Speaking on an RTHK radio programme on Friday, she stressed that the decision would not impact the government’s public housing targets over the next decade.
Ho explained that public housing developments typically require more extensive supporting facilities to cater to lower-income residents, and without adequate amenities, quality of life could suffer.
She also pointed out that Pak Shek Kok has historically been a private residential area, making the choice a more natural fit for the neighbourhood.
Infrastructure capacity was another key factor. Ho noted that existing utilities in the area – including water supply, drainage, and sewage systems – are already operating near full capacity. Any new development would therefore require significant upgrades, adding to the project’s overall cost.
“In order to really proceed with development, we need to upgrade the infrastructure in the Pak Shek Kok area,” she said.
“On top of that, we also need to relocate the Education University of Hong Kong (EduHK) Sports Centre back near their main campus for the students’ convenience. All these aspects involve costs. So we also had to think about how to finance the whole project.”
To offset these infrastructure and relocation costs, authorities had earlier granted two land parcels, including the site at EduHK Sports Centre and the site in Ma On Shan, to the MTR Corporation for private housing development.
According to a blueprint submitted by the Development Bureau to the Tai Po District Council on Thursday, the government plans to relocate the proposed two-storey station. Instead of its originally intended position at the EduHK Sports Centre, the Pak Shek Kok station will now be built closer to the Science Park and Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Ho also addressed the reasoning behind Pak Shek Kok station’s new location, describing it as more central and practical.
“We feel that this location is truly central and can effectively serve the people who work at Science Park, current residents and even future residents of new housing developments,” she said.
She also cited a technical consideration: the original site at the EduHK Sports Centre is curved, which could result in uneven platform gaps and create both safety and accessibility issues for passengers.
“If we were to build the station there, the distance between the train and the platform could be wider in some sections, which might not be very convenient or safe for passengers,” she added.
Meanwhile, the EduHK Sports Centre in Pak Shek Kok will be relocated to a site adjacent to the university’s main campus in Tai Po.