A request to turn a clubhouse complex in Cheoc Van into a two or three star hotel is being considered by the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT), it was revealed at the 5th Urban Planning Committee held yesterday.
During the meeting it was revealed that in 2016 the owner of the 2,001 square meters complex in Rua Três dos Jardins de Cheoc Van, requested the government to change the current property use from its current use set since 1992 for commercial purposes, as a restaurant and as a clubhouse; into a budget hotel.
The committee members urged the DSSOPT to approve the change, due to the current lack of offerings in Macau for affordable and budget hotel rooms.
“The change of use for this land plot makes a lot of sense and should be allowed. It has access to water, the marina and it has infrastructure below that requires some attention. If during these almost 30 years the project didn’t work it was because it wasn’t viable,” local architect, and one of the committee members, Rui Leão, said during the meeting.
According to several committee members if the complex failed to gather use by the neighbourhood residents for more than 20 years then its functions should be changed to something that can suit it better.
“Macau needs more 2 to 3 star hotels. I asked the MGTO what they plan to do there and they told me we need to promote the tourism area outside casino areas (…) We need more quality tourists instead of tourists just spending on gaming,” committee member Wu Chou Kit stated.
For Paul Tse, the initial project was made in a time where “people considered Coloane difficult to access”, but better access now makes the area more viable for hotel projects.
“Returns from exploiting a hotel come slower than exploiting a restaurant, but if the owner believes it would be a profitable project it should be allowed. I believe changing into a hotel would be better for Macau,” he added.
In its response the DSSOPT stated that the request would need to be analysed taking into account if the location is ideal for the hotel and overall planning for the area, while inquiring local residents and the public on the issue.
“We don’t want too many cars or buses to enter that area (…) We’re not saying it can’t be altered but local residents currently don’t know about the request, we want to hear the public”
The gas depot
Another project that led to more intense discussion by the committee members was the development of a privately managed liquefied gas depot in a 7,500 square meters government owned land plot near the Macau International Airport.
Committee member Chan Ken Fang questioned why a private concession would be made in public land, the DSSOPT answered the MSAR Basic Law allowed concessions to be made to private companies on public issues such as water or energy.
“This type of concession won’t be a 25 year concession. It all depends on the concession contract yet to be made,” said the DSSOPT representative.
Members of the committee asked if the project had been analysed by the city Fire Department, the future use for the land adjacent to the land plot and if the current temporary liquefied depot in Ilha Verde would be moved to that location.
The Committee President – which also holds functions as the DSSOPT Director – stated that since the depot would be managed by a private company he couldn’t assure the gas stored in Ilha Verde would be moved there.
“There is a problem in Macau of finding where to deposit gas until its distributed to other places with deposits normally made near water, but this location in an industrial area is good,” he added.
