125. After long discussions, and after considering social and economic aspects of the project, together with the potential demand in the district, rent levels, densities and building standards, a number of alternative schemes and building types were prepared and examined in an effort to resolve the division of opinion within the Authority over the type of accommodation to be built. These alternatives were largely variations on the theme of self-contained flats, compared with rooms with communal sanitary and cooking facilities.
126. The site presented considerable planning problems, being split into two sections. About 4 acres of levelled site are on an upper plateau, whilst approximately 2.3 acres are mostly irregularly shaped steep gullies down to a lower level. This lower level will need fairly extensive engineering works before it can be developed and it was therefore decided to carry out the scheme in two phases.
127. Phase I involves the construction of eight 7-storey blocks with central corridor access containing a total of 864 self-contained flats (50% each of 5-person and 7-person capacity) to house a total of 5,264 people at a density of about 1,316 persons per acre. Sixteen shops will be included in ground floors of two of the blocks. All residential units will have a living area calculated on the basis of 35 sq. ft. per person, kitchen, toilet with W.C., and a small verandah. Site coverage will be approximately 23% and the total estimated capital cost of the scheme is $6,637,000. The cost per person housed is reckoned at about $1,260 inclusive of land at $10 per sq. ft. The entire capital cost will be met from the Authority's own resources, and permission to proceed with the project, under the terms of Housing Ordinance No. 18 of 1954, has been sought.
Tsuen Wan
FUTURE SCHEMES
128. A scheme for the development of approximately 161⁄2 acres of land at Tsuen Wan in the New Territories is being prepared for the Authority's consideration. The site concerned is still to be reclaimed and is expected to be available for construction purposes early in 1962,
129. Planning commenced on the basis of a nett density of 800 persons per acre but it was found that at such figures the desirable rents of $55 and $65 a month inclusive could not be met. Various other layouts have been prepared, relating the scheme to neighbouring developments, and, at the time of writing, a density of around 1,800 persons per acre is being considered.
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