URA commences a development scheme at Chun Tin Street/Sung Chi Street for better planning and community benefits
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Friday) commenced the Chun Tin Street/Sung Chi Street (KC-008(A)) project in Kowloon City, covering Nos. 2 - 24 Chun Tin Street (even number) and Nos. 2 - 4 Hok Yuen Street (even number) and Chun Tin Street. It will be implemented by way of a development scheme under section 25 of the URA Ordinance.
The URA, concurrently, announced its decision to withdraw the Chun Tin Street/Sung Chi Street development project (KC-008) covering the same buildings, which was commenced in January 2015. The implementation of KC-008 project will thus be discontinued immediately. The decision of withdrawal of KC-008 project is published in the gazette notice today.
At a media briefing to outline details of the development scheme, Director (Planning and Design), Mr Michael Ma, said the inclusion of Chun Tin Street to the KC-008(A) scheme will result in a greater degree of planning and community benefits. The Chun Tin Street is proposed to be included into the redevelopment scheme with a view to improve the local road access and pedestrian environment. The existing dead-end Chun Tin Street is also a cause of environment nuisances and creates traffic and safety problems. The scheme will provide a new up-to-standard vehicular turning area dedicated for public use, the nearby Sung Chi Street will also be widened to provide a two-lane carriageway to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
"This project will bring various planning and design merits, one of those being the greatly improved pedestrian environment where the local community can be benefited upon redevelopment, the scheme will also better integrate with the adjoining Ma Tau Wai project in the overall design," said Mr Ma.
In accordance with section 23 of the URA Ordinance, an URA notice announcing the commencement of the development scheme is published in the Gazette today. The URA will shortly submit a draft Development Scheme Plan (DSP) of the project including the Stage 1 Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Report to the Town Planning Board (TPB), which will be available for public inspection. The Stage 2 SIA Report will also be submitted later to TPB and will be available for public inspection. If the submitted draft DSP is deemed to be suitable for publication under the Town Planning Ordinance after consideration by the TPB, it will be exhibited by the TPB for public inspection for a period of two months. During this period, any person may make representation in writing to the TPB in respect of the draft DSP. The approval of the draft DSP, as the case may be, will only be granted by the Chief Executive in Council after the process of handling of representations received by the TBP on URA's draft DSP submission.
The now commenced development scheme occupies a total site area of about 2,475 square metres and covers 14 street numbers of buildings built between 1955 and 1957. These buildings with four to six storeys in height are generally in varied condition with subdivided units. Unauthorised building works are found on the roof tops and back yards. The living condition is considered unsatisfactory.
The URA's initial proposal is to redevelop the site to provide about 12,270 square metres of residential floor area for about 310 flats (mainly small to medium sizes), including some units of lower levels to be reserved for flat-for-flat option. Some 2,454 square metres of commercial/retail floor area will also be provided in the new development. The project is tentatively scheduled for completion by 2025/2026.
The total development cost for the project, calculated at current prices, is estimated to reach some $1,750 million.
Also speaking at the media briefing today, Director (Acquisition and Clearance) of the URA, Mr Ian Wong, said a series of one-off special measure have been devised and approved by the URA Board for affected owners and tenants under the new development scheme. Mr Wong emphasised that the special measures are adopted in consideration of the unique circumstances and should not set a precedent for other existing or future projects of the URA.
A freezing survey is conducted today to ascertain the latest occupancy status of households. The project affects a total of 70 property interests and there are about 85 households and 15 ground floor shop operators.
As from today until 6 July 2016, 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 Ma Tau Wai Neighbourhood Centre (Shop A, G/F, Maid Shine Court, 426-430 Ma Tau Wai Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon); and
- the Public Enquiry Service Centre of the Kowloon City District Office (LG/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon)
The URA will arrange briefing sessions from tomorrow to explain to the affected owners and tenants the planning approval procedure and the special measures under the new development scheme.
An urban renewal social service team staffed by professional social workers of Christian Family Service Centre, which has been appointed by Urban Renewal Fund, will be on site to render assistance. The contact number of the social service team is 2110 9745. Affected residents can also visit the URA's Ma Tau Wai 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)