'More power for planners'

The Town Planning Board should be allowed to veto the Government's reclamation proposals, legislators said.

Legco's Bills Committee was told the administration had agreed to allow the planners to make recommendations on reclamation plans.

It is understood that all future reclamation proposals will go before the board for consideration before a decision is taken. But members will only be allowed to advise - not turn down or amend proposals.

Calling for a more powerful role for the planners, Albert Chan Wai-yip of the Democratic Party said: 'If the Town Planning Board can only give advice and it is left to the Government to decide whether to accept it or not, how can government be monitored?'