The Department of Town and Country Planning is currently in the process of proposing amendments Town and Country Planning and Sub-Division Acts where they will be making recommendations to increase the level of consultation with the public with regards to key decisions made by the department.
Principal Town Planner, Ravin Prasad says any change in land use or zoning is advertised in the papers to which people can object to within three months and after which, the Director makes a decision.
He says people can further object to the Directors decision by making an appeal to the Minister who will make the decision by consulting with the town planning advisory committee.
Prasad adds everybody has a right to object to anything that they believe is not correct in their view and come up with no genuine grounds of objection.
Meanwhile, Director Town and Country Planning, Mohammed Ziar says he believes there should be more mediums used to advertise it’s amendments where they will be suggesting in the Town and Country Planning and Sub-Division Acts to put up a sign on the site where changes will be made.
He adds that there might be other avenues they will be exploring where they may also advertise amendments on social media.
Meanwhile, Ziar says there will be another round of public consultations next month where people will be invited to give their views on the amendments to the Act.
The Director adds that the Town and Country Planning and Sub-Division Acts may be tabled in parliament next year.
