************************************************************
The Town Planning Board (the Board) today (January 8) announced the publication of amendments to the approved Tung Chung Town Centre Area Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) and two new draft OZPs for the Tung Chung Extension Area and Tung Chung Valley. The new Tung Chung Valley OZP also replaces the draft Tung Chung Valley Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan published on August 21, 2015.
The amendments to the approved Tung Chung Town Centre Area OZP and the two new OZPs are to take forward the recommendations of the Tung Chung New Town Extension Study (Tung Chung Study). The Tung Chung Study was jointly commissioned by the Civil Engineering and Development Department and Planning Department, with the overall objective to extend Tung Chung into a distinct community and propose a development plan which can meet housing, social, economic, environmental and local needs.
Amendments to the Approved Tung Chung Town Centre Area OZP
----------------------------------------------------------
The amendments to the approved Tung Chung Town Centre Area OZP mainly involve the revision of the planning scheme area to include the existing developments in the Tung Chung town centre area and the proposed development areas under the Tung Chung Study, excision of areas north of Ying Hei Road, and revision of the zonings of the area to the east of Yat Tung Estate to reflect land use proposals under the Tung Chung Study. The amendments also involve adjustments to the zoning and planning scheme boundaries to reflect the existing situation, as-built condition, local topography and land status, as well as to tally with the existing coastline and Country Parks boundary.
The Notes and the Explanatory Statement of the Tung Chung Town Centre Area OZP are also amended to reflect the above amendments and to update the general information on various land use zones and the planning circumstances.
Draft Tung Chung Extension Area OZP
-----------------------------------
The planning scheme area of the draft Tung Chung Extension Area OZP, covering about 216.67 hectares, is located on the northshore of Lantau Island to the southeast of the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. The area is planned as an extension area of the Tung Chung New Town from its existing town centre area. It consists of the existing areas to the north of Ying Hei Road, the reclamation area of the New Town extension (about 120.5 hectares) and the reclamation area for the planned Road P1 (Tung Chung - Tai Ho Section) (about 8.6 hectares) connecting the area with the existing town centre area and North Lantau Highway.
About 7.38 hectares are zoned "Commercial" ("C") for commercial developments functioning as territorial business/financial centre and regional or district commercial/shopping centre.
About 42.03 hectares are zoned "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)") which is intended primarily for high-density residential developments. It covers land reserved for both public and private housing developments.
About 17 hectares are zoned "Residential (Group B)" ("R(B)") which is intended primarily for medium-density residential developments.
About 21.47 hectares are zoned "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC"). This zone is intended 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.
About 27.12 hectares are zoned "Open Space" ("O") for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses serving the needs of the local residents as well as the general public.
Land designated for specific uses such as "Commercial and Residential Development cum Public Transport Interchange" and "Marina Club, Boat Repairing and Commercial Facilities associated with Marina Development", totalling about 10.81 hectares, is zoned "Other Specified Uses" ("OU").
About 20.32 hectares are zoned "Green Belt" ("GB"). It is intended to define the limits of urban and suburban development areas by natural features and to preserve the existing topography and natural vegetation at the fringe of the new town as well as to provide passive recreational outlets.
Draft Tung Chung Valley OZP
---------------------------
The planning scheme area of the draft Tung Chung Valley OZP, covering about 168.27 hectares, is located in the northern part of Lantau Island to the southwest of Tung Chung town centre area. It is accessible by vehicles via Tung Chung Road, Yu Tung Road and Shek Mun Kap Road. It is encircled by the Lantau North (Extension) Country Park to the west, south and southeast, Tung Chung Bay to the north and Tung Chung town centre area to the northeast.
About 1.18 hectares are zoned "C" for commercial developments functioning mainly as the local shopping centre serving the immediate neighbourhood. Three sites to the north of Yu Tung Road are designated "C(1)" and "C(2)" to capitalise on the proximity to the proposed railway station to the southwest of Yat Tung Estate.
About 19.31 hectares are zoned "Residential (Group C)" ("R(C)") which is primarily intended for low-rise and low-density residential developments.
About 14.59 hectares are zoned "Village Type Development" ("V") which is to designate both existing recognised villages and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion.
About 2.39 hectares are zoned "G/IC". This zone is intended primarily for the provision of GIC facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory.
About 3 hectares are zoned "O" for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents as well as the general public.
Land designated for specific uses including "River Park", "Stormwater Attenuation and Treatment Ponds", and "Polder", totalling about 8.45 hectares, is zoned "OU".
About 51.93 hectares are zoned "GB". It is intended 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 54.63 hectares are zoned "Conservation Area" ("CA"). It is intended to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area.
About 6.49 hectares are zoned "Coastal Protection Area" ("CPA"). It is intended to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment with a minimum of built development.
As the draft Tung Chung Valley DPA plan has now been replaced by the draft Tung Chung Valley OZP, the draft DPA plan ceases to be effective. The representations and comments on representations received in respect of the draft DPA plan will not be further processed.
Any person may make representations in respect of the draft Tung Chung Town Centre Area OZP, the draft Tung Chung Extension Area OZP and the draft Tung Chung Valley OZP, to the Secretary of the Board on or before March 8.
The three draft plans are 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 Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office, the Islands District Office and the Tung Chung Rural Committee.
Copies of the draft plans 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, January 8, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:01
NNNN