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Olga Wong

A public housing project in Kwun Tong has received approval from district councillors despite grave concerns over the impact on traffic and the net loss of about 1,000 square metres of open space.
The development on Hiu Ming Street got the go-ahead despite local opposition to the government's plans to rezone areas in other districts for public flats.
Earlier, councillors in districts including Kwai Tsing, Sham Shui Po and Tai Po had opposed rezoning community and green belt sites for public flats.
"We back the project because of the greater social demand for more public flats," Kwun Tong council chairman Dr Bunny Chan Chung-bun said yesterday.
"But I really hope the government will present to us in one go all housing projects being planned in the next two years."
Chan and other councillors criticised the government for presenting various small housing projects for approval at different times in the past year.
"The traffic may become much more congested if every project adds 1,000 residents," pro-establishment councillor Cheung Ki-tang said.
The approved proposal will see an 11,300 square metre site redeveloped between 2016 and 2021 to yield 1,100 flats accommodating 3,000 residents.
The land is occupied by three tennis courts, a green slope and a children's playground on Hiu Ming Street, as well as a basketball court and part of another playground on Hiu Kwong Street.
The courts will be moved to become part of the Hiu Ming Street playground, while a new children's playing facility will be provided on a podium garden in the new public housing estate.
Housing Authority senior architect Alan Hui Bing-chiu admitted some 1,000 square metres of open space would be lost.
Independent councillor Patrick Lai Shu-ho raised the concerns of schools and residents of private blocks nearby, over noise pollution and the impact on traffic. "Four schools are located along Hiu Ming Street, which is a dead end," Lai said. "A small traffic accident will paralyse the area and school activities."
Hui said an initial traffic study found the project's potential impact acceptable. New bridges and escalators would connect the area to Kwun Tong centre.
 


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Hong Kong

Rare victory for government as district council approves project despite concerns over impact
