MBPP to Gerakan: New development on Heritage site not hotels

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Gerakan has accused the state government of not abiding by the guidelines of the Special Area Plan (SAP) as the local authorities had allowed new hotels to be built on the Unesco World Heritage site.
Under the guidelines which were gazetted in 2016, new hospitality properties were not encouraged to be built because the SAP is about propagating the preservation and conservation of old buildings and facade in the enclave.
However, state Gerakan Youth acting head Jason Loo claimed that the state government was violating its own SAP with the approval of new hotels which are at No 66 in Church Street and No. 7 & 9 King Street.
"Did the state government follow the regulations when they approved hotel development projects although prohibited," he said at a press conference today.
According to the SAP, only certain traditional trade, religious and cultural activities or buildings which house such activities are to be allowed in the enclave so that the heritage's Outstanding Universal Values (OUV) can be preserved, Loo noted.
The SAP was also to ensure that the site does not become overdeveloped and commercialized until it loses it status.
Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) president Datuk Maimunah Mohd Shariff said that the planning permission submitted was for commercial buildings in Church and King Streets.
"It was not for hotels."
She said that commercial activities were allowed in the area, hence the applications were approved.