Disputed 5,500-sq-ft plot of land in Fanling draws activists and dozens of security guards as Henderson Land convenes annual general meeting
ALLEN AU-YEUNG AND PEGGY SITO
UPDATED : Thursday, 02 June, 2016, 3:43pm
A group of villagers and community activists are in a tense standoff with security guards from property developer Henderson Land over a piece of farmland in the New Territories marked for development.
The activists tried to climb a wooden structure located on a 5,500-sq-ft plot of land in Ma Shi Po village in Fanling around noon Thursday while dozens of masked security guards formed lines to prevent entry.
As a message was broadcast from loudspeakers urging protesters to leave, the activists chanted slogans opposing the development.
The standoff came after Best Galaxy, a subsidiary of Henderson Land Development succeeded in securing an interim court injunction last month against a former tenant, Au Lau-kan, and his associates over the plot of land.
The injunction, granted by the High Court, effectively prohibits individuals from entering or occupying the land owned by Best Galaxy.
The disputed land is owned by Best Galaxy, a subsidiary of Henderson Land Development. Photo: Felix Wong
In a press statement Thursday, Henderson said it would send its team of workers to enter the site to “erect hoardings, fencing off the area to protect the land from further unlawful occupation”.
But Au, his daughter Becky Au Hei-man, and activists supporting their cause had refused to leave, arguing that “unfair” policies allowed the developer to hoard large areas of agricultural land in the New Territories for private residential development to the detriment of villagers and local farmers.
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Speaking to media on Thursday in Central as Henderson held its annual general meeting, chairman Lee Shau-kee touched on the company’s dispute in Ma Shi Po, which he described as a trivial matter.
“Hong Kong’s growth relied on the development of satellite cities, just like Sha Tin and Tai Po,” he said. “We should also redevelop northeast of the New Territories.”
Henderson chairman Lee Shau-kee said it was unreasonable to object to the development plan. Photo: Bruce Yan
“Where do people live [if we don’t develop satellite cities]? It’s unreasonable to object to this [development].
Lee said the site was “just 5,500 sq ft” and “a very small part” of the area. “This is no big deal,” he added.
In April, four villagers and protesters were arrested at the disputed area after scuffling with security guards as Henderson tried to reclaim the farmland.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1962551/fresh-standoff-erupts-between-villagers-and-property-firm
