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Following is a question by the Hon Tang Siu-tong and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Housing, Ms Elaine Chung, in the Legislative Council today (April 17):

Question:

Regarding the planned development density adopted for the Housing Department's proposed Tsing Yi Area 10 Phases 4 and 5 public housing development project (i.e. the redevelopment of the shopping arcade in Cheung Hang Estate and the construction of four additional public rental housing ("PRH") blocks in the estate), and the Housing Authority's switch from using the "development ratio" to "plot ratio" in calculating the development density of PRH estates since the middle of 2000, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the original basis adopted for calculating the planned development density of the development project mentioned above, and whether the Housing Department has subsequently made an application for changing the relevant calculation basis; if so, the progress in vetting the application;

(b) of the permitted maximum plot ratio for the site at Tsing Yi Area 10 as prescribed in the latest outline zoning plan for the area;

(c) whether the Planning Department, Transport Department, Environmental Protection Department or other government departments have expressed objection to or reservations over the Housing Department's proposed change to the development density of Cheung Hang Estate; if so, of the details;

(d) of the differences in the gross building floor area, site area and plot ratio of Cheung Hang Estate before and after the completion of the development project mentioned above, calculated in terms of "plot ratio";

(e) of the differences in the gross building floor area, net area and development ratio of Cheung Hang Estate before and after the completion of the development project mentioned above, calculated in terms of "development ratio"; and

(f) of the reasons for the Housing Authority's switching to using the "plot ratio" in calculating the development density of PRH estates, and the mechanism adopted by the authorities concerned for vetting and approving applications for changing the calculation basis of development density?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Prior to mid-2000, the Housing Authority used Development Ratio (DR) [as opposed to Plot Ratio (PR)] to calculate the density of its public rental housing and Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) projects. The Planning Brief for Tsing Yi Area 10 Phases 4 and 5 involving the construction of four additional blocks at Cheung Hang Estate was approved in 1999. Since then, the Housing Authority has not changed the permissible Development Ratio and there is no intention to revise the basis of calculation of development density from DR to PR.

(b) The Outline Zoning Plan S/TY/17 for Tsing Yi Area 10 does not have any plot ratio restriction for residential sites.

(c) Planning Department, Transport Department, Environmental Protection Department and other government departments have been consulted and they do not object to Housing Department's proposals.

(d) As explained under (a), "plot ratio" has never been used in the case of Cheung Hang Estate.

(e) The difference in the gross building floor area, in estate area and the development ratio of Cheung Hang Estate before and after the completion of the redevelopment project calculated in terms of development ratio is shown at the Annex.

(f) The Housing Authority changed the basis of calculating development density from DR to PR in mid-2000 in order to align with private sector practice. Irrespective of whether DR or PR is used, the approval procedure for the planning briefs of public rental housing projects is the same. The endorsement of the development parameters by the relevant District Planning Conference of the Planning Department must be obtained prior to commencement of work on site.

End/Wednesday, April 17, 2002

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