With the geographical constraints of its mountainous terrain and shortage of flat land, Hong Kong has limited land available for development. However, Hong Kong can be proud to have been able to develop such a small place into a modern, safe and accessible metropolis with a comfortable environment in which more than 7 million people can live and work. To maintain Hong Kong’s long-term development, we need an abundant and stable land supply to address the various needs of the community and grasp the future economic opportunities in a timely manner.
Currently, apart from the Kwu Tung North/Fanling North and Hung Shui Kiu New Development Areas (NDAs) which are under planning, there are also vast tracts of undeveloped land in New Territories North, including land released from the Closed Areas. While some of these sites have high ecological significance and are unsuitable for development, such as Deep Bay and the wetland in its vicinity, the woodland in Robin’s Nest and the riverside areas in Lin Ma Hang, there are still other sites that have development potential, such as those which are near main roads or are deserted. Therefore, in his 2013 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed to examine the further development of areas in New Territories North, which would become one of the main sources of land supply in Hong Kong in the next decade.
Developing this land is challenging because there is a lack of large-scale infrastructure in most of the areas in New Territories North, whether in the public transport system and the road network or in the sewerage, drainage and water supply systems. Furthermore, after the completion of the development of the nearby NDAs in Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Hung Shui Kiu, the East Rail and West Rail which connect North District and the urban areas will operate at close to capacity. However, for the future long-term development of Hong Kong, we have to adopt a comprehensive approach in land use planning to capitalise on infrastructural developments (such as the existing boundary control points and the new Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and its connecting road, as well as the development of railway networks, including the Northern Link Conceptual Scheme under review) within and near these areas to make better use of this vast area of land for housing, social and economic development. Meanwhile, we will strike a balance between different needs for development and conservation, and resources of high ecological, environmental and landscape value within the areas will be properly preserved.
To ascertain the feasibility of developing New Territories North, the Planning Department and the Civil Engineering and Development Department will commence a 15-month “Preliminary Feasibility Study on Developing the New Territories North” in the first quarter of next year. Consultants have been invited to submit their expressions of interest in conducting the Study. The main purpose of the Study is to explore the development potential of areas in New Territories North, and to make recommendations on the strategic infrastructure required for the development of the areas, with a view to developing a modern new town there of a similar scale to that of the Fanling/Sheung Shui New Towns as well as other places within the areas. We will explore the feasibility of developing a new-generation new town with innovative ideas drawing on experience and local practice. To minimise the impacts of urban development on the natural and rural environment and local residents, we will adopt a low-carbon design with green features in our planning, and hope that urban development can be properly integrated with the rural and natural environment.
Furthermore, as there were opinions suggesting that the development of the Fanling Golf Course and its peripheral areas should be explored during the Stage 3 Public Engagement exercise for North East New Territories NDAs last year, the Fanling Golf Course and the Chief Executive’s Fanling Lodge will also be included in the Study to explore their feasibility of development and various development options. The Fanling Golf Course has a role to play in the context of Hong Kong’s sports development. Therefore, we have to take into account the findings of the review of the Private Recreational Leases by the relevant bureau when considering the area's future development potential.
To provide adequate land to meet the long-term development needs of Hong Kong, we have to get ourselves well prepared for various land supply options. To write another chapter in our success story, we should take a longer-term view and work together to explore the building of a new-generation new town in New Territories North.
13 October, 2013
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