State Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong says Penang government must reveal if hillslope guidelines were met for development of high-rise project.
Caption: Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong (second from right) with party members at Jalan Sungai Ara 1 with the project site in the backgroud.
GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has asked the Penang government to review its approval of a high-rise condominium project in Sungai Ara here, which it said was too close for comfort for residents nearby.
State Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong said with the approval given for the construction of three condominium towers on the hillside, residents in homes located near the project site are jittery about the impact both in terms of the environment, as well as to the traffic in the area in future.
He claimed that residents had submitted their objections to the project to local authorities before, stating that the condominiums were too close to the edge of a hill near their homes.
The clearing of the hill can be seen taking place in the background above the homes along the main road.
“We are not against development but we wonder how the authorities had approved the project without looking at the locality and taking heed of the residents’ concerns first?” Oh asked in a press conference here today.
An artist’s impression of the condominium released by the developer.
The project located along Jalan Sungai Ara 1, Bayan Lepas covers 9.69 acres.
With the three condominiums – two of which are 43-storeys high and one 47 storeys high – comprising a total of 1,240 units, traffic is a major concern too, Oh said.
“Imagine, there are two cars for each of these 1,240 units. The number of cars going in an out could easily reach at least 2,400 cars.
“There is only one narrow road serving the existing neighbourhood on the hill and having that many people staying in one location would cause havoc in terms of traffic.”
The development is an affordable homes project by Hunza Properties Berhad. Each unit measures 850sq ft and construction is expected to be completed by 2022.
Oh, who is also Gerakan’s Pantai Jerejak constituency coordinator, said the Penang government, through its housing exco Jagdeep Singh Deo should explain if the project was within state guidelines on hillslope development.
FMT has contacted Jagdeep, Penang Island City Council mayor Yew Tung Seang and the developer for comment and is awaiting their replies.
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Sumber Sg Ara condo project too close for comfort, says Gerakan