A planning provision has hindered the plans of Nim Gardens’ residents to make a profit should their development go up for en bloc sale. Nim Gardens is a 10-storey development in Seletar Hills.
Based on the rule, any new development cannot exceed this height, nor the gross floor area. This means that residents would not profit from the development if it is limited to ten storeys.
The Ministry of National Development received a letter from one of the Nim Gardens’ residents, showing support to any new development to be built above the property’s current height.
The resident, who refused to give his name, referred to the URA’s April 2000 circular, which indicated that a 10-storey block could be converted into 12 storeys. The revision permits for flexibility in design, as well as adding more space for communal use.
However, the URA explained that the planning relaxation is not applicable to Nim Gardens, saying that "we are not able to support any further intensification at this location as it may have an adverse impact on the environmental character of the neighbourhood, which is safeguarded for three-storey landed housing."
The 23,197-sq-m property was part of the designated area for landed housing 16 years ago.
In 1982, Nim Gardens was approved as a condominium development, with three 10-storey apartment blocks and one four-storey apartment block. The property houses 124 residential units; each about 1,860 sq ft in area.
Mr. Joseph Wong, a 60-year-old resident, said: "Where can I get an apartment as big as this and birds chirping in such lush surroundings?"
If Nim Gardens is put up for collective sale, it could fetch $100 million or about $286 psf ppr, according to a conservative estimate by Colin Tan, research and consultancy director at Chesterton Suntec International.