Residents and businesses at Ta Kwu Ling could start to move out from mid-2028 to facilitate the redevelopment of the area into a commercial and industrial zone, the government said.

The Development Bureau added it would "actively utilise market forces" to speed up the border town's development, which could welcome the first batch of residents from 2035.

Under the Northern Metropolis blueprint, the Ta Kwu Ling New Development Area, which spans 1,175 hectares, is to be developed in phases due to its sheer scale.

A priority development area has been earmarked adjacent to the Heung Yuen Wai border control point, which began operating in 2020.

In a document submitted to the North District Council, the bureau said the priority development area would be expanded by 21 percent to 250 hectares.

A university town within the priority development area would now occupy 75 hectares, compared with 30 hectares previously.

The bureau said that in response to public views, about seven hectares would be reserved for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts to build a secondary campus.

Land earmarked specifically for industries would shrink from 64 to 19 hectares, as some businesses are expected to be incorporated into the university town.

As a result of the adjustments, the priority development area is now envisaged to provide 13,000 to 14,000 new flats, down from 17,000 to 19,000.

They will house an expected population of 34,000 to 37,000, down from 45,000 to 49,000.

The priority development area will provide roughly 27,000 new jobs, compared to the previous estimate of 47,000.

"According to the current plan, land acquisition and demolition work will commence in the second quarter of 2028, with land levelling works starting in the fourth quarter of the same year," the bureau said.

"The first batch of land [including part of the Ta Kwu Ling University Town campus site] is expected to be completed no earlier than 2030, while the first batch of new residents is expected to move in gradually starting in 2035."

The government pledged to provide resettlement, compensation and assistance to residents and businesses, who are expected to move out from the second quarter of 2028.

Officials will solicit views from district councillors on expediting the priority development area's transformation at a meeting on Tuesday.




Edited by Tony Sabine