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Civil Engineering Department and the former Territory Development Department), Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Highways Department, and Water Supplies Department. In addition, the Secretary oversees the operation of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund.
The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, supported by the Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands), oversees the operation of four departments: Buildings Department, Lands Department, Planning Department and Land Registry. He also oversees part of the work of the Civil Engineering and Development Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
The Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) is chairman of both the Committee on Planning and Land Development (CPLD) and the Town Planning Board (TPB). The CPLD is responsible for considering and endorsing land use plans and major development proposals. The TPB is a statutory body, established under the Town Planning Ordinance, responsible for making town. plans, and considering planning applications for individual projects in Hong Kong.
Review of the Town Planning Ordinance
The existing Town Planning Ordinance was first enacted in 1939. There is a need to revise the legislation from time to time to meet the requirements of the changing social and economic environment in Hong Kong.
The Town Planning (Amendment) Bill 2003 was introduced into the Legislative Council in May 2003. The main objectives of the amendment bill are to streamline the plan-making process and planning approval procedures, enhance the openness and transparency of the planning system and strengthen planning enforcement control in the rural New Territories. The amendment bill was subsequently passed by the Council on July 7, 2004. The Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance 2004 was then gazetted on July 23, 2004 and will come into operation on a date to be appointed by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands by notice in the Gazette. An information pamphlet on the Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance 2004 is available from the Enquiry Counter of the Planning Department or downloaded from the Planning Department's website.
Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
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The Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines is a government document on planning criteria and guidelines for determining the quantity, scale, location and site requirements of various land uses and facilities. It applies to planning studies and the preparation or revision of town plans. The document is under constant review to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics and social and economic trends. During the year, planning standards and guidelines for facilities on retail, social welfare, pedestrian, and parking for hotels were under review.