🏗️ Controversial mangrove condo proposal referred to National Conservation Council

The Central Planning Authority (CPA) has formally referred a contentious application for a 95-apartment development on low-lying wetlands in West Bay to the National Conservation Council (NCC). The proposed site for 20 North Development is a seasonally flooded mangrove habitat, barely a foot above sea level. The NCC has previously commented on the environmental issues associated with the project. All CPA applications on non-man-modified land are reviewed by the Department of Environment’s technical experts to help developers mitigate the impact of man-made structures on the environment. 🌿

Despite having all necessary information on the environmental concerns, the CPA chose to refer the project back to the NCC. The CPA and other government officials have accused the NCC of delaying development. The Department of Environment (DoE) will submit largely the same technical advice to the NCC that it has been offering on this project since it first came before the CPA last August. The DoE has raised numerous concerns, supplied detailed advice to the landowner about mitigation measures and warned about likely flooding. 🏞️

Previously, the CPA rejected this application because the site was not suitable for apartments. However, the CPA has since granted planning permission for other apartment projects nearby, which may undermine its previous stance. The project has been adjourned without a decision and at least four neighbouring landowners have objected to it. The CPA stated it could not consider the accumulative flooding problems likely to occur in this area due to other nearby developments. Environmental activists believe the government should consider these issues when modernising planning legislation for a sustainable future. 🏢