Yet, the bureau said about 65 hectares of “brownfield sites” – deserted or damaged agricultural and industrial land – will be included in the feasibility study and planned alongside the land made available from the reclamation.

Authorities noted there will be about 210 hectares of land available for developing modern and advanced industries.

The proposal, without objection from any lawmaker, will be passed to the Legislative Council's public works subcommittee for vetting.

Michael Tien Puk-sun from Roundtable said it usually takes years to conduct a feasibility study and worried that the railway development in Tuen Mun West will be delayed indefinitely.

Tien also suggested building a section of railway between Tuen Mun South and Siu Lam in Tuen Mun East first to take care of about 500,000 residents in the areas.

In response, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said the government will consider the possibility of executing the railway extension project in phases.

Linn replied to concerns voiced by Heung Yee Kuk's chief Kenneth Lau Ip-keung and said authorities will see how can the project not affect the feng shui in the cemetery areas.

Another lawmaker Chan Yuet-ming asked if the economic developments in the area will be affected as there are landfills, incinerators and columbaria, worrying that Tuen Mun West will be transformed into another Tseung Kwan O or Ta Kwu Ling.

On that, Linn said authorities will use the hills nearby as a barrier to separate the town center and the facilities and ensure there will be enough room in between for buffer.