TNAG-0806-FCO40-1011-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-land-in-the-New-Territo-1979 — Page 58

1.

THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF LAND ACQUISITION IN NEW TERRITORIES TOWNS

Encl. 1

1.1

The existing system of land acquisition in

New Territories towns, which is also known as the

"Letter B" system is described in Enclosure 1 of this

report. It is aimed at giving to owners of leased land

affected by urban development in the New Territories

the opportunity to participate in the development or

to have a share in the development value of their land

and in its appreciation. This would be denied them

if the affected lands were resumed under the Crown Lands

Resumption Ordinance (Chapter 124). The system accordingly

provided for a voluntary ex-gratia alternative to the

statutory resumption procedures.

1.2

Letters A and B (typical examples at Enclosure 1

Appendices A and B) offer to landowners, whose lands

are either shortly to be affected or who are already

being affected by resumptions, a choice of either a

cash payment at a stated rate or an entitlement to

a future grant of land in any urban development area

in the New Territories on the following terms :

1.2.1 2 square feet of new building land to be

allocated for every 5 square feet of

agricultural land surrendered; 1 square

foot of new building land for every

square foot of old building land surrendered;

/1.2.2