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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Sha Tau Kok Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The approved OZP indicates the broad land use zonings for the Sha Tau Kok area so that development and redevelopment within the area can be put under statutory planning control. It also provides the planning framework for preparing more detailed non-statutory plans which form the basis for public works planning and site reservation for various uses," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (June 13).
The Planning Scheme Area, covering an area of about 557 hectares, is bounded by the Sha Tau Kok River in the north, the Sha Tau Kok Boundary Control Point in the east, Sha Tau Kok Hoi (Starling Inlet) in the southeast and Robin's Nest (Hung Fa Leng) in the southwest and west.
The general planning intention of the area is to promote cultural conservation and recreation tourism. It is the planning intention to conserve the rural character, the natural habitats including the undisturbed woodland and lowland river habitats, and the unique landscape as well as the ecologically important areas and the upland scene of the area.
A total of 39.94 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to demarcate existing recognised villages and areas suitable for village expansion.
About 1.46 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to serve the needs of the local and district populations.
An area south of Tong To extending to the bank of Sha Tau Kok Hoi with an area of 11.26 hectares is designated as "Recreation" to encourage the development of active and/or passive recreation and tourism/eco-tourism.
An area in the coastal strip of land south of Sha Tau Kok Road with an area of 5.14 hectares is zoned "Recreation (1)" for low-intensity recreational developments to promote agri-tourism and eco-tourism.
To retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land, farms and fish ponds for agricultural purposes, about 32.81 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture".
A total of 461.39 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt" covering the eastern fringe of Robin's Nest. The zone also covers the permitted burial grounds for indigenous villagers. There is a general presumption against development within the zone.
The fung shui woods at the backdrops of Muk Min Tau with an area of about 2.77 hectares is zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural character.
The approved Sha Tau Kok OZP No. S/NE-STK/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 OZP 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, June 13, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:04
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