New Territories Extension Development Group advocates idle land first

The Government is keen to explore new development zones in the New Territories and provide land resources for Hong Kong. The Executive Committee of the Heung Yee Kuk believes that the development of new towns in the northeastern part of the New Territories is a general trend. However, members of the local research community believe that the Government should first use idle land to recover the land for development of the New Territories. The order should be put to the end.

Local Research Society: Do not hinder the principle of residents

Chen Dongyue, member of the Heung Yee Kuk and surveyor, pointed out that the development of new towns in the New Territories has always been one of the means of increasing housing supply, development and planning. The public-private model has developed a new town. There have been precedents such as the invitation of developers. The reclamation was carried out and part of the land was awarded for the construction of a large private housing estate in Sha Tin City.

He pointed out that in public and private development, to avoid controversy involving collusion between government and business, the Government should increase the transparency of tendering and appoint director-level officials for monitoring.

As regards compensation for land resumption, Chen Dongyue believes that the price of the New Territories has been similar to that of the urban area. In addition, many of the land resumption is close to the port and has a certain value. Therefore, there should be room for upward adjustment.

However, Chen Jianqing, a member of the local research society, pointed out that the current price of A-level farmland compensation has reached 1,000 yuan, which is a high level. Although the housing estates can receive compensation of 1.2 million yuan, they will eventually switch to the private property market.

Chen Jianqing continued that before the development of land in the New Territories, the use of idle land should be considered. The local research institute conducted statistics last year. There were 927 unoccupied unused land in Hong Kong, covering an area of ​​142 hectares. If land resumption is to be carried out, it will be the principle of not affecting the local residents, and the priority will also be finalized. As for the public-private partnership development model, developers or the tendency to build luxury properties will reduce the efficiency of land use and weaken social functions.

Regarding the public consultation on the land debate, Chen Jianqing criticized the option information is not clear enough. The development costs were not clearly mentioned in the options, the concept of the option location was abstract, and the social and environmental impacts were not clearly explained.