Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1965-1966 — Page 20

PLANNING

35. Virtually all unleased Crown Land in the urban area on which it is possible to build is occupied, mainly by residential squatters but also by small factories or workshops, illegal cultivators or pigbreeders. Before any development can take place, this land must be cleared of its occupants. When an area is required for development, the Public Works Department applies for clearance, indicating what the land is wanted for and the date for clearance and eventual development. Delays often arise from the need to cancel temporary occupation permits, to follow the procedure of the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance and to consider and reply to petitions, but thereafter the Resettlement Department is responsible for clearing the area of all structures and cultivation and resettling all eligible persons, shops and factories found on the site.

36. When a clearance application is received, the Squatter Control Sub-Division verifies from its detailed records how many domestic huts, shops and factories etc., there are on the ground and estimates for the information of the Clearance Sub-Division how much cultivation and how many people are involved. From this report the size of the clear- ance problem is determined and its priority fixed in relation to other outstanding applications.

37. The following factors are taken into account in deciding the priority and timing of a particular clearance:

The purpose for which the land is required

38. The highest priority is land required directly or indirectly for resettlement estates or other low-cost housing, partly on social grounds and partly because other forms of land development would be impos- sible if there were no resettlement estates in which to rehouse the squatters occupying the land. Water schemes, schools, hospitals and other public buildings or works are the next priority. Some provision must also be made for private commercial, residential and factory development in connexion with approved town plans.

Date for Clearance

39. Any private land involved must be resumed, permit areas cancelled, petitions answered and compensation assessed before the land is cleared. It is necessary to ensure that development can start as soon as possible after clearance and demolition of the structures, so as to avoid letting the land lie idle, which might attract further squatting.

14

Page 20Page 21