Taking our inspiration and encouragement from the voices being raised to challenge Hong Kong's development policies, the owners of properties in Staunton Street are united in their fight to keep their homes, which is their lawful right. The Urban Renewal Authority owns only 24 per cent of the units in the affected area on the street. Those opposed to its plans own the other 76 per cent. Despite the URA's minority interest achieved only within the past year through new acquisitions, it is still trying to push through its development plans that would include forced resumption and demolition of the existing low-rise buildings to make way for another 20-plus-storey building on what is already a congested street. There are many people living in areas of Hong Kong who would welcome intervention by the URA. However it has set its sights on Staunton Street, an area where no help is required. It is doing this because of the large sums of money which will be gained from the reselling of its properties to a large developer. The URA claims that the buildings are in a run-down state and beyond repair but many of the current owners have already upgraded their flats to a very high standard. The whole of 64 Staunton Street has been renovated. It is a fine example of what can be done in this area of Central if the URA was not involved. The only flats yet to be upgraded are the few that the URA owns or those apartments where the owners are concerned they will be forced to sell to the authority. Officials claim that allowing the current owners to continue the process of gentrifying the neighbourhood with their own funds would jeopardise the authority's strategy. If this strategy is failing the public then it should be abandoned. In this street the URA has failed to execute its stated mission 'to create quality and vibrant urban living and acting on their priorities with ingenuity and sensitivity, join forces with their partners and nurture our people'. Its only partners are the big developers. It has never attempted to work with those Staunton Street residents who want to keep their homes. Dare Koslow, on behalf of Staunton Street residents in Site C
