Demand No. 26, Housing and Urban Development Department (2017)
Demand No. 26, Housing and Urban Development Department is a policy note issued by the Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Department, effective 1 January 2017. It describes the department’s housing and urban development responsibilities and reports planning permission reforms, development regulation changes and affordable housing incentives affecting applicants, developers and property owners across Tamil Nadu.
Purpose and scope
Demand No. 26, Housing and Urban Development Department explains the work of the Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Department and its agencies. The Tamil Nadu Housing Board and Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board provide affordable housing, while the Registrar of Co-operative Societies (Housing) forms layouts, sells them to members and provides housing finance.
The Directorate of Town and Country Planning and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority prepare master plans and regulate land use and development. The policy note also records reforms undertaken during 2016-2017 to simplify planning approvals and support affordable housing.
Who may be affected
The planning reforms reported by the Tamil Nadu Housing and Urban Development Department are relevant to people applying for planning permission, layout approval or change of land use. They also affect developers constructing special buildings or housing for Middle Income Group, Low Income Group and Economically Weaker Sections households.
Property buyers and owners may encounter the revised requirements when checking whether a proposed development has proper planning permission, complies with building controls or qualifies for affordable housing incentives.
Key provisions
Demand No. 26, Housing and Urban Development Department reports the following measures:
- The Directorate of Town and Country Planning introduced online submission of planning permission applications and drawings, online status monitoring and SMS alerts.
- Layout approval and change of land use applications could be submitted directly to the relevant planning authority instead of necessarily going through local bodies.
- Planning authorities received online access to Revenue Department records, replacing the requirement for applicants to obtain certificates stating that land was not government land or a water body.
- Applicants were to receive an inspection date and a personal hearing date within 21 days of filing. Replies and additional documents were to be submitted within 7 days. Complete applications were then to be processed within a maximum of one week without further queries.
- Special building height was increased to 17 metres in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and 17.25 metres in Directorate of Town and Country Planning areas.
- Rooftop solar panels were made compulsory, and terrace access was permitted for all kinds of buildings.
- Additional Floor Space Index incentives were provided for specified Middle Income Group, Low Income Group and Economically Weaker Sections unit sizes. Plot coverage for Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Group projects was increased by 10 per cent.
- Planning permit validity was increased from three years to five years through the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 (Act No. 17 of 2017).
- A drawing pre-check facility was provided in the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
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 I submit a layout approval or change of land use application directly to the planning authority?
Yes. The policy note says direct submission to the relevant planning authority was permitted in both Directorate of Town and Country Planning and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority areas, without necessarily applying through a local body.
Do I need a Revenue Department certificate confirming that the land is not government land or a water body?
The policy note says this certificate requirement was removed. Planning authorities were given access to Revenue Department records to check land ownership and status online.
How long is a planning permit valid?
The validity period was increased from three years to five years through an amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 (Act No. 17 of 2017).
Does the policy note provide benefits for affordable housing projects?
Yes. It reports additional Floor Space Index incentives for qualifying Middle Income Group, Low Income Group and Economically Weaker Sections housing, along with a 10 per cent increase in plot coverage for Economically Weaker Sections and Low Income Group projects.
