Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
BULAWAYO City Council is making significant progress on a number of strategic planning projects across the city, with several local development plans now awaiting gazetting, while more than 2,700 new residential stands are awaiting approval from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
According to the latest council report the local authority has advanced multiple Local Subject Plans (LSPs) and Local Development Plans (LDPs) aimed at guiding future growth, housing development and land use management in different parts of the city.
Among the major milestones recorded is the completion of the planning process for the former Ascot Racecourse area under Ascot Local Subject Plan 20. The plan was on public exhibition from November 5, 2025, to January 9, 2026, before being gazetted on May 1 this year and becoming operative on May 29.
The report also noted progress on Local Subject Plan 18, which covers the northern areas of the Central Business District (CBD). The plan has already undergone public exhibition and was adopted by council on May 6. It is now awaiting gazetting.
A similar stage has been reached for Local Development Plan 12, which covers Bellevue, the remainder of Umganwini and Newton Township. The plan has been adopted by council and is also awaiting gazetting.
Council is also reviewing Local Development Plan 8, which focuses on the city’s industrial areas. The review was adopted by council on April 1 and is currently on public exhibition.
Work is also progressing on Local Development Plan 14, covering the south-western suburbs of Burnside, Hillside, Waterford, Buena Vista, Sunninghill, Manningdale, Willsgrove, Matsheumhlope, Riverside, Lockview and Fourwinds. The draft written statement has been completed and stakeholder consultations have commenced.
For Local Development Plan 21, which covers Northend, Paddonhurst, Sunnyside, Sauerstown, Rowena, Queens Park, Highmount and Tegela, traffic and household surveys have already been completed. The study report has been presented to policymakers and is expected to be presented to external stakeholders before preparation of the written statement begins.
A similar process is underway for Local Development Plan 6, which covers Emganwini, Nketa, Nkulumane, Sizinda and Tshabalala.
Meanwhile, data collection and consultations are continuing under Local Development Plan 11, which covers Cowdray Park and the Norwood Tracks area. Traffic and household surveys have already been completed, while preparation of the written statement is underway.
The report further revealed that five housing layouts comprising 2,760 residential stands are currently awaiting ministerial approval.
These include 509 low-density residential stands in Bellevue, 1,320 medium-density stands in Umganwini Phase Three, 183 stands in Emganwini, 166 stands adjacent to the Nkulumane Complex and 582 stands in Luveve North.
On land surveys, council reported that title surveys for Killarney East, Highmount and the remainder of Umganwini have been completed and submitted to the Surveyor-General’s Office for approval.
The survey of the Umvumila Integrated Layout has reached 70 percent completion. Progress had initially been slowed by outdated equipment, but council has since acquired new survey equipment, with the survey expected to be completed by the end of May.
