Last December, when we were still in Phase 2 (Heightened Indifference), the authorities announced that built-to-order (BTO) flats will be launched for sale in several areas in 2021.
One of these sites was a 33ha Ulu Pandan estate where Dover Forest is located.
For those who don’t know, Dover Forest is a huge vegetated area zoned for residential development since 2003.
So, when authorities announced that the forest would be used for housing, it was met with dissent from nature groups who wanted to protect the forest’s biodiversity.
Back then, the government said it welcomed public feedback, with National Development Minister Desmond Lee saying all feedback would be studied closely.
Well, now it’s evident that they took our concerns into account.
Plans for Dover Forest Changed: Forest Will Be Used For Both Housing & Nature Park
Public feedback has prompted the authorities to revise their plans for Dover Forest.
While, around 11ha of the vegetated area will be used for public housing, 5ha of greenery in the eastern side of the site will be set aside for park and recreational use, HDB said today (30 July).
The housing projects will be launched in the near term, due to the pressing demand for housing in mature estates, HDB said.
The first of these flats are expected to be launched in the second half of 2022.
The flats will be designed with sustainability in mind, with nature and water bodies weaved into the housing landscape.
The residential estate will also be car-lite, and may feature a green corridor which would serve as a recreational space for residents.
As for the nature park, which HDB said would be “sizeable”, it will be connected to the Clementi Forest, the Southern Ridges, as well as the new Clementi Nature Corridor.
Retained as a green corridor along a canal, it will feature a natural freshwater stream.
Scientific Studies Taken Into Consideration as Well
As Mr Lee noted, HDB initially intended to use the entire site for housing, but later decided to “review and refine” their plans.
This can largely be attributed to public feedback and nature groups, but also to two scientific studies.
The first study found that the western part of the site is richer in biodiversity, with at least 158 species of animals and 120 plant species.
Some animal and plant species were found to be threatened or critically endangered, and were likely to be native to Singapore.
So, building housing there would essentially destroy their habitats in an instant, and possibly, wipe out their species.
It was actually after this study that HDB sought public feedback on the findings.
The second study, done by the National Parks Board, set out to determine how the Dover Forest connects to other forests in the country.
It turns out that the forest provided an important crossing point for wild animals coming in from the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, as well as from the vegetation in the Southern Ridges.
Fortunately, for now, at least, the animals will still have a place to call home.
Talking about animals, do you know why you say aww every time you see a cat? Well, this video will tell you why:
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Featured Image: Facebook (Desmond Lee)