Draft Ping Chau Development Permission Area Plan gazetted
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     The Town Planning Board today (March 28) announced the publication of the draft Ping Chau Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan.

     The draft DPA Plan covers an area of about 29 hectares on Ping Chau Island in Mirs Bay, the easternmost outlying island of Hong Kong. A large part of Ping Chau Island is included in Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park and is surrounded by the Tung Ping Chau Marine Park. It was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and one of the eight Geo-Areas of the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China.

     A spokesman for the Town Planning Board said the general planning intention of the area is to conserve its high landscape and geological significance, to protect its unique landscape character and to maintain the rural and natural character of the area. The planning intention is also to reflect the existing recognised villages of Ping Chau.

     About 2.15 hectares of the area is zoned "Village Type Development" to reflect the existing recognised villages. The remaining 26.76 hectares of the area is designated "Unspecified Use", pending detailed analysis and studies to establish the appropriate land uses in the course of preparing an Outline Zoning Plan.

     The draft Ping Chau DPA Plan is now 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 Tai Po District Office; and the Sai Kung North Rural Committee.

     Any person may make representation in respect of the draft plan to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before May 28.

     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 Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

Ends/Friday, March 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:00

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