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New replacement flats located at Woodlands Street 13. (Image: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Housing and Development Board, Singapore Land Authority)
Nine Housing Board (HDB) blocks of flats - Blocks 210 to 218 at Marsiling Crescent and Marsiling Lane have been selected to be acquired by the HDB to make way for a further expansion of the Woodlands Checkpoint to address traffic congestion and meet a projected 40 per cent increase in traffic volumes by 2050.
The expansion will include the addition of “flexi-lanes” that can clear both cars and motorcycles, reducing travel time by as much as four times, the agencies said. This means a clearance time of 15 minutes, down from 60 minutes, during peak periods.
The Bukit Timah Expressway will be extended and enhanced to channel traffic directly to and from the Old Woodlands Town Centre extension. The immediate and surrounding local road networks will also be upgraded. The flat acquisition and subsequent redevelopment of Woodlands Checkpoint will be carried out progressively to minimise disruption to residents.
The expansion will include the addition of “flexi-lanes” that can clear both cars and motorcycles, reducing travel time by as much as four times, the agencies said. This means a clearance time of 15 minutes, down from 60 minutes, during peak periods.
The Bukit Timah Expressway will be extended and enhanced to channel traffic directly to and from the Old Woodlands Town Centre extension. The immediate and surrounding local road networks will also be upgraded. The flat acquisition and subsequent redevelopment of Woodlands Checkpoint will be carried out progressively to minimise disruption to residents.
Nine Housing Board (HDB) blocks of flats - Blocks 210 to 218 at Marsiling Crescent and Marsiling Lane have been selected to be acquired by the HDB to make way for a further expansion of the Woodlands Checkpoint
Owners of the sold flats at these affected blocks will be offered the same rehousing benefits as those offered under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers), including compensation based on the market value of their flats and the option to buy a new flat with a fresh 99-year lease. The existing flats at Marsiling Crescent are currently around 40 years old.
Residents and tenants of the 732 sold flats, 53 rental flats, one rental kiosk, six rental shops and one rental eating house will have to move out by the second quarter of 2028.
Among the housing benefits is compensation based on the market value of their flat at the date of the acquisition and the option to purchase a new flat with a fresh 99-year lease at a subsidised price. Flat owners may also receive a grant of up to S$30,000 and take out a housing loan from HDB for the purchase.
To help defray the expenses incurred in the move, HDB will also provide flat owners with a removal allowance, as well as stamp and legal fees. Eligible flat owners who do not wish to purchase a new flat can choose to sell their existing flats with the rehousing benefits on the open market.
Even though these flats enjoy the benefits under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) which is aimed at rejuvenating older estates, HDB clarified that the project does not fall under the Sers programme which usually select old HDB estates in city fringe or prime locations.
Residents and tenants of the 732 sold flats, 53 rental flats, one rental kiosk, six rental shops and one rental eating house will have to move out by the second quarter of 2028.
Among the housing benefits is compensation based on the market value of their flat at the date of the acquisition and the option to purchase a new flat with a fresh 99-year lease at a subsidised price. Flat owners may also receive a grant of up to S$30,000 and take out a housing loan from HDB for the purchase.
To help defray the expenses incurred in the move, HDB will also provide flat owners with a removal allowance, as well as stamp and legal fees. Eligible flat owners who do not wish to purchase a new flat can choose to sell their existing flats with the rehousing benefits on the open market.
Even though these flats enjoy the benefits under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) which is aimed at rejuvenating older estates, HDB clarified that the project does not fall under the Sers programme which usually select old HDB estates in city fringe or prime locations.
The offered precinct at Woodlands Street 13, indicated in yellow, will comprise five residential blocks. (Image: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Housing and Development Board, Singapore Land Authority)
Residents are surprised that their flats near the Woodlands Checkpoint could enjoy the opportunity to move to a brand new flat with a fresh 99 years lease. They felt the new location of the replacement flats is much better as they can now live beside the beautiful Marsiling green park - a big relief from the daily smog and dust at Woodlands Checkpoint. With Marsiling MRT station only a 10 minute stroll from their future new home, residents will also enjoy the convenience of nearby existing shops and eating houses.
Flat owners have the option of purchasing these new flats with better design and fittings, located within a precinct with modern and comprehensive facilities. There will be five blocks of new replacement flats at Woodlands Street 13 between 23 to 34 storeys high, comprising two-room Flexi, three-room, four-room and five-room flats. Eligible flat owners may receive a SERS grant of up to S$30,000 and take out a housing loan from HDB for the purchase of their new flat.
Flat owners have the option of purchasing these new flats with better design and fittings, located within a precinct with modern and comprehensive facilities. There will be five blocks of new replacement flats at Woodlands Street 13 between 23 to 34 storeys high, comprising two-room Flexi, three-room, four-room and five-room flats. Eligible flat owners may receive a SERS grant of up to S$30,000 and take out a housing loan from HDB for the purchase of their new flat.
Channelnewsasia online 26 May 2022
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