Tengah’s town centre is set to break new ground with a car-free concept. (Image: HDB)
Despite the expansion of Tengah Air Base, experts are confident that people would still want to live in Singapore’s newest HDB estate, reported TODAYonline.
Analysts noted that aircraft noise in Tengah Town would be minimised as the airbase is expanding westward away from residential developments.
According to SLP International Research Head Nicholas Mak, the effect on the upcoming town is expected to be minimal as the estate has “one of the lowest civilian population densities” among Singapore’s planning areas.
The impact on Tengah Town’s real estate prices is also likely to be limited as the land is being reclaimed for military purposes instead of residential or commercial use, said Chris Koh International Director Chris Koh.
But to enlarge the Tengah Air Base, the government needs to take back land currently occupied by one nursery, three fish farms and 80,500 graves in Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.
The exhumation is expected to be the second largest in Singapore over the past 20 years, after 126,000 graves were unearthed at the Bidadari Cemetery between 2001 and 2006 to make way for residential projects.
Furthermore, the authorities may potentially close a part of Lim Chu Kang Road due to the expansion. This means a longer travelling time for those going north to the farms at Neo Tiew Road and the green areas around Sungei Buloh, said International Property Advisor CEO Ku Swee Yong.
“In future, if you want to go to Neo Tiew from Jurong, you probably have to drive a large round (to get there) … travelling there will be more difficult now and this could have some impact on the business of restaurants and farms in the area.”
Given that the land must be returned to the state at an earlier date, Ku urged the government to consider the farmers’ recent investments when determining the land compensation.
This article was edited by Denise Djong.
