More forested areas of Gillman Barracks, Sunset Way to be retained under adjusted housing plans: Alvin Tan

The Government will adjust its housing plans for Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way to keep a larger percentage of greenery, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said on Friday (Aug 14).

"We will work out exactly how much more, but we will have to accept that this means we can build fewer homes on both sites for fellow Singaporeans," he said.

@asiaone While formal consultations closed on Aug 6, the government has continued to engage and hear from various stakeholders on the plans for Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest, said Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan on Friday (Aug 14). Tan told reporters that more greenery will be retained than originally planned at both sites, meaning fewer homes. #sgnews #Singapore #Housing #Nature #Heritage ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

The new plans are developed in consultation with local nature groups who had submitted feedback on the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) conducted for the two sites.

There have been calls for the forested land near Gillman Barracks as well as Maju Forest in the Sunset Way area to be preserved after HDB announced redevelopment plans there.

Even though the formal consultation period for the EIA ended on Aug 6, Tan said on Friday that they have continued engaging Singaporeans on the matter.

The original redevelopment plan for Gillman Barracks includes green spaces equivalent to 40 per cent of the area today, while the plan for Sunset Way would have retained around 35 per cent of the 23ha Maju Forest.

Tan said that nature groups have suggested maintaining a wider green corridor at both sites to enhance ecological connections.

"Residents and the general public too have asked us to retain more greenery," he added.

"We will take these suggestions into consideration as we make the adjustments."

The finalised plan will be completed in the coming months, according to Tan, who said the Government continues to welcome feedback from the public.

Advocate group SG Climate Rally had earlier announced that it will be holding a rally at Hong Lim Park on Sunday over the redevelopment plans.

@asiaone Speaking to the media on Friday (Aug 14), Nature Society Singapore president Leong Kwok Peng said he was quite heartened to see the youth and the MPs being very active and engaging the residents about Maju Forest. He also shared about the society's "highest aspiration". #sgnews #Singapore #Housing #Nature #Heritage ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

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lim.kewei@asiaone.com