************************************************************
Five landowners and a responsible person were fined a total of $140,000 at the Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts today (May 25) for contravening the Town Planning Ordinance (TPO).
The Planning Department has continued to closely monitor the site in Fung Ka Wai at Ping Shan (the soil fill in Tin Shui Wai) used for open storage of sand which is regarded as an "existing use" under the TPO. The Planning Department served on March 21 a Notice to Require Provision of Information under section 22(7) of the TPO to the landowners concerned and the responsible person to collect more information on the use of the site.
Some landowners and the responsible person failed to comply with the requirements of the notice to provide information on or before April 7 as required, so the Planning Department instigated prosecution against them.
The Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts heard the case today. The six defendants were fined a total of $140,000 after admitting the charges.
A spokesman for the department reminded all land owners and responsible persons to comply with the requirements as stipulated in the statutory notices issued under the TPO.
Ends/Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:47
NNNN
