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In response to recent media reports on the planning application for the mega tower hotel project in Wan Chai, the Town Planning Board (the Board) today (February 3) clarified some misunderstandings in the public discussions.

The Board is a statutory body comprising 39 members appointed by the Chief Executive under the Town Planning Ordinance (the Ordinance). To facilitate the Board's discharge of the statutory functions prescribed under the Ordinance, a secretariat is tasked to provide administrative and secretarial support. In processing planning applications, the secretariat ensures that all submissions made by the applicants and associated departmental comments will be presented to the Board for consideration.

"In processing the application for the mega tower hotel project, all supporting documents submitted by the applicant and departmental comments made on the application have been put before the Board. Copies of the Board papers have also been given to the applicant," a spokesman of the Board said.

"In considering a planning application, the Board has to consider the applicant's justifications as well as all relevant planning considerations including the proposed development intensity, possible impacts on the traffic, environmental, ecological and visual aspects, and views of the public," the spokesman added.

The mega tower hotel project was rejected by the Board's Metro Planning Committee in April 2004. After the applicant's presentation on a further improvement proposal to the Board at the review hearing held in December last year, the Board decided to gauge public views on the applicant's latest proposal through the District Officer (Wan Chai) to allow a due process of public consultation, and to await the Legislative Council members' views on the matter. The Board will take into account all relevant considerations before making a considered decision on the application.

Ends/Thursday, February 3, 2005

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