TNAG-1039-FCO40-1289-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 134

* M

1/26

For discussion

on 20th May 1930

XCC(20)67 Copy No

of 40

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF DD 126 LOT 665

TIN SHUI WAI

B

The land known as Tin Shui Wai (DD 126 Lot 665) owned by the Luen Tak Company comprises about 486 hectares (1,200 acres). It lies to the north of Ping Shan, Yuen Long, and includes almost all the land in that area between the road leading to Lau Fau Shan and the sea. showing its location and extent is annexed. (Annex A)

2

A plan

The land was created about 60 years ago by building a bund across the bay. Thereafter, it was used for salt paddy and tidal fish farming. Gradually over the past twelve years the land has been substantially sub-leased and converted to pond-fish farming.

3

The Luen Tak Company was granted the lease of the area. For many years there have been disputes over both the ownership and the management of the Company, but in May 1979, after litigation, it was reported by the Secretary for the New Territories that the dispute had been settled and that the ownership of the Company had been purchased by a group of local and foreign investors. The group proposed to develop the lot es a self-contained town and was prepared to surrender part of the area to Government for its own use. As Government' was at the time in the process of investigating the total potential of the North-Western New Territories for development, the representatives of the developers were informed that the Government's attitude towards their proposals would depend on the outcome of its own investigations.

4

Following these discussions the Secretary for the New Territories was informed that the new owners were a consortium of local developers and the China Resources Company. On 7th January 1980 the Secretary for the New Territories received a letter from solicitors for a consortium comprising the China Resources Company, Trafalgar Housing Limited, Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited and certain other parties formally apprising Government of their intentions to seek Government's approval to develop a new town, with all the necessary amenities, and announcing the appointment of consultants for town planning, engineering and economic feasibility for this purpose. A copy of the letter is af Annex B, and Members will note that in the final paragraphs it seeks Government comments on the proposals. Exploratory meetings have been held, which have shown that the extent of the development proposed is not yet determined, and that the comportamil and Cry Bimidud 10 Coupedunc diui Government.

Annex A