Recently gazetted proposals by Hong Kong government planners represent another misguided attempt to rezone eight parcels of green belt land for a mixture of uses, including the rezoning of four sites for high-density residential development. The combined impact of these proposals will result in the loss and diminishing of a valuable buffer zone that currently exists to help define the boundary between the Ma On Shan new town and the adjoining country park. In addition there will be significant disruption and damage to the vital access road from Ma On Shan up to the adjoining country park. This access is crucial, not only for local residents, but also for the large number of regular daily morning walkers, including myself, hikers and paragliders on their way up to Ngong Ping and the MacLehose Trail. In addition, cyclists and mountain bike riders also use this road, as well as visitors to the Ma On Shan mining heritage centre. The original intention of having green belt land makes it clear that in addition to its role as a buffer against urban sprawl, there is a presumption against development – which I strongly feel should be retained and followed here, the way it has been through the last two decades as the new town has grown. If the government needs land for high-density public housing, this is clearly the wrong location; they should be looking at sites in the New Development Areas and adjoining brownfield sites, which will be properly planned for this purpose. I would urge anyone who shares these concerns to write an objection to the Town Planning Board quoting Ma On Shan OZP No. S/MOS/23 before December 16. Roger Nissim, planning and land consultant, Ma On Shan