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The Chief Executive in Council approved the draft Peng Chau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Peng Chau area" a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (December 15).
The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 99 hectares, comprises Peng Chau and Tai Lei Island. The planning intention for the Area is primarily to protect the natural landscape, the rural character and car-free environment of the islands. Residential developments should be confined to the established development nodes and village areas. The existing low-rise low-density character should be retained and, to this end, future development or redevelopment should be up to the existing and committed intensities.
About 70% of the total area is zoned "Green Belt" (61 hectares) and "Coastal Protection Area" (7.7 hectares) to conserve the natural environment and the scenic and ecologically sensitive coastal areas.
A total of 8.2 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development". Although there are no recognised villages within the Planning Area, areas under this zoning include settlements developed mainly in the form of village houses.
A total of 9.2 hectares of land is zoned for residential developments. Areas zoned "Residential (Group A)", "Residential (Group B)" and "Residential (Group C)" are intended for medium- to low-density residential developments which would blend in with the rural character of the Area and avoid overloading the planned infrastructure. Areas zoned "Residential (Group D)" are intended for improvement and upgrading of the existing temporary structures through redevelopment.
About 4.5 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to serve the needs of the local residents and visitors. Some 3.5 hectares of land is zoned "Open Space". It includes a planned open space system extending along the north-western coast of Peng Chau for various active and passive recreational uses and a landscaped waterfront open space on the south-western coast.
Some 1.8 hectares of land is zoned "Other Specified Uses" which is intended for the development of a comprehensive residential cum commercial development.
The approved Peng Chau OZP No. S/I-PC/8 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 Sai Kung & Islands District Planning Office, the Islands District Office, and Peng Chau Rural Committee.
Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at 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 at http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb.
Ends/Friday, December 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:00
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