SINGAPORE: There are mixed reactions from residents
in response to the Health Ministry's plan to proceed with building
a nursing home, the Lions Home for the Elders, in a Bishan housing
estate.
Some residents had earlier expressed concerns that
the home would block their view and cause traffic
congestion.
MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Mr Wong Kan Seng said he
and his grassroots leaders have worked with the Health Ministry to
study how the concerns of residents can be mitigated.
The decision has been made to build the nursing home on a plot of
land at Bishan Street 13, after an earlier dialogue was held with
Bishan East residents on May 27.
Reactions to the announcement to proceed with the construction have
been mixed.
N. Sethuranman, a Bishan resident who has stayed in the area for
about 20 years, said: "We thought they would revert the decision,
and go for a better place - closer to the MRT or something."
Ronnie Ho, another Bishan resident, echoed similar sentiments. He
said: "We are already very congested in this area, so why are we
now building a building, putting it right in the middle of three
blocks of flats? We'll just increase the flow of traffic (in the
area)."
Faraaz, who has stayed in Bishan for 15 years, said: "Residents
have mentioned that the view is going to be obstructed and (the
authorities) have responded appropriately. They've said they'll
build green spaces and make it accessible to the public. It's not
going to be just a hospice, I think that's a misconception many
people have."
"Right now, what we should do is that since the thing has been
decided, let's embrace it and make it better. We had a dialogue and
they spoke to us, and they've given us good suggestions like how to
make it benefit the residents around here," said Charles Yee.
In a written response to Channel NewsAsia, MP for the area Wong Kan
Seng said he supports the plans to build the nursing home. He said
with a fast ageing population, the demand for nursing homes is
expected.
In response to alternative sites raised by residents, the Health
Ministry said it has since worked with other planning agencies,
such as the URA and HDB, to study these sites.
But in land scarce Singapore - the green field sites have already
been designated for future development to meet critical needs, such
as housing and education, and the shifting of the nursing home to
other sites will in turn displace these uses.
To address some of the concerns raised by residents, MOH has agreed
to cap the building at six storeys. It will also incorporate design
features to screen off direct views of the wards and provide
greenery to the rooftop and ground floors.
MOH said it will also ensure there are enough car parking
facilities in the area. It also plans to keep residents updated on
developments and continue to engage the residents about the actual
design of the nursing home.
MOH has added that it intends to build more eldercare services in
HDB housing estates in the next five years.
-CNA/ac