Population of Lamma Island will double under new housing plan

A refined housing and tourism development plan released yesterday would see Lamma Island's population almost double from 5,900 to nearly 11,000.

And about one-third of new residents would live in subsidised flats under the proposal.

The mixed housing development, at a 20-hectare former quarry along the northern coast of Sok Kwu Wan, would also feature a resort with a 260-room hotel and centres for water sports and outdoor recreation.

The plan, based on an option the planning department said was "well-received by the public" in the first round of consultation, would mean an extra 5,000 residents living in 1,900 flats, of which 700 would be subsidised. The previous plan called for 1,000 flats housing 2,800 residents.

While the Planning Department says the increase will justify providing more public facilities like a library and community health centre, the change has sparked criticism from a resident and a green group.

"The high-rises are incompatible with the natural landscape that is popular among nature-lovers. They could end up being luxury apartments targeted by speculators and left vacant," island resident Damon Wong Chun-pong said.