Draft Ta Kwu Ling North Development Permission Area Plan approved
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     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Ta Kwu Ling North Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan.
 
     "The approved DPA Plan provides guidance for planning and to facilitate development control within the Ta Kwu Ling North area during the period required for detailed analysis of the land use pattern, study of infrastructural provisions and examination of development options for the formulation of an outline zoning plan (OZP)," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (May 18).

     The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 431 hectares, is bounded by Sham Chun River in the north, Lin Ma Hang Road in the northeast, Wong Mau Hang Shan in the east, Tung Fung Au and Tung Lo Hang in the south, and Ping Che Road in the west. The North East New Territories Landfill is located immediately to the southeast of the Area at Wo Keng Shan.   

     The general planning intention is to promote cultural conservation and recreation tourism, to provide suitable facilities to meet the territorial need and cross-boundary infrastructure, to protect the natural setting and cultural integrity of the Planning Scheme Area as well as to promote sustainable agricultural activities.

     A total of 25.37 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to reflect existing recognised and other villages, and to provide land considered suitable for village expansion and reprovisioning of village houses affected by Government projects.

     About 1.98 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to serve the needs of the local as well as district population.

     A total area of 115.19 hectares, comprising abandoned agricultural land around Pak Fu Shan, north of the Tsung Yuen Ha, Ha Heung Yuen and Heung Yuen Wai, a large area east of Kan Tau Wai and Kaw Liu Village, is zoned "Recreation" to encourage the development of active and/or passive recreation and tourism/eco-tourism.

     The proposed Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point southwest of Pak Fu Shan with an area of 23.82 hectares is zoned "Other Specified Uses (Boundary Crossing Facilities)" for the development of boundary crossing facilities and related activities.

     About 55.33 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture" to retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land, farm and fish ponds for agricultural purposes.

     A total of 207.82 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt", which mainly covers the prominent hilly areas of the densely-vegetated Wong Mau Hang Shan, Pak Fu Shan and Tung Lo Hang. Green buffer areas also include permitted burial grounds within the  area and the "fung-shui" woods adjoining the villages. There is a general presumption against development within the zone.

     The "fung-shui" woods at the back of Heung Yuen Wai with an area of 1.1 hectares is zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and preserve the existing natural character.

     The approved Ta Kwu Ling North DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-TKLN/3 is available for public inspection during 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 North District Office; and the Ta Kwu Ling District Rural Committee.

     Copies of the approved DPA Plan 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 Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

Ends/Friday, May 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:46

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