The embattled residents of the Boeung Kak lakeside submitted a new proposal for on-site relocation housing to City Hall yesterday following a fruitless meeting on the issue last week with Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Kep Chuktema.

Last week, residents submitted a proposal requesting that 15 hectares of the 133-hectare project be set aside for on-site relocation housing, a plan rejected by Kep Chuktema.

Residents said following the meeting that they had been informed by Kep Chuktema that there would be no further meetings on the issue.

Yesterday, residents submitted an alternative request asking that City Hall finance the construction of 4x16-metre homes at the lakeside for villagers with “small” plots of land and two or more 4x16 metre homes each for residents with “large” plots.

“We want houses with legal ownership titles in the Boeung Kak development area, and not something constructed according to the standards of Borei Keila,” village representative Ly Mom said, referring to a much-criticised on-site relocation project inaugurated last year in Prampi Makara district.

Vong Sok Heng, another village representative, said the proposal was submitted on behalf of 1,500 families living in Boeung Kak’s Village 7.

Rights groups say over 4,000 families will ultimately be displaced by the lakeside development, which is being undertaken jointly by China’s Erdos Hung Jun Investment Co and Shukaku Inc, a firm owned by ruling party senator Lao Meng Khin.

Officials at City Hall were unable to be reached for comment yesterday.