Approved Tai Po Outline Zoning Plan amended
*******************************************

     The Town Planning Board today (September 17) announced amendments to the approved Tai Po Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The amendments mainly involved imposing plot ratio/gross floor area and building height restrictions on all development-related land use zonings covered by the OZP. The main objective is to meet public aspirations for greater certainty and transparency in the statutory planning system. In general, the building height restrictions reflect the existing land uses, townscape and character of Tai Po New Town, with a stepped building height profile descending progressively from the urban core to the peripheral areas.

     Other amendments involved rezoning and adjustments to zoning boundaries to tally with current planning practice and reflect existing uses. The sites zoned "Commercial/Residential" ("C/R") are rezoned to either "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)"), "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") or "Open Space". A site at Po Heung Street is rezoned from "C/R" and "G/IC" to "Residential (Group A) 1" for public housing development. Three pieces of land are designated non-building areas in the "R(A)", "Recreation Priority Area" and "Comprehensive Development Area (1)" zones.

     The draft Tai Po OZP No. S/TP/22, incorporating the amendments, 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 Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, Tai Po District Office and Tai Po Rural Committee.

     Any person can make written representation in respect of the amendments to the secretary of the Board on or before November 17.  Representations made to the Board will be available for public inspection.

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

Ends/Friday, September 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:19

NNNN