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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft So Lo Pun Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The approved OZP indicates the broad land use zonings for the So Lo Pun area so that development and redevelopment within the area can be put under statutory planning control. It also provides the planning framework for preparing more detailed non-statutory plans which form the basis for public works planning and site reservation for various uses," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (February 13).
The planning scheme area, covering an area of about 27.68 hectares, is encircled by Plover Cove Country Park on three sides and fronts the scenic coastline of Kat O Hoi to the north-east.
The general planning intention of the area is to protect its high conservation and landscape value, which complements the overall naturalness and the landscape beauty of the surrounding Plover Cove Country Park. It is also intended to consolidate village areas so as to avoid undesirable disturbances to the natural environment and overtaxing the limited infrastructure in the area.
About 2.48 hectares of land are zoned "Village Type Development" to designate both existing recognised village areas and land considered suitable for village expansion.
About 0.65 hectares of land is zoned "Agriculture" to retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land, farm areas and fish ponds for agricultural purposes. It is also intended to retain fallow arable land with good potential for rehabilitation for cultivation and other agricultural purposes.
About 16.5 hectares of land are zoned "Green Belt" covering the vegetated hillslopes which form a continuous stretch of well-established vegetation of the natural woodlands in the adjoining Plover Cove Country Park. It is primarily for defining the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas by natural features and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets. It provides a buffer between the development and conservation areas or Country Park areas.
About 8.05 hectares of land are zoned "Conservation Area" to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area for conservation, educational and research purposes and to separate sensitive natural environment such as Country Park from the adverse effects of development. The "Conservation Area" zoning covers the wetland system in So Lo Pun including the intertidal habitats with mangrove and sea grass beds, reed ponds, a natural stream identified as an Ecologically Important Stream and the freshwater marsh, which are of ecological importance.
The approved So Lo Pun OZP No. S/NE-SLP/2 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board; the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department 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 OZP 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, February 13, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:05
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