Govt outlines plans for two new border towns

The government said it plans to build some 180,000 flats in two new towns in northern New Territories near the border, under the final stages of the wider Northern Metropolis project. One of the sites is the New Territories North New Town, which covers more than 1,400 hectares and stretches from the Heung Yuen Wai and Man Kam To border points to near Lo Wu. The land area accounts for about one-third of the entire Northern Metropolis. The Development Bureau said on Friday there will be about 170,000 flats in the new town, housing half a million people. About 200 hectares would be considered a priority zone for development, which includes the University Town – an idea that was floated earlier – an enterprise park in Heung Yuen Wai and a commercial and residential zone near the border. Outside the priority area, officials said the plot could house new industries such as advanced construction and manufacturing. There will also be sites earmarked for sports and culture. The other new town is Ma Tso Lung. It's smaller in size, covering about 55 hectares, and could house around 10,000 units. A Development Bureau spokesperson said officials have scaled back the size of the Ma Tso Lung project, so it won't touch on wetland conservation zones or buffer areas. The spokesperson added the plan is to build mostly private flats in both new towns, noting that the government's target of building 300,000 public flats over a decade is met by plots elsewhere. "Excluding New Territories North and Ma Tso Lung, the government has already found land that can build 410,000 public flats," the spokesperson said. "So from this point of view, it seems we shouldn't give public flats priority when developing these two places." Another spokesperson said the two new towns could be attractive for residents who often travel across the border. Officials also said the development scheme would result in the eviction of 13 non-indigenous villages, three of which are in Ma Tso Lung. Construction work for the Ma Tso Lung project will begin in 2027 and that of the priority area in the New Territories North New Town is expected to start a year afterwards. The first batch of residents could move in after seven years. Officials will launch a two-month public consultation exercise on the preliminary plans in the middle of next month.

Govt outlines plans for two new border towns

Govt outlines plans for two new border towns

Govt outlines plans for two new border towns

Govt outlines plans for two new border towns

Govt outlines plans for two new border towns