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The Buildings Department approved 14 building plans in May -- three on Hong Kong Island, one in Kowloon and 10 in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, six were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, one were for commercial development, two were for factory and industrial developments and five were for community services developments.

In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 13 building projects that, on completion, will provide 5,801 square metres of usable domestic floor area and 15,477 square metres of usable non-domestic floor area.

The department also issued 13 occupation permits -- four on Hong Kong Island and nine in the New Territories.

Of the buildings certified for occupation, the usable floor areas for domestic and non-domestic uses were 131,903 square metres and 160,074 square metres respectively.

The declared cost of the new buildings completed in May totalled about $5.233 billion.

In addition, seven demolition consents involving seven building structures were issued.

The department received 2,456 complaints against unauthorised building works in May, and issued 1,254 removal orders on unauthorised works.

End/Monday, July 7, 2003

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