Sengkang temple site not meant for commercial columbarium: MND

Sengkang temple site not meant for commercial columbarium: MND

The Ministry of National Development is in discussions with Eternal Pure Land to see how the land can be restored to the original plan of a Chinese temple, Minister Khaw Boon Wan says.

SINGAPORE: The decision to award a site designated as Place of Worship to a company not affiliated to a religious organisation is a first for the Government, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament on Thursday (Jan 29).

Mr Khaw said the Ministry of National Development is "in discussion" with Eternal Pure Land to "ensure that the land is restored to the original plan of a Chinese temple". He was responding to questions posed by MPs Seng Han Thong, Lee Li Lian and Lee Bee Wah.

"We now understand that the winning tenderer for this site, Eternal Pure Land, is actually a private company without any religious affiliation. From what we know, the plan of the company is to run a commercial columbarium on the site," the minister said. "This is not in line with our plan for the Places of Worship site."

He added that many temples provide an incidental columbarium service for their members and devotees, and whether the eventual temple in Sengkang will provide such a service is a decision for the temple trustees to make.

Mr Khaw said a review to improve land tender process for Places of Worship was launched late last year, for example by tightening eligibility requirements for tenderers.

"We have been engaging religious groups on the review. The Sengkang temple case has highlighted the necessity for such a review. I will provide more information when the review is completed," he stated.

The current tender process allows for religious organisations and companies to participate. This is because some of the religious organisations form companies to enable and facilitate their ownership and development of such sites.

"This has been the practice since 1991 when State Lands were put up for tenders for Places of Worship use. The assumption is that only companies affiliated to religious organisations would participate in such tenders," he added. Since 1991, seven sites have been won by companies, all affiliated to religious organisations.

Previously, property owners in Sengkang were up in arms over plans to build a Buddhist temple with columbarium services near their new homes, despite measures to mitigate possible inconveniences for residents being put in place.

The Housing and Development Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority indicated that plans for a columbarium at a Chinese temple planned in Sengkang can go ahead, despite objections from residents.

- CNA/kk


- wong chee tat :)

S$247m top bid for Buangkok Drive/Sengkang East Drive site

S$247m top bid for Buangkok Drive/Sengkang East Drive site
By Ryan Huang | Posted: 02 June 2011 2136 hrs
     
SINGAPORE : A total of four bids, according to provisional results, were received by the Housing & Development Board (HDB) in the tender for a land parcel at the junction of Buangkok Drive and Sengkang East Drive.

The site, which has a gross floor area of over 58,000 square metres, is planned for condominium housing development.

The top bid came from Qingdao Construction at S$247 million, or S$391 per square feet per plot ratio (psf/plot ratio).

This was ahead of the next bid from Opal Star by about S$7 million.

The lowest bid was S$145 million from Best Desire.

The site can be developed into a condominium development of around 20 storeys with 550 units.

CB Richard Ellis executive director Li Hiaw Ho said: "The top bid of S$247 million or S$391 psf/plot ratio is within market expectations. A new project will breakeven at S$760 psf to S$780 psf."

He added that currently "units in H2O Residences at Sengkang West Avenue/ Fernvale Link are being marketed at the median price of S$940 psf and some 330 units of this 521-unit condominium have been sold to date."

- CNA /ls

- wong chee tat :)

HDB to launch tender for Sengkang residential site

HDB to launch tender for Sengkang residential site
By Stella Lee | Posted: 29 March 2011 2207 hrs

SINGAPORE : The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is launching the tender for a residential site at Buangkok Drive/Sengkang East Drive on Wednesday.

The site, which is slated for condominium development, can potentially yield 550 dwelling units.

It is being released for tender under the Confirmed List of the 1st Half 2011 Government Land Sales Programme.

Located to the east of Sengkang New Town, residents there will be served by the Buangkok MRT station.

The land parcel has an area of over 19,500 square metres, with a maximum gross floor area of about 58,600 square metres.

The site has a lease term of 99 years and the tender will close at noon on June 2.

Mr Ku Swee Yong, the CEO of International Property Advisor, said the supply was overwhelming for the area and may create problems, such as traffic congestion, later on.

He added: "Within 15 months from 1st Jan 2010 till today, we have a potential supply of almost 10,000 units of HDB and 6,000 units of private residences that will be completed in 2014-2015.

"And there are more Government Land Sales parcels coming up in the rest of this year - both on the confirmed and reserved lists and including ECs."

- CNA/al

- wong chee tat :)