Govt to look into ownership rights of underground space
Sep 17, 2013
With urban planners looking to develop underground space more extensively, the Law Ministry will have to study similar experiences of other countries with respect to ownership rights.
Under the current law, ownership of underground space belongs to the owner of surface land “to a depth that is reasonably necessary for the use and enjoyment of the property”, revealed Senior Minister of State for Law Indranee Rajah.
However, some countries allow surface land owners to keep a “certain depth” of underground space for their use, while the deeper subterranean space can be used for underground projects.
These comments were made in response to a query raised by MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Liang Eng Hwa, on the position of the government with respect to underground space ownership.
In an earlier blog post, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan talked about the possibility of Singapore’s underground space being used for various purposes such as cycling lanes, transport hubs, storage, research facilities and shopping areas.
He added that his Ministry is considering an underground version of the Master Plan for land use.
Meanwhile, the Law Ministry will look into the experiences of other countries and work closely with the industry to come up with a “sensible approach”, said Ms Rajah.
“We will consult stakeholders and set up a sound framework for agencies to realise the vision of more space to live, work and play,” she added
http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2013/9/36636/govt-to-look-into-ownership-rights-of-underground-