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The Buildings Department approved 13 building plans in July - six on Hong Kong Island, one in Kowloon and six in the New Territories.

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

In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 44 building projects that, on completion, will provide 144,106 square metres of usable domestic floor area and 84,791 square metres of usable non-domestic floor area.

The department also issued 18 occupation permits - five on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.

Of the buildings certified for occupation, the usable floor areas for domestic and non-domestic uses were 185,784 square metres and 54,350 square metres respectively.

The declared cost of the new buildings completed in July totalled about $5.828 billion.

In addition, 13 demolition consents involving 13 building structures were issued.

The department received 2,040 complaints against unauthorised building works in July, and issued 1,653 removal orders on unauthorised works.

Ends/Tuesday, October 21, 2003

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