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Urban planning
Hong KongHong Kong Economy

Planning officials stand their ground over development of 1,400 flats on Ap Lei Chau, despite residents’ objections

Planning Department staff hear about new traffic congestion and population density concerns from locals and elected representatives over 1.18 hectares

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The Hong Kong School of Motoring located on Ap Lei Chau. Photo: Sam Tsang
Naomi Ng

Hong Kong’s planning authority is standing its ground on a controversial proposal to rezone a driving school site in Ap Lei Chau for private residential development despite strong opposition by district councillors and residents.

The proposal to rezone at least 1.18 hectares of prime harbourfront land to allow construction of 1,400 private flats on Lee Nam Road was highlighted in Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s policy address in 2013 to boost the city’s short-term housing supply.

The Planning Department responded to concerns about higher popula

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tion density and traffic congestion at a Town Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, citing a number of government departments as deeming it “technically feasible” to proceed with the plans.

“Taking into account the increase in traffic flows brought about by the proposed residential development, all major road junctions in Ap Lei Chau would still have spare capacities in the design year of 2021,” Ginger Kiang Kam-yin, a district planning officer from the department, said at the meeting.

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About 10 residents opposing the plan staged a rally outside the board’s office in North Point during the meeting.
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