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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Sha Tau Kok Development Permission Area (DPA) Plan.
"The approved DPA Plan will provide planning guidance and facilitate development control within the Sha Tau Kok area during the period required for detailed analysis of the land use pattern, study of infrastructural provisions and examination of development options for the formulation of an outline zoning plan (OZP)," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (March 2).
The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 557 hectares, is bounded by the Sha Tau Kok River in the north, the Sha Tau Kok Boundary Control Point in the east, Sha Tau Kok Hoi (Starling Inlet) in the southeast, and Robin's Nest (Hung Fa Leng) in the southwest and west.
The general planning intention is to promote heritage conservation, recreation and tourism. It is also the planning intention to conserve the rural character, the natural habitats including the undisturbed woodland and lowland river habitats, and the unique landscape as well as the ecologically important area and the upland scene of the area.
A total of 39.45 hectares of land is zoned "Village Type Development" to demarcate existing recognised villages and areas suitable for village expansion.
About 1.46 hectares of land is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to serve the needs of the local as well as the district population.
An area south of Tong To extending to the bank of Sha Tau Kok Hoi, about 11.35 hectares, is designated as "Recreation" to encourage the development of active and/or passive recreation and tourism/eco-tourism.
About 39.37 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture" to retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land, farms and fish ponds for agricultural purposes.
A total of 461 hectares of land covering the eastern fringe of Robin's Nest and the permitted burial grounds for indigenous villagers is zoned "Green Belt". There is a general presumption against development within the zone.
The fung shui woods at the backdrop of Muk Min Tau with an area of about 2.77 hectares is zoned "Conservation Area" to retain and preserve the existing natural character.
The approved Sha Tau Kok DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-STK/2 is 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 Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office; the North District Office; and the Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee.
Copies of the approved DPA Plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).
Ends/Friday, March 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:56
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