Appeals Board decides in favour of Sungai Ara residents

"The Appeals Board this morning decided in favour of the residents of Persiaran Kelicap and Solok Kelicap over a “special project” on hilly land near them.

... The significant proportion of the site was higher than the threshold of 250 feet above sea level with slopes exceeding 25 degrees.

There were flaws in the planning approval: The state planning committee cannot delegate its powers for approving such sensitive hill land development to the MBPP, which has no authority to approve such projects.

The Penang Structure Plan, forbidding development above 250 feet was gazetted in 2007. Planning approval for the site was granted in 2012. So that’s another issue. It must be for planning permission given before the Structure Plan.

... Not a single reporter was present; so this is unlikely to be widely reported in the media. Many of them were up on Botak Hill for a site visit, arranged by the MBPP, which was scheduled for the same time. Penang Forum steering committe members were at both places."

For more details, please read Anil Netto at http://anilnetto.com/economy/development-issues/appeals-board-decides-in-favour-of-sungai-ara-residents/