Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1366497/developers-behind-divisive-wetland-plan-seek-planning-board-review
Hong Kong

Developers behind divisive wetland plan seek planning board review

Team behind proposed Nam Sang Wai homes stress differences from Fung Lok Wai plan

Fung Lok Wai wetland, similar to Nam Sang Wai. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

The lessons of the just approved Fung Lok Wai wetland housing project cannot be directly applied to Nam Sang Wai wetland, say the developers that plan to build 1,600 flats there.

The planned Yuen Long project comprises multi-storey flats and stilt homes. The Town Planning Board rejected a previous proposal from the same developers because of concerns over the loss of wetland and visual impact on the landscape.

The developers have amended their plans, and are seeking a review of the decision.

Last week, the board gave the green light to another controversial wetland housing plan in Fung Lok Wai with 17 conditions attached to the approval. But the Nam Sang Wai developers said the two projects were different.

"The development plan for Fung Lok Wai is not feasible for Nam Sang Wai because the buildings there are too tall," said Wan Man-yee, a consultant for the development consortium made up of Nam Sang Wai Development Company and Kleener Investment.

Construction at the Fung Lok Wai project is limited to 5 per cent of the 80 hectare site, with the rest to be turned into a reserve. In its original plan, the Nam Sang Wai footprint took up 25 per cent of its 121 hectare site.

Man said limiting the footprint to 5 per cent of the site would require 31 towers of 31 storeys each, creating even greater visual impact. Instead, the developers now planned to increase the number of towers from five to 10, reducing each building to 10 storeys or less.

The new plan also increases by 9.2 hectares the area designated for reed bed, to compensate for reeds removed during construction.

Jocelyn Ho Pui-lam, senior conservation officer of the Bird Watching Society, said the amendments made by the developers did the bare minimum to address the concerns of the board, and may create space issues for birds.