The Lands Department today (January 11) announced the resumption of land for the implementation of an urban renewal development project at Ma Tau Wai Road/Chun Tin Street in To Kwa Wan.
In the wake of the tragic collapse of the building at No. 45J Ma Tau Wai Road on January 29, 2010, the Secretary for Development, with the agreement of the Financial Secretary (FS), wrote to the Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to request the URA to draw up a redevelopment proposal covering the collapsed building and the dilapidated buildings in its proximity. The request was made to address the impact of the tragic incident on the living environment of the area and the serious concern of the affected households over the general scale of disrepair of the buildings in the immediate vicinity. FS approved this project and announced it in the Budget Speech on February 24, 2010.
A total of 159 property interests at the site bounded by Ma Tau Wai Road, Chun Tin Street and Hok Yuen Street will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. The affected interests will revert to the Government three months from the date when the resumption notice is affixed on-site. Details of the private land affected were gazetted today.
Apart from their entitlement to statutory compensation, eligible owners of domestic properties will be offered an ex-gratia home purchase allowance or supplementary allowance as appropriate. Eligible domestic occupiers will be offered rehousing in Hong Kong Housing Authority or Hong Kong Housing Society units, or an ex-gratia cash allowance.
Eligible commercial property occupiers, including owners and tenants, may choose ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to make statutory claims for business and related losses.
Affected owners and tenants of both domestic and commercial properties will also have the right to make statutory claims under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. If the claims are not settled by agreement, the owners and tenants may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Professional fees reasonably incurred for making such claims may be reimbursed by the Government.
Upon resumption and clearance, the site, with an area of about 3,377 square metres, will be redeveloped into a residential development with retail and community facilities on the ground, first and second floors and a basement car park.
Ends/Friday, January 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 14:30
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