28 building plans approved in November
**************************************

    The Buildings Department approved 28 building plans in November - nine on Hong Kong Island, nine in Kowloon and 10 in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, 11 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, eight were for commercial developments, five were for factory and industrial developments and four were for community services developments.

     In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 20 building projects that, when completed, will provide 62,758 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 910 units, and 27,372 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for 14 building projects.

     The department also issued 16 occupation permits - six on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and six in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use were 145,353 square metres, involving 2,222 units, and 168,746 square metres for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of the new buildings completed in November totalled about $4.3 billion.

     In addition, 11 demolition consents involving 11 building structures were issued.

     The department received 2,164 complaints against unauthorised building works in November, and issued 2,524 removal orders on unauthorised works.

     The full version of the Monthly Digest for November can be viewed by members of the public on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

Ends/Friday, December 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:25

NNNN