Approved So Kwun Wat Outline Zoning Plan amended
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     The Town Planning Board today (May 7) announced amendments to the approved So Kwun Wat Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The amendments mainly involve rezoning of two sites at Siu Lam from "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") to "Residential (Group C)1" ("R(C)1") and their peripheral areas from "G/IC" to "Green Belt", revising the building height restrictions for the "R(C)1" and "Residential (Group C)2" zones and imposing building height restrictions on "G/IC" and "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Petrol Filling Station" ("OU(PFS)") zones.  

     The rezoning of two sites to "R(C)1" intended for low-rise low-density residential developments reflects recommendations in the "Planning and Engineering Review of Potential Housing Sites in Tuen Mun East Area - Feasibility Study", which has confirmed the feasibility of the proposed residential developments.  

     Building height restrictions are incorporated into the OZP to meet public aspirations for a better living environment and to provide clearer planning control on future development. Under the So Kwun Wat OZP, development restrictions, e.g. maximum plot ratio/gross floor area and building height, have been imposed on various development zones except the "G/IC" and "OU(PFS)" zones. Imposing building height restrictions on the two remaining zones will help maintain the existing low-rise semi-rural character of the area.   

     Technical zoning boundary adjustments are also made to tally with existing developments or developments under construction.  These include adjustment of the areas shown as "Road" and "Nullah" to reflect respectively the existing Tuen Mun Road with its improvement and the drainage project at So Kwun Wat Tsuen.

     The draft So Kwun Wat OZP No. S/TM-SKW/10, incorporating the amendments, is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long District Planning Office, the Tuen Mun District Office and the Tuen Mun Rural Committee.

     Any person may make written representation in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Board on or before July 7.  Representations made to the board will be available for public inspection.

     Copies of the draft OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei.  The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the board's website www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

Ends/Friday, May 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:45

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