The government will take a leading role in converting village houses in Yin Kong and Ho Sheung Heung into restaurants, retail shops or guest houses under a pilot plan to help drive the development of the Northern Metropolis.

The director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Linda So, said on Wednesday that owners of eligible village houses would not need to apply for land use changes themselves.

Instead, she said, authorities would do that for them.

So said various evaluations would be carried out when assessing whether a village house was suitable for such conversion.

"We will conduct thorough technical assessments, including evaluations of traffic and environmental impacts, as well as public consultation," she told an RTHK programme.

She said the Town Planning Board will continue to act as a final gate keeper in approving such conversion.

"The application must also be submitted to the Town Planning Board for comprehensive consideration. Only after the entire review process is complete will approval be granted," she said.

So said village houses in Yin Kong and Ho Sheung Heung that are classified as "New Territories exempted buildings" are eligible for conversion.

She said Yin Kong and Ho Sheung Heung were chosen for pilot runs given their close proximity to Kwu Tung North, Long Valley Nature Park and other natural attractions as ideal pilot areas for rural tourism.


Edited by Tony Sabine