Land plots within walking distance of MRT stations set aside for new homes

Thousands of homes with public, private potential could be built near eight stations

- Ng Keng Gene

Thousands of new homes are set to be built within walking distance of MRT stations across the island, including Marymount, Caldecott and Kallang.

The authorities are also priming sites near Upper Changi, Expo, one-north, Woodlands South and Telok Ayer stations for new homes, according to proposed amendments to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Master Plan 2019 that were published on April 24 and May 7.

The URA masterplan is a statutory document that guides developments in Singapore for the next 10 to 15 years.

Three of the land parcels for new homes are in Upper Thomson Road, close to Marymount MRT station.

The first of these has an area of about 35,000 sq m, equivalent in size to just over five football fields.

This site was previously home to Lakeview Shopping Centre, which was completed by the Housing Board in the early 1970s and included a popular hawker centre.

Ms Christine Sun, real estate company OrangeTee Group's chief researcher and strategist, said the site can yield 1,100 to 1,200 HDB flats, or 1,600 to 1,700 condominium units, based on its size and assigned gross plot ratio of 3.9.

The plot ratio determines the maximum permissible floor area of developments.

Mr Nicholas Mak, chief research officer at property search portal Mogul.sg, said the site is more likely to be used for private housing, as it is surrounded by similar housing types — landed homes around Upper Thomson MRT station and Lakeview estate.

The second plot earmarked for housing in the area is separated from the Shunfu Gardens HDB estate by a canal, and measures roughly 13,500 sq m.

Ms Sun said this plot can hold 200 to 250 HDB flats, or 300 to 350 condo units.

A similar number of new homes can be built on the third plot in the area — located just south of the Lakeview estate, and between Upper Thomson Road and St Theresa's Home — she added.

This plot has an area of about 12,000 sq m.