To maintain the integrity and aesthetics of the waterfront areas so that the public can have free and unrestricted access to enjoy these spaces, developments at major waterbodies1 shall observe the design and development application submission guidelines below.
1 Major waterbodies: rivers, canals of at least 17.5m width, reservoirs, and seas.
Developments at Major Waterbodies
Retaining walls along the waterbodies may be allowed subject to the following criteria:
For non-industrial developments, proposed boundary fences shall be porous (eg chained-link, metal-grille, or timber fence). For industrial developments, the following may be allowed:
In all waterbodies-related development application submissions to URA, the following shall be provided, where applicable:
2 Drainage Reserve (DR): An area safeguarded for purposes of building or widening a public drain.
The design guidelines listed above shall apply to all developments adjacent to or with waterbodies except developments adjacent to or with Drainage Reserves less than 17.5m.
All proposals involving waterbodies shall comply with the development application submission guidelines listed above.
For land use planning and development control purposes, the foreshore3 and the area within 15m on both the landward and seaward side of the foreshore line4 shall be kept free of structures. Some structures such as ramps may be permitted if they are constructed in connection with an approved development (eg marine industries, refineries, and pleasure-boat storage complex). These structures are subject to planning evaluation depending on merits.
3 The area between the high water mark of the Spring Tide or the top of the seawall and the low water mark of the Spring Tide.
4 The high water mark of the Spring Tide; the top of the existing seawall or revertment or river wall (where appropriate) for controlling landward development.
Last updated on 5 July 2019