In 2019, the “Policy Address” proposed the clearance of Cha Kwo Ling, Ngau Chi Wan, and Chuk Yuen Wai villages in Kowloon urban area to increase the supply of public housing in the city through high-density development. The Development Bureau has submitted documents to the Legislative Council, stating that the heritage impact assessment for Ngau Chi Wan village has been completed, with the preservation of the Wan Fo Tang, assessed as a Grade III historic building, and the Housing Society is responsible for the conservation and revitalization work around Wan Fo Tang.
Authorities announced that the redevelopment projects of Cha Kwo Ling, Ngau Chi Wan and Chuk Yuen Wai villages will provide approximately 8,900 public housing units in phases starting from 2028. The Ngau Chi Wan village project covers an area of about 2.2 hectares, with around 2,700 public housing units to be provided along with various facilities such as a community hall, public recreational spaces, and retail facilities. The preliminary estimated cost for site leveling and infrastructure construction for the Ngau Chi Wan village development project is about HK$163 million.
Furthermore, the development project will allocate around 5% of the total residential floor area for welfare facilities in accordance with current policies and will also provide a kindergarten as required by the Education Bureau. The existing Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation Jockey Club Breast Health Centre adjacent to Ngau Chi Wan village will be preserved within the development project.
The Antiquities and Monuments Office has completed the heritage impact assessment for the Ngau Chi Wan village development project. Wan Fo Tang, within the scope of the development project and assessed as a Grade III historic building by the Antiquities Advisory Board, will be preserved. The Housing Society is responsible for the conservation and revitalization work around Wan Fo Tang, including maintaining a building separation of no less than 10 meters around Wan Fo Tang. The heritage impact assessment report for the Ngau Chi Wan village development project has been submitted to the Antiquities Advisory Board and was approved and endorsed by the committee at their meeting in September last year, along with the research findings, recommendations, and revised designs.
According to the documents of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Wan Fo Tang was built between 1912 and 1913, making it one of the oldest Taoist temples still in existence in Hong Kong. It was founded by Taoist nun Lai Yuk-ching from Sai Kung, Guangdong province and it enshrines Guan Yin, Jade Emperor, Monkey King, Buddha, Lü Dongbin, and Guan Yu. In the past, Hong Kong had at least six institutions founded by the Celestial Master Taoists, but now only Wan Fo Tang in Ngau Chi Wan village and Bin Xia Dong in Diamond Hill remain.