PEOPLE facing legal action for certain building violations have been given a reprieve following the easing of regulations.
In an extraordinary meeting of the Muharraq Municipal Council, Housing and Urban Planning Ministry officials said the new building rules were effective from the end of last month.
It allows people to build two storeys on the garage, instal elevators in the services space between homes, and have a door to the backyard.
However, the ministry’s housing projects construction and maintenance director Mohammed Rashdan said people who have already been convicted for violations with removal of extensions or fines will not benefit from the revised regulations.
“The only cases that we can help with are those pending legal action, but not those that are bygone,” he said.
“Again, the ministry has eased rules and not waived them, with some cases still falling into the category of serious crimes.
“We will assess pending cases and take decisions on each of them, in partnership with Bahrain’s three municipal councils and the Capital Trustees Board.”
Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi said recent changes in regulatory requirements aim to simplify the expansion of building spaces for housing units and residential plots.
She affirmed that the Decision 899 of 2024, on regulatory requirements for housing project, was established following the Cabinet’s approval.
The minister explained that the objective was to maximise citizens’ benefits from expansion opportunities around housing units.
“They will also help in addressing recurring building violations and transforming them into legal amendments in accordance with the regulatory standards applied to all residential units, plots, and buildings under the ministry’s jurisdiction,” said Ms Al Romaihi.
She added that the decision regulates requirements for residential buildings in addition to housing areas that have not yet been delineated, as part of a comprehensive legal framework.
The initiative is the result of co-ordinated efforts between the legislative and executive authorities following an extensive review of cases submitted to the ministry, citizens’ proposals received through the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul) as well as feedback from MPs and municipal councils.
“The proposal was discussed by a technical government team that also included the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry and the Urban Planning and Development Authority,” the minister pointed out.
“They were also reviewed in stages with municipal councils and the Capital Trustees Board.”
A presentation on the new guidelines was given by the ministry’s design and infrastructure head Nirmeen Ayoub.
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said the ministry should inform Bahrain’s courts to halt all cases pertaining to building violations.
“We agree that nothing can be done in cases where verdicts have already been issued,” he said.
“However, the ministry should give a grace period to citizens whose violations can now be rectified following the implementation of the new rules,” he added.
“Those that cannot be corrected will see their cases continue in court.
“There were people who were taken to police station for the first time for minor building violations. I heard that a citizen in Arad suffered paralysis after he was informed about his violations.
“It’s time people breathe a sigh of relief.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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