Friday, September 5, 2008

Serangoon Gardens’ residents against plan to build workers’ dorm

Source : Channel NewsAsia - 2 Sep 2008

Residents of Serangoon Gardens are upset over news that a workers’ dormitory may be built at Burghley Drive where Serangoon Garden Technical School used to be located.

Residents’ concerns include noise pollution, traffic congestion and the safety of residents – many of whom are retirees.

Over 500 people have signed a petition against the construction, with the intention of presenting it to their MPs at a community dialogue session on Wednesday.

The government announced in February that it would release 11 new dormitory sites to house over 65,000 foreign workers. These dorms are scheduled to be completed in stages by 2010.

But the Ministry of National Development (MND) said temporary facilities have to be built in the meantime, which is why it is reviewing all available vacant state properties to see if they can be converted into dorms.

The Serangoon Gardens site, which has been vacant since 2003, is one of the many properties that are being assessed. MND said it would take into account the other possible uses for the property and residents’ feedback.


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