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"In addition, the Development Statements completed/under preparation for the Metro districts have revealed that current development/redevelopment pressures have resulted in levels of development far exceeding the quantum recommended by the Selected Strategy."
Significant progress has also been made on the review of development strategies for various sub-regions in the New Territories (NT).
The Northeast NT Development Strategy Review has been approved in principle by the Committee on Planning and Land Development and an executive summary of the Review will soon be published for public inspection.
"Both the Northwest NT and Southwest NT Development Strategy reviews have reached their final stages of work and are expected to be completed by mid- 1996," Dr Pun said.
During the past year, the department had been making substantial efforts in actions against unauthorised development (UD) in the NT, said Dr Pun.
He noted that a resolution to increase substantially the level of fines to a maximum of $1 million for repeated offences under the Town Planning Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council last June.
In 1995, 379 cases of suspected UD were established for enforcement action, mainly in Yuen Long and North East NT.
A total of 374 enforcement notices, 38 reinstatement notices and 179 compliance notices were issued.
Meanwhile, a total of 67 planning applications in respect of UD were submitted to the Town Planning Board (TPB). Of these, 22 were approved, 34 rejected and 11 being processed.
"The increasing number of planning applications shows that people are becoming more familiar with the statutory planning requirements and are aware of Government's determination to clear the black spots in the NT," Dr Pun said.
By the end of 1995, 255 UD involving 83 hectares of land had discontinued and 81 cases involving 47 hectares of land were regularised.
Of the 47 summonses issued last year, a total of 45 defendants in 35 cases were convicted by the courts.
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