Hillside houses limited to 150 sqm

PHUKET: The head of the National Environment Board committee set up to evaluate construction laws in Phuket announced yesterday that, if the law restricting construction above 80 meters is to be repealed, the size of buildings should be limited to a maximum interior size of 150 square meters. Prasong Iam-anun made the announcement after a two-day public hearing about the building restriction. The maximum height to be allowed for hillside buildings is still under debate, however. The five-year regulation barring lofty property development was extended for one more year, but there is a push among some groups to repeal it. K. Prasong explained that the committee will conduct environmental impact studies of the proposed changes before passing on recommendations to the National Environment Board. The committee is expected to submit its findings next year, he added.