reporter2
07-02-13, 13:33
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/top-the-news/story/hk-look-recreation-sites-housing-needs-20130207
HK to look at recreation sites for housing needs
Published on Feb 07, 2013
HONG KONG - The government may take back underused sports facilities, yacht clubs and camp sites occupied by 13 private organisations and use the land to build much-needed homes, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported, quoting a source familiar with the situation.
The leases of 18 sites occupied by these private clubs and organisations, including a staff club of telecoms company PCCW in Causeway Bay, a yacht club in Sai Kung and a Hong Kong Girl Guides camp site in Sheung Shui, will expire this year.
The lease for the PCCW staff club in Caroline Hill Road ends next month, making it the first site to be reviewed, the Hong Kong English daily reported yesterday.
The renewal of these leases was previously a formality. Now, faced with an acute shortage of land and rising public concern at the lack of access to private clubs, the government is considering releasing sites for residential use.
A Home Affairs Bureau spokesman said it will "review the policy on private recreational leases".
The source said the government would scrutinise leases when they expire in the next two years.
Some underused sites - ranging from 100 sq m to over 100ha - would be returned to the Lands Department and assigned for a new use.
The move is bound to cause controversy. Some worry that it will compromise Hong Kong's precious open space and recreational facilities, while others support it as the sites were often leased to the private clubs at very low cost and sometimes free.
Many private clubs have failed to honour their obligation to allow public access to their facilities over the years.
Democratic Party lawmaker James To said private clubs that were underused should be taken back for other uses.
However, Mr Peter Cookson Smith, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, opposed the idea.
"The clubs are an important part of Hong Kong and are social networks," he said.
"However, they can be much better used, like allowing more people to use them."
PCCW pays an annual land rent of just HK$100 (S$16) for the 7,865 sq m staff club situated at one of the most prime locations in Hong Kong.
Not all of the sites are suitable for cheap housing as many are far from urban areas.
There are 73 such leases held by private clubs and organisations.
The government previously renewed 55 leases for 15 years, before the issue caught public attention and triggered widespread debates.
The remaining 18 sites will now face greater scrutiny, since the government has exhausted many traditional channels to find land for affordable housing.
HK to look at recreation sites for housing needs
Published on Feb 07, 2013
HONG KONG - The government may take back underused sports facilities, yacht clubs and camp sites occupied by 13 private organisations and use the land to build much-needed homes, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported, quoting a source familiar with the situation.
The leases of 18 sites occupied by these private clubs and organisations, including a staff club of telecoms company PCCW in Causeway Bay, a yacht club in Sai Kung and a Hong Kong Girl Guides camp site in Sheung Shui, will expire this year.
The lease for the PCCW staff club in Caroline Hill Road ends next month, making it the first site to be reviewed, the Hong Kong English daily reported yesterday.
The renewal of these leases was previously a formality. Now, faced with an acute shortage of land and rising public concern at the lack of access to private clubs, the government is considering releasing sites for residential use.
A Home Affairs Bureau spokesman said it will "review the policy on private recreational leases".
The source said the government would scrutinise leases when they expire in the next two years.
Some underused sites - ranging from 100 sq m to over 100ha - would be returned to the Lands Department and assigned for a new use.
The move is bound to cause controversy. Some worry that it will compromise Hong Kong's precious open space and recreational facilities, while others support it as the sites were often leased to the private clubs at very low cost and sometimes free.
Many private clubs have failed to honour their obligation to allow public access to their facilities over the years.
Democratic Party lawmaker James To said private clubs that were underused should be taken back for other uses.
However, Mr Peter Cookson Smith, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, opposed the idea.
"The clubs are an important part of Hong Kong and are social networks," he said.
"However, they can be much better used, like allowing more people to use them."
PCCW pays an annual land rent of just HK$100 (S$16) for the 7,865 sq m staff club situated at one of the most prime locations in Hong Kong.
Not all of the sites are suitable for cheap housing as many are far from urban areas.
There are 73 such leases held by private clubs and organisations.
The government previously renewed 55 leases for 15 years, before the issue caught public attention and triggered widespread debates.
The remaining 18 sites will now face greater scrutiny, since the government has exhausted many traditional channels to find land for affordable housing.