Buildings Department forms Dedicated Processing Units and introduces streamlining measure for processing general building plans
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     The Buildings Department (BD) today (March 15) announced the formation of Dedicated Processing Units (DPUs) and the reduction of information items for the first general building plan (GBP) submission as part of its continuous efforts to expedite the development process.
 
     The formation of DPUs is one of the initiatives in the 2022 Policy Address to enhance speed and efficiency. A spokesman for the BD said, "Targetting high-yield private residential projects with 500 residential units or more, seven DPUs would render assistance proactively and provide facilitation in an early stage, with the involvement of senior officers as appropriate."
 
     Facilitation measures include holding pre-submission conferences with applicants; assisting them to identify suitable design proposals for compliance with the requirements of the Building Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation; as well as liaison with other government departments to resolve issues of concern that are crucial for the development, such as determination of site classification and dedication of area for public passage.  
 
     "The BD's target is to approve around 80 per cent of GBPs on their first or second submission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to approach the DPUs early even before the submission of GBP to identify issues of concern and explore possible options," he said.
 
     Separately, the BD will issue later this month revised practice notes to significantly reduce the number of information items in the first GBP submission by around 30 per cent (from some 140 items to less than 100 items), which will be deferred to subsequent stages of approval, for example, before the commencement of superstructure works or the application for occupation permit. 
 
     This streamlining measure will reduce the details and information required to be shown in the first GBP submissions which may often be subject to amendment subsequently and thus necessitate submission of amendment plans. For example, while it is essential to ensure that the development intensity will not exceed the statutory limit, detailed calculations breakdown and diagrams for accountable and non-accountable gross floor areas may be provided in a later stage. Standard details of minor building elements may also be submitted through subsequent amendment plans.
 
     The spokesman added, "Applicants will be able to save resources and time when preparing first GBP submissions as fewer details are required and to avoid abortive efforts due to changes in building design. By obtaining the first GBP approval more expeditiously, applicants may further develop their design and commence works earlier, thereby speeding up the overall development process."

Ends/Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:00

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