(a) Planning
18. Virtually all unleased Crown land in the urban area on which it is possible to build is occupied, mainly by residential squatters but also by small factories or workshops, illegal cultivators or pigbreeders, so that before any development can take place land must be cleared of its squatters. When an area is required for development, the Public Works Department applies for clearance, indicating what the land is wanted for and the target date for clearance and eventual development. Delays often arise from the need to cancel temporary occupation permits, to follow the procedure of the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance and to consider and reply to petitions, but thereafter the Resettlement Depart- ment is responsible for clearing the area of all structures and cultivation, and resettling all eligible persons, shops and factories found there.
19. When an application is received, the Squatter Control Division finds out from its detailed records how many domestic huts, shops and factories, etc. there are on the ground and estimates for the information of the Operations Division how much cultivation and how many people are involved. From this information, the size of the clearance problem is determined and its priority fixed in relation to previous applications.
20. The following factors are taken into account in deciding the priority and timing of a particular clearance:
(i) The purpose for which the land is required
21. The highest priority is land required directly or indirectly for resettlement estates or other low-cost housing, partly on social grounds. and partly because other forms of land development would be impossible if there were no resettlement estates in which to rehouse the squatters occupying the land. Schools, hospitals and other public buildings or works are the next priority. Some provision must also be made for private commercial, residential and factory development within approved town plans.
(ii) Target Date for Clearance
22. Private land must be resumed, permit areas cancelled, petitions answered and all compensation paid before the land is cleared. It is therefore necessary to ensure that development can start as soon as possible after clearance and demolition of the structures to avoid letting the land lie idle and to prevent further squatting.
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