Source : Business Times - 4 Oct 2008
THE Ministry of National Development (MND) has decided to convert a former school site in Serangoon Gardens into a temporary dormitory for foreign workers.
Following concerns raised by residents in a petition against the conversion in early September, various measures will be put in place. These include the construction of a new access road, a reduction in the site area, and sealing off of the existing entrance at Burghley Drive.
The dormitory’s capacity will be capped at 600 initially, and it should be ready within a year to serve manufacturing and services factories in the Ang Mo Kio area. If there is demand, the government may consider raising its capacity to a maximum of 1,000.
Speaking at a news conference yesterday, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan emphasised the balance to be maintained. ‘We need foreign workers, we need to provide adequate housing. We also need to make sure disamenities created in residential areas, whether HDB or landed, are minimised.’
While permanent purpose-built dormitories are being developed, temporary ones like the Serangoon Gardens site, with a lease of up to five years, have been sought to meet the high demand.
Fewer than 10 other temporary sites are being considered and Mr Mah said assessments of these should be completed in a month’s time.
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