Difference in Terms of Reference of New NHB Study on 38 Oxley Road from 2016 Ministerial Committee's Assessment

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the terms of reference for the National Heritage Board (NHB)'s current study of 38 Oxley Road to assess if the site has historical, heritage and architectural significance; and (b) how does the present NHB study differ from the terms of reference of the Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Road formed in June 2016 and which assessed that the building has historical, heritage and architectural significance.

The National Heritage Board (NHB) conducts research on buildings, sites or structures with the potential to be considered as a National Monument. Such research could cover technical aspects, such as the historic, cultural, architectural and national importance of the building, site or structure. The research is then presented to the Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board (PSM AB), set up by NHB under section 7 of the Preservation of Monuments Act, for their independent assessment, as part of the decision-making process on whether the building, site or structure should be preserved as a National Monument. The PSM AB makes this assessment based on objective criteria, for all sites which have the potential to be preserved as a National Monument.

In the case of 38 Oxley Road, this research was done by NHB for the 2018 Ministerial Committee Report. While the research was incorporated into the Report, the Ministerial Committee concluded that no decision had to be made at that point in time, and all options would be kept open. Hence, the research was not presented to PSM AB for their assessment then on the suitability of 38 Oxley Road as a National Monument.

In view of the recent application by the owner to demolish the building, which would immediately rule out a proper and full consideration of options, NHB has commenced the process to determine 38 Oxley Road’s eligibility and suitability for preservation as a National Monument. This includes presenting the research to the PSM AB for their independent assessment. Based on the assessment, NHB would then provide a recommendation to the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth to decide whether to issue a Preservation Order for the Site under the Preservation of Monuments Act.

This follows the usual assessment process before any building, site or structure can be preserved as a National Monument, and we will apply this accordingly to 38 Oxley Road.