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The Town Planning Board (the Board) today (April 24) announced the publication of the draft Chek Keng Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The planning scheme area, covering a total area of about 34.74 hectares, is surrounded by Sai Kung East Country Park except where it fronts onto Chek Keng Hau in the north, one of the sea bays along the northern coast of the Country Park.
A spokesman for the Board said the general planning intention for the area is to protect its high conservation and landscape value which complements the overall naturalness and the landscape beauty of the surrounding Country Park. It is also to consolidate village development so as to avoid undesirable disturbances to the natural environment and overtaxing the limited infrastructure in the area.
About 2.24 hectares of land are zoned "Village Type Development" to designate both the existing recognised village and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion.
About 0.08 hectare of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" primarily for the provision of Government, institution or community (GIC) facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. The major GIC facilities include a public toilet and a refuse collection point along MacLehose Trail in the eastern part of the area, as well as Holy Family Chapel at the southern fringe of Chek Keng Village.
To define the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas by natural features and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets, about 28.82 hectares of land, comprising mainly woodlands, shrublands, grasslands and streams, are zoned "Green Belt" to provide a buffer between the village type developments and Sai Kung East Country Park, and conserve the natural and rural character of the area.
About 3.6 hectares of land are zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment, including attractive geological features, physical landform or area of high landscape, scenic or ecological value, with a minimum of built development. This zone mainly covers the coastal area along Chek Keng Hau to the north of MacLehose Trail (with the exception of a few houses and ruins at the existing village cluster) and the cliff of the vegetated knoll to the south of the trail. It primarily consists of sandy/rocky shore with cliff, backshore vegetation, mangroves and stream estuaries.
The draft Chek Keng OZP 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 Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office; the Tai Po District Office; and the Sai Kung North Rural Committee.
Any person may make written representations in respect of the draft plan to the Secretary of the Board on or before June 24.
Copies of the draft 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 at the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb/).
Ends/Friday, April 24, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:01
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