The Sharjah Government is going ahead with the multi-purpose Al Nujoom Island project at Al Hamriya and 1,000 villas are scheduled for completion within 18 months, an official said.
"The project is not cancelled or suspended," said Salah Butti Obaid bin Butti, Director-General of the Sharjah Planning and Survey Department. "We are going ahead with it and the plans for the first 1,000 villas were approved by the department and will be finished in 18 months."
However, the department made some observations on the master plan and forwarded them to its partner in the project, Al Hanoo Real Estate, he added.
"Studying the master plan we found that some areas had a high residential ratio and there were not sufficient open areas between buildings. Also, the roundabouts suggested in the master plan would not ensure smooth traffic movement and the entrances to the project were not large enough."
The department asked the developer to amend the master plan to reduce the residential ratio in these areas and design intersections instead of roundabouts.
In addition, the department asked the developer to design a three-lane ring road to ensure smooth traffic movement. "Having another bridge leading to the project will ensure smooth access to and exit from the development," he said. "The developer agreed to carry out these amendments."
Al Nujoom Island is being built on reclaimed land at Al Hamriya on Sharjah's northeast coast and will cover an area of 60 million sq ft. The integrated project features Andalusian-style architecture and comprises residential, commercial, retail and hospitality facilities including parks facing the Gulf.
By Eman Al Baik
© Emirates Business 24/7 2010
