Experts advise green light for NT new towns projects
Experts say New Territories plan can go ahead as long as conditions - such as ensuring the survival of fish and birds in the area - are met
The administration's green advisers have recommended conditional acceptance of a proposal to develop two new towns in the northeastern New Territories.
The HK$120 billion plan, announced in July, is intended to house 170,000 people in Fanling North and Kwu Tung North.
Members of a subcommittee under the Advisory Council on the Environment said the project must ensure the survival of fish and birds in the area, among other conditions for their support.
The council will conclude on Monday if it should approve an environmental impact assessment on the project done by government-appointed consultants.
Critics complained yesterday to the Ombudsman, challenging a one-month public consultation on the assessment that ended early last month.
"Many of the villagers affected do not know English, but the full report is available only in English," said Yip Po-lam, of the Catholic Diocese's justice and peace commission.
Yip said that violated the Bills of Rights and Official Language Ordinance.