New Territories new-towns plan gets green light from planning board
Opponents vow to continue fight against New Territories proposal for 60,000 flats, which now goes to Exco for final approval
Opponents of the government's controversial plan to build two new towns in the northeastern New Territories vowed to continue their struggle yesterday after the Town Planning Board unanimously approved zoning plans.
The proposal to build 60,000 flats in Kwu Tung North and Fanling North will now go to the Executive Council for final scrutiny and approval.
Despite the decision, affected villagers said they would do all they could to defend their homes from demolition.
The ruling came after two days of closed-door meetings, 45 days of public hearings attended by some 300 people, and about 53,000 submissions, mostly against the plans.
"Members truly understand the worries of those affected on relocation and demolition matters," board spokeswoman Fiona Lung Siu-yuk said.
"We believe that pushing ahead the two development plans is in Hong Kong's overall interest, especially when there's tight land supply for housing."
While she said the board had taken into account the views of all sides, including those who opposed it, the board would also "strongly advise" the government to follow up on affected residents' concerns, with some calling for "no relocation" and "no demolition".
"When the administration implements the plans, [officials] need to deal with their concerns and demands appropriately, strengthen communication with those affected and provide assistance in a timely manner and in the best way," Lung said.
The decision had balanced the interests and needs of all sides as around 300 hectares of land have been earmarked for agriculture and conservation use, she said.
Lee Siu-wah, chairman of the Kwu Tung North Development Concern Group, said the plan would inevitably destroy Hong Kong's agriculture industry and there were alternatives, such as the Fanling Golf Course.
"We will now target Leung Chun-ying. I believe he's the only one who can reverse the development plan," Lee said, adding that they would consider launching a judicial review on the decision.
If the outline zoning plans are finally endorsed by the Chief Executive in Council, the two towns will provide a total of 60,000 flats, and around 60 per cent would be public housing.
The towns will also provide 837,000 square metres of space for commercial, office, hotel and retail use, providing about 37,000 job opportunities.
