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In response to press enquiries on a press report today regarding the Planning Department's rezoning proposals of two industrial sites in Sha Tin and Tuen Mun, a spokesman for the Planning Department (PlanD) clarified today (July 18) that the proposals were based on the 2009 Area Assessments of Industrial Land in the Territory (2009 Area Assessments) and the local planning circumstances for individual sites. The former Chief Executive was neither involved in the 2009 Area Assessments nor the rezoning of these two sites.
"The Area Assessments of Industrial Land in the Territory have been undertaken regularly by the PlanD. Up till now, three rounds of Assessments have been undertaken in 2000, 2005 and 2009. Based on the recommendations of the 2000 and 2005 Assessments, a total of about 195.9 ha and 58.4 ha of 'Industrial' ('I') land had been rezoned to 'Other Specified Uses' annotated 'Business' ('OU(B)') zone and other non-industrial uses respectively. Upon a request from the Town Planning Board (TPB) in 2008, the 2009 Assessments were undertaken with the main purposes to find out how the floor space of the existing industrial buildings in the 'I' and 'OU(B)' zones was being used and review the undeveloped industrial land in these two zones. On-site surveys on the use, vacancy and building condition, and site information analysis on single/multiple ownership, building age and building height were comprehensively undertaken in the 2009 Area Assessments," the spokesman for the PlanD said.
"The 2009 Area Assessments recommended that there should be scope to better utilise the land resources by rezoning about 59.7 ha of industrial land to other suitable uses (including about 29.5 ha to residential uses). Apart from local planning circumstances, five criteria were adopted in identifying the industrial sites for rezoning, including sites with high vacancy rate, sites under high percentage of single ownership, sites with old building age, sites with completed/committed developments for non-industrial uses, and undeveloped or vacant sites. The identities of owners of the concerned sites/buildings were not a relevant consideration," the spokesman continued.
"In formulating recommendations of the 2009 Area Assessments, relevant bureaux and departments have been fully consulted," the spokesman added.
"The 2009 Area Assessments recommended rezoning the whole Siu Lek Yuen industrial area (about 7.5 ha) from 'I' to 'Residential (Group E)' and part of Tuen Mun Area 9 (about 2.1 ha) from 'I' to 'Comprehensive Development Area' for comprehensive residential and commercial developments. Both rezoning proposals were wholly based on the local planning circumstances and the planning merits. The Siu Lek Yuen site at the central location of Sha Tin New Town was highly accessible to Ma On Shan Rail City One Station and surrounded by residential developments, government, institution and community facilities and open spaces. The Tuen Mun site was at the fringe of an industrial area and adjacent to West Rail Tuen Mun Station," the spokesman said.
"The Report on the 2009 Area Assessments summarising the rezoning recommendations was endorsed in principle by the TPB on September 17, 2010. The Report formed a basis for the zoning amendments of the outline zoning plans for individual sites. The proposed zoning amendments are subject to agreement by the TPB and the representations and comments submitted under the Town Planning Ordinance," said the spokesman.
The Report on the 2009 Area Assessments is available at the PlanD's website (www.pland.gov.hk) for public viewing.
Ends/Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:05
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