【鄉議局破壞郊野公園 土地已售予發展商】
上週末，鄉議局破壞了西貢郊野公園的不包括土地內的濕地，藉此抗議政府將該該處和鄰近土地劃為保育用地。
他們聲稱政府將私人土地劃為保育用地會限制復耕和丁屋發展潛力。這種說法非常荒謬。第一，農耕在保育用地上是經常准許的用途，即使在郊野公園的農地亦被允許。第二，我們的調查發現，慘遭破壞和斬樹的土地大部份已在2012年賣予數個發展商。原居民早已放棄了他們土地的業權，何談復耕？
鄉議局真正目的是破壞土地後，獲得在郊野公園內興建丁屋的權利。售賣鄉郊土地，毀去林木，使政府規劃上傾向給予更多發展用地以套丁建屋，這種戲碼在新界各處不斷上演，甚至蔓延至郊野公園內。
丁屋政策是不可持續的，龐大的潛在利益更會導致貪污和其他非法活動，以及更多損害環境的發展。鄉議局不斷推動在郊野公園不包括土地興建更多丁屋，將會對郊野公園及與之相連的海洋生態，帶來無法逆轉的破壞。由2010年大浪西灣事件開始，創建香港聯同其他保育及行山團體一直對抗郊野公園的發展威脅。
揭穿鄉議局「復耕」謊言
上週末在高塘下洋慘遭破壞的季節性濕地有超過6成土地屬於榮登拓展有限公司。該公司由陳麗明持有，並由范惠玲擔任秘書，在2012年2月以$6,702,008購入鄰近多個地段。我們到訪該公司的註冊地址，發現現址為“New Hall Design Limited” 的建築設計公司，同樣由陳麗明持有。職員稱公司擁有高塘下洋的土地，但負責人正在休假。她們會在下週聯絡我們，以得知鄉議局是否合法地取得業主同意下斬樹。
創建香港就大灘、屋頭、高塘和高塘下洋的研究可瀏覽：http://goo.gl/QJPt4B
大灘、屋頭、高塘和高塘下洋疑似套丁相關新聞：
蘋果日報: http://goo.gl/Bpsr5n
香港01: http://goo.gl/syAgc6
高塘下洋村民斬樹清植被報導：
蘋果日報: http://goo.gl/V0EQ7U
NOW: https://goo.gl/JfsJ0F
【Country Parks under attack from the Heung Yee Kuk】
Last Sunday, the Heung Yee Kuk felled trees and removed vegetation on wetland deep inside the Sai Kung Country Park.
It was a protest against Government’s plan to zone the area for conservation. The Kuk claimed the zoning would restrict farming on this enclave of private land. This is nonsense for two reasons. First, farming is always allowed, even on agricultural land in country parks. Secondly, our investigation has now revealed that the land in question was sold to developers in 2012. The indigenous villagers long gave up their interest in farming.
What the Heung Yee Kuk is really after is the right to build small houses on private land in country parks. The pattern of the sale of village land to developers, destruction of vegetation, the push for rezoning and the illegal sale of the “Ding” right to build small houses, is replayed constantly throughout the New Territories, including deep inside our country parks.
The Small House Policy is unsustainable, attracts illegal activities, and results in environmentally disastrous developments. The Kuk’s push for small houses in country park enclaves is harmful to the surrounding country parks and nearby marine resources. Since the Tai Long Sai Wan incident in 2010, Designing Hong Kong together with community, hiking and conservation groups has worked hard to protect the country parks from these destructive developments.
Heung Yee Kuk ‘farming’ lies exposed
Over 60% of the seasonal wetland in Ko Tong Ha Yeung which was subject to tree felling this weekend, was bought by Glory Top Develop Limited on February 2012 for $6,702,008. The company is owned by Chan Lai Ming, and Fan Wai Ling is the secretary. We visited their office which was branded “New Hall Design Limited” – a company with the same directors. Staff confirmed that the land at Ko Tong Ha Yeung was theirs, but that the person in charge was on holiday and would call us back upon her return next week. Whether the Heung Yee Kuk had approval to cut the trees is yet unclear.
Records uncovered by Designing Hong Kong’s land searches for Tai Tan, Uk Tau, Ko Tong and Ko Tong Ha Yeung can be found here:http://goo.gl/QJPt4B
News Reports on Designing Hong Kong Findings:
SCMP: http://goo.gl/kBXRWH
RTHK: http://goo.gl/0OUFZJ
News Report on villagers tree felling and vegetation clearance:
Hong Kong Free Press: https://goo.gl/10Ynma
