Urban renewal victims assured over payouts

Residents affected by a massive urban renewal plan will be allowed to negotiate with the Government over the amount of compensation they receive, a leading official said yesterday.

They would even be funded to appeal to the Lands Tribunal if disputes arose, Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands Gordon Siu Kwing-chue said.

Unveiling details of the Government's plan to demolish urban slums, Mr Siu said they would not make any 'one-off' offer to owners and residents.

'It will certainly not be a 'one-off' offer and we will even use public funds to help them protect their own interests,' he said.

Director of Lands Bob Pope said: 'We will make a fair market-value offer.' He said an independent surveyor would be hired to determine the level of compensation if residents were unhappy with the terms.

They could further pursue their cause with the Lands Tribunal and the Government would pay all related charges. He said the proposed urban renewal authority would not be involved in the process.