BUILDINGS IN EXCESS OF 900 SQUARE FEET (Building plans)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will consider waiving the Chief Building Surveyor's requirement of a registered architect's building plan for an existing or new temporary building of more than 900 square feet; and if he will consider requesting the Chief Building Surveyor's Department to sell standardised building plans for a three-room house of more than 900 square feet to the people in the rural areas.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, building by-laws provide that sketch building plans may be accepted for erection of temporary houses of a floor area not exceeding 750 square feet. Where this area is exceeded, this restriction has not been applied too rigidly. In many cases where the floor plan submitted for a dwelling is for accommodation of a single family unit, the Chief Building Surveyor allows the use of sketch building plans for the erection of buildings even in excess of 900 square feet, without requiring an architect's building plan, provided that the structure is a simple structure and that the span of the roof trusses does not exceed the usual permissible length of about 20 feet.

With regard to the sale of standardised building plans for a three-room house of more than 900 square feet in area, the Chief Building Surveyor is presently looking into the matter, and it is hoped to make these plans available for sale to the public very soon.