SINGAPORE - The Urban Redevelopment Authority is to introduce new guidelines on the size of medical clinics in commercial developments, it said on Tuesday.

The total gross floor area for clinics in such buildings will be capped at 3,000 square metres or 20 per cent of the total floor area approved for commercial use, whichever is lower.

The move, made jointly with the Health Ministry, is to prevent de-facto medical centres emerging in areas not zoned for their use.

It was made in response to increasing numbers of planning applications for new private medical centres within commercial developments.

The guidelines will also ensure that buildings "have a good mix of other commercial uses such as shops, eateries (and) offices...to meet different needs", the agencies said.

The 3,000 square metre cap will apply to all commercial developments. However, the cap on 20 per cent of floor area will not apply to medical clinics located in shophouse developments and Housing Board shops as such limitations may be "too restrictive".

The new guidelines take effect from Tuesday. Only applications submitted before this date will be exempt from following the new guidelines. Existing medical clinics in commercial developments also remain unaffected.