lodged with the PHRA-G for adjudication by the Built Environment and Plans Committee who will either issue permission or reject the application with reasons.