Don’t approve housing projects near power plants

The  Star 18/7/2006

LUMUT: Local authorities must stop housing projects from being developed too close to power plants to prevent a clash between the community and the station.

Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk S. Sothinathan said this would ensure that such facilities set up for the community would not be questioned.

Citing a housing project located 700m from the RM5bil Manjung power plant here, Sothinathan said: “We foresee issues such as noise and air pollution cropping up with the housing project located there.

He was speaking to reporters after an official visit to the power plant, about 110km from Ipoh, yesterday.

Sothinathan said the housing project was less than 50ha and it was not compulsory for the developer to have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval.

“But it does not mean that they can keep silent on the project.

“Although it is less than 50ha, it could be a nuisance and a problem later,” he added.

He said the ministry had raised its concerns with the local authority and the state government.

“We hope that the agencies concerned will stop the housing development,” he said, adding that the buffer zone was 500m from the designated boundary of the power station.