Urban Planning Committee suspends discussion on Cheoc Van hotel

The Urban Planning Committee (CPU) gathered in plenary meeting yesterday to discuss the approval of the urban conditions of 19 land plots across the Peninsula and Islands.

The owner of the Cheoc Van Gardens wants to change the purpose of an abandoned building in the complex to develop it into a hotel and commercial space. The plan was discussed for the first time in July last year at CPU, and once more raised a wide debate and divergent opinions.

The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) expressed its opinion in favor of keeping the land for its original purpose (a ‘Club House’ to be used by residents as well as a commercial space). This was immediately rebutted by the architect and committee member Rui Leão, who said: “Back in the 1990’s, when the project was originally built, Macau was far from the purpose that it has today to become a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure […] maintaining [the purpose of the plot] just to keep everything the same has no significance. I believe that the new goal attributed to Macau and the fact that [according to] the original purpose, the space never worked and has no feasibility is enough for this [the purpose] to be reconsidered.”

Leão added that adhering to the principle of “keeping things as they are, without a real and strong justification, falls short and is a poor principle.”

Member Manuel Iok Pui Ferreira agreed, saying, “If we [can] change the purpose we can promote different sectors. We can create a path for the health development [of the area],” he said, citing the example of the city of Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver underwent a similar rehabilitation that was promoted and developed in a peaceful way.

Ferreira also questioned the Committee members, asking whether changing the plot’s intended purpose would really cause any problems. He noted that the government can have an important role as moderator in the current dispute between the residents and the developer.

Committee member Ieong Tou Hong addressed the plenary, questioning whether members should in fact be discussing the topic. Ieong mentioned a newspaper article published this week by a Chinese newspaper, in which it was noted that the plot owner delivered a letter to the CPU requesting the postponement of discussion as he was in the process of negotiating with the resident to obtain approval for the project.

The president of the committee and DSSOPT director Li Canfeng intervened, saying, “letters to newspapers are just a demonstration of opinion and should not interfere with our work,” adding, “the last time we have postponed but today we must discuss on the feasibility or not of the project.”

A growing number of opinions were expressed from several committee members that discussion on the topic should be postponed.

Tse and Leão favored postponement. Tse highlighted “the need to weigh well the consequences and to gather more consensus among the residents.” Leão opted for a more practical approach, saying, “It’s a matter of good sense [to postpone], taking into account that the person who made the request was the owner. It will also save time [if we do so], since it does not force open a new process that could bring the case back for a few months.”

The members voted to suspend discussion on the topic after some confusion about the legal aspects of doing so. However, according to a DSSOPT representative, the suspension of the debate required two-thirds of votes in favor, but this proportion was not obtained.

Li proceeded with the suspension of the discussion on his own initiative, claiming a “lack of information on the case; and not due to the influence of any of the parties involved.”

Holy house of mercy and Kiang Wu preparing developments

THE HOLY House of Mercy and the Kiang Wu Hospital are preparing developments on their premises. Although it is not clear at this stage what developments will take place and when, the Kiang Wu project is most likely related to the expansion and/or reconstruction of the hospital building, with the possible inclusion of two high-rise towers at a height of 80 meters. The development of the Holy House of Mercy has many limitations due to its location in the heart of the historical center. Developments cannot change the dimensions of the current building. It is stated on the project brief that the purpose of the project is for housing. The property of the institution led by António José de Freitas is located right next to that which was sold by Sniper Capital early this week, a 70,000 square foot retail development project which went for HKD800 million.