Singapore adopts a systematic framework to determine and mitigate the potential impact of any new development on the environment. In general, development projects are required to undergo a thorough evaluation process that addresses the development’s potential impact on traffic, public health, heritage, and the environment.
In addition, development projects close to sensitive nature areas are subject to greater scrutiny and may be required to carry out more detailed environmental studies. The findings of all environmental studies are carefully considered in the planning evaluation process in order to determine the extent of potential impact and the adequacy of proposed mitigation measures, before a project is allowed to proceed.
Environmental considerations are an important part of the planning evaluation process.
Planning approvals are granted to development proposals only when they have met the requirements imposed by regulatory agencies. For example, development proposals are expected to meet existing regulatory standards such as the National Environment Agency’s Environmental Protection & Management Act and Environmental Public Health Act, the Public Utilities Board’s Sewerage and Drainage Act in relation to noise, water, air pollution, and the National Parks Board's Wildlife Act for wildlife-related measures.
Beyond this, proposed development projects near sensitive areas, such as Nature Reserves, Nature Areas, marine and coastal areas, other areas of significant biodiversity or with potential trans-boundary impact, are subject to greater scrutiny.
For such projects, technical agencies (such as the National Parks Board, National Environment Agency, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, and Singapore Food Agency) are consulted more extensively to determine if a more thorough environmental study is required. Developers may wish to factor in additional time and resources for such projects.
Environmental study findings are carefully considered by the technical agencies in consultation with community stakeholders, including the extent of potential impact and the adequacy of the proposed mitigation measures. These reports are publicly available online, unless there are specific reasons to maintain confidentiality like security considerations.
Views and feedback from nature and community stakeholders will be sought on the findings. The Ministry of National Development/Urban Redevelopment Authority will assess the development project against its potential impact, before granting planning approval for the project to proceed. The developer is required to ensure mitigation measures and monitoring plans are in place to minimise any environmental impact before the commencement of any works.
Shoreline Restoration Works at Pulau Ubin
The public feedback period has closed. If you wish to view the report, kindly contact Wee Hong Yuan and Kee Wen Yu at nparks_pulau_ubin@nparks.gov.sg.
The Springleaf area bounded by Seletar Expressway, Mandai Road, and Upper Thomson Road has been zoned a mixed-use district with a park in URA’s Master Plan since 2014. With the opening of Springleaf MRT station in 2021, the injection of dwelling units at Springleaf will help to leverage improved accessibility in this area and meet housing demands. However, the forested area within the site is home to a variety of native flora and fauna and serves as an important ecological corridor between the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Khatib Bongsu Nature Park. To balance development needs with nature conservation, URA commissioned an environmental baseline study in 2018 to better understand the ecological context of the area. A multidisciplinary team, including professional ecologists and landscape architects, was engaged to explore potential ideas for sensitive development, which will inform future plans for the site. Industry experts, academics, nature and heritage expert groups were engaged to solicit feedback and suggestions for the consultancy team’s proposed conceptual plan. Finally, to understand the potential environmental impact of these conceptual ideas, the consultancy team conducted an EIA in 2020. As ideas in the report reflect the consultant's conceptual plan to sensitively develop Springleaf, they are not representative of the future development plans for Springleaf. However, as URA plans for the future Springleaf precinct, we will incorporate the findings and mitigation measures from the study to ensure that future development proposals will protect the rich biodiversity.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We will carefully consider all feedback received, and will share our plans when ready.
Aquaculture off Pulau Satumu, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Jong (Southern Waters)
The public feedback period has closed. If you wish to view the report, kindly contact Ms Lim Swee Keng at lim_swee_keng@sfa.gov.sg and Mr Jawara Alba at jawara_earl_santos_alba_from.tp@sfa.gov.sg.