But some question the need for more reclamation in the already built-up area The Hong Kong government is considering building an artificial island for leisure pursuits south of Tseung Kwan O, turning the town into a recreation centre. It is among several options being considered. Members of the Legislative Council's planning, lands and works panel were told the government was considering maximising the waterfront area of the already densely populated new town by building more attractions there. Four development options on further building in the new town were tabled to members of the panel; they include an option for no further reclamation and a ceiling on the population to 460,000. While option four, which would create a population capacity of 510,000, has already been ruled out by the Territorial Development Department, among the government suggestions was an artificial island where water sports facilities such as piers and boat moorings would be built, along with a riverine park constructed along the new town's eastern water channel. Tseung Kwan O is home to 300,000 people while the planned total population capacity is 480,000. Deputy chairman of the panel, Lau Ping-chung, who represents the architectural, surveying and planning profession, disputed the wisdom of any further reclamation and an increase in the maximum population of new town to 495,000. 'I really can't see the point, I don't understand why an artificial island is needed in order to have recreation and leisure facilities,' Mr Lau said. 'Land, once reclaimed is irreversible, it should always be our last resort.' He said the population of Tseung Kwan O should remain as low as possible. The new town has long been criticised for its poor planning which resulted in high-density living. The Secretary of Housing, Planning and Lands, Michael Suen Ming-yeung has said the government would avoid replicating the planning mistakes made previously in Tseung Kwan O. The four options were outlined in the government's Feasibility Study for Further Development of Tseung Kwan O. Public consultation will end on May 16. Meanwhile, Billy Lam Chung-lun, managing director of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) hinted after the panel meeting that the authority might lower the compensation to tenants affected by its development projects. This was because property and land prices have dropped significantly in the past two years. He stressed the URA would be open minded on the issue. At present, tenants living in areas where the URA intends to redevelop are given compensation equal to the market price of a seven-year-old apartment in the same district. Mr Lam said the average amounts paid were above market.