Increase in retained green spaces in Gillman Barracks & Maju Forest, with demolition works & land preparation to start in 2027 & 2028 respectively: HDB

Retained green spaces are to increase by 10 per cent for Maju Forest, while for Gillman Barracks, new and retained green spaces will increase by 20 per cent after the conclusion of the public consultation period from Jul. 10 to Aug. 6.

In a media release on Oct. 28, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) stated that it had revised plans for the proposed housing developments at Sunset Way (also known as Maju Forest) and Gillman Barracks, to allocate more land for greenery and reduce development footprints.

In a doorstop on Oct. 28, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said: "Now based on these revised plans, we will be able to provide some 11,000 new homes for Singaporeans."

"That's around 4,000 for Maju Forest and about 7,000 for Gillman Barracks."

According to the media release, 5,500 of the 7,000 homes at Gillman Barracks are for public housing.

Government plans to "build taller where we can" to retain more greenery

According to the media release, site works are expected to start from the second half of 2027 at Gillman Barracks, with demolitions followed by land preparation works expected to commence in 2029.

Preparation works for Maju Forest will likely begin in the first half of 2028, with public access to the site restricted once works begin.

Tan added in his doorstop: "We will develop both sites progressively over the next decade into homes and neighbourhoods where families can enjoy green spaces, community facilities, and amenities."

In his doorstop, Tan added that the government plans to build "taller where we can" to retain more greenery while ensuring that they can provide more homes for Singaporeans.

When asked for figures regarding the housing trade-off, Tan said that for Maju Forest, it was around 400 units less and for Gillman Barracks it would amount to about a decrease of 800 units.

"So, taking into account all of the considerations, we have found as best as we can a landing spot and also a right balance."

Increase in green areas retained

The revision will expand the retained green areas at Maju Forest from around eight hectares to 10 hectares, which is approximately 45 per cent of the 23-hectare site, up from 35 per cent in the original plan.

Maju Forest's additional retained area lies in the southern part of the site.

For Gillman Barracks, the area set aside for greenery will rise from about eight hectares to 12 hectares, which is approximately 60 per cent of the 20 hectares of existing greenery on site. HDB originally planned to keep about 40 per cent of existing greenery.

The media release noted that more of the forest around a small hill in Gillman Barracks will be retained for a greener front towards Telok Blangah Street 31.

Along Lock Road and Malan Road, the north-south ecological corridor will also be widened.

Refinements guided by scientific studies and public feedback

HDB's media release said that during the public consultation period, feedback submissions received stood at 7,200 for Maju Forest and 2,300 for Gillman Barracks.

Additionally, around 1,000 stakeholders were engaged to better understand the concerns of the community, added the media release.

Feedback for both sites focused on concerns over the impact on greenery, such as the loss of habitat and biodiversity, with questions on whether more housing was required at the two sites and suggestions to explore other brownfield sites.

For Gillman Barracks, many respondents also highlighted its heritage, cultural and community value.

The revised plan will continue to retain the same 25 buildings initially identified for retention.

New nature parks

The proposed retained area at Maju Forest will be safeguarded as a new nature park, according to the media release.

The larger contiguous retained green area will also provide a wider pathway for wildlife movement, including the Straw-headed Bulbul and Sunda Pangolin.

In the case of Gillman Barracks, the larger green area will provide a wider buffer around the existing forest and enhance ecological connections to the Southern Ridges, Berlayar Creek and Labrador Nature Reserve.

The green areas in Gillman Barracks will be incorporated into the upcoming Alexandra Nature Park, expanding the green areas within the Labrador Nature Park Network.

The media release added that NParks will also enhance the Round Island Route along Alexandra Road to improve north-south connectivity between the rail corridor and the Labrador Nature Park Network.

They will also enhance Nature Ways along Alexandra Road, Telok Blangah Road and set up a new nature way along Telok Blangah Street 31 to intensify greenery along the edges of the Gillman Barracks site.

Next steps

An Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan will be enacted prior to the start of development work at both sites' vegetated areas.

Environmental mitigation and monitoring measures will also continue as developments are implemented.

For future housing projects, HDB said in the media release that climate-friendly designs and extensive precinct greenery will be implemented.

Moving forward, Tan said the government will engage the public "as early as possible" in the planning process, noting that Maju Forest had already been zoned for residential use since 1980.

More details on the feedback and how they were considered in plan reviews will be set out in Feedback Summary Reports on HDB InfoWEB alongside the revised environmental study reports for both sites.

Previous developments

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced plans to develop new homes at Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way (Maju Forest) on Jul. 10.

In parliament on Aug. 4, Tan said that plans for Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way "have not been finalised" and the government would proceed to redevelop both areas.

On Aug. 16, over 2,000 people turned up for the Maju Rally, an event organised by SG Climate Rally to protest the housing plans.