Yuen Long Councillor Accused of Building Carpark on Others' Land Without Owner Consent
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
Yuen Long district councillor Tang Yung-yiu (鄧鎔耀) and his company Chi Ko Limited (志科有限公司) are facing allegations of occupying private land to build a temporary public carpark in Pat Heung without the landowner's consent. The Town Planning Board approved the application twice, despite Chi Ko not being the rightful owner of the approximately 25,000 square feet of land. The landowner, who acquired the adjacent property in 2014, first discovered unauthorized asphalt paving in January 2024 and has since issued two legal demand letters while construction continued.
Key Points
- The land in question is located at Po Tsui Mountain Villa (寶翠山莊) in Pat Heung, Yuen Long, with the affected area spanning approximately 25,000 square feet
- Chi Ko Limited, solely owned and directed by district councillor Tang Yung-yiu, applied for a temporary public carpark with 53 private car spaces in March 2024, receiving conditional approval in April 2024
- The landowner first discovered asphalt covering their land in January 2024, with the ground restored by an unidentified party two months later
- Both planning permits were revoked in January 2026 for failing to meet drainage requirements, but Chi Ko reapplied and received fresh approval in late February 2026
- The landowner reported the matter to police on March 27, 2026, after spotting workers excavating; police classified it as a civil complaint with no criminal elements
- With monthly rentals at $800 per space, full occupancy of all 53 spaces would generate approximately $500,000 annually
- Tang has served as district councillor for North Pat Heung since 2016 and resigned as Chi Ko director on August 20, 2026, retaining only his shareholder position
- Under Section 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance, applicants need only publish notices and post signs at the site, without being required to contact the landowner directly
Why It Matters
This case highlights a potential regulatory loophole where planning applicants can develop private land without landowner consent by simply publishing notices, raising concerns about property rights protection in Hong Kong's rural areas. The involvement of an elected district councillor adds a political dimension, with the Home Affairs Department warning of disciplinary action if ethical breaches are confirmed, while the Planning Department maintains the applicant followed proper procedures .
This case highlights a potential regulatory loophole where planning applicants can develop private land without landowner consent by simply publishing notices, raising concerns about property rights protection in Hong Kong's rural areas. The involvement of an elected district councillor adds a political dimension, with the Home Affairs Department warning of disciplinary action if ethical breaches are confirmed, while the Planning Department maintains the applicant followed proper procedures .