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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Sham Chung Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment in the Sham Chung area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (December 10).
The planning scheme area covers about 32 hectares of land. It is located northwest of Sai Kung, separated from Three Fathoms Cove (Kei Ling Ha Hoi) in the west, and bounded by the Sai Kung West Country Park in the north, east and south. Further south of the area is Yung Shue O Village. Shap Sz Heung lies opposite the Three Fathoms Cove.
The general planning intention is to conserve areas of high ecological significance, and to protect the rural character as well as maintain its unique landscape and cultural heritage.
About 2.6 hectares of land are zoned "Village Type Development" to cover Sham Chung Village and land suitable for village expansion.
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About 6.9 hectares of low-lying flat land in the middle part of the area are zoned "Agriculture", to retain fallow arable land for cultivation or other agricultural purposes and to encourage ecological restoration.
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About 2.3 hectares are zoned "Green Belt" to define the limit of development by natural features and to provide passive recreational outlets.
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About 16.2 hectares are zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features for conservation, educational and research purposes, and to separate sensitive natural environment, such as country park, from the adverse effects of development.
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The remaining 4.3 hectares at the western end are zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to protect and retain the coastline and the sensitive coastal environment, which contains three species of mangroves.
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The approved Sham Chung OZP No. S/NE-SC/3 is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board; the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin; the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office; the Tai Po District Office and Sai Kung North 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 Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
Ends/Friday, December 10, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:05
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