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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Lin Ma Hang Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan.
"The approved DPA Plan provides guidance for planning and to facilitate development control within the Lin Ma Hang 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 (January 18).
The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 329 hectares, is bounded by Sham Chun River to the north, Robin's Nest (Hung Fa Leng) to the east and south, and Wong Mau Hang Shan to the west. The North East New Territories Landfill is located immediately to the southwest of the Area at Wo Keng Shan.
The general planning intention of the Area is to protect the natural setting, environmental diversity and to promote cultural conservation and recreation tourism. It is also the planning intention to conserve the rural character, the natural habitats including the undisturbed woodland and lowland river habitats, the unique landscape as well as the ecologically important areas and the upland scene of the Area.
A total of 13.35 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to demarcate existing recognised villages and areas suitable for village expansion.
About 0.8 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to serve the needs of the local as well as district population.
To retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land, farm and fish ponds for agricultural purposes, about 39.15 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture".
A total of 263.21 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt", covering mainly the hilly terrain in the east (including Robin's Nest), mountainous areas of Wong Mau Hang Shan and the permitted burial grounds for indigenous villagers. A land corridor adjoining Lin Ma Hang Stream is also zoned "Green Belt" to serve as a vegetated buffer to separate the village area from the river. There is a general presumption against development within the zone.
The "fung-shui" woods at the eastern backdrop of Lin Ma Hang, with an area of about 1.95 hectares, are zoned as "Conservation Area" to retain and preserve the existing natural character.
A total area of 10.62 hectares is zoned "Site of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI). This zoning covers two designated SSSIs. The first one is the Lin Ma Hang Stream with the main course about 2 kilometres long and 1.5 metres to 4 metres wide. Designated in July 2007, it is a freshwater fish hotspot supporting 16 species of primary freshwater fish. The Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine, which has been designated as a SSSI since 1994, is included in this zone. It is a deserted lead mine and is one of the most important bat colonies in Hong Kong, providing an undisturbed resting, breeding and wintering ground for eight bat species. There is a general presumption against development in this zone. No developments are permitted unless they are needed to support the conservation of the features of special scientific interest in the SSSI, to maintain and protect the existing character of the SSSI, or for educational and research purposes.
The approved Lin Ma Hang DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-LMH/2 is available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board; the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin; the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office; the North District Office; and the Sha Tau Kok District 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, January 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:01
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