Hong Kong lawmakers urge government to seek military sites for housing development
Lawmaker points to three bases which could produce thousands of homes
Military sites have again become a target in the city's debate over land use, with three pan-democrats reviving the idea of using People's Liberation Army sites to build much-needed housing.
The politicians' call came amid a public consultation on an application by a private company to turn the PLA Hong Kong garrison's headquarters in Admiralty into a hotel.
At a meeting of the Legislative Council's development panel on Tuesday to discuss the urban development initiatives in Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's policy address, the lawmakers said the government should consider converting some military land into housing.
"Article 13 of the garrison law provides that military land may be handed back to the Hong Kong government if needed," said Frederick Fung Kin-kee of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood.
Fung named three sites that he considered suitable for housing - Osborn Barracks in Kowloon Tong, Gun Club Hill Barracks near Tsim Sha Tsui and Shek Kong airfield near Yuen Long. He said the demolition of the three military facilities along with a relaxation of building heights around the airfield could allow the construction of tens of thousands of homes.
Albert Chan Wai-yip and Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, both of People Power, made a similar suggestion without naming specific sites.
"We have explained before that the PLA has a defence need for the existing military sites," Development Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po replied.
The idea of using military land to increase housing supply was floated in Legco two years ago, when pro-establishment lawmaker Lam Tai-fai asked Paul Chan whether the government would consider building flats at the Osborn Barracks site. At that time the minister said he was "working on" such a proposal, but rejected it a year later.
In another development, a private firm called Intellects Consultancy has filed an application to the Town Planning Board, suggesting that the site of the garrison's headquarters should instead be used to house a hotel.
The company stated in its application document that the site was "an ex-colonial military threat" in the central business district and its removal would demonstrate confidence in "one country".
The board is seeking public comments until February 13.
