Draft Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau Development Permission Area Plan approved
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     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan.

     "The approved DPA Plan is to provide planning guidance and to facilitate development control within the Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau area during the period required for detailed analysis of the land use pattern, study of infrastructural provisions and examination of development options for the formulation of an outline zoning plan (OZP)," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (September 14).

     The Planning Scheme Area covers about 107.95 hectares. The Area mainly comprises four islands, namely Yim Tin Tsai, a small island to its northeast, Ma Shi Chau and Yeung Chau.  The Area is located in Tolo Harbour and forms part of the southern edge of Plover Cove. The general planning intention of the Area is to conserve the areas of high landscape and geological significance, to protect the unique landscape character and to maintain the rural and natural character of the Area.

     About 7.24 hectares of land is zoned "Site of Special Scientific Interest". The planning intention of this zone is to conserve and protect the features of special scientific interest. This zoning mainly covers the eastern tip of Yim Tin Tsai island, Shui Mong Tin of Ma Shi Chau, the tombolo connecting them and a small circular area to the northeast of Shui Mong Tin.

     Another 0.29 hectares of land is zoned "Residential (Group C)". This zone is intended primarily for low-rise, low-density residential developments.

     The remaining 100.42 hectares of land is designated as "Unspecified Use". The area mainly includes a large part of Yim Tin Tsai island, a small island to its northeast, Yeung Chau island and a large part of Ma Shi Chau island. Owing to the urgency to establish planning control under the DPA Plan, this area has been designated as "Unspecified Use" pending detailed analysis and studies to establish the appropriate land uses in the course of preparing an OZP.

     The approved Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-YTT/2 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, the Tai Po District Office and the Tai Po Rural Committee.

     Copies of the approved DPA 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).

Ends/Friday, September 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:16

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