XN000022-1996-06-27 — Page 65

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Western District development plan

Following is a question by the Hon Edward Ho Sing-tin and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The sites surrounded by Kennedy Town New Praya, Catchick Street, Davis Street, Cadogan Street and Belcher's Street in Western District have been zoned as a Comprehensive Development Area for more than seven years, and there have not been plans by any public or private agencies to develop the sites comprehensively. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council whether it has any definite plan for a comprehensive development of these sites and if not, whether it will apply to the Town Planning Board to re-zone these sites for residential or commercial uses so that the private property owners concerned can develop the properties on their own?

Answer:

Mr President,

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) obtained approval from the Town Planning Board in 1992 to carry out the Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) project in question. HKHS subsequently found that if all the demands for compensation and rehousing by the owners and residents were to be fully met, the project would not be financially viable. HKHS then considered a number of options for discussion with the Government on how the project could be taken forward. In January 1996, the Government invited the Land Development Corporation (LDC) to study, on a "no commitment" basis, the feasibility of taking over the project from HKHS. LDC put forward an initial proposal in March 1996 for discussion with HKHS and the Government. We will conclude our consideration of the project as soon as possible, and hope to work out a feasible way forward on the implementation of the project before the Town Planning Board's approval to HKHS expires on 25 September 1996. We have no plan at this stage to re-zone the area for other uses.

End