URA commences the 16th redevelopment project in Sham Shui Po
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Friday) kicked off the planning procedure of a development project at Castle Peak Road/Un Chau Street in Sham Shui Po, commencing the 16th redevelopment project initiated by the Authority in addition to four demand-led redevelopment projects now under way in the district.
At a media briefing to outline details of the project, Director (Acquisition and Clearance) of the URA, Mr Ian Wong, said the string of redevelopment projects and continuous building rehabilitation efforts by the URA in Sham Shui Po are set to improve the living environment of the district gradually in the next few years.
"Adopting a multi-pronged approach in urban renewal, the URA has been helping some 6,500 people in Sham Shui Po to improve their living conditions through its announced redevelopment projects, while owners of about 8,600 flats of some 300 residential blocks in the district have benefitted from the Authority's building rehabilitation efforts," said Mr Wong.
In accordance with Section 23 of the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance (URAO), an URA notice announcing the commencement of the redevelopment project is published in the Gazette today.
The project occupies a site at Castle Peak Road and Un Chau Street in Sham Shui Po, covering a gross site area of about 1,900 square metres. Built between 1955 and 1956, the 16 street numbers of buildings with six storeys in height are generally in poor conditions with unauthorised building works, subdivided units and cubicle apartments. The living condition is considered crowded and unsatisfactory.
Findings of a building conditions survey showed that the buildings are generally dilapidated or varied.
The project affects a total of 101 property interests. It is estimated that there are about 160 households and 29 ground floor shops. The actual number will have to be confirmed in a freezing survey conducted by the URA today.
The URA's initial proposal is to redevelop the site to provide about 12,000 square metres of residential floor area for about 230 flats (mainly small to medium sizes), including some units of lower levels to be reserved for flat-for-flat option. Some 2,400 square metres of commercial/retail floor area will also be included in the new development. The project is tentatively scheduled for completion by 2021/2022.
As from today, a two-month publication period will begin under Section 23 of the URAO. Within the period, a site plan delineating the boundary of the project plus a general description will be put on display for public inspection at:
• the URA Headquarters (26/F, COSCO Tower, 183 Queen's Road Central, Central);
• the URA's Sham Shui Po Neighbourhood Centre (G/F, Shop C, 182 Fuk Wa Street, Sham Shui Po);
• the Public Enquiry Service Centre of the Sham Shui Po District Office (G/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po); and
• URA's Urban Renewal Resource Centre (No 6, Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon).
In accordance with the Urban Renewal Strategy, the URA will make the Stage 1 Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report available for public information at the above venues from 21 February 2014. The Stage 2 SIA report will be made available for public information at the above locations from 7 April 2014.
Should there be any written objections to this project received during the two-month publication period, the URA will consider the objections carefully. The Authority will submit its deliberation on the objections, the unwithdrawn objections, and an assessment of the likely effect of the implementation of the project to the Secretary for Development for consideration.
Under Section 24 of the URAO, the Secretary for Development shall then consider the development project and any objections which are not withdrawn and determine whether to authorise, amend or decline to authorise the development project.
If approval is eventually granted by the Secretary for Development, the URA will proceed with acquisition of the properties and rehousing for the tenants in accordance with the prevailing acquisition and rehousing policies.
The total development cost for the project, calculated at current prices, is estimated to reach some $ 1,800 million.
Mr Wong noted that about 70 URA staff members have been deployed to conduct the freezing survey to ascertain the actual number of households and the occupancy status of the project. The URA will arrange briefing sessions shortly next week to explain to the affected owners and tenants the planning approval procedure and the acquisition and compensation arrangements.
An urban renewal social service team staffed by professional social workers of the Salvation Army, which has been appointed by Urban Renewal Fund Limited, will be on site to render assistance. The contact number of the social service team is 3586 3095. Affected residents can also visit the URA's Sham Shui Po Neighbourhood Centre in person; or call the URA's Hotline at 2588 2333 for enquiries. Members of the public can also visit the URA Website at www.ura.org.hk for project information.
(ENDS)