University of Hong Kong’s revised IT hub plan angers Pok Fu Lam residents

A revised expansion plan by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has triggered fresh anger among Pok Fu Lam residents, who have accused it of dismissing alternative sites without proper due diligence and only meeting them for three hours over the past eight months.

But some lawmakers on Wednesday said the university had made “major concessions” by leaving a green belt in the area largely untouched and altering its proposal to instead consider building its global innovation centre on an adjacent residential plot.

They also urged the institution to take steps to minimise the negative impacts on residents.

The university revised its initial proposal after plans to build the centre on the green belt sparked fierce opposition from residents due to concerns over traffic, the environmental impact and a lack of consultation.

Following the backlash, town planning advisers asked the university to consider alternative sites in the area and beyond, while calling on the institution to conduct more stakeholder consultations and adjust its proposal.

The revised plan reduced the site size by 15 per cent and retains more than 75 per cent of the green belt. It was submitted to the Town Planning Board earlier this week for a meeting on Friday.