Draft Clear Water Bay Peninsula North Outline Zoning Plan approved
**********************************************************

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Clear Water Bay Peninsula North Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

      "The approved OZP will establish a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment in the Clear Water Bay Peninsula North area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (September 17).

     The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 498 hectares, is located to the immediate east of Tseung Kwan O New Town, separated by the steep slopes of Razor Hill and Sheung Yeung Shan.  It is fronting Ngau Mei Hoi (Port Shelter) in the east and bounded by steep wooded hillslopes in the north, west and south.  The northern part, comprising the Tai Po Tsai and Silverstrand areas, is characterised by clusters of village houses and low-rise residential developments.  The southern part, covering Mang Kung Uk, Pan Long Wan and Sheung Yeung, is generally rural and natural in character with villages scattered on foothills and valley floors.  The Plan covers a small portion of the Clear Water Bay Country Park.

     A large portion of the area, covering 215.39 hectares, is zoned "Conservation Area" to retain and protect the natural landscape, as well as the ecological or topographical features for conservation, educational and research purposes.  

     A total of 68.31 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC").  Major existing "G/IC" facilities include the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the Adventist College, Sam Yuk Middle School and the TV Uplink and Downlink Centre.  Two sites near the HKUST are reserved for a private hospital and staff quarters.

     About 37.12 hectares are zoned "Residential (Group C)".   The planning intention is to maintain several areas as low-rise and low-density residential areas, including Silverstrand, Hang Hau Wing Lung Road, and several areas along Clear Water Bay Road, Ah Kung Wan Road and Pak To Avenue.

     A total of 14.53 hectares is zoned "Comprehensive Development Area" ("CDA"). Of which, about 6.68 hectares near Tai Po Tsai are zoned "CDA(1)" for a comprehensive residential development, and 7.53 hectares to the south of HKUST are zoned "CDA(2)" for a comprehensive residential, commercial and residential institution development.

     About 0.27 hectares near Silverstrand Beach is zoned "Commercial" and some 39.48 hectares are zoned "Village Type Development" to designate land for development of small houses by indigenous villagers.

     A total of 1.53 hectares of land is zoned "Open Space" for active and passive recreational uses while about 35.54 hectares, covering mainly hill slopes and wooded areas, are zoned "Green Belt".

     Another 22.43 hectares along the coastal areas are zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment where attractive geological features and physical landforms or areas of high landscape, scenic or ecological value are found.

     In addition, an area of 45.33 hectares is zoned "Country Park", which covers the densely vegetated hill-slopes in the southern end of the planning scheme area. It is part of the Clear Water Bay Country Park.

     The approved Clear Water Bay Peninsula North OZP No. S/SK-CWBN/4 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, the Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office, the Sai Kung District Office and the Hang Hau Rural Committee.

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

Ends/Friday, September 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:17

NNNN