Heritage Council will conduct an independent assessment of previous findings from the Oxley Road conservation study

SINGAPORE: One more investigation left Oxleyweg 38 is necessary because the findings of previous research into the property have not been submitted to the Advisory Council for the Conservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM AB), which will use the information as part of its independent assessment, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tongue on Monday (November 11).

Mr Tong was responding to parliamentary questions from Progress Singapore Party non-constituency member Leong Mun Wai and MP Louis Chua (WP-Sengkang) about founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s former home.

Mr Leong had asked why another investigation was needed when the ministerial committee set up to assess the fate of 38 Oxley Road had previously found it to have “architectural, heritage and historical significance” based on an assessment of the property by the National Heritage Board (NHB).

Mr Chua had asked about the terms of reference for the NHB’s current investigation into the property and how they differ from those of the ministerial committee.

In a written response to their questions, Mr Tong said that while the NHB’s previous findings had been included in the 2018 ministerial committee report on the property, they had not been presented to the PSM AB.

“The ministerial committee came to the conclusion that no decision needed to be made at that time and that all options would remain open,” he said.

“Therefore, the study was not submitted to the PSM AB for their assessment of the suitability of 38 Oxley Road as a national monument.”

When NHB conducts research into a building, site or structure that could possibly be designated as a national monument, the research is usually submitted to the advisory council.

The board would then conduct an independent assessment of this study to determine whether the subject should be retained as a national monument.

“The PSM AB makes this assessment based on objective criteria, for all sites that have the potential to be preserved as national monuments,” said Mr Tong.

The minister said the council’s assessment is related to Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s decision to initiate proceedings to have the house demolished on the site.

“Given the owner’s recent request to demolish the building, which would immediately preclude proper and full consideration of options, NHB has started the process to determine whether 38 Oxley Road qualifies and is suitable for conservation as a national monument,” Mr Tong said.

“This includes presenting the research to the PSM AB for their independent review. Based on the assessment, NHB would then make a recommendation to the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth to decide whether a conservation order should be made for the site under the Conservation of Monuments Act.”

He added: “This follows the usual assessment process before a building, site or structure can be retained as a national monument, and we will apply this to 38 Oxley Road accordingly.”