10,000 homes part of new MTR station plan

Stacy Shi

The government plans to build around 10,000 public and private flats near the planned Pak Shek Kok MTR Station, which is expected to commence service by 2033, sources said.

The five-hectare station, to be built between the Tai Po Market and University stations, was first announced in former Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's 2021 policy address.

The Development Bureau earlier stated that properties would not be built above the planned MTR station, but do intend to build flats nearby that will also include senior care centers and medical clinics.

It said the government and MTR Corp have been conducting technical assessments and studying land development options, as the preliminary study revealed the new station will be a complex engineering project requiring a relatively large amount of infrastructural support.

The bureau added it would "endeavor to announce development proposals within the year" after taking the study's progress into account, including development details and mode and whether the MTRC will be responsible for the project.

Scott Leung Man-kwong, a member of the Housing Authority's Subsidized Housing Committee, said the station and its surrounding ancillary facilities should be built prior to the housing projects and that the ideal time for occupancy would be within one to two years after the station's commissioning.

He also opined that the public-to-private ratio for the 10,000 housing flats should be 1:1 and suggested building subsidized sale flats, such as starter homes, to meet demand.

Tai Po District Councillor Lo Hiu-fung suggested building the station first, with the property development subsequently commencing in order for the two projects to be addressed independently and preventing any potential disruptions to the scheduled station opening.

Additionally, Lo called for the construction of additional footbridges across Tolo Highway to connect the private housing estates near Hong Kong Science Park with the station.

He also proposed the establishment of a public transport interchange at the station, with stops for residents' shuttle buses that aim to "alleviate traffic congestion at the Tai Po Market and University stations."

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com