The Hong Kong Government’s controversial plan for the reclamation of the Victoria Harbour has been the subject of much recent public debate and protests. Challenges to the Wanchai Reclamation Plan (“WRP”) and the Central Reclamation Plan (“CRP”) have been before the Hong Kong courts in two proceedings for judicial review of the decisions. On 9 January 2004, the Court of Final Appeal (“CFA”) upheld the Court of First Instance’s decision that the Town Planning Board’s zoning plan for WRP erred in law. The judicial review of the CRP is scheduled to be heard in February 2004. Over the past few decades, various reclamation projects have shrunk one of the world’s greatest harbours but it now appears that the public is demanding protection of the harbour, and this is being supported by the judiciary.

The Society for the Protection of the Harbour Ltd (“the Society”) commenced judicial review proceedings in February 2003 against the Town Planning Board (“the Board”) on its decision in approving the WRP. The Society, as its name suggests, has the main object of protecting and preserving the Victoria Harbour, which includes taking legal action to stop harbour reclamation. The Board is a public body responsible for preparation and drafting of plans for the development of Hong Kong.