THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1979
MID-LEVELS BUILDING RESTRICTIONS
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THE TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (MID-LEVELS) BILL 1979 WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) WHILE THE BUILDING (ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1979 WERE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE BILL PROPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON BUILDING DEVELOPMENT INVOLVING SITE FORMATIONS, FOUNDATION WORKS AND OTHER EXCAVATIONS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE MID-LEVELS, WHILE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES ITS STUDIES ON THE STABILITY OF THESE AREAS,
THE RESTRICTIONS MAY BE REMOVED AT ANY TIME BUT MAY REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1981 WHEN THEY WILL LAPSE UNLESS EXTENDED BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RESOLUTION.
THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO IMPOSE THESE RESTRICTIONS WAS ANNOUNCED ON MAY 22. THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WILL INTRODUCE THE FIRST READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 6.
THE BILL WILL AFFECT ALL DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS INVOLVING EXCAVATIONS, FORMATION AND FOUNDATION WORKS IN AN AREA WHICH IS TO BE DEFINED BY A PLAN DEPOSITED IN THE LANDS OFFICE AND WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL AFTER MAY 22.
THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCES SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR EXAMINING OR RE-EXAMINING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUBMITTED BEFORE WORK IS PERMITTED TO START ON THEM.
LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO DEVELOPERS WHO HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS TO INFORM THEM HOW THEY WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE LEGISLATION.
THE REGULATIONS, WHICH COME INTO FORCE TODAY (THURSDAY), EXTEND THE TIME FOR THE EXAMINATION OF PLANS AND FOR GIVING CONSENT TO START WORK IN RESPECT OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ALREADY SUBMITTED,
THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS SUFFICIENT TIME TO EXAMINE PROPOSALS THE PERIOD FOR AUTOMATIC APPROVAL OF WHICH WOULD HAVE EXPIRED BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE NEW ORDINANCE.
COPIES OF THE PLAN OF THE PARTS OF THE MID-LEVELS AFFECTED BY THE BILL AND REGULATIONS ARE DISPLAYED IN THE LIFT LOBBY OF THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
ANY GENERAL ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS MATTER SHOULD BE MADE TO THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
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