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The Town Planning Board today (June 4) announced the publication of the draft Tai O Fringe Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan.
The draft Tai O Fringe DPA Plan, covering about 186.62 hectares, is bounded by Lantau North Country Park to the east and south, and surrounded by natural coastline in the north and west.
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The general planning intention is to conserve areas of high ecological significance, to protect its rural and natural character as well as to maintain the unique landscape and cultural heritage of the area. Land is also reserved for small house development by indigenous villagers.
About 6.57 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to reflect existing village development, to provide land for village expansion and reprovision of village houses affected by Government projects.
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A site of about 3.79 hectares is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to provide government, institution or community facilities to serve the needs of local residents.
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About 0.75 hectare of land is zoned "Open Space" to provide outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses.
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An area of about 3.25 hectares is zoned "Other Specified Uses" to reflect its existing uses. The site includes a military site, sewage treatment works and the Tai O Cemetery.
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About 1.16 hectares of land is zoned "Undetermined". Pending detailed study, the area is intended for a proposed salt-panning demonstration area for preserving the cultural heritage and enhancing the visitor appeal of Tai O.
The "Green Belt" zone, covering about 124.47 hectares, defines the limits of development areas by natural features. The site will preserve existing topography and natural vegetation and provide passive recreational outlets. It mainly includes fallow agricultural land, hillslopes, natural vegetations and small streams.
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About 36.58 hectares of land are zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain existing natural landscape, ecological and topographical features for conservation, education and research purposes.
Another 6.72 hectares of land are zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment, including attractive geological features, physical landforms or areas of high landscape, scenic or ecological value, with a minimum of built development.
The draft Tai O Fringe DPA Plan is now available for public inspection during office hours until August 4 at the secretariat of the Town Planning Board, Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office, the Islands District Offices, and the Tai O Rural Committee.
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Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Board¡¦s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
Any person may make representations in respect of the amendments to the secretary of the Board.
Ends/Friday, June 4, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:01
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