GEORGE TOWN: RESIDENTS in the serene Lorong Pykett neighbourhood are seeing red over repeated notices issued by the Penang Island Municipal Council to them to object to a twin-block condominium project.
The 294-unit medium-cost project was slated to commence in 2010 but it has never taken off due to a series of alleged amendments in planning permission, causing the residents to be in the dark about the status of the project.
Non-governmental organisation Citizen Awareness Group (Chant) legal adviser Yan Lee, who is also the spokesman for the residents, said over 200 households received a fourth notice last month.
The first notice was issued in 2010.
"The residents are confused about the proper channel to object against the project. Why are they being asked repeatedly to state their objections against the same development?
"The high-density project right in the middle of the housing estate is going to cause massive traffic congestion," Yan said at a press conference here recently.
In addition, he said the high-rise development would lead to worsening flood in the area including Lebuhraya Pykett and Jalan Khaw Sim Bee.
Lorong Pykett is a quiet upscale neighbourhood with about 220 semi detached houses located a mere five-minute drive to the heart of the city.
Yan also questioned the proposed density within the 1.32ha area where the condo will be built at a ratio of 100 units per 0.4ha surpassing the limit of 30 units as allowed in the by-law.
"The surrounding houses are only two-storey high. It is unthinkable to see a concrete jungle built next to the row of houses," said Yan.
In a related development, Yan said Chant wanted the Penang government to speed up the gazetting of the Penang Local Plan.
"The plan is aimed at protecting the wellbeing of the people to ensure that new development does not encroach on the housing estates," said Yan.
He said it was also important for Penangites to have a say in the development of their neighbourhood before the local plan is gazetted.
-NST -
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