Authorities cracking down on land grabs in Hong Kong, but experts call for more action

Experts and lawmakers have called on authorities to launch more inspections of homes where land grabs are suspected and speed up prosecution of owners after the government revealed its progress on cracking down on offenders at the Villa Rosa luxury estate in southern Hong Kong.

The Development Bureau said on Monday that 11 detached houses had illegally occupied government land at the residential estate in Tai Tam.

Notifications were sent to the owners of 10 detached houses last month demanding changes so they no longer contravened the Land (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance.

“Those who failed to comply with the notification by the deadline will be prosecuted,” the bureau said.

The secret land grab by Hong Kong’s wealthy was thrust into the spotlight last September when landslides triggered by a record-breaking downpour exposed extensive illegal additions – ranging from swimming pools to basements on public slopes – at Redhill Peninsula.