Pasir Ris to get more homes next to MRT station, potential new neighbourhood

More homes are set to be built next to Pasir Ris MRT station, on the site of the former Pasir Ris Bus Interchange, while a new community hub for the town centre is in the works.

- Ng Keng Gene

Based on the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025, the homes will be built on a plot about 2.9ha in size - equivalent to the area of four football fields - that has been zoned for housing, with commercial use on the first storey.

In addition, the Government is studying plans for a new neighbourhood in the town, to be located next to Sungei Loyang on a site that is currently largely vegetated.

"An environmental study is under way to incorporate the area’s biodiversity into future development plans," the URA said of the proposed neighbourhood at its draft master plan exhibition.

The master plan, which is expected to come into force later in 2025, will guide Singapore's development for the next 10 to 15 years. The exhibition runs until Nov 29 at The URA Centre.

BUILDINGS CAN BE BUILT HIGHER

Demolition of the old bus interchange is expected to begin by end-2025, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) told The Straits Times on Sept 26. This will be done in phases to ensure safety and minimal disruption, said the authority.

Mr Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at Mogul.sg, noted that future developments in Pasir Ris may benefit from the recent revision of height limits of buildings near airports by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

For instance, the 2.9ha plot next to Pasir Ris MRT station is located about 3.8km from Changi Airport's runways, which means buildings can now be up to 60m tall. The limit was 45m, according to the rules before the Aug 5 revision.

Mr Mak said the plot can accommodate 580 to 650 condominium units, with 18,000 sq m to 23,000 sq m of retail space.

The former Pasir Ris Bus Interchange had served public buses, and as a pick-up and drop-off point for Ministry of Defence and Singapore Armed Forces personnel.