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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The approved OZP indicates the broad land use zonings for the Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai 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 19).
The planning scheme area, covering an area of about 500 hectares, is bounded by the southern bank of Sham Chun River in the north, Lo Wu Station and Mass Transit Railway (East Rail Line) in the east, Tai Shek Mo in the south as well as Tai Law Hau in the west.
The general planning intention of the area is to protect the natural setting, environmental diversity and to promote heritage conservation and recreation tourism. It is also the planning intention to conserve the rural character, the natural habitats including the contiguous wetland complex of ecological importance, 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.
The Ho Sheung Heung Egretry together with its peripheral secondary woodland and fishponds with an area of 10.81 hectares is zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area.
An area of 228.37 hectares is zoned "Conservation Area (1)" covering the wetland complex in Hoo Hok Wai to protect and conserve the ecological value of wetland and fish ponds. The "no-net-loss in wetland" principle is adopted for any change in use within the zone.
A total of 198.2 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt", covering the woodland and densely vegetated hillslopes at Ma Tso Lung, Tai Shek Mo, and Tse Koo Hang, and the permitted burial grounds for indigenous villagers. There is a general presumption against development within the zone.
To retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land, farm and fish ponds for agricultural purposes, as well as to retain fallow arable land with good potential for rehabilitation for cultivation and other agricultural purposes, about 33.67 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture".
An area of 9.15 hectares to the west of Tse Koo Hang is zoned "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Eco-lodge" for development of sustainable-based tourism in the form of eco-lodge development.
A total of 6.33 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to demarcate existing recognised village, namely Liu Pok and area suitable for village expansion.
About 1.62 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" for the provision of Government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory.
The approved Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai OZP No. S/NE-MTL/3 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, the Sheung Shui District Rural Committee and the Ta Kwu Ling 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 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:07
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