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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(c) An amenity strip of some 50 feet wide is provided between Nathan Road and the Police Station.
These zoning proposals are going to affect the development of Kowloon Park. The proposed commercial strip along Nathan Road will encroach on to the garden areas and require the relocation of the mini-soccer pitch and basket-ball/volleyball courts in Phase I of the Park development. The Classical Chinese Garden and Tea-House and the Music Bowl in Phase III will also be affected, in particular the access to these facilities from Nathan Road, and may require re-designing. The net result is that the Kowloon Park development scheme will be considerably delayed, probably by up to two years.
Both the Works Planning and the Recreation and Amenities Select Committees have carefully examined the implications of the zoning proposals contained in the new draft town plan, especially as it affects the Kowloon Park development. Both select committees recommended to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council that a formal objection to the Town Planning Board be lodged on the draft Tsim Sha Tsui Outline Zoning Plan. The objection relates to the strip of land fronting Nathan Road being zoned for "Public Open Space with Shops Below". The proposed siting of the Kaifong School and Hall and the Swimming Pool Complex calls for the redesigning of the Children's Playground included in Phase II of the Park development. However, the two Select Committees had no objection to this nor to the 50 foot amenity strip between Nathan Road and the Police Station as these were considered improvements to the existing plan. The recommendation of the 2 Committees was considered by the Standing Committee at its meeting on August 17th when it was agreed that a formal objection should be lodged. The Secretary, Urban Council, has already sent the letter of objection to the Town Planning Board and we now await the deliberations of the Board.
DR. HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to hear the reply made by Mr. Lo saying that we have lodged a formal objection and I hope that Mr. Lo will take up our stand. I hope that when Mr. Lo has another chance to deliberate on this matter with the Town Planning Board, would he remind them that in Central London Hyde Park has never been used as a commercial area by the Greater London Council? So the proposal made by the Town Planning Board that part of the Kowloon Park should be used for commercial purposes is very absurd and I hope that they will consider the public interest.
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London Council? So the proposal made by the Town Planning Board that part of the Kowloon Park should be used for commercial purposes is very absurd and I hope that they will consider the public interest.
MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the position is that if the Town Planning Board does not agree to amend the plan as we suggest, then there would be an open hearing to consider the objections. This Council will be entitled to be heard and I am sure we will then put forward the points made by Dr. HUANG concerning Hyde Park.
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as this matter of development of Kowloon Park, is of vital interest to the Council, was there any opportunity given for the Council's views to be taken into account prior to this plan being approved by the Town Planning Board?
MR. Lo (in English): -No.
MR. MACKENZIE (in English):-May I again make the point, Mr. Chairman, that representation on the Town Planning Board by the Council is essential for the good and orderly working of future developments.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Mr. Lo said an open hearing is that official, that there will be an open hearing when this Council and other citizens can air their objections and their reasons or objections to these shops being on the edge of this park.
MR. Lo (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I believe under the Town Planning Ordinance if there will be a hearing.
MR. TSIN SAI-NIN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, if the Town Planning Board still does not take our suggestions into account, what other ways can we pass our message?
MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, if at the hearing when our objections are considered, and if the Town Planning Board refuses to make the amendment as we suggest, we have to consider our position. I think we have to seek advice from the Principal Crown Counsel as to how we should proceed.
(5) DR. P. C. WONG asked the following question (in English):-
What positive progress has been made on the recommendations of the Urban Council mission to London of April 1975; and what is the policy on future missions of this type to London, or elsewhere?
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