Law Blog

Article 72(5) of the current Development Planning Act states the following: “Any permission still in force shall automatically pass on to the new owners of the development.” Bill No. 143 seeks to modify the said Article 72(5) as follows: “Any permission that remains in force shall attach to the site to which it relates and […]

Under the present framework of the Development Planning Act (Cap. 552), the renewal of development permissions is regulated by Article 72(4) and its provisos: “(4) A development permission may be granted for a limited period but shall cease to be operative if the activity or development has not been completed within the period specified in […]

The Current wording of Article 72(2) is as follows: “(2) In its determination upon an application for development permission, the Planning Board shall have regard to:(a) plans;(b) policies:Provided that subsidiary plans and policies shall not be applied retroactively so as to adversely affect vested rights arising from a valid development permission, or a valid police […]

Bill No. 143 of 2025 proposes a notable redrafting of Article 70 of the Development Planning Act, reshaping the core definition of “development” without altering its underlying structure of general definition plus specific exemptions. The reform lies in the better wording, the addition of two new exemptions, and the absorption of content from sub-articles (3) […]

Under the current Article 57 of the Development Planning Act (Cap. 552), the law allows the Executive Council, and in some cases the Environment and Resources Authority, to schedule properties of geological, archaeological, architectural, historical, or ecological importance for protection through a scheduling order. Owners can thereafter request reconsideration within thirty days or appeal to […]

One of the quieter yet potentially far-reaching amendments introduced by Bill No. 143 concerns Article 56 of the Development Planning Act. This provision regulates discontinuance orders—a rarely invoked yet potent planning mechanism enabling the Executive Council to mandate the cessation of a lawful land use or the removal of buildings or works erected under valid […]