Objective

1. This is to inform the Professional Institutes about the change in the composition of the members of the Orchard Road Development Commission (ORDEC) and that ORDEC will continue for another 2 years,  up to 3 July 2015.

Role of ORDEC

2. The ORDEC was first established on 4 Jul 2005 as part of a series of incentives to enhance and rejuvenate Orchard Road.  The role of the ORDEC is to evaluate whether major Addition and Alteration (A&A) or redevelopment proposals, which deviate from current planning parameters (as set out in paragraph 3 below), can be regarded as special innovative projects of high quality that merit the deviations.  In so doing, we hope to facilitate the rejuvenation of existing developments, and encourage innovative proposals that will significantly enhance Orchard Road as our premier shopping street.  
3. The planning parameters that can be considered by the ORDEC are:

• Gross plot ratio (GPR) / gross floor area (GFA);
• Land use and use quantum; and
• Building Height.

Members of ORDEC

4. As a result of personnel movement / changes within the various organisations, there are changes to the composition of ORDEC.  The ORDEC will continue to be chaired by CEO, URA, with core members from EDB, LTA, STB and URA, as well as representatives from NAC, NHB, NParks and SLA. The revised composition of the ORDEC is given in Appendix 1

Evaluation Criteria

5. The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Design Concept

• The proposed project shall be a quality development, with a unique and innovative design that defines the site as a distinctive destination through its architecture, scale, location, presence and setting in relation to the surrounding developments, pedestrian network, and public realm.  Joint proposals between two or more developments (especially from the smaller land parcels) which could bring about enhancement and rejuvenation of the streetblock, are encouraged.

Community Benefits and Contributions

• The proposed project shall contribute to the enhancement of the public environment, such as the provision of public spaces & public art, events & performing art venues, improvements to the pedestrian and transport network, or other facilities that benefit the community at large.

Business Concept & Economic Development Benefits

• The proposed project shall provide innovative business concepts that differentiates it from others in the industry, and complements existing businesses in terms of the mix of uses, product concepts, and experience offered to end-users.  This shall result in benefits to the local business or the national economy by creating new investment opportunities, new jobs, and increased tourism receipts. It shall also demonstrate business and financial sustainability.

Submission Requirements

6. A submission for consideration by the ORDEC shall be made as an application for Outline Permission.  It shall be made to Development Control Group, URA using the form DC/ ORDEC (Appendix 2) together with the Electronic Development Application form.  The forms are available for download from the URA website.
7. The submission procedure and detailed submission requirements are listed in the application form.  Please note that all submissions for consideration by the ORDEC must be accompanied by the requisite materials and information.
8. It is envisaged that each application would require detailed evaluation by various agencies and ORDEC.  A processing fee of $23,800 is hence payable for each application.  Following ORDEC’s support and outline permission granted, the applicant can proceed to make a development application during the validity period of the outline permission.  The prevailing fee payable for a development application will apply at this stage.  All fees payable are subject to the prevailing Goods and Services Tax at 7%.
9. The work flow for the processing of an application to be considered by the ORDEC is shown in Appendix 3.  The applicant will be informed within 6 weeks from the date of submission on the scheduled date to make a presentation to the ORDEC.  The ORDEC may request for additional briefings/ submissions before making a recommendation on the proposal.  After deliberation, the ORDEC may support the proposal, with or without additional conditions.
10. Please note that the ORDEC’s evaluation is applicable only to the specific proposal submitted for its consideration.  An application that is approved with the ORDEC’s support shall not be used or taken as a precedent for any other proposals or development applications seeking deviations from similar planning parameters.
11. This Circular shall supercede our earlier Circular dated 3 May 2010 (Circular No. URA/PB/2010/06-CUDG).
12. I would appreciate it if you could convey the contents of this circular to the relevant members of your organisation. If you or your members have any queries concerning this circular, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Chou Mei at Tel: 6329 3291(email: CHOU_Mei@ura.gov.sg), or for queries on the submission process, our Development Control Group (DCG) Enquiry Line at Tel: 6223 4811 (email: ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg).  We would be pleased to answer queries on this, and any other development control matter. For your information, the past circulars to the professional institutes are available from our website http://www.ura.gov.sg.