Property owners within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site will soon enjoy a faster and more streamlined pathway to convert residential properties into shophouses.

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has approved a new guideline, effective May 1, removing the need for planning permission (kebenaran merancang) for selected change-of-use applications within the heritage zone. Instead, owners are only required to submit building plans, a move expected to cut the approval process by six to nine months.

According to MBPP mayor Rajendran P. Anthony, the revision is aimed at facilitating property owners while reducing procedural delays and compliance costs. The guideline applies to both pre-war and post-war buildings that contribute to the heritage value of George Town, including those of Early Penang and Straits Eclectic architectural styles.

Under the new rules, terrace houses may be converted into shophouses, with commercial use restricted to the ground floor and upper levels retained for residential purposes. While minor additions are allowed, these must remain within the existing building footprint, with no increase in building height permitted in order to preserve the historical streetscape.

Parking requirements remain in place, although developers can opt to pay a contribution in lieu, set at RM25,000 per car bay and RM2,500 per motorcycle bay. A separate conversion charge of RM100 per sq m will also apply for residential-to-commercial use.

The revised guideline replaces previous provisions, balancing improved efficiency with continued safeguards to protect the site’s Outstanding Universal Value.

Separately, MBPP also received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation for the Esplanade Seawall and Promenade project, recognised under the “New Design in Heritage Contexts” category.

ADVERTISEMENT