Lamma Island marina bid is thrown out
SCMP Saturday, December 17, 2011
Luxury scheme for flats and yachts in green area would set undesirable precedent, say planners
Olga Wong Dec 17, 2011

A bold development plan in an ecologically sensitive part of Lamma Island was rejected yesterday by town planners, who feared its approval would set an undesirable precedent.

The luxury residential and marine project, Baroque on Lamma, was led by a Town Planning Board member, Cheng Yan-kee. He is the chief executive of the company in charge of the development and was one of the project representatives who met the board yesterday.

The Planning Department said Cheng had declared his conflict of interest.

The project would have covered more than 85 hectares of green and marine areas in Tung O Wan and included plans for an international yachting base with 500 berths. The scheme encroached on conservation areas and would have needed a vast, 78-hectare slice of government land.

It was resurrected in March after being rejected by the Development Opportunities Office last year. The office facilitates private proposals that are deemed worthwhile.

Under the amended plan submitted to the Town Planning Board, the development density was reduced by lowering residential buildings and hotel blocks from six or seven storeys to no more than four, providing 900 flats and 120 hotel rooms.

But the proposal failed to win the support of board members and government departments.

"Approval of the application would set an undesirable precedent for similar applications in the south of Lamma and would attract similar applications for development in conservation-related zones," the Planning Department said.

A spokeswoman for the board said the project was incompatible with the area's conservation status and its excessive scale would ruin the site's rural character and threaten ecological assets in the island's south.

Apart from the loss of farmland, the marina development would involve reclamation of about nine hectares, resulting in the loss of fisheries habitat, including nursing grounds for some commercial species.

The Lands Department also said in the board's paper that it did not support the project as it involved a substantial portion of government land, some burial grounds and sites of archaeological interest.

Private land in the hands of the developer only accounts for 8.4 per cent of the development's total area.

The department said the prevailing land policy does not allow land exchange of this scale.

The proposal sparked controversy, and green groups raised objections, fearing the massive development would be a threat to rare species in the area. The Romer's tree frog, which is endangered, is found in the affected conservation areas, while there is a nesting ground for the endangered green turtle just 200 to 300 metres away.

Hooray!

Nice to see this scheme booted out. I hope that is the permanent end of this project.

18 months till they're permitted to reapply.
But there are more urgent matters happening right now in South Lamma, Home Affairs Dept. and a local developer have already started more construction work along the beach.

See my recent Lamma-zine story, plus this newsletter with many photos sent out just today:

How Can We Protect South Lamma?

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Unbelievable, it really is. Although I shouldnt be so surprised considering this happens all the time. They tried there best to ruin Tai Long wan many times.

If you have any doubt that this project will continue in some form for many years to come - probably heavily modified, maybe even with a new location? - here's their Christmas e-card with two sailing ships.

These look quite similar to the boats in some of the occasional international regattas starting right off South Lamma in the autumn season, for example HK-Vietnam.

They sent this e-card not just to their supporters but also to some of the green groups.

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Here are the detailed minutes of the Town Planning Board meeting about BoL, published just a few days ago. They make for some very interesting reading. See page 32 & 33 for the reasons for their decision:

http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/en/meetings/RNTPC/Minutes/m456rnt_e.pdf

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So, having the CEO of BoL as the chairman is no problem. At least, not after hundreds of complaints were made, they were forced to be above board.

Baroque wants the government to just give them 12 times as much government land as they have. WTF? Can I have some too?

In this small area they want to have 184 parking spaces, a bus, and private cars. Cars. To travel a few hundred metres. They don't have cars in Disco Bay, 20 times the size of this, but they want them here.

-- Load of complete bollocks. He'd destroy the environment of Southern Lamma and improve the bank balances of some businessmen. The rest of us would be fucked.

Does anyone else think that the Christmas card looks like a bra?

Wiggy

Latest newsletter from Living Lamma just received:

Baroque Again?

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Thats what I thought when I first saw it

No one would ever dig for archeological artifacts in this area if not the BOL concept. So, this is some clever move to provide more pros on the weighing scale for BOL – “No archeological values”. In case the survey finds some bones or ceramics they will be taken away and secured – just normal practice before all major construction in other places. The dig may be expanded yet no one expects some treasure that could not be extracted (e.g. ruins of ancient city) and that way preventing development.
The developer goes along line: no unique frogs, turtles are dead, just common grass and common species of trees and bush, no archeological value. So what is to protect? Of course, common grass and common grasshoppers, common crabs and common trees insects and birds.

South Lamma, together may be with Po Toi, has an opportunity to be declared a Protected Area or some kind of Country Park. Would not it be a great idea to have such a Park right next to skyscrapers of Hong Kong? What city in the world could show such a wise balance between conservation of nature and development? Island without cars - it is a wonder! Should not be lost. It is so much needed by the people. Controlled tourist’s paths, rangers, view points, some access points for boats, trained guides, boat trips, kayak trips, etc. Lamma community in existing villages may profit on tourism even more than now if this was advertised and better prepared.

The point is they don't want small profit in tourism. They want INSTANT MEGA SUPER DUPER WEALTH in real estate ...

Yes, I agree it all sounds like bollocks.

What has Mr. Li done for Lamma, besides buying up apparent ancestoral land (as the Heung Yee Kuk would put it) . Has he contributed to the infrastructure/nature/jobs previously?

I know that I could most probably search for this information on the internet, but I know that many lamma forum users will know this chappie more and have way more information

Email newsletter to all subscribers of the BoL website, received yesterday, Jun 29, 2012:

"Dear Friends,

As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report to be submitted to Environmental Protection Department under the Ordinance, The Baroque on Lamma (BoL) needs to undertake a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment to identify whether the proposed development has any adverse impact on cultural heritage. BoL’s environmental consultant, Environment Resources Management Ltd (ERM), will be responsible for the Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) field work. For more information regarding AIA, you are welcome to visit our latest blog entry “Archaeological Impact Assessment Field Work”.

Should you have further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours Truly,
The Team of The Baroque on Lamma

http://www.bol-hk.com"


親愛的博寮港之友：

博寮港須進行一項文化遺產影響評估工作，以評估有關發展會否影響當地的文化遺產，而結果將成為博寮港向環境保護署提交的環境影響評估報告其中一部份。博寮港的顧問公司—環境資源管理有限公司（ERM）將負責進行古物影響評估工作。欲知道更多有關古物影響評估的詳情，可參閱博寮港網站最新一篇題為「古物影響評估工程即將展開」的博客。

若有任何查詢，歡迎隨時與我們聯繫。

南丫島博寮港團隊　謹啟

http://www.bol-hk.com<HR>
More info and a detailed map in the "Blog of Baroque":
http://www.bol-hk.com/template?series=32&article=407

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Got a reply from AMO, they confirmed that ERM got a license from AMO for a borehole/augur survey in South Lamma. The scholar in charge for this project is Mr Liu from Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou. He's a party member and teach in Anthropology, but his major research project is conduced in Xinjiang.

Link: http://home.sysu.edu.cn/human/main/teac ... ?userid=68


關於擬於南丫島南進行的考古工作，謹回覆如下：
1. 香港環境資源管理有限公司（ERM-HK Ltd.）聘請中山大學人類學系教授劉文鎖博士進行考古勘察。劉博士於本年5月申請「挖掘及搜尋古物牌照」。古物事務監督已於6月發出牌照予劉博士。

2. 古物事務監督根據古物及古蹟條例第13(2)條批出該牌照。有關法例可瀏覽以下的連結：
　　http://www.legislation.gov.hk/chi/home.htm

3. 本處將於考古勘察進行期間定期巡察工地，確保工地內的考古資料得到妥善記錄。

4. 本處每年約處理十多個牌照的申請。

感謝閣下對香港考古工作的關注。

古物古蹟辦事處執行秘書
（陳慧雯代行）

http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/ ... 5/16544730

南丫島發展商挖探坑「考古」為環評鋪路
東澳擬建豪宅再闖關 7,000

發展商仍未放棄南丫島東澳發展，近日又申請掘地「考古」，方便日後再闖關。
【本報訊】由南丫島「島主」李建強與雅居樂地產聯營的博寮港有限公司，擬把島上屬海岸保護區的東澳發展為遊艇會及豪宅，雖然計劃去年底被城規會否決，但發展商死心不息，近日申請在島上挖掘逾50個探坑和鑽孔作「考古」研究，疑為日後環評闖關鋪路。保育團體認為環保署及城規會應有清晰指引限制發展商，不能在計劃被否決後仍可鑽空子嘗試在其他途徑闖關。　

記者：梁德倫

博寮港計劃涉及東澳約43公頃水域，提供500個遊艇泊位，擬興建防波堤、直升機坪等，並在陸上發展酒店和低密度豪宅，去年向城規會申請將現時劃為農業、自然保育區和海岸保護區地帶改為綜合發展區（1）地帶遭否決，但事件並未告一段落。

有南丫島居民近日發現，博寮港公司聘請的顧問公司 ERM最近成功向古物古蹟辦事處申請挖掘及搜尋古物牌照，計劃在東澳一帶廣泛探土挖掘，包括26個探土洞和27個鑽孔，有村民批評做法變相破壞自然環境，因為探土洞每個約兩立方米大，「似炸彈窿咁」。

乘機破壞現有地貌

關注南丫島發展的土地正義聯盟成員黃俊邦指，地政總署剛在南丫島完成14天公眾諮詢，日內或向 ERM發出掘地許可證。他指出，博寮港計劃本已被城規會否決，但由於 ERM去年同時申請在東澳進行環評，在環評框架容許下申請考古研究，但極有可能會乘機破壞現有地貌環境，令生態價值下降。黃又批評，「你個規劃發展都過唔到，點解仲要繼續做環評工作？除非你個發展計劃有變，完全唔同晒！」他認為古蹟辦當初批出牌照前，應考慮到該發展計劃早已被城規會否決，酌情考慮後不予批准。

「玩到過晒關為止」

綠色力量行政總幹事文志森指，現時法例無限制規管項目倡議者（即發展商）應先做環評後才申請更改土地用途規劃，但城規會一直有共識當項目未有全面環評報告前多數不獲通過，「佢上次上城規已經係硬闖啦！」他指出，雖然環評與城規屬兩個獨立範疇，但政府應加入指引要求發展商先通過環評後才能到城規會申請更改土地用途，「如果唔係佢哋分開幾樣一齊做，不斷咁用豐厚嘅資源去玩個遊戲規則，玩到有一日過晒關為止。」他相信博寮港計劃難過關，因為過往從未有一個發展項目會對自然生態環境的影響如此巨大。

Google translation of Apple article:

Lamma Island, the developers dug pits "archaeological" pave the way for the EIA
The proposed mansion, East Australia and then pass through the 7,000

The developer has not given up the East Lamma O Development, recently applied for digging. "Archaeology", and checkpoints to facilitate a later date.
WASHINGTON Lamma Lamma Island, the island main "Li Jianqiang and Agile Property Joint Venture Port Limited, intends to island is a marine protected area development of the East Australia Yacht Club and luxury, although the plan to the end of the Town Planning rejected, but the developers refused to give up the endless, recently applying for mining on the island more than 50 pits and drilling for archaeological research, believed to be the environmental impact assessment in the future to pass through the paving. The conservation groups believe that the Environmental Protection Department and the Town Planning Board should have clear guidelines to limit the developers, not the plan was rejected can still be abused and lead to try to break through the barrier in other ways.

Reporter: Liang Delun

Lamma - Hong Kong project involves approximately 43 hectares of waters of the East Australia, with 500 berths, the proposed construction of breakwaters, helipad, and land for hotel development and low-density luxury last year, apply to the TPB is currently zoned for agriculture, nature conservation Strip District and the Coastal Protection Area zone change to the Comprehensive Development Area (1) has been rejected, but the incident did not come to an end.

Lamma Island residents recently discovered Lamma Port's consultant ERM recent success apply to the Antiquities and Monuments Office for mining and search for antiquities license, plans extensive ground investigation in the vicinity of East Australian mining, including 26 exploration soil cave and 27 The villagers have criticized the practice of covert destruction of the natural environment, because the ground investigation holes each about two cubic meters, "Han like a bomb hole drilling.

Opportunity to undermine the existing landform

Land Justice League members concerned about the Lamma Island development the Huang Junbang refers to the Lands Department has just completed 14 days of public consultation on Lamma Island, days or excavation permit issued to ERM. He pointed out that, Bo Laos Hong Kong plan this has been the Town Planning Board will be rejected, but the ERM last year at the same time to apply in Australia, East EIA application in the framework of the EIA permit for archaeological research, but very there may will be the opportunity to undermine the existing landform environment ORDER ecological value decline. Wong criticized your planning and development Guo Wu Dao, Xie Zhong Yao continue to do the work of the EIA? Unless you development plans have been changed completely Wutong the sun! "He believes that before the the AMO original license is granted, should take into account The development plan has long been the TPB rejected, as appropriate, shall not be approved.

"Play to the sun shut up"

Green Power, Chief Executive Officer Man Chi-Sen refers to the current legislation unlimited regulatory project proponents (developers) should do first EIA before application for change of land use planning, TPB has been the consensus when the project has not a comprehensive EIA report before the majority of approved drainage Last on the Town Planning Board has the Department insist forcing friends, "he pointed out that although the EIA with the Board belong to two separate areas, but the Government should be added to the guidelines require the developers to first by the EIA to the Town Planning will apply for change of land use, "If the the Wuxi drainage Die separate a few to do together, constantly Han generous generous resources to play the game rules, play date to the day over the sun off." he believed that the the Lamma port plan sad off, because have never so great a development project would be the impact of the natural environment.

Great, so now they want to dig and drill along the coast in the name of archaeology. After they wreck the whole area they will argue that there is no point preserving whatever nature there is left. Sounds familiar...

To be far, archaeologists are usually careful to restore the site after they've done their dig. There is a site just behind PSB they dug up over 10 years ago, found some 3000-year old relics and building remains. They covered it up again to preserve it for future study.