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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Pok Fu Lam Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) which is published for public inspection today (Friday).

The OZP covers a total land area of about 420 ha. The total population upon full development is estimated to be about 105,000 persons.

Noting that the area is generally hilly and has been developed as a residential area, a Town Planning Board spokesman said: "The planning intention is to allow high-rise developments on the landward side of Pok Fu Lam Road, using the hills as backdrop to reduce the visual effect. On the seaward side, it is intended to keep developments below the level of Po Fu Lam Road in order to preserve public view and amenity as well as the general character of the area."

"It is expected that future developments in the area would blend in with the environment and be compatible with existing landforms, vegetation cover and character,"" he said.

Details of the land uses are as below:

* About 23.42 hectares (5.61 per cent of the total land area) is zoned "Residential (Group A)" .

* About 20.17 hectares (4.84 per cent) is zoned "Residential (Group B)". The Area within this zoning is subject to appropriate plot ratio and site coverage restrictions. Future development sites include a site east of Chi Fu Fa Yuen and sites on the Telegraph Bay Reclamation at Kong Sin Wan.

* About 54.99 hectares (13.18 per cent) is zoned "Residential (Group C)". This zoning is intended for low density residential development and the area within this zoning is subject to site coverage, plot ratio and building height controls, where appropriate.

* About 2.63 hectares (0.63 per cent) is zoned "Village Type Development" which covers the Pok Fu Lam Village.

* About 63.61 hectares (15.25 per cent) is zoned "Government/Institution/Community". Major facilities of regional significance within this zone include the Queen Mary Hospital, part of the University of Hong Kong and the Institute of Immunology. The historical buildings in the area, including the Bethanie and the adjacent cowshed, also fall within this zoning.

* About 22.22 hectares (5.33 per cent) is zoned "Open Space". Proposed open spaces include one at the junction of Pok Fu Lam Road and Victoria Road near Wah Fu Estate and a waterfront promenade on the Telegraph Bay Reclamation at Kong Sin Wan.

* About 0.2 hectare (0.05 per cent) is zoned "Commercial". This zoning covers a site at the junction of Victoria Road and Sha Wan Drive which is reserved for the development of a low-rise local shopping centre compatible with the character of the area and the surrounding environment.

* About 9.28 hectares (2.22 per cent) is zoned "Other Specified Uses". It covers the existing petrol filling station at Baguio Villa and the Chinese Christian Cemetery at the northern part of the Area.

* About 136.40 hectares (32.7 per cent) is zoned "Green Belt". It consists of mainly steep slopes not suitable for development. This zoning will help promote the conservation of the natural environment and safeguard it from encroachment by urban-type developments.

* About 51.45 hectares (12.33 per cent) is zoned "Country Park". This zoning covers the part of Pok Fu Lam Country Park within the boundary of the Plan.

* About 32.80 hectares (7.86 per cent) is reserved for major roads and other related uses.

The spokesman added that notwithstanding the long-term broad land-use framework shown on the Plan, the area was still governed by the Pok Fu Lam Moratorium which was imposed to prohibit excessive development until there would be an overall improvement in the transport network of the area.

The approved OZP No. S/H10/6 is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Planning Department, Hong Kong District Planning Office, and Southern District Office.

Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Survey and Mapping Office Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei.

End/Friday, November 20,1998

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