LAND AND HOUSING
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temporary ocean terminal building was completed in Tsim Sha Tsui at a cost of approximately $2 million.
The rate of building development is shown in the following figures: plans for 2,885 new buildings were submitted to the Building Authority during 1963 and of these 2,459 were for build- ings primarily intended for domestic occupation. In addition a very large number of other plans dealing with works other than new buildings were submitted for approval. These mainly com- prised alterations and additions to existing buildings, site formation schemes, private streets and access roads, drainage works, demoli- tions and amendments to proposals already approved. During the year 588 permits were issued for occupation of new buildings, 200 being for residential purposes. Among the non-domestic buildings completed and occupied were 31 schools, 47 factories and work- shops, 12 office blocks, three churches and chapels and six cinemas.
Legislation. The amendments to the Building (Planning) Regula- tions which were passed in 1962 will not be fully operative until January 1966. These new regulations will control development from a plot ratio and site coverage aspect rather than the existing concept of volume, which has led to over-development in-some cases. Certain of these regulations which deal with open space and light to kitchens became fully effective on 1st July. As mentioned at the outset of this section, these new regulations had a great effect on the work load in the Buildings Ordinance Office.
The Demolished Buildings (Re-development of Sites) Ordinance, 1963 was enacted in January. It provides for tenants of certain buildings which become so dangerous as to require demolition or which have been demolished by fire or other calamity, to receive compensation for the loss of their tenancies. The owners of the sites of these buildings may be required by order to redevelop the sites within a stipulated period. Fifty redevelopment notices declaring that properties were subject to the Demolished Buildings (Re-development of Sites) Ordinance, 1963 were issued during the year. These cases, in the main, arose because of the large number of properties in an advanced stage of dilapidation together with a further increase in premises under reconstruction. It would appear that many of the older buildings are unable to stand disturbance and in particular, demolition or piling works on adjacent sites may have serious effects on them.
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