TNAG-0673-FCO40-822-Legislation-for-Crown-lands-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 58

C.S. 84

RESTRICTED

XCR(77)306

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cultivation and the rest occupied by domestic and agricultural temporary structures. The Crown land within Area 29A is almost totally occupied by domestic temporary structures, most of which are covered by Crown Land Licences. Area 10, which is mostly Crown land, is now being used as a borrow area although about 2 hectares (about 4.94 acres) are fully occupied by domestic temporary structures.

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The clearance will involve payment of compensation for crops, bamboo, fruit trees, pine trees, ex-gratia allowance for culti- vators, ex-gratia disturbance allowance for displaced pig and poultry breeders, the removal of formal graves and urns together with "tun fu" ceremony fees, and compensation for miscellaneous items e. g. pipes and fences. The total resumption and clearance cost is estimated at $22 million, excluding ex-gratia allowance for the commercial and industrial undertakings which will be paid from the Housing Department's compensation vote. Sufficient funds for the resumption and clearance

are available.

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A total of about three thousand temporary structures (including domestic structures, shops and workshops) and a few substantial buildings on building lots will have to be cleared. Eligible families will be offered public housing in Sha Tin together with ex- gratia domestic removal allowance. Families not eligible will be offered spaces in a temporary housing area and may be eligible for ex-gratia domestic removal allowance. Genuine cultivator-families who opt for a resite outside the Layout will be offered an ex-gratia rehabilitation allowance of $5,000 but will forfeit their priority for public housing. Ex-gratia allowance for 65 shops and 74 workshops involved in the clearance is estimated to total $2. 13 million. Funds for this purpose will be provided from the Housing Department's Compensation Vote.

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Negotiations to obtain voluntary surrender of private land will be undertaken, but the institution of formal resumption proceedings is recommended to avoid delays which may be caused by succession difficulties or absentee landowners. As the land to be resumed lies within the Sha Tin Outline Development Plan, the owners of the agricul- tural land will be offered, subject to there being no alteration of existing policy, the alternative of land exchange entitlements on Letter 'B' terms with a credit at $10 per square foot or cash compensation at $17 per square foot inclusive of an ex-gratia sum, if cash is accepted prior to the expiry of the resumption notice. Owners of building land will also be given the alternative of land exchange entitlements or cash compensation. The amount of cash compensation to be paid out will be reduced to the extent that land exchanges are accepted.

RESTRICTED