Fernvale Link site to be restored to original plan of a Chinese Temple
Restoring the site’s original religious-use plan may reduce uncertainty for nearby residents, while relocating the columbarium pilot could limit local dis-amenity concerns.
The Government terminated EPL’s July 2014 Fernvale Link land award, refunded its land premium and charges, and will re-tender the site for a Chinese temple.
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The Ministry of National Development (MND) has signed a Mutual Termination Agreement with Eternal Pure Land Pte Ltd (EPL) to terminate the July 2014 award for the Place of Worship (PW) site at Fernvale Link.
The July 2014 award of the Fernvale Link PW site to EPL was the first time a PW site had been awarded to a company that is not affiliated to a religious organisation. However, as the Government’s intent has always been for the Fernvale Link site (zoned as “PW”), to be awarded to a religious organisation or its affiliate for the development of a Chinese Temple, EPL’s 2014 bid was not in line with the Government’s plan for the site.
EPL understood that its bid was not congruous with the planning intent for a PW site, and has thus agreed to terminate the awarded contract by mutual consent. Under the Mutual Termination Agreement, the Government will refund EPL the full land premium and associated taxes and duties, which EPL has paid to Government for the site. This is only fair as the contract of the Fernvale Link site has been terminated. There is no other separate payment.
EPL originally intended to use the Fernvale Link site to test out its automated columbarium system and operating model, and remains keen to explore projects where it can meet the growing needs for columbarium and end-of-life services in Singapore. EPL has separately, through a related company, submitted a proposal for a pilot project, which URA has assessed to hold potential to enhance land use efficiency and minimise dis-amenity to surrounding users. Given these merits and the need for such end-of-life services in our ageing society in the long run, the Government has decided to release a small plot of land to EPL for a technology pilot project for columbarium services. The site will be on land zoned for cemetery use and priced at market value based on columbarium use as determined by the Chief Valuer. The termination of the contract for the Fernvale Link site and the release of the small plot of land for the pilot project are part of the Mutual Termination Agreement.
The Government will re-tender the Fernvale Link site to restore the original planning intent of a Chinese Temple development.