Draft Pak Sha O Outline Zoning Plan gazetted
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     The Town Planning Board today (December 4) announced the publication of the draft Pak Sha O Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     The planning scheme area, covering a total land area of about 33.27 hectares, is located at the northern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula. It is encircled by Sai Kung West Country Park with Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park to its further north. The area falls entirely within the upper indirect water gathering ground.

     A spokesman for the Board said, "The general planning intention for the area is to conserve the high natural landscape and ecological significance of the area in safeguarding the natural habitat and natural system of the wider area. It is also intended to consolidate village development so as to avoid undesirable disturbances to the natural environment and overtaxing the limited infrastructure in the area."

     About 1.2 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" ("V") to designate both existing recognised villages and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion, including a more restrictive "Village Type Development (1)" sub-area for preserving the existing village setting.

     Three sites with a total area of about 0.52 hectares are 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, the region or the territory. The major GIC facilities include Pak Sha O Youth Hostel, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel and a public toilet located to the south of the youth hostel.

     About 0.18 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture" to retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land/farm/fish ponds for agricultural purposes. It is also intended to retain fallow arable land with good potential for rehabilitation for cultivation and other agricultural purposes.

     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 29.46 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt" comprising mainly woodlands, scrublands and streams, including the Hoi Ha Ecologically Important Stream (EIS) and its riparian zone, the buffer between the "V" zone and the EIS, and part of a permitted burial ground.

     About 1.36 hectares of land is zoned "Conservation Area" ("CA") to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area for conservation, educational and research purposes and to separate sensitive natural environment such as Country Park from the adverse effects of development. The mature woodland (fung shui woodland) on the hillsides forming the backdrop of the Pak Sha O village cluster and the large stretch of freshwater marsh to the south of the Pak Sha O Ha Yeung village cluster are zoned "CA".

     The draft Pak Sha O OZP is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the 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 February 4, 2016.

     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, December 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:01

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