SITE OF FORMER JALAN BESAR ABATTOIR (Construction of flats or shopping and hawker centre)

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Law and National Development if his Ministry has any plans to utilise the site of the former abattoir at Jalan Besar for the construction of multi-storey residential flats or a shopping and hawker centre so as to provide better amenities for the residents of that area.

Mr E. W. Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, the sites for the former sheep and cattle abattoirs at Jalan Besar are being redeveloped under the urban renewal programme for the relocation of families, businesses and hawkers affected by development schemes in the locality.

On the former sheep abattoir site, a 16-storey block of fiats, with a podium comprising three rows of eating stalls and shops, will be built. This project will be similar to the People's Park Complex which has proved to be a success. Tenders for the construction of this project will be called some time this year.

As regards the site for the cattle abattoir, a similar project planned, but this site will only developed when the Ministry of hands over vacant possession Urban Renewal Department.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Kampong Kapor): Sir, can the Minister tell us how many units will be built in this project?

Mr Barker: Sir, in all, these two projects will provide about 200 one-room improved type of flats, about 78 three-room flats, about 20 shops with living accommodation, and about 80 lock-up shops, and one hawker centre providing about 35 eating shops.