The Lands Department today (January 20) announced the resumption of land at Ash Street, Tai Kok Tsui for implementation of the fourth and last project under the third round of the Demand-led Redevelopment Project Pilot Scheme undertaken by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA).

     The development project was included in the URA's Business Plan for 2015-16. The project site, with an area of about 474 square metres, will be redeveloped for residential use with retail facilities, a clubhouse, loading/unloading bay and other ancillary facilities on the lower floors. The project will help improve the living conditions of the residents in the district.

     A total of 78 private property interests at the project site will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. The affected interests will revert to the Government on the expiration of three months from the date on which the resumption notice is affixed on-site. Details of the land affected were published in a Government Notice gazetted (www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20172103/egn20172103314.pdf) today.

     Apart from statutory compensation, eligible owners of domestic properties will be offered an ex-gratia home purchase allowance or supplementary allowance as appropriate. Eligible domestic tenants will be offered rehousing to public rental housing units provided by the Hong Kong Housing Authority or the Hong Kong Housing Society, or an ex-gratia cash allowance.

     Eligible commercial property occupiers, including owners and tenants, may opt for an ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to claim statutory compensation for business and related losses.

     If statutory claims made by the affected owners and tenants of both domestic and commercial properties under the Lands Resumption Ordinance cannot be settled by agreement, the owners and tenants may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Professional fees reasonably incurred by the claimants in making such claims may be reimbursed by the Government.

Ends/Friday, January 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:30

NNNN