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XCC(87)61
CONFIDENTIAL
Option A to modify the Conditions of Sale
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STTL 168 is zoned for Government/Institution/Community use (GIC) on the draft Shatin Outline Zoning Plan No. S/ST/2. It is so zoned because it was always intended that the site should be a hospital, and because it is conveniently sited for that purpose, being the only GIC site in an area of extensive residential development. The District Officer, Shatin has advised that, if a proposed change of use to 'residential' were gazetted, he would expect strong and unfavourable reactions from the Shatin District Board. The Board is sensitive to any additional unplanned housing in Shatin, which would only increase the demand
the facilities in the
the town. In the circumstances, it must be doubtful
it must be doubtful if the Town Planning Board would agree to rezone the site from GIC to residential use.
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The Director of Medical and Health Services has confirmed that there is pressing need for this hospital in the Sha Tin area. The Region is short of 570 beds now, and in 1991 this shortage is expected to reach 1490.
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The Director of Buildings & Lands has advised that it would not be normal land policy to modify so substantially the terms of
of a lot granted by public tender SO soon after the sale. As such the application would normally be refused, the lot re-entered in October 1987 for non-fulfilment of the bring-into-operation covenant and subsequently resold.
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Moreover Government normally disposes of sites in the N.T. for residential/commercial use by means of Letters A/B tender in the first instance, to provide an opportunity for Letters A/B holders to bid for such sites. It is likely that modification of usage in STTL 168 to residential purposes would attract strong criticism from Letters A/B
Letters A/B holders and other developers, possibly including the other original tenderer.
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Thus, option A is not recommended, on both planning and land policy grounds.
Option B
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to refuse the application for modification
There is a need for a hospital in the area,
the area, and this is a very suitable site for a hospital. Indeed, the planning and land policy objections to a change of user are SO substantial that, if the owners had been given a firm commitment that a modification would be granted, buying back the site from the owners would have to be considered in preference to proceeding with the modification. However, ΠΟ such commitment was in fact made. If the owners do not comply
CONFIDENTIAL