The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has stopped receiving applications for licences to new general services activities at the residential villas within residential areas.
Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported Friday that the MME has exempted from these licences nurseries, kindergartens, beauty salons, Holy Qur'an memorisation centres, and education centres for persons with disability, in addition to popular kitchens.
In a correspondence addressed to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the MME has asked the department concerned to stop receiving new applications for such licences and abide only by the designated use of these as residential villas. Further, an administrative circular was sent to the municipalities concerned to act accordingly.
In the meantime, the other services activities will be able to operate at the designated areas of administrative towers, commercial and administrative streets, urban commercial centres, and the approved percentage of residential apartment buildings.
The new directives are part of implementing the comprehensive urban development plan in the country, and meant to support the development of investment projects at the designated areas and activities while maintaining the privacy of residential areas.
A number of businessmen, members of the Central Municipal Council and economic experts said that the new decision will alleviate traffic congestion in the residential areas and help maintain a peaceful and calm environment for the benefit of the residents. According to them, it could reflect positively on reducing the residential rental rates, and encourage investment in commercial complexes.
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