24 building plans approved in August
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     The Buildings Department approved 24 building plans in August - 12 on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, 11 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, five were for commercial developments, two were for factory and industrial developments and six were for community services developments.

     In the same month, consent was given for work to start on seven building projects that, when completed, will provide 89,876 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,058 units, and 88,820 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for six building projects.

     The department also issued 16 occupation permits - four on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and seven in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use were 89,067 square metres, involving 786 units, and 161,294 square metres for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of the new buildings completed in August totalled about $3.4 billion.

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

    The department received 2,369 complaints against unauthorised building works in August, and issued 814 removal orders on unauthorised works.  

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for August can be viewed by the public on the Buildings Department's homepage, www.bd.gov.hk.

Ends/Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 10:30

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