On Saturday (27 Aug), news emerged that several animal-related establishments in Lim Chu Kang would need to vacate their premises as their leases have expired.
Despite receiving replacement units at The Animal Lodge (TAL) – a dedicated space for animal care groups, independent shelters and fish farms – along Sungei Tengah Road, the imminent deadline was understandably a concern.
The seemingly rushed eviction notice raised questions and unhappy sentiments.
In the wake of the claims, the National Parks Board (NParks) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) have clarified that the establishments are actually subtenants of the plot. The agencies had been giving constant reminders to the master tenant to begin relocation plans since 2017 but to no avail.
Considering the gravity of the situation, both agencies have given their assurance that they will assist the affected groups in the relocation process to protect the well-being of the animals.
In case you missed the news earlier, several animal-related establishments in the Lim Chu Kang area were urgently seeking fosterers because they needed to move soon.
On Sunday (28 Aug), NParks and SLA released a joint statement to address the intricacies of the situation.
After land used for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training was repurposed for other national needs like the development of Tengah New Town in 2012, the authorities identified replacement sites in the Western part of Lim Chu Kang.
They subsequently informed the affected farms of development plans in Sep 2014.
To accommodate the transition, they provided the farms with multiple extensions up till 31 Dec 2021. Public tenders were also released for various sites since 2017, to which the farms could relocate.
Now that it’s 2022, NParks and SLA stressed the need for the development plans to commence without further delays. The two-stage process will begin with the first phase which is due to start sometime this year.
Farms within Phase 1’s scope of development already received a final extension of their leases till 31 Jul 2022.
NParks and SLA explained that Globe Eximport Pte Ltd, which operates a nursery and landscaping business, is one of the farms affected.
Source: Google Maps
The firm sub-tenanted its plot to six animal-related establishments, namely:
However, the agencies noted that despite advising the tenant to carry out transition plans since 2017, they were unable to meet the 31 Jul 2022 deadline.
They thus initiated proceedings under the State Lands Encroachment Act to take possession of the land. Globe Eximport received a notice on 1 Aug instructing them to vacate the plot by 28 Aug.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster under NParks, is helping Globe Eximport’s subtenants relocate.
Non-commercial groups ASD, Metta, and OSCAS have secured five units at TAL.
Meanwhile, AVS has allocated a unit each to commercial pet boarders F7, Meow & Puff and PBC, after considering several factors:
They later learnt that F7 decided not to take up the space at TAL after finding an alternative site.
AVS is also providing temporary units with partitions and separate rooms for establishments that need to renovate their allocated units before moving there.
As relocation takes time, Globe Eximport will have till end-September to vacate the premises in accordance with proceedings under the State Lands Encroachment Act.
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps.
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