ST Forum censors question on relocating old estates instead of wildlife for new HDB projects

Property blogger Vina Ip, known online as Property Soul, has raised concerns about the Housing and Development Board’s (HDB) plans to clear significant forested areas in Sembawang and Woodlands to build new housing blocks.

Writing on Facebook, she shared excerpts from a censored letter originally submitted to The Straits Times forum, urging the public to weigh in on the matter through official feedback forms by 10 December.

Ip’s censored remarks questioned the necessity of building more public housing given Singapore’s falling fertility rate and ageing population.

She suggested relocating residents from ageing Housing Board estates instead of clearing forests, noting that redevelopment could modernise homes and revitalise older neighbourhoods while preserving Singapore’s natural ecosystems.

Her original letter, published in The Straits Times Forum on 5 December, highlighted the environmental consequences of deforestation.

“We understand that deforestation has irreversible negative consequences on the natural environment,” she wrote, linking it to climate change and flooding risks due to soil erosion.

She also criticised the move for being at odds with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, which aims to double the annual tree-planting rate and increase nature parks’ land area by 50% from 2020 levels.

In her censored remarks shared on Facebook, Ip wrote, “If relocation is the choice, why don’t we relocate human beings instead? What about relocating the residents from ageing HDB blocks to rebuild these old estates and create more new homes?”

Her post included links to feedback forms for the Sembawang and Woodlands housing projects, encouraging residents to tick “Environmental Baseline Conditions” when sharing their concerns.

Online engagement and responses

Ip’s post garnered support from commenters who echoed her call for alternatives to deforestation. One user wrote, “Why not relocate residents from ageing estates and redevelop the estate? We can leave the greenery alone.”

Ip responded, “Exactly. If we relocate the endangered species, we will kill them. If we relocate the residents, they will have a brand-new modern home.”

Another commenter noted the cost of relocating residents compared to clearing forests, to which Ip replied, “Think we are saving money now but are actually paying a price we can’t afford in the future. Typical penny-wise and pound-foolish.”

Proposed Woodlands site to be cleared for HDB flats to be built.

Environmental stakes

According to HDB, the planned development will clear 53ha of forest in Sembawang and 7.27ha in Woodlands. These areas are home to endangered species, with the Sembawang site hosting 128 species of flora and 28 large plant specimens, and the Woodlands site supporting 195 species of flora and 95 species of fauna.

Studies show that relocating wildlife often causes stress and high mortality rates among animals.

Ip argued that these risks, combined with the environmental cost of deforestation, undermine Singapore’s broader sustainability goals.

Future considerations

As the debate over balancing development and environmental preservation intensifies, Ip’s suggestions add a fresh perspective. By redeveloping older HDB estates, Singapore could modernise its housing infrastructure without harming biodiversity.

The public has until 10 December to submit feedback on the proposed housing projects.

Sembawang feedback form: https://form.gov.sg/670cbec72397a56e451efb63
Woodlands feedback form: https://form.gov.sg/6714a8dc19ccf63f182cd749