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The following is issued on behalf of the Town Planning Board Secretariat:
Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chairman of the Town Planning Board (TPB), Mr Thomas Chow, on the meeting for consideration of representations and comments in respect of the Draft Kwu Tung North Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/KTN/1 and Draft Fanling North OZP No. S/FLN/1 today (February 3):
Reporter: Could you please explain what exactly happened in the meeting? How the conflict started? Since the meeting ended early, would there be a chance that the meeting would be extended to hear the public opinion tomorrow?
Chairman of TPB: Today is the forty-third day on which we hold the hearing of the representations and comments on the Outline Zoning Plans of Fanling North and Kwu Tung North. This morning it was pretty orderly, but then in this afternoon, at about ten past three, a group of commenters and their authorised representatives stood up and ran towards the chairman's seat and all the exits. I actually appealed to them to keep calm and return to the seat, but they refused to do so. I was forced to adjourn the meeting.
Reporter: Since the meeting was terminated early, would there be a chance to continue or is this the last day?
Chairman of TPB: The secretariat will continue to liaise with the commenters and the authorised representatives. If the situation is okay, we will be able to continue the hearing.
Reporter: Some 1000 people wanted to come but only 300 people were allowed, any reason for this?
Chairman of TPB: All the arrangements are made on the basis of the authorisation letters that they are able to present to the secretariat. There is no question of us not allowing some to come. This procedure has been discussed and agreed before the hearing began.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:02
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