Draft Ta Kwu Ling North Outline Zoning Plan approved
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     The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Ta Kwu Ling North Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Ta Kwu Ling North area (the area)," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board (the Board) said today (May 13).

     The planning scheme area, covering an area of 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 of the area 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 area as well as to promote sustainable agricultural activities.

     A total of 27.83 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to demarcate existing recognised villages and areas suitable for village expansion.

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

     A total area of 99.8 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 designated as "Recreation" to encourage the development of low-density 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 uses.

     To retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land, farm and fish ponds for agricultural purposes, about 54.62 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture".

     A total of 221.46 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 OZP No. S/NE-TKLN/2 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 North District Office; and the Ta Kwu Ling District Rural Committee.

     Copies of the approved OZP 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, May 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:01

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