GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) should not approve a proposed mega development in Gelugor until studies on its effects on residents, traffic and public services are completed, says a Penang MCA leader.
Bukit Gelugor MCA division chairman Wong Chin Chong said the council should get the full picture before deciding whether or not to proceed with the proposed mixed development on part of Lot 642 in Bandar Gelugor, and what improvements the developer must provide.
He said on Thursday (June 18) that a social impact assessment is needed to show the project's effect, if any, on nearby communities and if existing facilities could cope with the additional population.
Wong was commenting ahead of an MBPP one-stop centre committee meeting expected at the end of the month.
ALSO READ: Gelugor brought a high-rise objection to state assembly
The committee will consider planning applications after obtaining comments from departments and technical agencies.
Wong said the council should assess the cumulative impact of the Lot 642 proposal alongside other major housing projects in the area, rather than evaluating each development in isolation.
He noted that two nearby high-rise developments comprise 2,850 homes, while the proposed project would add 3,513 apartment units and commercial space, bringing the total number of homes in the surrounding area to 6,363.
Wong said this could add more than 20,000 residents to the wider neighbourhood, placing further strain on roads, drainage systems, water supply and other public facilities.
He called for a wider study covering the combined effect of new developments across Gelugor.
"This would allow the authorities to identify roads, junctions, drains and public facilities that need to be widened or upgraded before more homes are occupied," he said.
Wong said this did not mean development should be rejected outright, but approvals should be supported by reliable studies and plans to improve surrounding infrastructure.
He urged the council to withhold approval until the required studies had been completed and considered by the relevant authorities.
Wong said the authorities should consider retaining the roughly 5.8ha site as a public park should the proposed development be found unsuitable.
The proposed project comprises four apartment towers, office space and commercial components.
The residential component consists of two 45-storey towers and two 61-storey towers with a total of 3,513 units.
Residents from Taman Tun Sardon, Taman Brown, Minden Heights and Bukit Gelugor previously objected to the project, saying it could worsen congestion and place greater pressure on public services.
