(Bandar Seri Begawan, 24th) Planning authorities recently conducted enforcement action against an unapproved industrial warehousing facility and illegal employee dormitory located in the Kampong Lambak area of the Berakas district. The premises were investigated for violating Article 23(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 248.
Authorities found in their investigation that the involved parties had used three residential lots for industrial warehousing and worker accommodation without obtaining planning permission.
The planning authorities emphasized that arbitrarily converting residential land for industrial use constitutes a serious violation of planning regulations and could adversely affect the safety, hygiene, and living environment of the surrounding residential areas.
Authorities pointed out that industrial warehousing activities, including storage of building materials, equipment, and machinery, may only be conducted in industrial zones designated for such purposes, and must obtain planning approval in advance.
As for worker dormitories, these must also be located at sites that have been approved for residential use, in order to ensure conformity with planning, safety, and infrastructure standards.
After the planning authorities took enforcement action, the illegal industrial warehousing activities ceased, and the workers residing in the illegal dormitories have also moved out. At present, the related warehousing business has been relocated to a suitable industrial zone.
The planning authorities remind all property owners, merchants, and developers that any change in the use of land or buildings, including establishing industrial warehousing facilities or employee dormitories, must be applied for and approved in advance under the provisions of Article 23 of the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 248.
Authorities stressed that anyone conducting development works or changing land use without approval is committing an offense. Upon conviction, offenders may be fined up to BND 200,000, imprisoned for up to two years, or both.
If the violation continues, following conviction, an additional fine of up to BND 10,000 per day for each continued day of the offense may be imposed.
The planning authorities emphasized that arbitrarily converting residential land for industrial use constitutes a serious violation of planning regulations and could adversely affect the safety, hygiene, and living environment of the surrounding residential areas.
Authorities pointed out that industrial warehousing activities, including storage of building materials, equipment, and machinery, may only be conducted in industrial zones designated for such purposes, and must obtain planning approval in advance.
As for worker dormitories, these must also be located at sites that have been approved for residential use, in order to ensure conformity with planning, safety, and infrastructure standards.
After the planning authorities took enforcement action, the illegal industrial warehousing activities ceased, and the workers residing in the illegal dormitories have also moved out. At present, the related warehousing business has been relocated to a suitable industrial zone.
The planning authorities remind all property owners, merchants, and developers that any change in the use of land or buildings, including establishing industrial warehousing facilities or employee dormitories, must be applied for and approved in advance under the provisions of Article 23 of the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 248.
Authorities stressed that anyone conducting development works or changing land use without approval is committing an offense. Upon conviction, offenders may be fined up to BND 200,000, imprisoned for up to two years, or both.
If the violation continues, following conviction, an additional fine of up to BND 10,000 per day for each continued day of the offense may be imposed.