Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
Circular Roc.No.17594/2013/Spl.Cell., OSR Should Be Marked Only at the Existing Public Road
The Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning, Chennai-02, issued Circular Roc.No.17594/2013/Spl.Cell. dated 29 August 2013, instructing that Open Space Reservation in proposals must abut an existing public road. The instruction applies immediately to proposals considered by the Commissioner’s office and approvals issued by subordinate offices.
What the circular governs
Circular Roc.No.17594/2013/Spl.Cell. dated 29 August 2013 was issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning, Chennai-02. It governs where Open Space Reservation, commonly described as OSR in the circular, must be located in proposals submitted for planning approval.
The circular states that the Development Control Regulation requires Open Space Reservation to be earmarked on land abutting a public road. It was issued because the Commissioner’s office was receiving many proposals in which OSR abutted internal roads within the site instead.
Main instruction
The Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning gives the following directions:
- Proposals must provide OSR abutting an existing public road.
- Proposals with OSR abutting an existing public road will be considered for approval.
- Subordinate offices must follow the same instruction when issuing approvals at their level.
- The instruction came into immediate effect.
The circular does not state that compliance by itself guarantees approval. It states only which OSR location will be considered for approval.
Internal roads and unavoidable circumstances
The Development Control Regulation position described in Circular Roc.No.17594/2013/Spl.Cell. allows OSR within a site and abutting an internal circulation road only in unavoidable circumstances, provided that the internal road is also handed over to the local body.
The circular explains unavoidable circumstances as situations where the entire site is accessed through a private passage or similar arrangement, making it impossible to provide OSR abutting an existing public road. However, the final instruction directs offices to consider proposals with OSR abutting an existing public road only.
Who may be affected
Circular Roc.No.17594/2013/Spl.Cell. is relevant to anyone preparing or submitting a development proposal that includes Open Space Reservation. It is also directed to all subordinate offices, with copies sent to all Assistant Directors, Planning Assistants and Supervisors at the head office.
Applicants should therefore check whether the proposed OSR directly abuts an existing public road before submitting the proposal for approval.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can OSR be placed beside an internal road within my site?
The circular says the Development Control Regulation permits this only in unavoidable circumstances and only if the internal road is also handed over to the local body. Its final instruction says proposals will be considered where OSR abuts an existing public road.
What does the circular mean by unavoidable circumstances?
It describes a site that obtains access through a private passage or similar arrangement, where providing OSR beside an existing public road is not possible.
Do local planning offices have to follow this instruction?
Yes. Circular Roc.No.17594/2013/Spl.Cell. instructs subordinate offices to follow the same requirement when issuing approvals at their level.
When did the OSR instruction take effect?
The circular is dated 29 August 2013 and states that it comes into immediate effect.
