Representatives of several villages in the northeastern part of the New Territories on Tuesday called on the government to scrap its controversial development plan for their region until it had heard their opinions. The group said they did not know anything of this plan until last month and criticised the government for being selective in its consultation.
The development involves 787 hectares in Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Ping Che, which would be turned into public and private estates for more than 15,000 people as part of the government’s efforts to alleviate housing shortages. But critics say the development could kill the agricultural industry in Hong Kong, and some villagers are unhappy about the lack of consultation.
Speaking on a radio interview, representatives of Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling villages said the plan should be halted, so they had a chance to have their say on the development.
Ping Che villager Tam Chi-kit said he had heard rumours about the development over the past two years, but the news was not confirmed until indigenous villagers held a dinner gathering to “celebrate the plan”.
“I was very surprised. I am a resident in the area as well, how come no one told me about that?” he said, adding that the proposal should be withdrawn and sent back to the drawing board.
Lee Bo-hang, a spokeswoman for a concern group involving Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling residents, described the government’s development plan as “violent”, as people living the area were not informed.