Former squatter huts on the beachfront have reportedly been turned into villas. Photo: FactWire
An aerial shot of the land. Photo: FactWire
A Hong Kong news agency says nearly 90,000 square feet of government land in a coastal protection area near Shek O may have been illegally occupied for over 30 years.
Factwire quoted an unnamed Lands Department official as saying that no enforcement action had been taken because it involved a former senior government official, and wealthy businessmen.
According to the report, eight villas were built from the original squatter huts at Tung Ah Pui Village in the 1980s. The village is located directly across from Tai Tam's Redhill Peninsula, one of Hong Kong's wealthiest neighbourhoods.
Factwire claimed that one of the occupants is a former senior official with the Labour Department. His residence allegedly includes a single-storey house, an extensive garden, a yacht storage area and a beach.
The agency said he had bought the squatter hut from a villager in the 80s, and that he had admitted that the land belonged to the government. The report also said the former official denied extending his residence, saying he had only made improvements.
Other people living in the village include a photojournalist whose residence occupies about 20,000 square feet of land, the report said.
In response, the Lands Department said some of the squatter huts are suspected of being illegally extended. It said officials are following up on the matter.
The Secretary for Development, Paul Chan, said he did not have any evidence that the allegations were true. He said he has asked the Lands Department to follow up on the matter.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1265297-20160609.htm
