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The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Kwu Tung North (KTN) Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
"The KTN and Fanling North (FLN) OZPs are to take forward the recommendations of the North East New Territories New Development Areas Planning and Engineering Study jointly commissioned by the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Planning Department. The approved KTN OZP indicates the broad land use zonings for the KTN New Development Area (NDA) 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 (the Board) said today (June 19).
Development of the KTN NDA is of territorial significance as it would be the main source of land supply to meet long-term development needs. The NDA will be developed as a balanced and socially integrated community with emphasis on environmentally friendly design. Upon full development, the KTN NDA would accommodate a total population of about 105,500 and provide about 31,200 employment opportunities.
The planning scheme area of the approved KTN OZP, covering about 447 hectares, is bounded by Shek Sheung River in the east, Castle Peak Road and Fanling Highway in the south, Tit Hang in the west and Tai Shek Mo (Crest Hill) in the north.
About 28.51 hectares of land are zoned "Residential (Group A)" for high-density residential developments. The "R(A)" zone includes 10 sites for private housing, Home Ownership Scheme and public rental housing developments.
About 19.91 hectares of land in the area are zoned "Residential (Group B)" which is primarily intended for medium-density private residential developments.
About 1.61 hectares of land to the south of Yin Kong Village are zoned "Comprehensive Development Area" which is intended for comprehensive development of the area for residential use with the provision of open space and other supporting facilities.
About 0.34 hectares of land in the area are zoned "Residential (Group C)" which is primarily intended for low-rise and low-density residential developments.
About 17.66 hectares of land in the area are zoned "Village Type Development" which is to designate the existing recognised villages and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion. A site near Ho Sheung Heung Village in Planning Area 36 is designated as "Village Type Development (1)" for reprovisioning the affected village houses under the Village Removal Terms due to the NDA development.
About 46.66 hectares of land are zoned "Government, Institution or Community". This zone is primarily for the provision of Government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents and residents of Fanling/Sheung Shui/Kwu Tung New Town.
About 33.31 hectares of land are zoned "Open Space" for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents as well as the general public.
Land designated for specific uses such as "Commercial/Residential Development with Public Transport Interchange", "Mixed Use", "Business and Technology Park", "Research & Development" and "Nature Park" etc., totalling about 75.36 hectares, are zoned "Other Specified Uses".
About 45.86 hectares of land are zoned "Agriculture" which is intended primarily to retain and safeguard good-quality agricultural land/farm/fish ponds for agricultural purposes and to serve as a buffer to give added protection to the Long Valley Nature Park.
About 125.34 hectares of land are zoned "Green Belt". The planning intention of this zone is primarily for defining the limits of development areas, to preserve existing natural features, as well as to provide passive recreational outlets for the local population and visitors.
The approved KTN OZP No. S/KTN/2 is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Secretariat of the Board, the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department in North Point and Sha Tin, the Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long East District Planning Office, the North District Office, the Fanling, and Sheung Shui District Rural Committees.
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, June 19, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:01
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