Dedicated Northern Metropolis laws may speed up projects by 1 year: minister

he Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area in Tuen Mun.

Photo: Eugene Lee Dedicated laws to streamline statutory procedures for Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis could speed up some projects by about one year, the development chief has said.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho also revealed on Sunday that the government was preparing to increase the residential component of some sites to make the investment more appealing for developers.

The government unveiled a plan for proposed legislation earlier this month, comprising six main subsidiary laws designed to remove bottlenecks in the massive development scheme near the mainland China border.

They include establishing statutory firms and measures to speed up land resumption payments and adopt new building technologies. “Some individual projects [within the Northern Metropolis] could be fast-tracked by one year,” Linn told a television programme. “If the statutory processes remain unchanged, how can the megaproject be sped up?” The megaproject, first announced in 2021, aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land into an engine for economic growth and a housing hub.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has vowed to expedite its development, aligning with the nation’s recently unveiled 15th five-year plan.

Another key legislative proposal is to remove a procedure for changing land use in non-conservation areas of the Northern Metropolis, reducing Town Planning Board review rounds from two to one, and shortening the timetable to around two months.

Green belt land, country parks and areas of high ecological value will be excluded.

Development chief Bernadette Linn also says authorities preparing to increase residential component of some sites Edmond So Currently, developers must submit an application to the Town Planning Board, attend meetings and undergo consultations to change the land use specified in an outline zoning plan.

The process usually takes around nine months.

When asked if the move would stifle public feedback, Linn said the Town Planning Board would still be required to collect views within a condensed few-week period.

On the land disposal pilot scheme involving three sites – Hung Shui Kiu, Fanling North, and San Tin – within the megaproject, Linn revealed that authorities planned to increase the residential component of the Fanling North site. “This adjustment [adding residential component] could boost the site’s market appeal,” she said, adding that it would not co

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