Chow said the state and MPPP had received numerous emails from the public and the Penang Heritage Trust asking what action had been taken against the developer for demolishing the building without approval. He said the MPPP had carried out its respon

Saturday January 1, 2011

Firm sued over building demolition

By MANJIT KAUR

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has filed a case in court against a developer for demolishing a building at Lebuhraya Pykett here without obtaining planning permission.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the case was expected to be heard on Jan 17.

It's gone: The building at Lebuhraya Pkyett that was torn down by the new developer.

He said the building, which belonged to the late Khaw Bian Cheng, was demolished on July 26, 2010.

Chow said the landowner prior to the demolition had put in an application on March 30, 2010 to the MPPP's One-Stop Centre (OSC) to demolish the building.

However, before approval was given, its architect on July 26 wrote a letter to withdraw the application as the landowner had changed.

"The new landowner brought the building down and put in an application to build 315 units of apartments. This application was sent to the council on Oct 6, 2010," Chow told a press conference at the site yesterday.

He said the proposal was for a five-storey podium for car park and public amenities, with four towers of apartments.

Chow said the state and MPPP had received numerous emails from the public and the Penang Heritage Trust asking what action had been taken against the developer for demolishing the building without approval.

He said the MPPP had carried out its responsibility by filing the case in court in October, and the application for planning permission by the developer would not be processed until a decision is made by the court.

"We are serious in our duties. The developer has committed an offence under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976," he added.