Draft URA Shanghai Street / Argyle Street Development Scheme Plan approved
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     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Shanghai Street / Argyle Street Development Scheme Plan (DSP).

      "The approved DSP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the implementation of the URA Shanghai Street / Argyle Street Development Scheme," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board (the Board) said today (March 12).

     The Development Scheme Area, covering about 1,128 square metres, comprises 10 pre-war verandah-type shophouses at Nos. 600-606, 612-614 and 620-626 Shanghai Street and four post-war residential buildings at Nos. 608-610 and 616-618 Shanghai Street.  The Scheme boundary also includes the portion of public footpath over which the existing verandahs of the pre-war shophouses extend.

     The area is zoned "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Shophouses for Commercial and/or Cultural Uses" which is intended for preservation and adaptive re-use of the shophouses at Nos. 600-606, 612-614 and 620-626 Shanghai Street for commercial and/or cultural uses to serve the needs of the public.  

     The post-war buildings at Nos. 608-610 and 616-618 Shanghai Street are intended to be rehabilitated and/or redeveloped for commercial and/or cultural uses and to accommodate the necessary building services.  

     In order to maintain adequate planning control over the development intensity, the maximum building height of the area is restricted to three storeys or the height of the existing building, whichever is the greater.  

     For the pre-war shophouses, any new development, except alteration and/or modification to an existing building and new structure(s) for facilities that are ancillary and directly related to the always permitted uses, will require planning permission from the Board.  

     For the post-war buildings within the area, any new development or redevelopment of an existing building, except alteration and/or modification to an existing building and new structure(s) for facilities that are ancillary and directly related to the always permitted uses, will also require planning permission from the Board.  The ancillary facilities which will be permitted as of right include lifts and means of escape facilities.

     The approved DSP No. S/K3/URA3/2 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office and Yau Tsim Mong District Office.

     Copies of the approved DSP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei.  The electronic version of the DSP can be viewed at the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

Ends/Friday, March 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:30

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