Property tycoon Cheng Yu-tung yesterday lashed out at the government for dragging its feet in approving developers' applications after the controversy over the Grand Promenade project in Sai Wan Ho. Mr Cheng, chairman of New World Development, said: 'Ever since the Grand Promenade saga, government officials act like their hands and legs are tied up and don't dare approve any application and plans submitted by developers. 'As a result, developers' applications are piling up one after another and their processing time is getting longer and longer accordingly,' he said. 'This is an obstacle for developers.' Mr Cheng said he and other developers had sent a letter to Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen to express their concerns but had not received a reply. The Grand Promenade controversy unfolded in November when an Audit Commission report found that a decision by former buildings chief Leung Chin-man - made in the face of objections by the Lands Department - enabled Henderson Land to double the number of flats on the site and rake in an estimated $3.23 billion for an additional premium of just $6 million. Mr Cheng also said that New World was interested in the West Kowloon Cultural District project and added that the proposed consultation committee looking into the scheme should not include developers in order to maintain its fairness.
