NEIGHBOURHOOD OF BLOCKS 93, 95 AND 96, BEDOK NORTH AVENUE 4 (Development of new blocks of HDB flats)

Dr Aline K. Wong asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the reasons for developing four new blocks of Housing and Development Board flats in the neighbourhood of Blocks 93, 95 and 96, Bedok North Avenue 4; (b) what sort of facilities will be provided; and (c) what are the plans for the development of the vacant land directly opposite this site.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the four new blocks to be developed in the neighbourhood of Blocks 93, 95 and 96 will comprise 165 5-room and 156 Executive flats. The introduction of bigger flat types in this neighbourhood, through the development of these four blocks of flats, will help contribute to a better housing mix in the area. It will also provide additional catchment for the existing neighbourhood centre located at the junction of Bedok North Road/Bedok North Avenue 4.

The new facilities that will be provided include a new multi-storey carpark, a new playground and multi-purpose court. The playground and multi-purpose court will be located in front of Block 93 and is intended to replace the existing ones affected by the redevelopment scheme.

The vacant piece of land opposite this developement is being safeguarded for future school development.

Dr Aline K. Wong (Tampines GRC): Sir, would the Senior Minister of State be kind enough to consider putting in a bit more recreational facilities after the area has been redeveloped because the residents used to enjoy a very congenial environment before the new development puts the environment into a rather congested state?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, HDB is aware of the need for recreational facilities in residential neighbourhood, especially in neighbourhoods where redevelopment programmes will be initiated. It is for that reason that in my main answer I pointed out that a new playground and multi-purpose court will be provided. If there is sufficient land in the nearby areas for additional recreational facilities, I will ask HDB to consider, but we must always bear in mind that we can only do what is possible within the available land.

Dr Aline Wong: Another supplementary question, Sir. With regard to the vacant land directly opposite the site, did the Ministry look into the possibility of having those new blocks built over that site rather than building in the existing site to avoid congesting the environment for the residents?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Sir, as I said in the main answer, the piece of land across the road is reserved for school development. There is a need for a school in the area and if we use that piece of land to redevelop newer blocks of flats, then where do we build the school? We have to settle for a compromise. As far as this particular piece of land is concerned, we have just demolished one block of one-room flats. It is necessary to redevelop such vacant sites by building bigger and newer types of flats so as to introduce a better mix of residents into the neighbourhood. For that reason, we should continue with the development on the site vacated by the demolished one-room block and leave the vacant land across the road for school development which is also needed for the neighbourhood.