PHYSICAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT

PLN. SAMUEL ANSONG

(DISTRICT PHYSICAL PLANNING OFFICER)

The Physical Planning Department (formerly called the Town and Country Planning Department) was established as per the Second Schedule of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and section 185(4) of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) to manage the activities of both the Town and Country Planning Department and that of the Department of Parks and Gardens.

It also serves as the secretariat for the Spatial Planning Committee (SPC) which acts as the spatial, human settlement and planning authority within the district and therefore is the office for the submission and collection of all development permit applications (Planning and building permits).

The core mission of the Department is to plan, manage and implement harmonious, sustainable human settlements and horticulture in the District.

Legal Backings of the Department

  • Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 2016, Act 925
  • Land Use and Spatial Planning Regulations 2019, LI 2384
  • Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936
  • Local Government Service, Physical Planning Operational Manual, August 2024
  • Zoning Guidelines and Planning Standards, November 2011
  • Street Addressing Manual, 2012
  • National Development Planning Commission Act 479
  • National Development Planning Systems Act 480
  • National Building Regulations/Codes
  • Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036)
  • Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490)

 

Core Functions of the Department

  • Issuance of Development Permit (Planning and Building Permits)
  • Establishment and management of parks and gardens
  • Maintenance of road median/ traffic island vegetation
  • Regulate landscape, nursery and floral activities
  • Implementation and maintenance of Landscape design
  • Preparation of Spatial Plans (Spatial Development Framework, Structure plans and Local Plans)
  • Management of street signage and property addresses
  • Regulation of the activities of NGO’s in space

 

General Functions and Responsibilities of the Physical Planning Department

  • Advise the District Assembly on national policies on physical planning, land use and development
  • Co-ordinate activities and projects of departments and other agencies including Non-Governmental Organizations to ensure compliance with planning standards
  • Facilitate consultation, co-ordination and harmonization of stakeholders’ input in the preparation of spatial plans (Spatial Development Framework, Structure Plan, Local Plan)
  • Advise on setting out approved plans for future development of land at the district level
  • Collaborate with the Survey and Mapping Division of Lands Commission in the preparation of base maps and demarcation of approved Local Plans;
  • Facilitate public education and stakeholder sensitization on spatial planning and human settlements development and management in the District;
  • Advise on the siting of buildings for developers
  • Offer professional advice to aggrieved persons on matters of appeals, petitions and reviews regarding decisions made on their development applications
  • Assist in the interpretation of permit conditions in respect of development applications
  • Ensure the prohibition of the construction of unauthorized buildings
  • Advise the Assembly on the siting of billboards, masts and ensure compliance with the decisions of the Assembly
  • Advise on the acquisition of landed properties in the public interest;
  • Undertake Street Naming and Property Addressing (SNPA) and related Issues;
  • Advise on standards and promote effective landscape beautification in the District and homes;
  • Maintain and sustain all landscape areas in the road medians, road shoulders and traffic islands in the District
  • Conduct routine maintenance of prestige areas
  • Cultivate horticultural products including vegetables, fruits, tree seedlings and ornamental plants for sale to the public and for export

 

 

 

Service Provided by the Department

The following are the services provided by the physical planning office:

  1. Development Management
  • Daily/Regular Inspections of physical developments to minimize to the barest minimal encroachment of road, water ways, compliance to standards and guidelines and ensuring that developments are carried out according to the local plans for the area.
  • Regular monitoring to ensure the preservation of forest lands, public sites, state lands and government acquisitions.
  • Receiving and Vetting of Development Applications towards the issuance of development permits for individuals, private and public institutions, Associations and corporations.
  • Development Promotion

The department provide technical advices to individuals, Stools & Families, Land Owners, Developers, Corporations and Institutions on the following:

  • Planning advice, community sensitization and stakeholders’ consultation
  • Land Development advice
  • Zoning Advice
  • Land Related Matters
  • Documentations regarding land matters
  • Site advisory services
  • Development Planning

The department also offer the following services to the General Public and Prospective Developers, Association, Corporations and Institutions:

  • Preparation of Spatial Development Framework
  • Preparation of Structure Plan
  • Preparation of Local Plan (Layout)
  • Street Addressing Maps
  • District Maps
  • Land use Maps
  • Zoning plans
  • Planning Related Searches
  •  Street Addressing
  • Surveying of roads and Demarcation of roads
  • Tracking of Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS)
  • Digitization services
  • Street naming and Property numbering
  • House numbering
  • Uploading unto the digital platform (Street Addressing Platform & Ghana Post Platforms)