Draft Mau Ping Outline Zoning Plan gazetted
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     The Town Planning Board today (August 22) announced the publication of the Draft Mau Ping Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The Planning Scheme Area of the OZP, covering a total area of about 45 hectares, is an upland valley surrounded by the Ma On Shan Country Park, about mid-way between the Sai Kung area to the southeast and the Ma On Shan area to the northwest.

     A spokesman for the Town Planning Board said that the general planning intention for the area is to protect its conservation and landscape value which complements the overall naturalness and the landscape beauty of the surrounding Ma On Shan Country Park. The planning intention is also to reflect the existing recognised villages of Mau Ping and Wong Chuk Shan.

     A total of about 0.81 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to reflect the two existing recognised villages, and to provide land considered suitable for village expansion.

     About 44.45 hectares of land are zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area for conservation, educational and research purposes and to separate sensitive natural environments such as Country Park from the adverse effects of development. This zone mainly covers the woodlands, which are natural in character and ecologically linked with the Ma On Shan Country Park. Protected plant species, as well as a number of animal species of conservation interest have been recorded in the area.

     The draft Mau Ping OZP 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 Sha Tin District Office; the Sha Tin Rural Committee, and the Sai Kung Rural Committee.

     Any person may make written representations in respect of the draft plan to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before October 22.

     Copies of the draft plans 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, August 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:00

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