New aerospace hub to keep its roots
Mature, heritage trees will be conserved
Lester Kok Straits Times 26 Oct 10;
AMID the bustling construction now going on at Seletar Aerospace Park, work is also being carried out to conserve 30 trees in the area.
Seven are 'heritage' trees and are protected by law. They are of historical or cultural value and cannot be chopped down nor have excavation work done near their roots.
The others are classified 'mature' trees. The Straits Times understands that these are commonly found species and while they are not protected by law, they should be conserved as far as possible.
JTC Corporation, the park developer, has been working with National Parks Board (NParks) to protect these trees.
'It is our intention to have a park with as much greenery as possible,' a spokesman said.
He said the masterplan for the aerospace hub was modified to save as many trees as possible. An earlier plan would have seen some mature trees cut down to make way for roads.
It was not easy to build around the trees as there were concerns such as that of road safety, he added.
So far, road works have been diverted to skirt around some mature trees. Some roads have also been raised to avoid injuring the trees' roots.
By 2018, the area will have been transformed into the 300ha Seletar Aerospace Park.
Although there were 378 colonial-era black-and-white houses that were leased out as offices and residences, only 204 such buildings remain in the area.
Companies such as British engine- maker Rolls Royce and helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter will have their facilities up by the end of the year.
Three heritage trees - which residents say are at least 60 years old - are within the park.
One is a raintree with an especially broad canopy. It stands at Old Birdcage Walk, where it will continue to provide shade to the buildings there. There are currently no plans to further develop that part of the park.
The other two heritage trees are broad-leafed mahoganys, standing about 100m apart and located at the old Bayswater Road, which has made way for the new Seletar Aerospace Drive.
JTC decided to also preserve a nearby mature tree which was slated to be cut down. A major six-lane road under construction has been shifted slightly to accommodate it.
Other old trees being kept include a cluster of mature and heritage trees beside West Camp Road. Some were slated to be chopped down to make way for a newly upgraded expressway, but JTC adjusted the road plans to accommodate them, even though the law did not require it.
JTC said it will try to keep as many trees there as long as possible.
Residents and those who work in the area are naturally pleased.
New Zealander Christina Vye, 38, who lives in a bungalow off Piccadilly Road, said she and her neighbours love the greenery.
'When you drive through the gates, it is like a little oasis; it's gorgeous,' said Ms Vye, who has been in Singapore for 15 years.
A ground handler at one of the aerospace companies there, who would give his name only as Mr Farruk, 39, said the heritage trees and the colonial buildings provide a 'kampung' feeling, even as the ultra-modern aerospace hub takes shape all around.
