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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Wu Kau Tang Outline Zoning Plan. The approved plan provides a statutory planning framework to guide future development within the Wu Kau Tang area.

The plan covers a total land area of about 103.73 hectares located in the north-east New Territories. The population of the area was about 325 persons in 1996. It is estimated to be about 2,050 persons upon full development.

The plan comprises extensive areas of high-quality natural landscape enclosed by the Plover Cove Country Park.

The majority of the land area (about 87.82 hectares) is zoned "Conservation Area" to protect the upper direct water gathering ground and the streams flowing to Chiu Keng Tam which support a thriving population of dragonfly species. The zone is also intended to provide a buffer to the adjacent Plover Cove Country Park.

The "Green Belt" zone (about 3.73 hectares) covers the lower hill slopes and an isolated knoll. The zone is intended to preserve natural vegetation as well as to provide a passive recreational outlet for the public.

The only active development provided for the area is the "Village Type Development" (about 11.08 hectares), which mainly covers existing recognised villages occupying the flat land.

The approved OZP (No. S/NE-WKT/2) is now available for public inspection at the following venues:

* Planning Department, 15th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road;

* Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, Ground Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 6 Tung Lo Wan Hill Road, Tai Wai; and

* North District Office, 3rd Floor, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling.

Copies of the approved plan are available for sale in the Map Publications Centres of the Survey and Mapping Offices in North Point and Yau Ma Tei.

End/Friday, May 21, 1999

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