Written Answer by Ministry of National Development on plans for vacant buildings in Woodlands

Mar 5, 2019

Mr Ong Teng Koon: To ask the Minister for National Development 

(a) why are the former Marsiling Primary School next to 149 Woodlands St 13, former Woodlands West Neighbourhood Police Centre next to 202 Marsiling Drive and the decommissioned Shell petrol station next to 215 Woodlands Lane vacant for such a long time;

(b) whether there are any short-term plans for them; and

(c) whether these buildings will be demolished and redeveloped as part of the Woodlands Town Masterplan.

Answer:

Former school sites and other Government buildings that are no longer needed to serve their original purposes will be returned to the State for interim uses that are compatible with the surrounding uses until the land is required for other longer-term developments.

The site next to 202 Marsiling Drive was only recently vacated in end 2018, while the other two sites next to 149 Woodlands St 13 and 215 Woodlands Lane were returned to the State in 2017.  URA is working with other government agencies to explore suitable interim uses for these sites.

Agencies are also reviewing the longer-term development plans for the area, including all three sites. They will be reflected in URA’s Draft Master Plan 2019 for the area, which will be exhibited to seek public comments soon.