URA introduced the Public Communications Programme for Government Land Sales (GLS) sites in 2013 so that developers can share details of upcoming developments with the surrounding community. The programme requires developers of selected GLS sites to establish a communication channel with the community before construction commences.

The Programme has generally received positive feedback, and helped to facilitate communication between the community and developers. Developers were also able to incorporate design mitigating measures in response to some of the feedback received.

URA will now extend the Public Communications Programme to selected private developments and introduce it to cases that are most impactful to the community. This includes new erection or redevelopment proposals that affect existing amenities used by residents. For example, residents in an area may use physical features such as footpaths within the development boundary. Asking the developer to inform the community early of such changes will ensure that residents are notified of the removal or realignment of the feature or amenity before construction begins. Where possible, the developer will be required to provide design mitigating measures.

URA will evaluate such development proposals during the formal submission and assess if there is a need for the Public Communications Programme. If the Programme is required, we will inform architects/developers through a condition in the Advice. As part of the Programme, Developers will be required to submit the following for URA’s approval:

1. Information about the key milestones of the project; and

2. A flyer for the surrounding community with key information such as:
   1. Project information (e.g. type of development, number of units, storey height, vehicle access points);
   2. Key milestones in the construction programme (eg. commencement and duration of piling works, expected date of issuance of Temporary Occupation Permit);
   3. Schematic site layout showing the location of building blocks and facilities such as the bin centre, electrical substation, BBQ pits etc.;
   4. Details of proposed measures to mitigate the impact of the development to surrounding environment and community;
   5. Contact details of the developer;
   6. Indicative timeframe for the community to provide feedback, where appropriate; and
   7. Hotline numbers of the relevant departments in BCA, NEA, MOM and URA.

Following this, developers should distribute the flyers to the local community. Developers will be able to resubmit their application to URA to apply for Provisional Permission after distribution of the flyers. In the resubmission, developers should attach the collated feedback received on the proposed development, if any, and provide details on how the proposal seeks to address the concerns raised.

With this extension of the Public Communications Programme, URA hopes that the Programme will provide a meaningful platform for developers and the community to engage in more open information sharing.

¹ The local community is defined as the residents and administration of developments in proximity to the subject development. As a guide, URA draws a 100m radius from the edge of the subject development to determine the boundary. The exact boundary will be dependent on the site context and may be wider than a 100m radius. Developers should engage the following that falls within the catchment area: residents of HDB flats, private condominiums/flats and landed houses, Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) committees of private condominiums, Chairperson of Residents’ and Neighbourhood Committees, Constituency Director of the Constituency Office, General Managers of Town Councils, and the administration of schools and other institutions.

Note: All DC.Connect articles are only for general information. We strongly advise readers to read the relevant circulars we issue to professional institutes for full and accurate information on development control matters as these will continue to take precedence.