Feb 10, 2011 Probe processing of planning permission, says PHT
ThePenang Heritage Trust (PHT) has called for a thorough investigation to commence on the illegal demolition of an old building at Lebuhraya Pykett. PHT urged the authorities to investigate the processing of the developer's planning application plan while the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) is also taking other forms of action against the developer. It was earlier reported that MPPP had filed a case in court against a developer for demolishing a building there at Lebuhraya Pykett without obtaining planning permission. PHT president Khoo Salma Nasution said the heritage technical review panel was supposed to visit the building to evaluate its heritage significance before granting planning approval for the proposed development. "But four days before this evaluation could take place, the building was demolished. In court, the developer claimed that the demolition was 'accidental' but it cannot be denied that the demolition was conveniently timed," she said in a recent press statement. She added that the RM6,000 fine imposed by the court was hardly a deterrent for any ambitious developer. PHT also applauded Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for urging the MPPP to seek a higher penalty under vandalism against cultural heritage. "The penalty has to act as a deterrent to other developers contemplating illegal demolition of heritage buildings as a strategy for bypassing planning approval. "The government should pursue all options to make this case an effective deterrent to future illegal demolition. The fate of other heritage buildings depend on it." More property news: | 
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