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To: Secretary, Town Planning Board

(via email: tpbpd@pland.gov.hk)

Application: Y/I-DB/4

As a resident of Discovery Bay, I am deeply concerned about sustainable development in the area. I join in hereby calling upon the Town Planning Board to refuse development proposal in respect of application no. Y/I-DB/4.

The proposed development is set to principally benefit Hong Kong Resort Company Limited (“HKR”), in the expenses of residents’ well-being while increasing the burden on the traffic network nearby, exacerbating the potential for unpredictable safety problems. Furthermore, the development plan would bring irreversible damage to the nearby natural environment. Provision of additional housing capacity and protection of residents’ living quality are not mutually exclusive.

I hereby oppose the development plan (Application no. Y/I-DB/4), and sign this petition to protect this uniquely valuable part of Hong Kong. WE OPPOSE THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR DISCOVERY BAY AREA 10B AND AREA 22 (Application no.: Y/I-DB/4).

I have the following comments and objections to the application:

LEGITIMACY CONCERNS

Under the Town Planning Ordinance, Section 12A, Clause 3(a), the applicant is required to seek the consent of or notify in writing all current land owners before an application is made. There are presently over 8,300 assignees who co-own the Lot together with HKR, while no townhall meetings, notices nor consultation sessions were given by HKR prior to the submission of application no. Y/I-DB/4. As HKR continues to fall to consult with the co-owners of the lot, it should withdraw the Application and make revisions to recognize the co-owners.

TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS

Traffic on the Road

Under the existing Outline Zoning Plan (“OZP”), Discovery Bay is declared and supposed to be a primarily a car-free development. Golf carts at Discovery Bay are the primary mode of owners personal transport, and are capped at the existing number. It remains a question whether it is safe to allow increased traffic generated by proposed 858 new residential units to compete with slow moving golf carts that offer no collision protection to both drivers or pedestrians.

Bus Services:

Bus services in Discovery Bay has been a letdown for years. Residents receive frequent notifications from Discovery Bay’s transportation app in relation to the cancellation of bus services due to shortage of drivers or other reasons on almost daily basis. With the influx of tourists outside Discovery Bay

Kaito:

The kaito, operated by Peng Chau Kaito Ltd, provides a valuable service to the residents of Discovery Bay, Peng Chau and Mui Wo. The kaito pier is already inconveniently located for many residents, being a long walk from the plaza and bus station. There has been no explanation as to how the kaito and other boat transport using the pier will be able to operate while reclamation and construction are taking place.

The proposed development would move the kaito pier even further away. This would likely discourage use and have a damaging impact on the kaito company's business. HKR has not consulted with the residents of the effected districts, passengers and operators of the kaito, with the Islands District Council nor the Transport Department.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

Walled buildings

According to Figure 6: of the Full Master Layout Plan as contained thereunder application no.: Y/I-DB/4, the increase in residential density would lead to a “resurrection” of walled effect buildings, blocking ventilation in the area. The gap between each of the 5 proposed mid-rise is seriously inadequate. The wall-like mid-rises block the sunlight from reaching indoors and weaken air ventilation, while such wall of development is not consistent with the best practice as advocated by the prevailing sustainable building guidelines.

The proposed height mid-rises, being 88.2 mPD, will severely affect the existing sea view of multiple villages in Discovery Bay, especially Peninsula Village and La Costa. The living quality and property valuation will endure irreversible and permanent damage by the proposed mid-rises.

Noise

If the new developments were to go ahead the houses on the right would have around 40 buses exiting in the morning and returning to the garage at night. This will take all present bus terminus traffic, rubbish traffic and buses to the Area 10B. The present bus fleet exerts noise impacts of 75 decibels at residential facades along coastline, which is 5 decibels over what is acceptable to EPD. In the form of remediation all new development must conform to the 70 decibels standard. There is no proof of noise mitigation measures applied to the proposed layout.

LPG

Numerous concerns were raised about the deletion of the LPG store/dangerous goods store in the first round of public comments on the redevelopment proposals. However, HKR did not respond to these comments, nor has it provided any information on the location of replacement facilities. This omission is particularly glaring given that the proposed new developments at Areas 6f and 10b will greatly expand the need to transport, handle and store dangerous goods. Therefore, Town Planning Board must insist that a necessary Quantitative Risk Assessment is carried out showing the appropriateness of the proposed LPG unloading area and transport arrangements before approving the LPG unloading site proposed in the Application.

Reclamation

Since end of 2012, Hong Kong has passed legislation to ban all trawling to rebuild our marine ecosystems and to establish sustainable fisheries. The proposed reclamation, which could lead to loss of fishing grounds, affecting the livelihoods of fishermen and the development of sustainable fisheries. Rampant coastal development, which damages the spawning, nursery and foraging grounds of many marine species, is a major reason for the dwindling fishing industry. Reclamation will worsen the situation and hamper the recovery of fisheries resources. In addition, it will affect the current speed and hydrological patterns, and contribute to the accumulation of sediments and pollutants, having long-term impact on the marine environment and species. Marine spatial planning needs to be conducted prior to any development of reclamation plan.

There is a clear need to have a comprehensive view and legitimate consensus of future development in Discovery Bay, in order to set out the full infrastructure needs accordingly. Any increase beyond the approved population limit of 25,000 must be fully justified and supported with proper engineering and impact studies.