slightly and now covers an area of 140 hectares; on completion it will, together with Stage IA, produce a balanced township for 186,000 persons. Under the Stage II study, consulting engineers commenced an investigation of the river training requirements in the northern part of the New Town to reduce risk of flooding. A site investigation contract progressed satisfactorily.
Engineering Works
12.41 The 3.5 hectares of industrial land provided in Areas 9 and 12 completed the land provision under Stage IA. The main road through the northern half of the New Town and the roads and drainage works in Area 9, 12 and part of 27 were completed; extension of Pillar Point Road from Pak Kok Tsui to Pillar Point, which began early in the year, approached completion.
Buildings
12.42 Construction of the first stage of the Tai Hing Estate in Area 6 (29,300 units) continued at a steady pace with superstructure work commencing on the 3 high-rise blocks.
12.43 In the private sector, 13 buildings were completed of which 3 were factory buildings and at the end of the year 13 buildings were under construction including 6 factory buildings.
Planning
12.44 Work started on drafting a detailed explanatory statement to accompany the revised Outline Development Plan, which was agreed in principle by the New Territories Development Policy Committee (now retitled New Territories Development Progress Committee).
12.45 Layout Plans for Areas 4 and 30A were circulated for comments and work continued on the layout of the town centre in Area 11. Other layout plans continued to be revised as a result of further detailed planning and some 20 extract plans were prepared and circulated in connection with advisory work on planning matters for government and private development projects.
Land
12.46 Action continued on resumption of land and clearance in areas required for development. Land sales totalled 25,700 square metres including 24,700 square metres for industrial purposes. In addition, 31,700 square metres of land, including 23,800 square metres for industrial purposes, were granted by exchange/private treaty.
NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT BRANCH
Government Engineer:
B.H. NEWMAN, B.Sc.(Eng.), C.Eng., F.I.C.E., M.A.S.C.E.
General
12.47 The New Territories Development Branch is responsible for development
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