C.S. 84
RESTRICTED
XCR(75)156
Present Land Status and Planning
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The present park comprises Lot 3327 and Lot 1397 Sections A, B and C in Survey District 4. The total area is about 203, 300 square feet. Lot 3327, having an area of about 133, 439 square feet, is Crown land which was on an annual lease up to 31st December 1974. Lot 1397 Sections A, B and C are private agricultural land now owned by Mr Deacon T.K. CHIU of Lai Chi Kok Amusement Company Limited. A total charge of $225,000 per annum, comprising rent for Lot 3327 and a fee for permission to use Lot 1397 Sections A, B and C as an Amusement Park, is charged by Government.
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Several applications have been made by the Company over the years to secure more permanent tenure of the land to enable the owner to invest in improvements with greater confidence, but becaus e of uncertainty in the planning for the area, this has not been possible. However, planning has now been finalised and the boundaries of the amusement park have been determined in conformity with the Kwai Chung Outline Zoning Plan approved by the Governor in Council on 24th December 1974. The area is specifically identified on the plan as an Amusement Park.
Reasons for regularising the tenure of the Park
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Following approval of the statutory plan, the status of the park should be determined and a lease granted at a premium assessed on the basis of a long term. The additional security of tenure will enable the owner to invest with greater confidence and its value as a recreational outlet will be enhanced. It is now proposed to regularise the land holding on the basis of present use. The most practical arrangement appears to be an in situ exchange because:
(a) the present operator has an established amusement
park on the area. He already owns approximately half the land and building covering the whole site. A public tender for the right to run an amusement park on the site could only be achieved by resumption of the private land involved, and probably by payment of compensation for the buildings;
(b) the year to year arrangements by which the owner leases Crown land and pays a modification fee for his agricultural uses are unsatisfactory. The lessee has too little security to make the most of the Park, and it is difficult to justify a more appropriate rent;
RESTRICTED
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