Draft Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan approved
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    The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

     "The approved OZP provides a statutory land use framework to guide development and redevelopment in the Kowloon Tong area," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (January 19).

     The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 238 hectares of land, is located in the Central Kowloon within the Kowloon City District. The area is characterised by low to medium-rise, low-density residential developments and a number of institutional and community uses.

     About 75 hectares of land, covering most lots in the area, is zoned "Residential (Group C)" subject to specific plot ratio and building height controls to preserve the special character and amenity of the neighbourhood and to prevent excessive development and redevelopment in areas with limited road access.

     A site of about 1.2 hectares at Inverness Road zoned "Comprehensive Development Area" ("CDA") is intended to be redeveloped comprehensively for residential use with a non-standard school.

     Some 0.3 hectare of land is zone "Commercial" which covers two sites located at the junction of Junction Road and Kam Shing Road and developed with restaurants, supermarket and general retail outlets to meet local needs.

     To serve the needs of the local residents as well as the general public, about 40.6 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community".  Examples of the major existing facilities are Hong Kong Baptist University, Baptist Hospital, Radio Television Hong Kong, and a number of primary and secondary schools.

     In addition, about 11.8 hectares of land is zoned "Other Specified Uses" for an existing petrol filling station, the Military Camp and two private clubs.

     Some 31.1 hectares of land is zoned "Open Space" covering the existing Kowloon Tsai Park, Junction Road Park and Lok Fu Park as well as the proposed open space sites at Inverness Road and Beacon Hill.  About 40.6 hectares of land covering steep hillsides and hillslopes in the area is zoned "Green Belt" for the conservation of the existing natural environment.

     The approved Kowloon Tong OZP No. S/K18/13 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters in North Point and Sha Tin, the Kowloon District Planning Office, and the Kowloon City District Office.

     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 Board's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

Ends/Friday, January 19, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:40

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