Site near airport eyed for `bridgehead' shops

The commercial land near Hong Kong International Airport will be developed into a ``bridgehead economy'' catering largely to mainland tourists, as an influx is expected after the scheduled completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in 2016.儲存倉 Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has asked the Airport Authority to study the 12.5-square-kilometer site, on the northern part of Chek Lap Kok, in hopes of speeding up development of the island into a leading recreation and shopping center. The research will be supervised by the Airport Authority's Infrastructural Planning Committee chairman, Vincent Lo Hong-shui. The authority was granted permission to manage and develop the commercial land that lies between Terminal 2 and AsiaWorld-Expo. Although the government has always wanted to develop the site into a comprehensive commercial center, no long-term plan has been formulated. But as the bridge is due to open in three years, the government is now pushing for the development of a commercial district in the north of the island, w迷你倉沙田ere mainland tourists may shop as soon as they cross the bridge. The 120,000-square-meter land is now used as a temporary golf course and parking lot, but the leases will expire next month. After that, the authority will renew the leases on a three-month basis. The authority had been considering whether to develop the island for a long time, but held back over the concern that commercial development may overlap with construction sites for a third runway. Similarly, the previous administration did not plan to turn the whole island into a commercial district. It was suggested that some land should be reserved for expansion of airport facilities. However, as the current government actively pushes for the new development, the authority has started to review some relevant suggestions. Authority board member Miriam Lau Kin-ye said while the board has not held any discussions about the island's development, research should be speeded up as the bridge will be completed soon. staff.reporter@singtaonewscorp.com *Note start required* 迷你倉價錢