The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tai Tan, Uk Tau, Ko Tong and Ko Tong Ha Yeung Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Tai Tan, Uk Tau, Ko Tong and Ko Tong Ha Yeung area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (August 25).

     The planning scheme area, covering a total land area of about 70.79 hectares, is surrounded by Sai Kung East and Sai Kung West Country Parks and fronts Ko Tong Hau in the northeast.

     The general planning intention of the area is to protect its high conservation and landscape value which complements the overall naturalness and landscape beauty of the surrounding country parks. It is also intended to consolidate village development so as to avoid undesirable disturbances to the natural environment and overtaxing the limited infrastructure in the area.

     About 5.40 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to designate both the existing recognised villages and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion.

     About 1.77 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" primarily for the provision of Government, institution or community (GIC) facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. The major existing GIC facilities under this zone include the public toilet at Ko Tong Ha Yeung, two refuse collection points at Wong Shek Pier and Ko Tong Ha Yeung, the telephone exchange, Civil Aid Service Tai Tan Camp and the Jockey Club Wong Shek Water Sports Centre.

     About 0.08 hectares of land is zoned "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Pier" which covers the Wong Shek Pier.

     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 60.21 hectares of land, comprising mainly woodlands, shrublands, seasonally wet grassland, marshes and streams including the Tai Tan Ecologically Important Stream and their riparian zones, is zoned "Green Belt" to provide a buffer between the village type developments and the country parks and conserve the natural and landscape character of the Area. This zone also comprises the small portions of the permitted burial ground along the southeastern fringe of the area.

     About 0.57 hectares of land 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 environment such as country park from the adverse effects of development. This zone covers the mature woodland to the northeast of Ko Tong Village which supports some protected plant species and plant species of conservation interest.

     About 2.53 hectares of land is zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment, including attractive geological features, physical landforms or areas of high landscape, scenic or ecological value, with a minimum of built development. This zone mainly covers the coastal area along Ko Tong Hau. It primarily consists of natural coastline with mangroves, marsh, backshore vegetation and sandy shore along the edge of the area and at the estuarine area along the northern section, which supports diverse mangrove fauna species and six mangrove species. The estuarine area also serves as a habitat for diverse brackish fish species.

     The approved Tai Tan, Uk Tau, Ko Tong and Ko Tong Ha Yeung OZP No. S/NE-TT/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 Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office; the Tai Po District Office and the Sai Kung North 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, August 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00

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