***********************************************************
The Lands Department today (March 27) announced the resumption of land for implementation of the first project under the third round of the Demand-led Redevelopment Project Pilot Scheme undertaken by the Urban Renewal Authority.
The development project was originally included in the Urban Renewal Authority's Business Plan for 2014-15. When the Buildings Department issued demolition orders to the owners of some of the buildings within the development project after its investigation into the structural condition of the buildings, the Urban Renewal Authority found justification for early intervention. The commencement of the development project was thus advanced to the 2013-14 financial year. Its implementation will help improve the general environment of the locality and the living conditions of the residents.
A total of 49 private property interests within the project site at Kai Ming Street in To Kwa Wan will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. The affected interests will revert to the Government three months from the date on which the resumption notice is affixed on-site. Details of the private land affected were published by notice in the Government Gazette (www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20151913/egn201519132498.pdf) 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.
If affected owners and tenants of both domestic and commercial properties make statutory claims under the Lands Resumption Ordinance and 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 553 square metres, will be redeveloped into a residential development with retail, government, institution or community facilities and ancillary facilities, including a loading/unloading bay and car parking facilities on the ground floor.
Ends/Friday, March 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:10
NNNN
