26 building plans approved in January 2006
******************************************

    The Buildings Department approved 26 building plans in January 2006 - seven on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and 14 in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, 13 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, six were for commercial developments, four were for factory and industrial developments, and three were for community services developments.

     In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 16 building projects that, when completed, will provide 113,117 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,608 units, and 40,591 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for 10 building projects.

     The department also issued 13 occupation permits -- two on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and seven in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use was 182,606 square metres, involving 2,667 units, and 144,265 square metres for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of the new buildings completed in January totalled about $3.19 billion.

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

     The department received 1,787 complaints against unauthorised building works in January, and issued 840 removal orders on unauthorised works.

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

Ends/Monday, February 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:01

NNNN