The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Pak Sha O Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment within the Pak Sha O area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (May 5).

     The planning scheme area, which has a total area of about 33.27 hectares, is located at the northern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula. It is encircled by Sai Kung West Country Park with Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park to its north. The area, falling entirely within the upper indirect water gathering ground, is rural in character and is accessible by vehicles via Hoi Ha Road connecting to Pak Tam Road, and a number of hiking trails from Pak Tam Chung, some of which are connected to Hoi Ha Wan. 

     The general planning intention of the area is to conserve the high natural landscape and ecological significance of the area in safeguarding the natural habitat and natural system of the wider area. Since Pak Sha O and Pak Sha O Ha Yeung are outstanding vernacular Hakka villages and are well preserved, the planning intention is also to preserve the vernacular Hakka village setting, and any change to the village setting with possible adverse impact on the heritage value of historic buildings should be avoided.
 
     About 1.2 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to preserve the vernacular Hakka village setting of the existing Pak Sha O and Pak Sha O Ha Yeung villages, and to designate an area of land considered suitable for village expansion in harmony with the surroundings. 

     About 0.52 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" for the provision of Government, institution and community facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. 

     About 0.18 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture" ("AGR") to retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land/farm/fish ponds for agricultural purposes. It is also intended to retain fallow arable land with good potential for rehabilitation for cultivation and other agricultural purpose. The "AGR" zone covers plots of abandoned agricultural land adjoining the Ecologically Important Stream (EIS) to the northeast of the village cluster of Pak Sha O which have been rehabilitated for agricultural purpose.

     To define the limits of development areas by natural features and to preserve the existing natural landscape as well as to provide passive recreational outlets, about 29.46 hectares of land is zoned "Green Belt". This zone comprises mainly woodlands, scrublands and streams, including the Hoi Ha EIS and its riparian zone.

     About 1.36 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. This zone covers the mature woodland (fung shui woodland) on the hillsides at the southern part of the area, which forms a backdrop of the Pak Sha O village cluster. 

     The approved Pak Sha O OZP No. S/NE-PSO/2 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board; the 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 Sai Kung North Rural Committee.

     Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed at the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).

Ends/Friday, May 5, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:00

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