BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Municipal Board and Development Control Competent Authority (DCCA) will be tasked to assess all building and earthwork applications in Brunei from February 16 onwards.

Senior Town and Country Planning Officer Hjh Zainab Hj Yusop said that the tightening of the rules were introduced so that all qualified persons would ensure that construction of buildings or houses are completed to the approved plan.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, she said that previously, all building and earthwork applications were under the jurisdiction of three authorities — the Municipal Board, DCCA and the Land Office.

“However, DCCA and the Municipal Board will now be taking over the duties of the Land Office. Municipal Board will be the authority to approve applications for areas within the Municipal Council proximity and DCCA has been given the authority to approve areas outside the Municipal Council areas,” she said.

During a dialogue session involving senior officials of the Town and Country Planning Department with architects, engineers and qualified persons yesterday, Hjh Zainab said that qualified persons will be held accountable in submitting all applications for building construction and earthworks.

During the dialogue session, Town and Country Planning Department officials also said they were looking into establishing a board to monitor practices undertaken by qualified persons.

“The qualified persons must be registered with the Ministry of Development. Previously, land owners could also submit the Occupation Permit forms, but on February 16, only qualified persons who are registered with Ministry of Development are allowed to submit the forms,” she said.

Hjh Zainab said that this procedure was to avoid cases where land owners who did not comply with the approved plan.

“There have been many cases where land owners have complained to us that there has been a delay in approving the Occupation Permit. This is because there have been instances where it does not (match) with the approved plan for the development of a site,” she said.

Hjh Zainab said that the qualified persons must attach a picture of the site, along with its description and the application form.

Previously, there was a case where drainage works were conducted “going up a hill”, instead of building the drains around the proximity of a site, she said.

The second stage in the application process is to obtain a “Form C: Pegging and Setting Out Form”, which involves the qualified persons submitting a picture showing the boundary stones, which is certified by a land surveyor.

During a press conference held after the dialogue session, Ministry of Development Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) Hj Mohd Rozan Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos said that they are looking into establishing a unified building authority responsible for looking after all buildings this year.

Hj Mohd Rozan and Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Department Hong Kok Seng, said that a website will soon be launched, where the public can access information on development matters and download application forms.The Brunei Times

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