More Public And Private Homes Draft Master Plan 2025
Plans have been announced to open up more housing options for Singaporeans in central locations like Newton and Paterson Hill, as well as new neighbourhoods in Dover within the Greater one-north area. The Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat, unveiled the plans on 25 June as part of the government’s Draft Master Plan 2025 (DMP2025).
The new housing projects in the DMP2025 aim to give residents more opportunities to live closer to the city centre, says Catherine He, head of research at Colliers Singapore. She adds that the plans also support the government’s efforts to meet rising housing demand and ease pressure on the transport network.
In Newton, housing development will focus on three distinct clusters: Newton Road, Scotts Road, and Monk’s Hill. Future housing in Paterson Hill, off Orchard Road, will see a new integrated development above Orchard MRT Station. Meanwhile, a mixed public and private residential neighbourhood will be developed at Dover-Medway.
As part of an effort to bolster the self-sufficiency of the northern estates, there are plans in place to enhance community amenities. This includes the creation of integrated community hubs which will provide a range of essential services such as healthcare, eldercare, childcare, and social services, greatly benefiting residents. An excellent example of this is the recently completed Bukit Canberra development, which offers a comprehensive sports complex, swimming pool, hawker centre, healthcare facilities, and community services all in one convenient location. With more of these developments set to be introduced, the area surrounding Sembawang Road EC will continue to evolve into a vibrant and convenient living space for families of all sizes.
These developments in Newton and Paterson reflect an alignment with the government’s ‘live-play-work’ strategy, and the areas are already well-supported with a range of amenities, says Chua Yang Liang, head of Southeast Asia research at JLL.
In addition, these new housing proposals add to the government’s earlier announced plans to redevelop Bukit Timah Turf City, Pearl’s Hill, Marina South, Mount Pleasant, and the former Keppel Golf Course site.
The DMP2025 proposes to rezone the area as white sites and develop a new ‘Village Square’ anchored by a high-density mixed-use development next to the MRT station. Monk’s Hill Road will also be turned into a linear park connecting Newton MRT Station to Emerald Hill.
According to Lee Sze Teck, senior director of data analytics at Huttons Asia, the land rezoning will give developers greater flexibility in how the sites are used. One of the new residential plots, announced under the 2H2025 Government Land Sales (GLS) programme, is expected to be launched for sale in August.
In addition, the largely private residential enclave along Paterson Hill will be transformed into a mixed-use hub, with more retail fronting the street to connect the Orchard Road shopping belt with the River Valley area. New public spaces, pedestrian-friendly zones and cycling paths will support the area’s revitalisation.
Development proposals in the DMP2025 include a new integrated development above Orchard MRT Station, which will comprise residences, offices, F&B and retail elements. Market watchers expect up to 1,000 private homes, along with retail, F&B and office spaces, to potentially be developed in the Paterson area.
Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at OrangeTee, notes that new government land sites in prime locations are becoming increasingly scarce. “Expanding the residential landscape in the Orchard Road precinct is a good move due to the scarcity of available land in prime areas.”
Previously zoned as ‘residential with commercial at 1st storey’ in the previous master plan, the land parcel above Orchard MRT Interchange will be rezoned as a white site with an increased plot ratio, providing a “prime opportunity” for a residential and shopping project. The last time a Government Land Sales (GLS) site was launched directly above the interchange was in 2005, which led to the development of ION Orchard and The Orchard Residences.
A mix of public and private homes will be added to the Dover–Medway area along Dover Road in the Greater one-north precinct, with more housing also set to come on stream in Mediapolis. Market watchers expect around 6,000 public and private homes to be rolled out in phases at one-north.
The DMP2025 highlights the Dover–Malway area, which will include public housing and private residential developments supported by new amenities and recreational spaces. The neighbourhood’s urban design will promote active mobility through cycling paths, sheltered walkways and access to public transport.
New private residential launches have emerged in the area, including CapitaLand Development’s Lydenwoods along Science Park Drive, set to preview on June 28, and Bloomsbury Residences on Media Circle, launched by Qingjian Realty and Forsea Holdings in March.