LegCo to resume debate on Northern Metropolis Development Bill

Proposed law could cut certain planning procedures from nine months to two. 

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) will resume its second reading debate on the Northern Metropolis Development Bill on 11 November.

The LegCo Secretariat said the bill will proceed to further consideration before a third reading if lawmakers approve it at second reading.

The government gazetted the bill on 3 July to streamline planning and land procedures, speed up construction, and facilitate business operations in the Northern Metropolis.

Under the proposed legislation, certain applications for land-use changes or relaxed development requirements could be processed in two months, down from the typical minimum of nine months.

The bill also proposes simplifying construction noise permit applications, revising compensation arrangements for resumed land, and facilitating cross-border movement of personnel, goods, data, and capital.

It would also authorise the Chief Executive in Council to introduce subsidiary legislation covering specified policy areas and establish statutory corporations for designated development areas.

The government previously said it aimed to secure passage of the bill by the end of the year, with the first batch of subsidiary legislation to be formally submitted to LegCo following its passage.