SINGAPORE — Towns in the north-east and east of Singapore such as Toa Payoh, Hougang, Sengkang, Punggol, Bedok and Tampines could see a lifting of the existing height restrictions when the Paya Lebar Air Base moves out. In a reply to TODAY, a Ministry of National Development spokesperson said that the air base currently imposes height limits on surrounding developments in order to ensure navigational safety for aircraft. The MND added that the redevelopment of the land, which will free up about 800 hectares of land in a central location, will allow the creation of new residential areas, parks, schools and community facilities as well as new employment clusters to bring more jobs closer to home for our residents living in the northeast and east of Singapore. There is also potential to introduce new transport corridors across the land currently occupied by the Air Base, enhancing connectivity for residents living in the area to commute to the city and the western part of Singapore, the spokesperson said. “The large size of the site and its fairly central location gives rise to many exciting possibilities for new developments to enhance the living environment in the eastern part of Singapore,” said the MND. “The relocation of PLAB is a large-scale endeavour and will take time to realise. The specific new development plans for PLAB and the surrounding area will be shaped over time to support development options for future generations of Singaporeans.” The plans to relocate Paya Lebar Air Base over the next two decades were first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally on Sunday.