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The Chief Executive-in-Council has approved the draft Tsim Sha Tsui Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Tsim Sha Tsui area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (October 27).
The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 192 hectares, is located at the southern tip of Kowloon Peninsula. It is bounded by the Victoria Harbour to the south; Jordan Road and Gascoigne Road to the north; and Hung Hom Bay Reclamation to the east.
About 46.3 hectares of land is zoned "Commercial" ("C"). The majority of sites zoned "C" have been developed into buildings with commercial facilities on the lower floors and a mixture of residential flats and offices on the upper floors. Pure commercial developments are primarily located along Nathan Road, Canton Road, Salisbury Road and Chatham Road South. Most of the land in Tsim Sha Tsui East is zoned "C" and almost all of these sites have been developed into hotels and purposely designed commercial buildings.
A maximum plot ratio of 12 is imposed on all land zoned as "C" in view of the concentration of commercial activities in the Area and the associated traffic congestion and environmental problems.
About two hectares of land is zoned "Comprehensive Development Area" to facilitate appropriate planning control over the development mix, scale, design and layout of development. The former Marine Police Headquarters site at Salisbury Road and Canton Road is within this zone and intended for a tourism-themed commercial development. Another site is an amalgamated site comprises the original Land Development Corporation Development Scheme Plan Area at Hanoi Road and the adjacent former New Astor Hotel.
About seven hectares of land is zoned "Residential (Group A)" which generally covers established high-density residential areas north of Austin Road between Cox's Road and Canton Road. About 0.6 hectare of land which has been redeveloped as Carmen's Garden and Emperor Height at Cox's Road is zoned "Residential (Group B)".
About 20.6 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC") for the provision of various GIC facilities to serve local, district and territorial needs. Facilities of territorial or regional significance include the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong Observatory, the International Mail Centre, the Swimming Pool and Indoor Games Hall Complex at Kowloon Park, a cross-boundary bus terminus and the Boy Scout Association Headquarters with hostels.
About 23.4 hectares of land is zoned "Open Space" ("O"). Major open space includes the sizeable Kowloon Park and the extensive stretch of public promenade along the south-eastern waterfront extending eastwards to the future development on Hung Hom Bay Reclamation. Several stretches of open space are to be developed along Chatham Road South to the west of Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
About 47.2 hectares of land is zoned "Other Specified Uses" ("OU") for specific uses. The major "OU" sites include the Ocean Terminal and the adjacent area south of Salisbury Road covering the ferry concourse, bus terminus, the cultural complex and the underground commercial complex adjoining the New World Hotel site. The "OU" sites at Tsim Sha Tsui west, including the Ocean Terminal site, are subject to building height restrictions to prevent excessive high-rise developments at these strategic locations from protruding into the harbour.
The approved Tsim Sha Tsui OZP No. S/K1/22 is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office.
Copies of the approved plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan is viewable from the Town Planning Board's website (http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
Ends/Friday, October 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:05
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