Town Planning Board procedures and guidelines updated to put in place streamlined arrangements
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The amended TPO was passed by the Legislative Council in July this year to streamline and enhance the procedures of plan-making and planning applications. The amendments to TPO together with changes to other development-related legislation are part of Government's wider attempt to compress development timetables and speed up land production to meet society's keen demand for land and housing.
The amended TPO will also step up enforcement power against unauthorised developments in the rural areas in the New Territories.
To tie in with the implementation of the amended TPO, the TPB has updated its procedures and practice, six TPB Guidelines (No. 24C, 29B, 30B, 31A, 32A and 33A), all guidance notes, forms and information pamphlets (collectively referred to as "Revised Documents"). The key revisions incorporated in the Revised Documents are summarised at Annex.
The Revised Documents will take effect on September 1, 2023, and have been uploaded to the TPB website today for easy reference by the public. Copies can also be obtained from the TPB's Secretariat and the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department.
TPB's Procedure and Practice
www.tpb.gov.hk/en/about_us/new_procedure_practice.html
TPB Guidelines
www.tpb.gov.hk/en/resources/tpb_guidelines/new.html
Plan-making - Forms and Guidance Notes
https://www.tpb.gov.hk/en/list_of_plans/participate_new.html
Planning Applications - Forms and Guidance Notes
www.tpb.gov.hk/en/resources/application_forms_and_guidance_notes/new.html
Information Pamphlets
www.tpb.gov.hk/en/resources/publications/new_info_pamphlet.html
While the Revised Documents will take effect from September 1, 2023, the existing version of the relevant documents will continue to be applicable to the processing and consideration of the following submissions:
- Representations, comments on representations and further representations to plans/amendments of plan already exhibited but yet to be submitted to the Chief Executive in Council for decision before September 1, 2023.
- Sections 12A, 16 and 16A applications made before September 1, 2023, as well as section 17 reviews in relation to the section 16 and 16A applications made before September 1, 2023.
For more information, members of the public can visit the TPB's website (www.tpb.gov.hk), or make enquiries through the telephone hotline (2231 4810 or 2231 5000) or email (tpbpd@pland.gov.hk or enquire@pland.gov.hk). To help the public better understand the key changes, a set of frequently asked questions has also been uploaded onto TPB's website.
Ends/Friday, August 18, 2023
Issued at HKT 10:32
Issued at HKT 10:32
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