Plans to build a beach club in Sanur have ignited a wave of protests, as many people view Sanur as a peaceful retreat. Due to this public backlash, the Denpasar City Government has announced that it will reassess the project.
Denpasar Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara stated, “We will review the project. We need to determine if it will truly be a beach club or just another type of business,” during an interview at Graha Sewaka Dharma on Monday, July 29, 2024.
The proposal for the club began circulating when discussions around the Icon Bali Mall arose. Jaya Negara instructed the licensing department to halt any permits for beach clubs in the Sanur area.
Construction of a beach club in Sanur is not permitted without the necessary approvals. The only exception would be if the developers received approval from the central government. However, Jaya Negara admitted he was unaware if the club had such authorization.
“If there are no basic permits, the development cannot proceed. Unless they have approval from the central government, which we are not aware of,” explained the PDIP politician.
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Regarding the suitability of a club in Sanur, Jaya Negara said the government generally supports local investment growth. “We cannot hinder investments,” he clarified.
However, hotel owners in Sanur oppose the beach club project. Jaya Negara emphasized that his administration supports the community’s wishes. “We have blocked the permits. If they apply for permits, they will not be approved,” he stated.
The Sanur Beach Club is proposed to be built on Jalan Danau Tamblingan, Denpasar, Bali, close to the Icon Bali Mall. The site was formerly home to the Artotel Beach Club Sanur, which closed some time ago.