Skyscraper restrictions

DEVELOPERS in Seef could soon be literally reaching for sky, with restrictions on building height likely to be lifted.

Skyscrapers already in the area were built before Manama Municipality imposed a six-storey limit several years ago. 
Manama Municipal Council members gave initial backing to moves to lift the limit, to allow investors to build upwards, to save land.
Council chairman Majeed Millad Al Jazeeri said the current municipal criteria were restrictive.
“Many investors have been complaining that the six-storey limit is unfair,” he said.
“The Manama Municipality has backed us in the decision, which is yet to be fully approved, since we are still waiting for a technical report.
“But a vote on the issue would be certainly taken next Wednesday.
Mr Al Jazeeri said that investors coming to the council always used the 47-storey Almoayyed Tower as an example, saying it was unfair that they were restricted to six storeys.
 “The tower was given its licences before we as a council existed,” he said.
 “We always had in mind that the current municipal restrictions were non-beneficial and this why we plan to amend them, to allow investors more building space and ensure that others are encouraged.”
Meanwhile, the council also approved an application by a businessman to turn his two villas in a residential area of Juffair into a women’s hairdressing salon.
Council technical committee chairman Abdulmajeed Al Sebea’a said the approval was given as exception, provided the owner provides car parking.
 “We are encouraging investment wherever we can and while inspecting the area, we found out that neighbouring residential buildings were also being used for commercial purposes,” he said.