The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tung Chung Valley Area Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment within the Tung Chung Valley," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (February 17).

     The planning scheme area, covering a total area of about 168.27 hectares, is located in the northern part of Lantau Island to the southwest of Tung Chung town centre area. It is accessible by vehicles via Tung Chung Road, Yu Tung Road and Shek Mun Kap Road. It is encircled by the Lantau North (Extension) Country Park to the west, south and southeast, Tung Chung Bay to the north and Tung Chung town centre area to the northeast.

     About 1.18 hectares are zoned "Commercial" for commercial developments functioning mainly as the local shopping centre serving the immediate neighbourhood. Three sites to the north of Yu Tung Road are designated "Commercial (1)" and "Commercial (2)" to capitalise on the proximity to the proposed railway station to the southwest of Yat Tung Estate. 

     About 19.31 hectares are zoned "Residential (Group C)" covering seven sites which are primarily intended for low-rise and low-density residential developments.

     About 14.59 hectares are zoned "Village Type Development" which is to designate both existing recognised villages and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion.

     About 2.39 hectares are zoned "Government, Institution or Community". This zone is intended primarily for the provision of government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory.

     About 3 hectares are zoned "Open Space" 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. This zone covers the existing open area and recreational facilities in front of and around Hau Wong Temple and its nearby waterfront area.

     Land designated for specific uses including "River Park", "Stormwater Attenuation and Treatment Ponds" and "Polder", totalling about 8.45 hectares, are zoned "Other Specified Uses".

     About 51.93 hectares are zoned "Green Belt" covering the natural vegetated areas and some fragmented woodlands in the vicinity of the villages. This zone is intended 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 54.63 hectares are zoned "Conservation Area" covering the riparian area along and the upper catchment of Tung Chung Stream and the mature woodlands near Ngau Au and Shek Mun Kap. This zone is intended 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 environment from the adverse effects of development.

     About 6.49 hectares are zoned "Coastal Protection Area" covering the estuary of Tung Chung Bay which is intended to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment with a minimum of built development. This zone provides a buffer area to avoid encroachment and adverse impact on the coastal area and both sides of Tung Chung Stream near the outlet.

     The approved Tung Chung Valley OZP No. S/I-TCV/2 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 Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office, the Islands District Office and the Tung Chung 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 Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

Ends/Friday, February 17, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:01

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