Page 8 - LanHse_Part2_Increase_land_eng

2. Establishing a long-term land reserve to support future social, economic and
livelihood needs

Different from other economic activities, the property market could
not adjust its output easily upon a sudden change in demand. It is likely
too late for the Government to respond after witnessing soaring
property prices. Therefore, Hong Kong should establish a land reserve
and set up a mechanism of releasing the reserved land to the market.
An “unused” land reserve is still better than a slow and ineffective
response.

3. Reforming the CDA system to release the development potential of land as
soon as possible

In order to ensure an efficient use of precious land resources, the
CDA system should be comprehensively reviewed and reformed, as a
possible way to provide developable land in the short-term.

(i) CDAs in the Future: We recommend that, except for sites involving
Urban Renewal Authority’s renewal projects, the TPB should not
designate other lands as CDA to reduce restrictions on development. If
the Planning Depar tment believes a cer tain area should be
comprehensively developed, it could specify the planning parameters in
detail. If a proposed development project fulfils these requirements,
separate application to the TPB would not be needed. Besides, in order
to fully reflect the land value, CDA should not be added to future Land

Sale Programme and tenders.

(ii) Existing CDAs: TPB can set up a time limit (such as two years) for
the development proposal applicant to collect a certain share of
ownership, based on the size of a specific CDA, distribution of ownership,
etc. If the time limit expires and the applicant still cannot collect a
specific share of ownership, the TPB should consider breaking down the
CDA into small zones or allow the CDA to be developed in phases. For
sites that have been designated as CDA for a long time, the TPB should
re-designate them into other uses using the abovementioned system.
Besides, the Government should bear the responsibility of the
comprehensive planning in the New Territories NDAs and re-designate
the area’s CDA into specific uses with necessary planning parameters
and restrictions.

To include planning parameters into the notes of Outline Zoning Plan
is procedurally equivalent to rezoning of land use in that relevant town
planning procedures and seeking professional comments from relevant
government departments are still required, which may render a smaller
Gross Floor Area (GFA) of the development project. However, this at least
provides a set of objective procedures to be followed and is less
uncertain, enabling a higher chance of completion (albeit at a smaller
scale). It is apparently superior to some cases of CDA which has been
idle for more than two decades.

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