TNAG-0856-FCO40-1066-Construction-of-underground-railway-system-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 75

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Of the 600 families housed at Sai Lau Kok,

497

7. were eligible for public housing in accordance with the above. terms. 459 of these have chosen to accept public housing. In addition more than 80 families (all owner-occupiers) have purchased new flats, most in Allway Gardens at North Tsuen Wan.

Those who did so were generally able to buy bigger and better flats than those they had in Sai Lau Kok for a relatively small additional outlay on top of the money received from the Government's compensation "package". Bearing in mind the shortage of good private accommodation available at Tsuen Wan, the government negotiated with the developers of Allway Gardens special arrangements whereby a number of flats in this new complex were held in reserve for Sai Lau Kok residents.

The cash value of the 'package'

8.

A

The total cash value of the 'packages' varies according to a number of factors, principally dependant on the size of the flat resumed. The basic 'valuation' element (to which various allowances have to be added) has, for the majority of flats, ranged between $110,000 and $200,000. full list of the valuations placed on all 339 flats at Sai Lau Kok, along with the mortgage allowances paid to owner- occupiers who purchased new flats, is available from the New Territories Administration on request.

Outstanding cases

9.

At present, of the 339 owners of domestic flats, 36 owner-occupiers and 27 absentee owners still refuse to accept the compensation offered and decline to take their cases to the Lands Tribunal for arbitration (on the grounds that they do not feel the Tribunal will given them a 'fair deal'). 15 owner-occupiers have refused to allow the Mass Transit Office access to measure their premises for valuation of the premises and 12 have refused screening for public housing.

10.

It is this group which has engaged in a massive campaign to obtain better terms and has sought the assistance of Mrs. Elliot, Mr. Augustine Chung and the visiting MP's to highlight their case. The fact is that the longer they wait, the greater is the difference between the valuation of their premises (when resumed in November 1978) and the present cost of alternative new property (and hence their demand for "foot

for foot" compensationperty

Clearance

11.

On 3 September 1979 the first three buildings at Sai Lau Kok - Tsuen Shing, Cheong Shun and Cheong Wo - were cleared and secured. Three physical evictions were necessary including that of a former absentee owner who had "reoccupied" a flat. It is intended to clear and secure the remaining four buildings on 26th and 27th September 1979.

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