A PROPOSED seven-storey condominium project in southern Phuket has been halted after five storeys have been constructed because local residents complain that the building may interfere with the sea view.
The project, Kata Condominiums, has all the required permits and has been passed by the Phuket Governor's special committee on the environment. However, in a meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City today, local protesters in the Kata area managed to persuade authorities to halt the building while a review is conducted.
The locals say that they did not have any involvement in the approvals process for the property and that the building now threatens to obscure the view off Kata beach to one of the local seascape icons, Crab Island.
With local protesters at the meeting today in Phuket City were the Permanent Secretary of the Phuket Provincial Office, representatives from the Land Office and the Natural Resources and Environment Department, and the Karon-Kata tessaban council.
It is believed that authorities at Provincial Hall have the right to suspend construction, even if the owners and builders have all the required permits and permissions.*
*In this case, though, the developers have pointed out that they suspended construction voluntarily and are now engaged in negotiations with locals.
Phuket Locals Halt Condo over Island ViewThe project, Kata Condominiums, has all the required permits and has been passed by the Phuket Governor's special committee on the environment. However, in a meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City today, local protesters in the Kata area managed to persuade authorities to halt the building while a review is conducted.
The locals say that they did not have any involvement in the approvals process for the property and that the building now threatens to obscure the view off Kata beach to one of the local seascape icons, Crab Island.
With local protesters at the meeting today in Phuket City were the Permanent Secretary of the Phuket Provincial Office, representatives from the Land Office and the Natural Resources and Environment Department, and the Karon-Kata tessaban council.
It is believed that authorities at Provincial Hall have the right to suspend construction, even if the owners and builders have all the required permits and permissions.*
*In this case, though, the developers have pointed out that they suspended construction voluntarily and are now engaged in negotiations with locals.
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It seems that mob rule wins again. I believe the lawyers will sort this on out, but I find it damages the the importance of building permits. seems they are not worth the paper they are printed on.
I also take issue with "The locals say that they did not have any involvement in the approvals process for the property" Who did you vote for as your OrBaTor?? Is this not a representative government? Phuket gets to freely elect all it's local Gov't, with the exception of the Governor who is appointed by BKK.
Posted by Observer on September 10, 2010 23:44