**********************************************************
The Town Planning Board today (February 3) announced the publication of the draft Sham Chung Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan.
The draft Sham Chung DPA Plan covers a total area of about 32.4 hectares. It is bounded by the Sai Kung West Country Park in the north, east and south, and an embankment in the west.
The general planning intention of the area covered by the draft Sham Chung DPA Plan is to conserve the areas of high ecological significance, to protect the rural character as well as to maintain the unique landscape and cultural heritage of the area. It is also intended to reserve land for small house development by indigenous villagers.
A total of about 2.6 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to cover the recognised Sham Chung Village and areas of land suitable for village expansion.
About 8.3 hectares of low-lying flat land in the middle of the area is zoned "Agriculture" to retain and safeguard agricultural land, farm and fish ponds for agricultural purposes as well as to retain fallow arable land for cultivation and other agricultural purposes.
About 2.7 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt" to define the limits of development areas by natural features as well as to provide passive recreational outlets. This zone mainly includes areas subject to natural terrain hazards and is now occupied by existing ruins, vacant structures as well as vegetations and natural slopes.
About 16.1 hectares of land is zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area for conservation, educational and research purposes, and to separate sensitive natural environment such as Country Park from the adverse effects of development.
The remaining 2.6 hectares of land to the east of the seawall is zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to protect and retain the coastlines and the sensitive coastal environment which contains three species of mangroves.
The draft plan is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the following locations until April 3, 2006:
* the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road;
* the Planning Enquiry Counter, 17th Floor, North Point Government Offices;
* the Planning Enquiry Counter, 14th Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin;
* the Tai Po and North District Planning Office, 13th Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices;
* the Tai Po District Office, Tai Po Government Offices Building, 1 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po; and
* the Sai Kung North Rural Committee, 2 Yan Wo Lane, Yan Hing Street, Tai Po Market.
Any person may make representation, stating the particular matter in the draft plan to which the representation relates, the nature of and reasons for the representation, and the amendments (if any) proposed to the draft plan, to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board.
Copies of the draft plan 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 on the Town Planning Board's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/.
Ends/Friday, February 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:01
NNNN