DG defends new 'pro-developers' LDA rules.

Byline: Khalid Hasnain

LAHORE -- Lahore Development Authority Director General Ahmad Aziz Tarar has justified the recent amendments to the LDA Private Housing Scheme Rules-2014 Rules, calling them a step towards the ease of doing business.

He was responding to a set of questions regarding the amendments raised by different circles, who have wished to remain unnamed.

An examination of the amendments shows that the changes may benefit those who have launched or plan to initiate housing projects.

Graveyard and mosque

Previously, as per the rules, the developer was liable to allocate and develop graveyard within the scheme on two per cent of the total salable area, said an official. Now, sub-rule b (XI) of rule-10 of the amended rules reads 'Graveyard shall be provided within the housing scheme with any existing graveyard in nearby vicinity (within 5km radius) subject to the conditions that the land is owned by the same sponsor, site has an appropriate access, site exists in conformity with the master plan and provision of NOC from the owner (s) of the adjacent land'.

The DG, however, took cover of the Islamabad rules and said, 'Provision of a graveyard within 5km radius is not a big issue, as it is also being practiced in Islamabad, where both public and private sector developers have already been allowed to do so,' he said.

'This is not mandatory for the developers to develop graveyards outside the scheme. So if someone wants or doesn't want to buy a plot in the housing schemes having graveyards outside the project area, it is up to them.'

Similarly, in sub rule-1, planning standards for housing schemes and land subdivisions have also been changed. Previously, the sponsor of a land subdivision (40 kanal and less) was to provide a plot for a mosque. Not anymore. The DG did not comment.

Land for low-cost houses

According to another amendment made in sub rule (b) of rule 10, developers have been allowed to use 20 per cent of the saleable area allocated earlier for the low-cost apartments for low income people for developing three and five marla plots.

'Developers, now, would carve out 3 and 5 marla plots on the land reserved for the low cost apartments for the low income people,' the official maintained. The DG did not offer a version.

Preliminary Planning Permission

Another amendment is the skipping of the Preliminary Planning Permission (PPP) - the first stage to assess whether the project can be processed for technical sanction of the layout...