************************************************************
The Government announced today (July 18) the results of the Planning and Engineering Study on Development of Lok Ma Chau Loop.
The Study was jointly commissioned by the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments in June 2009 to formulate proposals to develop the Loop for higher education as the leading land use, complemented by high-tech research and development (R&D) and cultural and creative (C&C) industries.
Two rounds of public engagement (PE) have been conducted, with the Stage 2 PE completed in July 2012. "The public comments received in Hong Kong and Shenzhen during the Stage 2 PE indicate that the public generally agree with the development proposals," a Government spokesman said.
"According to the Recommended Outline Development Plan, the Loop will be developed into a hub for cross-boundary knowledge and technology exchange zone under the principle of sustainable development. An attractive and vibrant environment conducive to interactions amongst higher education, high-tech R&D and C&C uses will be created," he added.
The spokesman supplemented that the proposed development will be compatible with the surroundings and has been designed to minimise environmental impacts.
At the Hong Kong/Shenzhen Co-operation Meeting held on November 25, 2011, the two governments signed a Co-operation Agreement as the framework for jointly taking forward the development of the Loop.
The Stage 2 PE report and the Information Digest of the Study are available on the study website (www.lmcloop.gov.hk) for public viewing.
Ends/Thursday, July 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:03
NNNN