The Pattaya authorities are urging local land units to conduct an investigation into the construction of a high-rise condominium which it believes blocks the scenery of its famous beach.
A series of complaints have been lodged with the Center for Resolution of Complaint in Pattaya regarding the almost-complete 53-story Waterfront Suites and Residences condominium. Many complainants report the building obstructs the view of the shoreline from the popular viewpoint at Phra Tamnak Hill.
Pattaya authorities have been asked to review the project owner’s contract whether it has breached the environmental impact assessment (EIA) criteria. Initially, it was found that the building is owned by Bali Hai Co., Ltd.
According to reports, the construction project covered an area of 2.16 rai. Environmental laws require that the land owner set aside a green zone to protect against natural disasters. The law also stipulated that no development is allowed on mountain slopes.
In a statement published yesterday on its website and through social media, developer Tulip Group said: “Due to the overwhelming press coverage regarding our Waterfront project, we wish to update our buyers, property agents and the general public on the current status of the project.
‘There has been an incredible amount of false and incorrect information posted on social media and in the press about the project but, on the advice of our lawyers, we will not be responding to this false information.
‘Waterfront Suites and Residences is fully EIA approved and has a current building permit. The Mayor of Pattaya has publicly stated that our project was fully approved by both the City and the EIA committee and that our licenses are correct. However, due to the incredible hysteria on social media and hate websites that our project is blocking the view from the mountain, complaints have been lodged over the legitimacy of our project with both the Police and City Hall.
A complaint was lodged that the project has been constructed differently to our EIA approval and therefore the authorities have every right to investigate this.’
The statement added that Tulip Group is very transparent about how it conducts its business affairs and therefore we have agreed to comply with City Hall as requested, and suspend construction of the project in order that our paperwork and construction can be verified as being 100 percent correct.
“We expect this investigation to take up to a maximum of eight weeks, at which point the legality of our project will be confirmed and we will then recommence construction.
Our project is currently six months ahead of schedule and we foresee no impact on the final handover date of the condominium units due to this small delay.”
The statement concluded that Tulip Group thanks all buyers for their patience and understanding on this matter.
Image: Waterfront Suites from social media sources.
Andrew Batt, International Group Editor of PropertyGuru Group, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other stories email andrew@propertyguru.com.sg
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