Pressure Intensifies on Alila Tanah Lot Luxury Villa Project that Violates Setback Rules on Kelating Beach.
(7/5/2008) The controversy surrounding the building of 35 luxurious private villas operated under the Alila Villas Tanah Lot branding on Kelating Beach continues to escalate. As reported on balidiscovery.com, the construction of the villas in violation of the 100 meter setback rule from the high water mark has spark local environmental groups into action, voicing their concerns that local Balinese will be barred access to their beaches by an encroaching colony of foreign land owners. [See: Ignoring Nature and Bali's Law]
According to reports in both the Bali Post and Jawa Pos, work on the illegal villas has ceased following a halt on construction ordered by Tabanan's Regent.
The District Chief of Kerambitan, I Gusti Ngr Agung Suryana, told the press on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, that work was halted on the project on Saturday, June 21st and confirmed that his office continues to maintain a watch on the project.
A local environmental watchdog group Wahli is leading calls for the Alila Tanah Lot project to be demolished in order to demonstrate Bali's serious intent in enforcing its zoning and environmental regulations.
The villas located within the halted complex are reportedly being sold by developers at prices reportedly exceeding US$1 million with guaranteed rates of return promised to potential investors.