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Following is a question by Dr the Hon Ho Sing-tin and a reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, at the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Now that the Hong Kong International Airport has moved from Kowloon City District to Chek Lap Kok, will the Government inform this Council whether it will consider relaxing the plot ratio applicable to buildings in the Kowloon City District; if so, what the details are; if not, why not?

Reply:

Madam President,

The permissible plot ratio for most buildings in the Kowloon City District is 6-7.5 for residential buildings and 12 for commercial and industrial buildings as provided under the Outline Zoning Plan. Many of the buildings have not achieved this development ratio because of the height restriction necessitated by the Kai Tak Airport. As a result of the removal of the airport to Chek Lap Kok, the height restriction has been removed in July 1998, and all sites in Kowloon City District have since been permitted to be developed up to the limits as prescribed under the relevant Outline Zoning Plans, land leases or the Building (Planning) Regulations, as the case may be.

End/Wednesday, November 11, 1998

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