First homes at former Kranji racecourse ready in about 10 years

Three areas in Singapore's north to be turned into vibrant locations: PM Wong

- Ng Keng Gene

The first homes in a new public housing estate at the former racecourse in Kranji will be ready in about 10 years' time.

This new estate will combine urban living with natural heritage, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 17, as he laid out redevelopment plans for three areas in northern Singapore: Kranji, Sembawang Shipyard and Woodlands.

PM Wong noted that previous speeches had covered plans for the western, eastern and central regions.

"Some people say the northern part of Singapore is more 'ulu,' more remote. I assure you, it's not. So tonight, I will focus on the north," he said to applause from the audience at ITE College Central.

Referring to the Kranji racecourse as "a rare opportunity for a major transformation", PM Wong said the site has the right ingredients to be developed for housing, such as ample space, good connectivity and nature at its doorstep.

Singapore Turf Club held its last race at the Kranji racecourse on Oct 5, 2024, and the club will return the site to the Government by March 2027, freeing up about 130ha of land — equivalent in size to roughly 200 football fields — for development.

PM Wong said the connectivity of the Kranji area will be improved, citing plans for a new MRT station at Sungei Kadut, which will be an interchange connecting the North-South and Downtown MRT lines.