**************************************
The Buildings Department approved 49 building plans in February - 17 on Hong Kong Island, 16 in Kowloon and 16 in the New Territories.
Of the approved plans, 32 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, five were for commercial developments, five were for factory and industrial developments, and seven were for community services developments.
In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 13 building projects that, when completed, will provide 228,346 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 4,504 units, and 93,135 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for 10 building projects.
The department also issued 18 occupation permits - eight on Hong Kong Island, one in Kowloon and nine in the New Territories.
Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 44,459 square metres, involving 349 units, and 137,496 square metres for non-domestic use.
The declared cost of new buildings completed in February totalled about $2.1 billion.
In addition, eight demolition consents involving eight building structures were issued.
The department received 1,617 complaints against unauthorised building works in February, and issued 619 removal orders on unauthorised works.
The full version of the Monthly Digest for February can be viewed by the public on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk ).
Ends/Monday, March 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:01
NNNN
