The Land and Development Advisory Committee supports revised university student hostel scheme

The Land and Development Advisory Committee (LDAC) considered the merits of three land development projects handled by the Development Opportunities Office at its seventh meeting today (October 7).

Members were consulted on a revised proposal by the University of Hong Kong to convert a former secondary school building on Ching Lin Terrace in Kennedy Town into a student hostel. The revised scheme involved opening up the existing building with a ground-level courtyard in order to respond to the requirements under the Buildings Ordinance.

Members supported the revised conversion scheme. They noted that the revised scheme not only provides much-needed university student hostel places in a more environmentally friendly way, but also helps maintain the heritage ambience of the adjoining historic buildings.

The committee also gave support to a proposal by Taikoo Place Holdings Limited to redevelop three existing industrial buildings in Quarry Bay into two modern Grade A office buildings with an additional open space of 6,400 square metres. Members also noted that the redevelopment proposal would not increase the total gross floor area in the area.

Members recognised that the redevelopment proposal would provide additional Grade A office space to support Hong Kong's economic development and create additional street-level open space for enjoyment by the community. They agreed that the redevelopment proposal would rejuvenate the Quarry Bay area.

The committee was also presented with a proposal by the Utahloy Education Foundation Limited to build an international school with boarding facilities at Pak Lap, Sai Kung.

Members noted that part of the proposed school site falls within the Sai Kung East Country Park and is covered by the draft Pak Lap Development Permission Area Plan gazetted on September 30, 2010.

They considered that the proposed development was not compatible with the surrounding environment and expressed concern about the potential adverse impact on the rural and countryside ambience with its high landscape and nature conservation value. Members did not support the project and agreed that the Development Opportunities Office should cease providing one-stop co-ordination service to the proposal.

Ends/Thursday, October 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:59

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