Houses in Golf Links, Jor Bagh, Sunder Nagar can now go higher

This put an abrupt halt to the the expansion process of several barsati structures — a ground plus small room on the terrace — in these localities. Several residential associations had approached the government to exclude them from the LBZ. The revised norms now allow these structures to go higher, in keeping with the Delhi Master Plan 2021.

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The panel has held that these areas, that came up in the 1950s, have been removed from the protected zone as the “transformed/commercialised areas/modern colonies do not bear any semblance to the Lutyens Bungalow character”.

“We are happy that we would be able to construct a second floor to accommodate our growing families under the new guidelines…,” said Sanjeev Chopra from the Golf Links Residents’ Association.

The panel has also revised the guidelines for the high-security LBZ.

Residential development in LBZ can now use a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.2 as long as the maximum ground coverage is not more than 12.5 per cent of the plot area. The height of the structure has to be within 12 mts or three floors.

The structures are now allowed to add a hitherto-banned basement. The Master Plan for Delhi, 2021, and Delhi Building bylaws, 1983, will be applicable for non-residential premises, provided the total height of the structure doesn’t exceed ground plus seven floors.

“The existing LBZ guidelines were vague. We have clarified the development control regulations…,” said DUAC chairman P S N Rao.