6.
4
Notwithstanding the recommendations of the Study Group, which
were processed through all the Land and Planning Committees as far as the Chief Secretary, the Hong Kong Government has, up to now, not proceeded with the publication of the Green Paper nor indeed proposed any changes to the legislation at all. This Branch was given to understand that further action would be taken to consider alterations and improvements to the existing planning machinery, including amendments to the existing
Ordinance.
This Branch However, nothing appears to have happened since.
was informed by the Secretary for the Environment on 18th August 1977 that the Government had concluded that the "existing procedures and legislative provisions are by now well known and any changes introduced at this stage could lead to confusion in the transitional period and slow down development". The Government considered that it would not serve the development needs of Hong Kong best to introduce significant changes in the legislation and procedures for Town Planning.
7.
We are indeed disappointed at the Government's decision to drop the draft Groen Paper and we are particularly unhappy with the progress made by the Government since 1973. Even if a favourable decision were to be taken shortly, it will be many months or years before further legislation can be enacted. To ensure the effective use of the scarce resources of Hong Kong and to prevent the urban and rural environment from further deterioration by uncontrolled dovelopment and encroachment, it is important that positive steps should be taken to introduce an effective and suitable
The Branch reiterates its concorn town planning system for Hong Kong. over the shortcomings of the existing legislation and wishes to sum up its recommendations as follows:
(a) Statutory development plan process to be introduced at all
levels (Structure Flans, Local Plans) including the provisions for public involvement and plan implementation; Statutory development control process to be introduced to rectify the present unsatisfactory situation, including
(b)
provisions for planning permission, appeals, inquiries, enforcement and compensation.
Nothing short of a completely now piece of Town Planning Ordinance and town planning system could achieve this.
Contn'd.
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