Circular No : URA/PB/2003/17-DCD Fax: 6227 4792Our Ref : DC602/11-13Date : 02 Jun 2003

CIRCULAR TO PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

OBJECTIVE-BASED GUIDELINES ON MINOR ANCILLARY STRUCTURESWITHIN THE GREEN BUFFER AND 2M PLANTING STRIP ALONGCOMMON BOUNDARIES

1 In response to feedback received at the URA POWER sessions, weare pleased to introduce a set of objective-based guidelines to givearchitects and developers greater flexibility to locate minor ancillarystructures within the green buffer and 2m planting strip.

2 With immediate effect, applicant can choose to either apply the currentguidelines or the new objective-based guidelines if the structuresproposed are not on the current list. Please see Appendix 1 for theobjective-based guidelines.

3 The new objective-based guidelines can be applied to all developmentsthat have green buffer or 2m planting strip provision. In general, minorstructures proposed within the green buffer and planting strip meetingthe objectives and performance criteria would be considered.

4 We note that there could be several variations in the layout that areable to meet the objectives. The complementary technicalrecommendation attached with the guidelines will provide a guide forsuch situations, particularly, as to how the performance criteria can beaddressed and how the evaluation of the proposed minor ancillarystructures will be done.

5 If applicants decide to apply the objective-based guidelines, they wouldbe required to submit a landscape plan and justification in line with theset objectives for our consideration and evaluation. Upon approval, thelandscape plan would form part of an attached document with theWritten Permission. (See Appendix 2 for the submission workflow).

6 We also wish to clarify that where green buffer and peripheral 2mplanting strips are provided, these should be clearly annotated as treeplanting strip in all submission plans to Development Control Division(DCD).

7 I would appreciate it if you could convey the contents of this circular tothe relevant members of your organisation. If you or your membershave any queries concerning this circular, please do not hesitate to callour DCD Customer Service Hotline at Tel: 6223 4811 or e-mail us atURA_CSO@ura.gov.sg. We would be pleased to answer queries onthis, and any other development control matter. For your information,the past circulars to the professional institutes are available from ourwebsite http://www.ura.gov.sg.

8 Thank you.

FOO CHEE SEEDIRECTOR (DEVELOPMENT CONTROL)for CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERURBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Appendix 1

1

OBJECTIVE-BASED GUIDELINES FOR MINOR ANCILLARYSTRUCTURES WITHIN THE GREEN BUFFER AND PERIPHERAL 2MPLANTING STRIP

1 MAIN INTENTIONTo better reflect the intention of the green buffer, peripheral treeplanting strips and yet provide design flexibility to allow for minorancillary structures.

1.1 Green BufferBoth the public and the private sector have a role to play to helpachieve streetscape greenery in Singapore. While lush roadside, openspace tree planting and greenery are maintained by NParks, the greenbuffer within a private development creates the opportunity for theprivate developers and residents to actively contribute. The guidelineserves to safeguard the area provision for tree planting purposes.

1.2 2m planting stripThe peripheral planting strips are to provide a quality green andpleasant space between neighbouring developments, to be enjoyed byboth developments as well as contributing to the overall greenery inSingapore. The guideline serves to safeguard the area provision fortree planting purposes.

2 OBJECTIVES(This elaborates the main intention and indicates the desired outcomesto be achieved in completed developments.)

2.1 To reinforce the purpose of the green buffer and to preserve the greenand garden city image;

2.2 To provide adequate spacing (both above ground and under ground)for healthy growth of trees; and

2.3 To allow flexibility of structures that contribute to the landscapingefforts, or with limited hard surface impact within the green andperipheral tree planting strips.

3 PERFORMANCE CRITERIA(This provides a basis for judging whether the objectives have beenmet. Each development must be considered against all criteria butdepending on particular circumstances, it may not be necessary tosatisfy all of them)

3.1 There should be a sufficient amount of shade tree-planting andlandscaping to enhance the built environment to serve as screeningwhile reducing glare and heat. The planting pattern can be singular inregular planting distance or cluster planting.

Appendix 1

2

3.2 There shall be adequate space for trees to grow to their full spreadhence no structures should be close to the tree. There should also notbe any “tree under tree” situation1. The tree planting strips (green bufferand the peripheral 2m planting strips) should preferably be throughground or with soil area large enough to accommodate the particularrooting habits and they must be free from underground services.

3.3 Ancillary structures proposed within the tree planting strips (greenbuffer and the peripheral 2.0m tree planting strips) should be minor andcontribute to the landscape efforts or screened by soft landscape.Height of structures should be suitable for the intended use and nothinder the growth of trees.

4 ADDITIONAL NOTES / CLARIFICATIONS:

4.1 Ancillary structures in general refer to minor structures erected tosupport the main use of the site. Exceptions are minor structures thatare commercially operated such as Outdoor Refreshment Areas(ORAs) and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). These are notclassified as ancillary structures but considered independent minorstructures, and are subjected to the prevailing planning controls forsuch structures.

5 TECHNICAL RECOMMENDATION(This provides ideas on how the criteria, or certain aspects of them,might be addressed. It does not preclude other measures that could beproposed to meet the stated objectives.)

5.1 In general, we recommend that the small or medium tree to be plantedat every 5-6m interval, dependent on the choice of trees. The numberof trees (small to medium) to be planted could follow the guideline asillustrated in Appendix 1: Diagram 1.

Formulae:No of small/medium trees = (length of boundary – width of driveway) / 6(Such trees generally grow up to 15m high).

Or

No of small/medium trees = (nett length of boundary) / 6

A list of recommended species considered shade tree is shown inAppendix 1:Table 1.

1 “tree under tree” situation refers to planting new trees within the shade of any existing tree.

Appendix 1

3

5.2 For every proposed tree, a minimum area of 4m x requisite width (ifgreen buffer or planting strip requirement less than 4m), or 16 m2 (forall other planting width 4m or more) with a minimum 2m soil depth tobe safeguarded for healthy tree growth and aeration. Please refer toAppendix 1: Diagrams 2a & 2b

a All planting areas should preferably be flat at gradient 1:40. Wheretrees are to be planted, the gradient of the planting area should notbe steeper than 1:2.5.

b Minimum recommended distance from any proposed element to thecentre of the tree/palm is 2m. This applies to any undergroundservices that are required to transverse through the tree plantingarea.

c Aeration trough may be provided to ensure sufficient aeration ifstructures are proposed to encroach within the 4m x 2m (for 2mtree planting strip), 4 x 3 (for 3m tree planting strip) or 16m2 area(for wider planting buffer). However the minimum 2 x 2 x 2 mplanting soil volume must not have any encroachment.

5.3 Type of structures proposedWe encourage landscaping structures like trellis, garden furniture,water features, and also provide flexibility to minor structures due totechnical requirements like fire hydrant, meter compartments,inspection chambers etc.

a Landscaping structures should generally be open and contributetoward the landscaping efforts.

b Minor technical structures should generally be screened by softlandscaping

Generally, it is recommended that the total road frontage coverage ofthe minor structures along the green buffer is not more than 25% andthe minor landscape structures should not be more than 5m in height.(Please refer to Appendix 1: Diagrams 3a, 3b, 4a & 4b for illustrationon the flexibility provided)

For minor technical structures, these should generally be kept at 1.8mmaximum height, not exceeding the height of the boundary wall asthese do not contribute to the landscaping efforts.

For enclosed structures such as guardhouses or sentry post, theseshould generally be proposed beyond the green buffer. If these areproposed within the green buffer, the height of these minor operationalstructures should not be more than 2.6m (to the roof springing line).

Appendix 1: Diagram 1

Diagram 1: Illustration (Site Plan View) of Green buffer, tree-planting strips and the required tree planting

Road buffer line

Boundary Length = 33m

No of small trees =(33m-driveway width)/6 = 4.5

Therefore, the recommendedminimum no of trees is 46m

drivewaywidth

6m treespacing

Physicalbuffer

Building Setback line

2m tree planting strip Green Buffer

Note: Road buffer consistsof 2 components – physicalbuffer & green buffer

Boundary Length = 40mNo of small trees = 40m/6 = 6.6Therefore, the recommended minimum no of trees is 6

Appendix 1: Table 1

Table 1: A list of recommended tree species

MEDIUM SIZED TREES SPECIES Approximate Height Recommended

When Mature Spacing(m) (m)

Acacia mangium 12 8Amherstia nobilis (Pride of Burma) 12 16Arfeuillea arborescens (Hop Tree) 12 10Bauhinia blakeana (Hong Kong Bauhinia) 8 12Cananga odorata (Kenanga) 15 10Cassia fistula (Golden Showers) 18 12Cinnamomum iners (Wild Cinnamomum) 12 10Citharexylum quadrangulare (Fiddle-wood) 12 8Cochlospermum religiosum (Buttercup Tree) 10 10Eucalyptus botryoides (Gum Tree) 15 12Eucalyptus viminalis (Gum Tree) 15 8Eugenia cumini (Jambolan) 15 12Eugenia jambos (Rose Apple) 8 12Eugenia polyantha (Buah Salam) 15 12Gnetum gnemom (Meninjau) 15 8Gustavia sp 5 8Lagerstroemia speciosa (Rose of India) 12 12Maniltoa browneoides (Handkerchief Tree) 15 12Melaleuca leucadendron (Gelam) 12 10Melia indica (Nim Tree) 15 12Mimusops elengi (Bunga Tanjong) 12 18Plumeria spp (Frangipani) 8 10Podocarpus rumphii 15 12Pongamia pinnata (Mempari) 15 12Podocarpus polystacyus (Sea teak) 15 8Saraca indica (Sorrowless Tree) 8 12Saraca thaipingensis (Yellow Saraca) 12 12Tamarindus indica (Tamarind Tree/Asam) 12 12Xanthostemon chrysanthus 12 12Eugenia oleina 10 12Eugenia spicata 12 12Eugenia longifolia 12 12

Appendix1: Table 1

SMALL TREES Species Approximate Height Recommended

When Mature Spacing(m) (m)

Brassaia actinophylla (Australian Ivy Palm) 10 6Callistemon citrinus (Bottle Brush Tree) 6 8Callistemon viminalis 8 8Carallia brachiata 8 6Cratoxylum formosum (Pink Mempat) 10 8Crotoxylon cochinchinense 12 8Erythrina glauca (Coral Tree) 8 10Kopsia flavida (Penang Sloe) 8 8Kopsia singaporensis 8 8Melaleuca genistifolia cv Golden Gem 6 8

ILLUSTRATION OF TREE SPACING

Spacing to bemeasured from thecentre of the girth

2m depth ifthere isbasement

Root ball free fromencumbrances

Boundaryline

Appendix 1: Diagram 2a

Diagram 2a: Illustration (Plan View) of Green buffer/ tree-planting strip and the safeguarded aeration area

Either min 4m x 2m (for treeplanting width of 2m), 4m x 3m(for green buffer width of 3m)or 16m2 of aeration area, if greenbuffer width is greater than 2m.

2m

2m, orwidth ofgreenbuffer

6m tree spacing forSmall/Medium sized trees

2m x 2m, or 4m2 min soil area

aeration trough tobe provided, ifstructuresproposedencroaches intoaeration area

4m

Appendix1: Diagram 2b

Diagram 2b: Illustration (Elevation view) of Green buffer/ tree-planting strip and the safeguarded aeration area

6m tree spacing forSmall/Medium sized trees

4m x 2m x 2m (2m tree planting strip), or4m x 3m x 2m (3m green buffer), or 16m2x 2m (5m green buffer) of aeration area

2mplantingdepth

Open landscapestructures, andnot more than 5min height.The road frontagecoverage ofstructures is notmore than 25% or3m, whichever isgreater.

1.8mBoundaryWall

Appendix1: Diagram 3a

Diagram 3a: Illustration (Site Plan View) of Green buffer/ tree-planting strip and the required tree planting (Variation)

33m

No of small trees =(33m-driveway width) /6 = 4.5

Therefore min no of trees is 4

6mdrivewaywidth

6m treespacing

Less than 25% road frontage, or3m, whichever is greater

Open landscape structures, and notmore than 5m in height.Road coverage of structures not morethan 25%.

Appendix1: Diagram 3b

Diagram 3b: Illustration (Site Plan View) of Green buffer and the recommended road frontage control

Note: Bin points are structures to housethe small bin trolleys and are generallyless than 1.8m and uncovered. Height ofguardhouse within the green buffershould not be more than 2.6m (to theroof springing line).

Appendix1: Diagram 4a

Appendix 1: Diagram 4b

Appendix 2

Proposal/submission

Optional

Existing guidelines Performance standards

Comply with guidelines

Yes No

No issue Applicant to comply

Request for waiver

Submit landscape plan• indicative tree representation• QP to declare and then provide properlandscaping plans at WP stage

Evaluate• Based on objectives & performancecriteria• technical recommendation

Decision

Yes No

Landscape plan form part ofan attached document with WP

Applicant to comply

QP may subsequently change the landscaping plans and need to forward the new landscaping plans together with theapproved landscaping plan for DCD prior to TOP, if these changes are restricted to the landscaping provision. For allother amendments, an amendment application would still be required.

Submission Workflow