The Wang Chau housing controversy comprises a series of events related to a housing project in Wang Chau, Yuen Long District, Hong Kong. Initiated in 2012, the housing project aims to develop 17,000 public housing units in three phases. Phase 1 refers to ongoing development of 4,000 units in a "green-belt" site; while phases 2 and 3 refer to the deferred plan to build the rest of the targeted units in the "brownfield" site. The case came under media scrutiny after activist Eddie Chu Hoi-dick raised concerns about potential collusion between the Hong Kong government, businesses and rural landlords in his election campaign.
Planning and engineering study
In July 2012, Hong Kong Housing Authority commissioned Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited (Arup) to conduct a study on the feasibility of the Wang Chau Public Housing Development. The Study covered planning, engineering and environmental issues. Results indicated that it was technically feasible to develop 17 000 public housing flats in Wang Chau.
Task force and consultation
Task force chaired by chief executive
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Leung Chun-ying set up a task force to discuss issues relating to public housing development at Queen's Hill and Wang Chau. The task force met once on 27 June 2013 to discuss about statutory procedure, consultation, brownfield and environmental protection. The Financial Secretary John Tsang was absent from the meeting.
Two rounds of informal consultation before downsizing the plan
On 16 July 2013 and 5 September 2013, representatives of the Housing Department and Home Affairs Department carried out two informal consultations with the following rural leaders: Chairman of Ping Shan Rural Committee: Tsang Shu-wo First Vice-chairman of Ping Shan Rural Committee: Tang Tat-sin Chairman of Yuen Long District Council: Leung Che-cheung District Council Member of the concerned constituency: Tang Hing-Ip Special Councillor of Heung Yee Kuk representing Ping Shan: Tang Chi-Keung After being briefed on the proposed development plan of building 17, 000 public housing flats at Wang Chau, the local representatives expressed concerns about the need for infrastructural support, impact on environment and brownfield issues.
In early January 2014, the Housing Department proposed to the Secretary for Transport and Housing that the Wang Chau Housing Development be carried out in phases, firstly with Phase 1 (development in green-belt site) and leaving Phases 2 and 3 (development in brown-belt site) to later periods. This proposal was approved by the Secretary, who then reported to the senior levels of the Government.
Meeting between three secretaries
The Chief Executive chaired a meeting attended by the top government officials - Financial Secretary, Chief Secretary and Secretary for Justice on 27 January 2014. Leung decided to take the Housing Department's recommendation to defer the second and third phases.
Consultation after downsizing the plan
Two rounds of informal consultation
Officials from the Housing Department held two rounds of informal consultations on 12 March 2014 and 17 March 2014 with Yuen Long rural leaders to explain the adjusted target.
Secretary for Transport and Housing, Anthony Cheung said "no minutes were taken of the informal consultations and lobbying with local representatives".
Formal consultation
On 23 May 2014 and 24 June 2014, the Housing Department, in two formal consultations, put forward the Wang Chau public housing development plan to the Ping Shan Rural Committee and the Yuen Long District Council respectively. The proposal included the size of the site for development, number of targeted units, estimated population and other facilities to be constructed.
Participants in the meeting on 24 June 2014 included: District Council members and officials from the Yuen Long District Office Engineering and Development Department Education Bureau Police Force Planning Department Welfare department Lands Department Transport Department Housing Department