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The Town Planning Board today (August 22) announced the publication of the draft Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The draft Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau OZP covers a total area of about 108 hectares. It comprises four islands, namely Yim Tin Tsai, a small island to its northeast, Ma Shi Chau and Yeung Chau. The area is located in Tolo Harbour and forms part of the southern edge of Plover Cove.
A spokesman for the Town Planning Board said the general planning intention of the area is to conserve the areas of high landscape and geological significance, to protect the unique landscape character and to maintain the rural and natural character of the area. It is also intended to provide appropriate planning control for low-rise, low-density residential developments as well as improvement and upgrading of existing temporary structures through redevelopment of existing temporary structures into permanent buildings.
About 0.29 hectares of land is zoned "Residential (Group C)" to reflect the low-rise and low-density residential development at Springdale Garden.
About 4.07 hectares of land is zoned "Residential (Group D)" primarily for improvement and upgrading of existing temporary structures within the rural areas through redevelopment of existing temporary structures into permanent buildings. Sam Mun Tsai San Tsuen, Luen Yick Fishermen Village and the surrounding area occupied by some village houses and temporary domestic structures are under this zone.
About 0.72 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to provide government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. Areas covered by this zone include a church, a vacant village school in Yim Tin Tsai and a proposed village office site at Luen Yick Fishermen Village. An area at the northern tip of Yim Tin Tsai is reserved for government, institution or community purposes.
About 0.42 hectares of land is zoned "Open Space" covering the Sam Mun Tsai Children's Playground and an open area with a rain shelter at Luen Yick Fishermen Village.
About 0.03 hectares of land is zoned "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Pier" for the two sites presently used as piers located at the northern tip of Yim Tin Tsai and to the west of Sam Mun Tsai San Tsuen.
About 28.33 hectares of land is zoned as "Green Belt" 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. There is a general presumption against development within this zone. Areas with natural vegetation, woodland, hilly terrain, hillside shrubland and grassland have been designated as "Green Belt" to protect existing green areas and preserve the hilly terrain in the area.
About 9.01 hectares of land is zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment, including attractive geological features, physical landforms or areas of high landscape, scenic or ecological value. The coastal areas along the southern, western and north-eastern parts of Yim Tin Tsai are included within this zone.
About 7.24 hectares of land is zoned "Site of Special Scientific Interest" including the eastern tip of Yim Tin Tsai, Shui Mong Tin of Ma Chi Chau and the tombolo connecting these two places and a small circular area to the northeast of Shui Mong Tin. The planning intention of this zone is to conserve and protect the features of special scientific interest such as rare or particular species of fauna and flora and their habitats, corals, woodlands, marshes or areas of geological, ecological or botanical/biological interest.
About 57.84 hectares of land is zoned "Country Park" to reflect the existing Ma Shi Chau Special Area. This zone covers the whole island of Yeung Chau, a small island to the northeast of Yim Tin Tsai (except three pockets of land) and the whole island of Ma Shi Chau (except a parcel of land at Shui Mong Tin and a circular area to the northeast of Shui Mong Tin).
The draft Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Shi Chau OZP is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board; 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 Tai Po Rural Committee.
Any person may make written representations in respect of the draft plan to the Secretary of the Board on or before October 22.
Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in Yau Ma Tei and North Point. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
Ends/Friday, August 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:01
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