The Town Planning Board today (December 9) announced the publication of the draft Chuen Lung and Ha Fa Shan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
      
     The planning scheme area, covering an area of about 209.95 hectares, is located at the northwestern fringe of the Tsuen Wan New Town. It mainly comprises the stream valleys surrounding Chuen Lung and the upper foothills around Ha Fa Shan to the south of Tai Lam Country Park. Traversed by Route Twisk, the area is bounded to the east by Tai Mo Shan Country Park and to the west by Tai Lam Country Park.
      
     A spokesman for the Board said, "The general planning intention for the area is to protect the natural environment and the rural landscape, with a view to complementing the overall natural environment and the landscape character of the surrounding Tai Lam Country Park and Tai Mo Shan Country Park and to make provision for future Small House development for the indigenous villagers of Chuen Lung and provide appropriate planning control over recreation and religious institution development."

     About 3.13 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to designate both existing recognised village and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion.

     About 1.21 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" primarily for the provision of Government, institution and community facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, a region or the territory. It is also intended to provide land for uses directly related to or in support of the work of the Government, organisations providing social services to meet community needs, and other institutional establishments.
      
     About 0.06 hectares of land is zoned "Open Space" primarily for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents as well as the general public.
      
     About 1.89 hectares of land is zoned "Recreation" primarily for recreational developments for the use of the general public. It encourages the development of active and/or passive recreation and tourism/eco-tourism.
      
     About 5.02 hectares of land is zoned "Other Specified Uses" ("OU") for specified development(s) and/or use(s). One "OU" zone is annotated "Sports and Recreation Club" primarily for the provision of land for sports and recreation club development. Three "OU" zones are annotated "Rural Use" primarily for the preservation of the character of the rural area. Uses or developments compatible with the rural landscape, such as passive recreation uses and a selected range of rural uses, may be allowed on application to the Board, with a view to upgrading or improving the area or providing support to the local communities.
      
     About 8.69 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture" primarily to retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land/farms for agricultural purposes. It is also intended to retain fallow arable land with good potential for rehabilitation for cultivation and other agricultural purposes.
      
     To define the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas by natural features and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets, about 186.75 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt". This zone covers the natural vegetated areas which comprise mainly woodland, shrubland and knolls, streams and some land occupied by agricultural use. Most of the woodland and areas adjoining Tai Mo Shan Country Park and Tai Lam Country Park are within this zone.
      
     The draft Chuen Lung and Ha Fa Shan OZP No. S/TW-CLHFS/1 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin, the Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office, the Tsuen Wan District Office and the Tsuen Wan Rural Committee. 

     Any person can make written representation in respect of the draft plan to the Secretary of the Board on or before February 9, 2017. Representations made to the Board will be available for public inspection.

     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 on the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb/).

Ends/Friday, December 9, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:01

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