SINGAPORE Law and Practice Contributed by: Dorothy Marie Ng, Monica Yip, Tay Peng Cheng and Tan Shao Tong, WongPartnership LLP
4.4 Obtaining Entitlements to Develop a New Project The development application typically com - mences with the owner/developer appoint - ing a QP. After the QP submits a development application to the URA for planning permission, the common types of planning permission that may be granted are provisional permission and a grant of written permission. Permissions may be unconditional or subject to such conditions as the URA deems fit, with reasons being given in writing. Conditions may include granting per - mission for a specified period and/or restrictions on the height, design, appearance or siting of buildings. In addition, all building works require building plan approval, including the refurbishment of an existing building, except for those exempted under the BC Act. There is no formal process for a third party (eg, a member of the public) to intervene in the plan - ning permission process or the building plan approval process. 4.5 Right of Appeal Against an Authority’s Decision Where the URA rejects an application for plan - ning permission, an appeal to the Minister for National Development may be made within 60 days of the date of notification of the decision. Where any application made for the approval of plans of any building works is refused, or is granted by the Commissioner of Building Control subject to terms and conditions, an aggrieved applicant may appeal to the Minister for Nation - al Development against the decision within 14 days of being served with notice thereof.
engagement with the Building and Construction Authority via a qualified person (QP) – either an architect registered under the Architects Act 1991 or a professional engineer registered under the Professional Engineers Act 1991. The requirements imposed will depend on the building works concerned and the building/area in which such works are to be carried out. The works should also fulfil the prime objective of safety, amenity and matters of public policy in general, as guided by the BC Act, its regulations and various codes. The BC Act also requires the licensing of builders, particularly those perform - ing specialist works. Approvals will also have to be obtained from oth - er government authorities for compliance with requirements such as height restrictions, access to and from public roads, discharge of waste, sewerage or surface water, and fire safety. 4.3 Regulatory Authorities The URA regulates the use of developments, through the Planning Act 1998 and subsidiary legislation. There are allocated permissible uses for each property type. The Building and Con - struction Authority is the principal agency that regulates developments in Singapore, through approvals of building plans. The development of a parcel of real estate will have to comply with various pieces of legisla - tion and regulations on different aspects, such as development planning and control, building and structural safety, fire safety, environmental control, utilities (water, electricity and gas sup - ply) and workplace safety and health.
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