The Lands Panel discussed the development of 81 telegraph and tenement buildings
Lands Task Force today discussed a number of land supply options including a total of 81 telecom or telephone sites in the territory covering a total of 17.4 hectares of which 48 of them will expire before 2025 and the government is studying Make land supply source.
Large-scale infrastructure construction difficulties
The Land Supply Task Force will hold its 10th meeting today. The agenda will include three different topics, including short-term medium-term supply measures such as the use of telephone sites and vacant school premises, and the construction of large-scale infrastructures. In the past, the Government approved 81 sites for telephone use, with a total area of about 17.4 hectares. Most of the premises are for telephone offices but some are also allowed for offices or dormitories. Since the opening of the telecommunications market in 2003, the authorities have stopped granting land use rights .
The Government mentioned that of the 81 sites mentioned above, 48 will expire before the lease of 2025. The authorities are considering the way forward, including policy objectives and individual land use. The relevant land for the office building was held by Hong Kong Telecom in the same year and the company was later acquired by PCCW and merged into PCCW (00008). In the past, PCCW also studied the development of private rooms for private buildings, including the one at Ying Fong, which was rebuilt from the Sheung Wan Peace Arcade.
Discussion 183 Uses of vacant school premises
If the remaining sites are incorporated by the Government for residential or commercial development, it is estimated that a considerable amount of urban land will be released. Among them, the land area of more than 43,000 square feet includes telephone rooms in Kwai Chung and satellite communication stations in Chung Hom Kok. On the other hand, Laiwu Street on the 4th floor of the building area of about 30,000 square feet.
In addition, the Hong Kong Rural Fund proposes to build a platform on infrastructure, highways and railways for housing development as well as listing five locations such as the Kam Tin Pat Heung Depot, the upper Marang Shui near the highway and the Yau Ma Tei Interchange. The government says it will cost more to build an elevated platform on a wide trunk road and there will be many technical difficulties.
Take the Yau Ma Tei Interchange as an example. The site area is about 10 hectares. If a superstructure is to be built, a platform of about 35 meters high (above the main level) should be added. The surrounding residential developments generally have a height of about 70 to 130 meters. There are two vents on the upper cover, which will limit the development potential. The government also anticipates that even if integrated into development, it will only be able to provide medium and long-term supply solutions.
At the same time, the Government also submitted short-term increase in supply measures, including 183 vacant school premises, making better use of industrial buildings and streamlining development control procedures.