Draft Tai Po Kau Outline Zoning Plan gazetted
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     The Town Planning Board today (February 10) announced the publication of the draft Tai Po Kau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The planning scheme area, covering a total land area of about 11.75 hectares, comprises two Country Park enclaves, namely a site near Ngau Wu Tok and a site near Tai Po Mei, and is encircled by the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve (TPKNR) nestled between Sha Tin and Tai Po.

     A spokesman for the Board said, "The general planning intention of the area is to protect its high conservation and landscape value which complements the overall naturalness and the landscape beauty of the surrounding TPKNR, which was designated as a Special Area comprising a long established forestry plantation."

     Forming an integral part of the wider natural environment of the Special Area, the whole area of about 11.75 hectares is 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 Parks from the adverse effects of development. This zone mainly covers mature woodlands which are ecologically linked with the surrounding TPKNR and where protected plant species can be found, a natural stream running across the site near Ngau Wu Tok and several natural streams flowing through the major portion of the site near Tai Po Mei with no sign of pollution.

     The draft Tai Po Kau OZP No. S/NE-TPK/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 Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office; the Sha Tin District Office; the Tai Po District Office; the Sha Tin Rural Committee; and the Tai Po Rural Committee.

     Any person can make written representation in respect of the draft OZP to the Secretary of the Board on or before April 10. Representations made to the Board will be available for public inspection.

     Copies of the draft Tai Po Kau OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Board’s website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb/).

Ends/Friday, February 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:01

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