RESTRICTED
For discussion
on 8th March 1977
MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance
(Chapter 124)
XCR(77)64
Copy No...
RESUMPTION OF LAND AT 62-76, 76B, 78A, 80-82,
REO IN REV No. 01
1 5 MAR 1977
86-96 FIRST STREET AND 61-81, 87-105 SECOND STREET
FOR THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY URBAN #KK 365/1
IMPROVEMENT SCHEME
A
B
On 20th November 1973, the Council, having considered memorandum XCC(73)100, (Annex A), endorsed a slum clearance scheme by the Hong Kong Housing Society as outlined in that memorandum. Under the scheme, the Society would wherever possible, purchase sites for development in the urban renewal areas. If the Society was unable to acquire a suitable site by private negotiation, Government could resume the land and then grant it to the Society by private treaty, the Society paying a premium equivalent to the total acquisition costs. Government would be involved only in the actual resumption while clearance and demolition work would be the responsibility of the Society.
2
On 15th June 1976, the Council having considered memorandum XCC(76)35, (Annex B), advised and the Governor ordered that the Society's slum clearance projects should continue within the limits of Government financial support already approved and that resumption of the sites for such projects was for a public purpose despite the fact that the resultant flats would be sold at full market value and that it was therefore not possible to rehouse the displaced families at subsidised rents or prices within the same area,
C
3
The Housing Society is planning a project in the Sai Ying Pun area, the acquisition of which will require Government assistance. The site is at First Street/Second Street within the section between Western Street and Centre Street. It contains an area of 2, 958 square metres, the general location of which is shown outlined red on the plan at Annex C. Forty-four properties lying within the area of the project are affected. Of these, 5 have already reverted to the Crown and the remainder are still in private ownership. 15 contain post-war buildings in either fair or poor condition, 24 contain pre-war buildings in either poor or dila- pidated condition and 5 are vacant sites which were previously acquired by Government. There is a newly completed six-storey building at Nos 84 and 84A First Street, and consequently the two lots have been excluded from the project area. It is not likely that the present owners would contemplate comprehensive redevelopment of the area as the properties are in fragmented ownership and some of the owners are absent from
C.S. 84
RESTRICTED