22 building plans approved in February
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    The Buildings Department approved 22 building plans in February - eight on Hong Kong Island, eight in Kowloon and six in the New Territories.

     Of the approved plans, 10 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, nine were for commercial developments, two were for factory and industrial developments and one was for community services developments.

     In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 13 building projects that, when completed, will provide 52,670 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 773 units, and 15,658 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for 15 building projects.

     The department also issued 10 occupation permits - four on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon and four in the New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use were 3,589 square metres, involving nine units, and 5,835 square metres for non-domestic use.

     The declared cost of the new buildings completed in February totalled about $250 million.

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

     The department received 1,828 complaints against unauthorised building works in February, and issued 1,556 removal orders on unauthorised works.

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

Ends/Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:51

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