Bishan may get 1,500 new BTO flats by 2025

The Bishan East site for the proposed public housing development used to house the ITE College Central’s Bishan campus until it moved out in 2013. The campus was then taken over by St Joseph’s Institution until end-2016. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

HDB calls for quotation for traffic impact assessment for proposed development with 6 blocks near MRT station

More than 1,500 Build-To-Order (BTO) flats could be available by 2025 in Bishan, one of Singapore’s most sought after housing estates.

The Housing Board has called for a quotation for a traffic im-pact assessment (TIA) for a proposed public housing development in the area.

In documents seen by The Straits Times, HDB said that the proposed development will consist of six residential blocks from 22 to 39 storeys high.

They will have roof gardens and offer a total of 1,504 two-, three-and four-room units.

Proposed amenities include a childcare centre, a residents’ committee centre, a minimart, a coffee shop and other shops.

The 44,424 sq m site in Bishan Street 14 is next to the Kallang River, and between the Kuo Chuan Presbyterian primary and secondary schools and the Ministry of Education Language Centre’s Bishan campus.

It is about 400m, or a five-minute walk, from Bishan MRT station.

The last time new flats were built in Bishan was in 2006, when 176 studio apartments designed for the elderly were launched.

An HDB spokesman said: “The TIA study at Bishan East is for a proposed future comprehensive development that includes public housing. More information will be provided when the detailed plans are ready.”

Mr Nicholas Mak, head of research and consultancy at ERA Realty, said of the proposed development: “It is very rare to get BTOs in Bishan… With the site’s close location to a primary school and an MRT station which already has a mall, you can expect very high application rates.”

“Chances are flat prices will be more expensive, but it is fair, given that they will likely fetch a higher price on the resale market too,” he added.

Dr Steven Choo, a veteran urban planner and chairman of real estate advisory firm Vestasia Group, said that the waterfront view of the Kallang River should make the homes very attractive, in particular the units on high floors.

The Bishan East site used to house the ITE College Central’s Bishan campus until the school moved out in 2013.

The campus was then taken over by St Joseph’s Institution until end-2016.

The area is now designated for residential use in the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s masterplan.

Other housing projects in the pipeline include 4,500 BTO flats in Ang Mo Kio, Tampines and Tengah, which HDB will offer next month.

Another 3,000 BTO flats in Sembawang and Toa Payoh will be released next February.

Last week, The Straits Times reported that more than 5,000 new homes could be launched in Queenstown by 2027.

About 2,060 of these homes could be ready by as early as 2021 or 2022.

“Source:[Bishan may get 1,500 new BTO flats by 2025] © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction”

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