Developer seeks end to Fanling land dispute
Redevelopment plans for Fanling farmland sparked anger and protests from villagers
A land developer has warned it will seek injunctions “as a last resort” to clear protesting villagers from a plot of farmland in Fanling that has been marked for redevelopment.
Henderson Land executive director Augustine Wong Ho-ming issued the warning yesterday, hours after the developer sent dozens of security guards to the site in a failed attempt to clear the 20 villagers and supporters, who have pledged to defend the area from redevelopment.
“That’s the last resort we will seek, only if it is really necessary. I really hope they will move away on their own. We will be happy to discuss with them if they have any other reasonable requests,” he said .
At the centre of the controversy is the Ma Shi Po village in Fanling. The Mapopo Community Farm there, founded by villager Becky Au Hei-man, is the main resistance against Henderson’s plans for the area.
Au was a tenant at the site until 2007, when Henderson ceased all rental agreements with the villagers. Over the years the villagers ignored repeated eviction orders and continued to occupy the site.