New development rules for urban areas in TN

The Tamil Nadu government has approved uniform guidelines or Development Control Regulations relating to special buildings, multi-storeyed buildings, group developments, layouts and sub-divisions.

These regulations apply to planning areas including Trichy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Vellore and sub-urban areas in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, according to a state government release on Wednesday.

The development regulations framed by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) were scientifically determined following a series of deliberations with technical experts and public consultations, the release said, adding that the proposed guidelines are broadly in line with the development regulations with appropriate modifications.

As per the new guidelines, for a road width of 18m and above, the height of the building should be 60m and if the road width is at least 30.5 m then building can be 60m high or above.

Ten per cent of site area is to be earmarked for housing Low-income Group and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) where development is proposed in a site exceeding 10,000 sqm. The concept of premium floor-space index (FSI) over and above normally allowable FSI has been suggested.

The guidelines are expected to avoid different technical interpretations at various levels and help the public and officials follow uniform guidelines and ensure faster issuance of planning permission.

To address specific issues, the state government has constituted an empowered committee consisting of Secretary (Housing and Urban Development department) as chairman; Secretary, MAWS Department and Member-Secretary, CMDA as members; and Director of Town and Country Planning as convener of the committee to look into cases for relaxation of planning parameters.