Public Announcement. Do We Want To Preserve The Heritage Of Old Town

The X-site was the location of Sun Cinema previously.

A plan to convert 1) the plot ratio from 1:3.5 to 1:6 and 2) the height limit from 5 storeys to 14 storeys in Old Town where the Sun Cinema once stood.

Note: This plot is located within the heritage Core Zone with a gazetted height limit of 5 storeys in the Rancangan Kawasan Khas (RKK) by MBI. New buildings should correspond and be sensitive to the existing heritage buildings in terms of height, size, and design And preserve and promote Ipoh’s identity as a heritage city built by tin.

Agree or Disagree.

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Dear Old Town residents & friends,

In April 2018, Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI) put up a signage inviting the public to voice their objections of the conversion of the plot ratio and height restrictions of a plot of land in Old Town where the Sun Cinema once stood. The plans are to convert the plot ratio from 1:3.5 to 1:6 and the height limit from 5 storeys to 14 storeys. We welcome MBI’s efforts in involving the public in this process.

The amendment is to enable the developer, PK Lee Sdn. Bhd. to build a 14-storey hotel with an underground floor on the plot. We, together with several concerned parties, attended the hearing, but would also like to further highlight this issue to the public.

This plot is located within the heritage Core Zone with a gazetted height limit of 5 storeys in the Rancangan Kawasan Khas (RKK) by MBI. We are concerned regarding the following matters:

1.Ipoh Old Town is heavily promoted as a heritage and tourism spot, and has attracted tourists from around the globe due to its history. Any development must not change the fabric/landscape of the area, but must take Old Town's heritage into account. New buildings should correspond and be sensitive to the existing heritage buildings in terms of height, size, and design.

2.The plot is bordered by the Kinta River and heritage buildings that are over 100-years-old. Most of the heritage buildings were built without foundations. This amendment will enable the construction of the hotel or any high-rise building which will cause serious damage to the surrounding heritage buildings.

3.If the amendment is approved, it sets a precedent for the construction of more buildings that exceed the 5 storey height limit within the Core Zone in direct contravention to the guidelines set in the RKK. The RKK then becomes a document that bears no weight on any further development in the gazetted areas.

It is our hope that due consideration is given to the abovementioned matters to preserve and promote Ipoh’s identity as a heritage city built by tin.