More Hong Kong developers may apply to participate in a government pilot scheme aimed at using private land for public housing after authorities endorsed three applications, which aim to build a total of 21,600 flats, with 15,100 for public housing.
The three applications made under the Land Sharing Pilot Scheme involved sites in Yuen Long and Tai Po districts, and were endorsed by the Executive Council, a key decision-making body. A panel of advisers established by the government under the pilot scheme earlier backed the proposals.
One of the applications, jointly made by Topwood, Success King and Richduty Development, which are all under Sun Hung Kai Properties, seeks to build about 1,870 public housing or starter flats and 1,260 private homes on a site on Ho Chau Road in Yuen Long, covering a total gross floor area of about 133,400 square metres (1.4 million square feet). The panel said the proposal struck a balance between housing demand and conservation.
Another application, for a 19.3-hectare site (47.7 acres) on She Shan Road and Lam Kam Road in Tai Po, was made by Ocean Target Enterprises of Henderson Land Development and Gettenwood Company and Fullmark Development, all under Wheelock Properties.
They plan to build 9,190 public housing or starter homes and 3,640 private flats with a total gross floor area of about 606,000 square metres. Both sites are made up of private lots and adjoin government land. The panel said the scale of the project would allow the provision of more government, institutions or community facilities to serve the residents.
The third application, made by Busy Firm Investment under its parent company New World Development, concerns a site on Long Ping Road in Yuen Long for using the current green belt for residential purposes with supporting facilities. The development, which covers a total gross floor area of about 265,900 square metres, seeks to build 4,020 public housing and 1,600 private flats. The panel said the project would help the transformation of brownfield sites in the area and match with the housing estates in the vicinity. The projects would have a total of 21,600 flats, 75 percent of which would be public housing.
Wheelock touts land sharing scheme proposal a ‘win-win’ solution for all. The government has so far received five applications, with the other two – from Nan Fung Development and Wheelock Properties – still being vetted.
A Development Bureau spokesman said the scheme aimed to unlock the development potential of private land in areas not covered by the government’s planning studies or conservation areas, adding applicants were still subject to town planning procedures.
