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The Town Planning Board (the Board) today (February 22) announced amendments to the draft Central District Outline Zoning Plan (OZP), the draft Wan Chai OZP and the draft Central District (Extension) OZP.

The planning scheme boundary of the three OZPs are revised to ensure a coherent design of the new Star Ferry piers and better integration of land use planning for the Central Reclamation Phase III development.

Two pieces of land, one currently occupied by Pier 7 and its adjoining area, and one currently occupied by the Wan Chai West Sewage Screening Plant and its adjoining open space north of Fenwick Pier Street, are excised from the Central District OZP and the Wan Chai OZP respectively for incorporation into the Central District (Extension) OZP.

Another amendment to the draft Central District OZP involves the rezoning of a portion of Connaught Road Central from "Road" to "Other Specified Uses" ("OU") annotated "Elevated Walkway" to complete the linkage of an elevated walkway across Connaught Road Central linking the City Hall site with the ex-Furama Hotel site.

As for the draft Central District (Extension) OZP, apart from the extended planning scheme area, there are also the following amendments:

* rezoning of the westernmost waterfront areas to "OU" annotated "Pier and Associated Facilities", "Open Space" and "OU" annotated "Elevated Walkway" for re-provisioning of the Star Ferry Piers and recreating the Star Ferry icon and identity at the new Central Waterfront;

* designation of the adjacent waterfront areas to its east as "OU" annotated "Pier" and "OU(3)" annotated "Waterfront Related Commercial and Leisure Uses" for the re-provisioning of existing facilities at Queen's Pier and other waterfront areas, and for retail and leisure development.

In order to maintain a clear view towards the harbour, all structures, except the Clock Tower, within "OU" annotated "Pier and Associated Facilities" are subject to a height restriction of 21mPD, and all structures within the "OU" annotated "Pier" and "OU(3)" annotated "Waterfront Related Commercial and Leisure Uses" zones are subject to a height restriction of 13mPD.

In addition, the land use layout and the walkway system in the vicinity of the City Hall site have also been amended to reflect the deletion of part of the Road D6, the creation of a public plaza to the north of the City Hall High Block, and the planning intention to keep the existing City Hall Complex intact and to preserve the Edinburgh Place.

The draft Plans No. S/H4/11, S/H5/19, and S/H24/5 incorporating the amendments are now available for public inspection until March 15, 2002 at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road; Hong Kong District Planning Office, 14th Floor, North Point Government Offices; and the respective District Offices.

Any person affected by the amendments may send a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board, 15th Floor, North Point Government Offices on or before March 15, 2002.

Copies of the draft Plans are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei.

End/Friday, February 22, 2002

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