Build a ‘parkland city’ in Lantau South: Akers-Jones

A former chief secretary has proposed developing part of Lantau South Country Park as a "Parkland City" with nature trails, bicycle tracks and flats, saying some land had been included in country parks without in-depth consultation.

Sir David Akers-Jones' controversial suggestion came two weeks after Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po floated the idea of building flats on country park land.

But Professor Lee Talbot, dubbed the "Father of Hong Kong Country Parks", opposed the idea and urged the government not to opt for an easy way out in its land search.

Akers-Jones, 86, said: "It's only recently that Hong Kong's country parks were enlarged, and land which should have been left for future development was included without overall and in-depth public consultation as to needs for development."

Lantau North Country Park was extended by 2,360 hectares in 2008 as compensation for the loss of ecology when Chek Lap Kok airport was built.

Akers-Jones, who was chief secretary in the mid-1980s, said: "Look at the huge area of Lantau South Country Park where there are virtually no villages or private land to impede change.