DSSOPT considers increasing height limit at Fisherman’s Wharf

The Fisherman’s Wharf

The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) is considering increasing the upper limit of building height at the Fisherman’s Wharf in its second draft plan, lifting restrictions that might lead to a higher density of buildings.
The new draft relaxed the area’s planning conditions, with the height limit lifted from 60 meters to 90 meters, and the maximum plot ratio increased from 1.7 to 2.6; whilst the maximum building coverage has been increased from 42% to 55%.
Over the last two weeks, the bureau have held a period for public notice and consultation on the new planning conditions, scheduled to end today. Some critics have publicly opposed the plan, claiming that the relaxation is unjustified, detrimental to public interest, and that it will affect the city’s environment and coastal landscape.
The plot is seen as a buffer zone surrounding the heritage Guia Light House, where currently the tallest building is 48 meters high. Last August, in its initial draft plan, the bureau raised the height limit to 60 meters. Public opinion argues that there’s no reason to raise the limit again.
David Chow, who owns Fisherman’s Wharf as a subsidiary of his Macau Legend Development, explained that the high tower project is to develop non-gaming elements in accordance with the governmental policy; moreover, the lifted height limit is backed by the chief executive’s instruction issued in 2008.
That instruction was enforced in an attempt to quell public outcry while allowing the construction of a high tower that would block the view of Guia Lighthouse, as indicated by scholar and civil activist Agnes Lam. “That was an act of expediency, and after that there were no more [heritage] conservation plans. The government shouldn’t approve another [90-meter high tower] based on such a remedial document that was issued to remedy a previous wrong decision,” she responded.
The scholar further argued that social protests might occur if the government forces the passing of the plan. Lawmaker Ng Kwok Cheong also warned of a tendency for developers to seek the breaking of restrictions and to simplify procedures, since no more low-premium land plots can be approved. “It’s positive that the officials are under a lot pressure from developers, and the pressure will increase more and more,” he said. BY

bureau responds to controversy

The DSSOPT has responded to the controversy aroused by the increase in building height limits at Fisherman’s Wharf yesterday, stating that all the buildings in the plot must strictly abide by the height limits stipulated in the No. 83/2008 CE instruction, and meet the requirement on the street shallow rule in Urban Architecture General Rules. The bureau stressed that the CE’s instruction was issued with the purpose of balancing the area’s development and heritage conservation; and it has restricted the heights of new buildings in an area of 2.8 square kilometers surrounding the Guia Light House. “During the public notice period of the planning condition draft, different opinions and suggestions were drawn in society, that precisely reflects the Urban Planning Law’s principles of transparency, facilitating public participation and openness,” it added.