Unlawful shrine in Science Centre Highway given closing discover to vacate for development works

SINGAPORE – An unlawful makeshift shrine in Science Centre Highway should be vacated by Dec 12 to make method for development works.

The JTC, Nationwide Parks Board (NParks) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) issued the ultimate discover to the caretakers of the makeshift shrine on Tuesday, greater than 16 months after they had been first approached in regards to the difficulty.

In a joint media assertion on Tuesday, the companies stated the makeshift shrine is an unlawful encroachment on public land, and the positioning the place the shrine is positioned is a part of the Jurong Lake District Masterplan.

The land is required for land preparation and infrastructure works, that are scheduled to start within the close to time period, they stated.

The companies had contacted the caretakers on July 28, 2021, and issued an advisory on Aug 19, 2021, requesting them to vacate the positioning by the top of the month.

The caretakers appealed to the companies, saying that they’ve difficulties discovering a brand new web site to relocate to. They had been granted a four-month extension and agreed to maneuver out by Dec 13, 2021.

On the finish of September 2021, they stated they’d not be capable of vacate by the deadline attributable to Covid-19 restrictions. Just a few weeks later, the companies requested the caretakers to supply proof and particulars of the challenges they confronted in relocating, however they failed to take action.

The companies stated they granted a second extension to the caretakers to vacate by Jan 13, 2022, regardless of the dearth of proof.

On Dec 25, 2021, the caretakers appealed to NParks to permit the shrine to stay on web site, nevertheless it was rejected because the shrine is an unauthorised encroachment on public land.

The caretakers requested one other extension on Jan 5 for them to hunt unbiased authorized recommendation, and had been granted a 3rd extension till Feb 13.

The companies stated in Tuesday’s assertion that the Authorities has offered ample time for the caretakers to search for various websites for the shrine and facilitate its elimination.

“Nevertheless, regardless of the a number of extensions and engagements with the shrine’s caretakers, the unlawful shrine stays on web site,” they added.

If the shrine has not been eliminated by the ultimate deadline of Dec 12, the companies will difficulty formal enforcement notices beneath the State Lands Encroachment Acts and the JTC Frequent Property Guidelines for them to take action.

The companies added that they may proceed to supply the required help to facilitate the elimination of the shrine with due respect and sensitivity.