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The Town Planning Board (TPB) today (August 28) promulgated a set of revised Guidelines on Extension of Time (EOT) for Commencement of Development. The guidelines have been revised to provide clearer guidance for applicants when they make EOT applications under section 16A(2) of the Town Planning Ordinance.
The revised guidelines specify that the TPB does not have power under the Ordinance to extend time for a planning permission that has lapsed and ceased to have effect. Therefore, the applicant shall submit the application to the TPB no less than six weeks before the expiry of the specified time limit so as to allow sufficient time for processing and consultation with concerned government departments. Even if an application is submitted before the expiry of the specified time limit, the Board will have no power to extend time for a lapsed planning permission at the time of consideration. Under such circumstances, a fresh s.16 planning application in accordance with the provision of the extant statutory plan will be required.
The revised guidelines (TPB PG-No. 35B) 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 or 2231 4835) and the TPB's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
Any enquiries on the above may be addressed to the Secretariat of the TPB at the above address or by email (tpbpd@pland.gov.hk), or to the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department (hotline: 2231 5000; email: enquire@pland.gov.hk) at 17/F, North Point Government Offices and 14/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin.
Ends/Friday, August 28, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:01
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