Bin centre: Emerald Hill folk raise stink
They say it'll hit property values; developer not wrong: URA
The new bin point, which will serve The Urban Suites condominium, is being built on two public carpark spaces on Saunders Road. The URA said there will be greenery around the bin centre to screen it from view. -- ST PHOTO: TED CHEN
By Rachel Chang & Daryl Chin
RESIDENTS in Emerald Hill are raising a stink about the construction of a refuse collection point on Saunders Road.
They claim the bin centre that will serve new condominium The Urban Suites will lead to congestion in the one-way street and lower property values.
It is also being built on two public carpark spaces on Saunders Road, which is part of a conservation area that includes Emerald Hill and Hullet Road.
But the Urban Redevelopment Authority has made clear that the condominium developer has not done anything wrong.
In response to queries from The Straits Times yesterday, it said CapitaLand's project proposal provided ample distance from the bin centre to the road, and refuse trucks would not be parked along Saunders Road when collecting trash.
There will also be greenery around the bin centre to screen it from view, the URA noted. It said refuse trucks already travel along Saunders Road to collect trash from homes, and The Urban Suites will just be 'an additional collection point'.
But residents believe the building of the refuse point intrudes into what is demarcated as a conservation area. Said Mr Tan Tiang Yeow, 46, who owns a house across from the bin centre: 'It is clearly drawn on the map that this is a conservation area. What is to be conserved if they can cut down trees and build onto the road?'
With five other house owners, Mr Tan, a graphic designer, sent a letter last Thursday to the URA. They implored the authorities to 'defend our conservation area' and requested 'construction be stopped until a proper dialogue and discussion can be facilitated'.
They have the support of Emerald Hill Conservation Association, whose vice-president Richard Helfer said yesterday that 'it shares many of the same concerns'. The previous residential development had its refuse collection point on Hullet Road, he pointed out. This meant the refuse truck did not have to travel up Saunders Road and back out, he noted.
But observers said residents are unlikely to win with the conservation argument. 'There is no such thing as a conserved road,' said Dr Kevin Tan, former president of the Singapore Heritage Society. 'Conservation has to do with the buildings in the area.'
Not all residents are bothered. While the group behind the letter maintained that close to 50 units would be affected by the congestion as Saunders Road is the only way out of the area, others observed that the road is usually quite quiet.
Mr John Ewing-Chow, 69, said it was not an issue for him. 'If you come by the estate at any time other than Friday nights, there are empty parking spots, enough for all,' he said.
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