Paya Lebar redevelopment: Nature Society proposes keeping a third of space as green areas

The Nature Society Singapore (NSS) has proposed retaining nearly a third of the vegetation surrounding Paya Lebar Air Base as green spaces ahead of its redevelopment in the 2030s. The society submitted a report to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) detailing its proposal to conserve 389 hectares of land, encompassing forests, parkland, and water bodies.

Proposal Details

The area slated for redevelopment, following the relocation of the airbase, spans 1,271 hectares – an area slightly larger than Woodlands, according to NSS estimates. Of this, 805 hectares are considered areas of biodiversity importance, which the society believes should be preserved to support local flora and fauna.

NSS spokesman Tony O’Dempsey stated that the greenery represents one of the last “wild growth areas” in north-east Singapore. The society’s report highlights the significant loss of 805 hectares of viable habitat within the 1,271-hectare development area, calling for mitigation measures to maintain original habitats and ensure connectivity throughout the region.

Ecological Significance

Green patches within the airbase, along with adjacent vegetated areas extending from Tampines Road to Coney Island and Bedok Reservoir Park, serve as habitats and ecological corridors for native wildlife. These include the Paya Lebar Air Base forests, areas near Serangoon Reservoir, and the Tampines Quarry woodland.

The NSS proposal includes a 100-meter buffer along the banks of the Serangoon Reservoir, extending over 6 kilometers. O’Dempsey explained that water bodies are exceptional habitats and serve as transport corridors for animals like birds and bats.

Additional elements of the proposal involve establishing a branch of the fauna corridor, creating a naturalized waterway, and preserving the Tampines Quarry woodland and terrain at the airbase’s north end. The society also suggests establishing public access paths throughout the corridor to allow public appreciation of the natural environment.

URA Response and Future Plans

The URA has received the NSS proposal and will assess it as it reviews wider development plans for the area. Agency representatives stated they will conduct further studies in the coming years to guide future plans and consider feedback, including the NSS’ proposal.

Plans to relocate the airbase – which covers approximately 800 hectares – and redevelop the area were initially announced in 2013. The relocation is expected to begin in the 2030s, paving the way for new housing and industrial developments, including an estimated 150,000 new homes.

O’Dempsey acknowledged the need for residential and industrial development but cautioned against completely eliminating the area’s environmental considerations. NSS surveys have identified 193 bird species in the area, including 60 of conservation concern and 33 dependent on the forest, such as the great knot and the straw-headed bulbul. The area also supports reptiles, mammals, including the striped bronzeback, oriental whip snake, and wild boar.

While acknowledging a potential green connector in the URA’s conceptual plan, O’Dempsey noted it doesn’t appear to connect existing vegetated areas. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive environmental impact study across the entire redevelopment area to refine the concept of retained forests and connectivity and ensure transparency regarding potential environmental losses.

The redevelopment of the area has recently been discussed in Parliament, with Hougang MP Dennis Tan highlighting vegetation clearance for a bus depot without a proper environmental study. In response, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan stated that agencies are reviewing plans to develop more vegetation along the Serangoon River. The URA spokesperson confirmed they will evaluate potential environmental impacts and conduct further studies if deemed significant, while also prioritizing greenery and recreational spaces and welcoming public feedback.