WOH HUP GOLDEN MILE COMPLEX (Additions to balconies)

Mr Goh Chong Chia asked the Minister for National Development whether the additions to the balconies at the Woh Hup Golden Mile Complex facing Beach Road have been approved by the planning and building authorities.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Woh Hup Complex at the Golden Mile is an office/shop/residential mixed development approved in 1970. The original approved balconies are attached to the residential units. The balcony space was already counted as part of the unit's gross floor area. Since 1989, no planning approval is necessary for the additions to balconies in flats and condominium developments.

Mr Goh Chong Chia: The Senior Parliamentary Secretary, I think, did not understand the question that was asked. I understand the structural concrete balconies are there, but there are additions on top of those balconies. There is a hotch-potch series of construction and if it is not approved, does it mean that the Ministry would tolerate this non-approved construction?

Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member of Parliament was referring to illegal additions to the balconies, then the URA and BCA will look into them.

Mr Speaker: I think it is opportune for me to remind hon. Members that Question Time is what it is meant for - to ask questions - and when they rise to ask supplementary questions, they should refrain from making speeches, no matter how short they are.