Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Maintenance notice

URA e-Services will undergo maintenance on Friday, 28 August 2026 from 10 pm to 5 am the next day and will be unavailable during this period. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Circulars

Submission Requirement – Development Statement of Intent (DSI)

Tags

Development Control

General

5 May 2014

Circular No : URA/PB/2014/07-DCG
Our Ref : DC/ADMIN/CIRCULAR/PB_14
Fax : 6227 4792

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

Who Should Know:
Developers and architects

Effective Date:
With effect from 05 May 2014

Details

  1. To allow URA planners to have a better understanding of the design concept of proposals from the onset, Qualified Professionals (QPs) for selected development applications (DAs) will be required to submit a Development Statement of Intent (DSI). This will assist URA planners to better evaluate DAs and expedite the approval process.

What is a Development Statement of Intent (DSI)?

  1. The DSI is a planning statement that accompanies a development application. Its purpose is to explain the design concept and the compatibility of a proposed development plan or scheme with its surrounding context. This provides an avenue for applicants to justify their design concept and provide information which will assist planners in better understanding and evaluating proposals upfront. It is hoped that the DSI will help reduce the number of resubmissions and subsequent waiver requests.

What information should the DSI include?

  1. The DSI should include an assessment of the site’s immediate and wider context, a detailed explanation on the design principles, and how the proposed use or uses, development intensity, building height, building form and layout relate to the surrounding area.

  2. It should also identify existing concerns and potential disamenities, and propose mitigating measures which will be taken to address these issues.

  3. The template for the DSI is found in Appendix 1 [DOCX, 45.25 KB] (opens in new tab). Form A should be filled in for all cases that require the submission of the DSI. In general, the length of the DSI in Form A should be no longer than 2 pages, but may be longer for complex cases.

  4. For cases sited within areas in Appendix 2 [DOCX, 2.76 MB] (opens in new tab), Form B should also be filled in.

When is the DSI required? 

  1. The DSI should be submitted for DAs that meet the following criteria:

    1. Proposals (including Outline Applications) involving deviations from the macro planning parameters (allowable land use, plot ratio, building height or building form);

    2. New erection or redevelopment proposals located within the Central Area and key growth areas (see Appendix 2 [DOCX, 2.76 MB] (opens in new tab));

    3. Proposals involving a new erection or intensification (increase in GFA) for the following uses:
      (i) Hospitals
      (ii) Places of Worship
      (iii) Welfare Homes
      (iv) Funeral Parlours
      (v) Nursing Homes, Home for the Aged, Home for the Disabled
      (vi) Drug Rehabilitation Centres / Halfway Houses / Reformative Centres;

    4. New erection or redevelopment proposals for large developments with a site area of at least 20,000m2 or a proposed GFA of 50,000m2 or more.

  2. The DSI must be attached with the submission of the planning application to URA. The DSI requirement may also be imposed in cases where more information is required in order for URA to better understand and evaluate the DA.

  3. The above requirements will take effect from 05 May 2014 and will apply to all new applications that meet the above criteria. Only applications submitted before 05 May 2014 which have already been granted Provisional Permission or which will result in a Provisional Permission will not be required to submit the DSI

  4. I would appreciate 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 call our Development Control Group (DCG) Enquiry Line at Tel: 6223 4811 or e-mail us at ura_dcd@ura.gov.sg (opens in new tab). We will be pleased to answer queries on this subject and any other development control matters. For your information, our past circulars to the professional institutes are available from our website http://www.ura.gov.sg (opens in new tab).

Thank You.

HAN YONG HOE
GROUP DIRECTOR (DEVELOPMENT CONTROL)
for CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY