Wing Lung Road Campsite...
...or first step towards residential development?
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: Monday 14 January 2008
Aerial photos of subject area taken one year apart |
In January last year residents of Wing Lung Road complained to the government that a large swath of land had been cleared of trees and an illegal road, utilities and an illegal structure (complete with furniture) had been installed land zoned “Conservation Area” (“CA”). The Planning Department posted a warning stating that this was an illegal development and that the perpetrators were liable for a HK$500,000 fine. The Lands Dept. (LD) blocked the illegal road with a cement barrier.
One year later this same developer has applied to operate a “Tent Camping Ground” on this property. The proposed road matches exactly the actual illegal road already created from Wing Lung Road to the site and the “proposed” one story structure seems uncannily like the actual illegal residence already erected on the site.
Despite the LD’s assurance last year that the CLP request to install earthing poles down Wing Lung Road was simply an underground system upgrade – there are clearly above-ground poles sitting ready to supply power to the campsite. Water pipes installed at the site last year have not yet been hooked up to the main water supply across Wing Lung Road Water because of residents’ complaints in late 2006 but, if this application receives approval – the hook-up will be completed and the applicant’s single toilet will be installed.
According to residents – this utility overkill suggests that there is a further step in the application process. Once the “Tent Camping Ground” is approved – with the utilities in place, it will be much easier to apply for rezoning of the land from “CA” to Residential.
The applicant justifies the application by saying that he is “a nature lover” and he hopes this will “cultivate awareness of environmental protection”. As residents have told Explore: “somehow a person who has killed hundreds of trees illegally and decimated Conservation Land without authorization, driving wildlife out of the area and endangering their natural habitat doesn’t sound like a nature lover”!
Send your comments on this Application No. A/SK-CWBN/9 to:
Secretary, Town Planning Board
Email: tpbpd@pland.gov.hk
Fax: 2877 0245 or 2522 8426
By hand: 15/F North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, HK
DEADLINE: Monday 14 January 2008
Further Information:
- Location Map & “Gist” (summary of the application).
- To assist you in preparing your comments - members of the Hang Hau Wing Lung Road Concern Group have prepared a Standard Letter which can be signed and sent in as standard objection.
- The TPB has also provided a standard form which can be easily completed and faxed