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Two sets of revised Town Planning Board Guidelines have been promulgated today (April 7).
The Town Planning Board (TPB) Guidelines on extension of time (EOT) for commencement of development and compliance with planning conditions for temporary use/development have been revised to provide clearer guidance for the applicants on when they should make the EOT applications under section 16A(2) of the Town Planning Ordinance (the Ordinance).
According to the revised Guidelines, an EOT application shall be made to the TPB no less than six weeks before the specified time limit expires to allow sufficient time for processing and consultation with government departments. Any application made less than six weeks may not be processed. If the approved development is not commenced/any approval condition is not complied with by the specified time limit, the planning permission would lapse/be revoked. The TPB would not consider any EOT application after the expiry/revocation of the planning permission, despite the application being made before the expiry of the specified time limit. Under such circumstances, a fresh application for planning permission under section 16 of the Ordinance in accordance with the provision of the extant statutory plan would be required.
The revised Guidelines (TPB PG-No. 34A and 35A) are now available at the Secretariat of the TPB at 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong (Tel.: 2231 4810 and 2231 4835) and the TPB's website (http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
Any enquiries on the guidelines may be addressed to the Secretariat of the TPB or the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department (Hotline: 2231 5000) at 17/F, North Point Government Offices and 14/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin or by email to enquire@pland.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, April 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:08
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