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Metroplan principles applied on a case by case basis
Following is a question by the Hon Christine Loh and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In his reply to a question raised at the sitting on 9 October this year regarding the Town Planning Board's approval of a property development plan, which includes a high-rise building of 400 metres in height, at the site of the Hong Kong Central Station of the Airport Railway, the Secretary for Planning, Environment & Lands stated that the requirement that new building developments in the Central district on Hong Kong Island should not protrude the view of Victoria Peak and its ridgeline is no more than an administrative guideline. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
whether there are any existing high-rise buildings on Hong Kong Island which contravene the above guideline; if so, please provide the names and locations of the buildings concerned; and
whether it will adopt such guideline as a government policy so as to protect the view of Victoria Peak and its ridgeline; if not, why not?
Answer:
Mr President,
The administrative guideline refers to the general principle in the Metroplan that new development/redevelopment should make allowance for the retention of at least 20 to 30 per cent visibility of enclosing peaks and ridgelines when viewed from the opposite side of the harbour. The objective is to ensure that, as far as possible, building heights do not prejudice the important role played by the city's peaks and ridgelines as a key scenic backdrop of Hong Kong. Nevertheless, Metroplan also recognises the need to use taller buildings to define important economic focal points (such as new office zones) and other key landmarks or visual focal points within the city. No building approved since the promulgation of Metroplan in 1991 breaches the above guideline. However, two buildings approved before that time may be seen to protrude above the ridgeline of Victoria Peak when viewed from some particular locations. They are the Bank of China Tower and the Central Plaza.
The Metroplan principles have been adopted as broad guidelines at the district planning level and would be applied on a case by case basis when development and redevelopment proposals are processed. In specific cases, visual impact studies will have to be made by the project proponents before approval is given to the project.
End