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The Lands Department today (November 2) announced the resumption of land for two urban renewal projects by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) in Fuk Tsun Street/Pine Street, Tai Kok Tsui and Mallory Street/Burrows Street, Wan Chai.
The two projects are included in the URA's Business Plan for 2005/06 and 2004/05 respectively. Their implementation will help to rejuvenate the old districts concerned and improve the living conditions of the residents.
A total of 84 private interests in the two projects, 80 in Tai Kok Tsui and four in Wan Chai, will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. The affected interests will revert to the Government three months after the date of the resumption notice being affixed on site. Details of the private land affected are contained in the Gazette published 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.
Owners and tenants affected may make statutory claims under the Lands Resumption Ordinance and, if the claims cannot be settled by agreement, may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Any professional fees reasonably incurred for making such a claim may be reimbursed by the Government. Occupiers of commercial properties may also be eligible for an ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to make statutory claims for business loss and disturbance.
Eligible domestic occupiers will be offered rehousing or ex-gratia cash allowance in lieu of rehousing by the URA. Rehousing will be in units provided by the Hong Kong Housing Authority or the Hong Kong Housing Society.
Upon completion of resumption and clearance, the two sites with respective areas of about 560 and 780 square metres will be granted to the URA at nominal premium.
The two projects will contribute to general environmental improvements in the locality. For the Tai Kok Tsui site, mixed-use development is permitted and the current proposal is for residential development with commercial use on the lower floors. For the Wan Chai site, the project will contribute to in-situ preservation and adaptive re-use of the historical buildings fronting Mallory Street for cultural and commercial uses, and provision of outdoor open-air public space at Burrows Street for recreational use.
Ends/Friday, November 2, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:38
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