Work begins on huge West Lake urban development      Starlake, an impression of high rise development beside westlake.—File Photo HA NOI (VNS)– Following several years of delays, construction work has finally begun on Starlake, a modern urban development area close to the city's West Lake. The completed project will stretch over 207 hectares, spanning Xuan La Ward in Tay Ho District, Nghia Do Ward in Cau Giay District and Xuan Dinh and Co Nhue communes in Tu Liem District. As many as US$2.5 billion has been invested in the development. It has been reported that the Starlake construction was approved by the Ha Noi People's Committee in April 2008, but has faced difficulties in completing site clearance. Deputy Secretary of Xuan Dinh commune' Party Cell, Nguyen Đinh Khue, said the development is affecting the living of more than 1,200 households in the commune. He said that site clearance work is now almost finished in the area and most compensation prices have been fixed. However, about 100 households have not yet completed procedures to receive this payment while a number of others have rejected compensation offers for being too low. "In these cases, we are waiting for the city's Site Clearance Council to offer concrete guidance to solve the problem between the investor and local residents," said Khue. According to statistic from the Ha Noi Land Fund Development Centre, about VND7.6 trillion ($365.4 million) has been paid in compensation for the project, VND2 trillion ($96.2 million) higher than originally planned. The Starlake design incorporates more than 89 ha for a new road system, parks, trees and lakes. More than 25 ha has been designated for venues to host the city's public events and for the headquarters of ministries and sectors. The project, funded by Daewoo E&C and the Korean Development Bank, will also include 46ha for building trade, financial and cultural centres and modern offices and schools. About 26ha of land will be used for high buildings and villas providing living space for about 25,000 people. The investor said the project is expected to connect with the city's other key projects, including the Nhat Tan Bridge – Noi Bai International Airport road. The work is planned to be completed by 2019. – VNS