Draft Shek Kwu Chau Outline Zoning Plan approved
************************************************

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Shek Kwu Chau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment in the Shek Kwu Chau area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (March 23).

     The planning scheme area covers about 150 hectares, including Shek Kwu Chau island and a proposed artificial island to be formed by reclamation to its southwest.

     The general planning intention is to protect the area's high ecological value, to cater for the requirement for government, institution and community facilities and to facilitate the planned development of integrated waste management facilities on the reclaimed land while protecting the adjoining areas from encroachment by development.

     About 15.58 hectares of land are zoned "Government, Institution or Community".  Major existing facilities include hostels, workshops, a hospital, reservoirs, ancillary facilities of a voluntary drug treatment and rehabilitation centre and an anti-drug education centre.

     About 15.71 hectares of land will be an artificial island formed by reclamation. Of this, about 13.65 hectares are zoned "Other Specified Use" ("OU") annotated "Integrated Waste Management Facilities" to designate land for waste treatment facilities, while another 2.06 hectares are zoned "OU" annotated "Breakwater".

     About 89.64 hectares are zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features for conservation, educational and research purposes.

     In addition, about 13.35 hectares are zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment with a minimum of built environment.

     The approved Shek Kwu Chau OZP No. S/I-SKC/2 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin, the Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office and the Islands District Office.

     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 on the Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

Ends/Friday, March 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:00

NNNN