Advertisement

Sai Wan villagers decry work halt

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0

Residents of Sai Wan village where energy company tycoon Simon Lo Lin-shing is building a beachside home are unhappy that construction has halted after pressure from green groups and hiking enthusiasts.

'If nobody bought the land, it would be a wasteland with rubbish and mosquitoes. Very dirty,' said Lai Kwan, Sai Wan village head.

Lai said Lo told village authorities that he would not build an additional house in Sai Wan, but would refurbish existing homes and plant a large garden that Lai said would beautify the area 'even if privately owned'.

Many Sai Wan locals believe that the new construction will improve what has been a difficult situation ever since the government constructed the local High Island Reservoir in 1979. Before the reservoir was built, a ferry could bring residents and tourists to Sai Wan in 15 minutes, but now a winding trail brings hikers there in around an hour.

There is no road to Sai Wan. Locals believe that's keeping tourists from frequenting their restaurants and keeping the ageing community of roughly 20 homes - Lai described them as 'primarily over 50' - from faraway hospital care.

Lai said that if anyone needs to go to hospital facilities, the village uses a golf cart to take them through the hiking path to nearby Sai Kung. But they have to wait until park staff are off duty, as it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle on the trail.

Chiu said she believes that bringing people like Lo to Sai Kung will bring a road to the area. But near the site of Lo's future beach house is a landing pad for his helicopter.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2-3x faster
1.1x
220 WPM
Slow
Normal
Fast
1.1x