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Dakota Crescent to make way for redevelopment

Singapore will soon lose one of its oldest public housing estates as Dakota Crescent has been set for redevelopment under Mountbatten's estate renewal plans.

Built in the 1950s by the Singapore Improvement Trust, HDB's predecessor, the 17 rental blocks affected are located around Dakota Crescent, Dakota Close, Old Airport Road and Jalan Enam.

Located at the doorstep of Mountbatten MRT station, the area consists of low-rise blocks, some of which are only three storeys high, as well as an iconic playground and former provision shop. It is also near Broadrick Secondary School.

Responding to queries from PropertyGuru, HDB said the site is reserved for future residential development.

However, Blocks 13 and 21 Old Airport Road will be retained for interim use, as there is no immediate redevelopment plan for these blocks. The flats will be let to Singaporean households who need temporary accommodation.

"We will work with the relevant authorities to take cognisance of the social memories of the area when redevelopment takes place in the future," said a spokesperson from HDB.

About 400 households are affected and they will need to relocate by 31 Dec 2016. They were informed on 23 July and have a choice to move to newer or upgraded rental flats, or even buy a new home.

Residents who want to continue renting a flat will be given priority allocation of one or two-room rental flats based on their eligibility.

Those looking to buy a BTO or SBF flat at any location will be accorded priority allocation, subject to eligibility and availability.

On top of the existing Additional CPF Housing Grant (AHG) and Special CPF Housing Grant (SHG), first-timer households or singles who have to relocate may be granted a CPF relocation grant of $15,000 (for families and joint singles) or $7,500 (for singles), if eligible.

This is a new grant offered to the tenants at the rental blocks from this relocation exercise.

Further along the Dakota Crescent area, there has been some new developments in recent years such as Dakota Residences and Waterbank at Dakota.

Photo by Muneerah Bee

Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg

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