XN000022-1973-10-01 — Page 4

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Monday, October 1, 1973

SHATIN ZONE PLAN TO BE REVISED

The Outline Zoning Plan for Sha Tin has been referred back to

the Town Planning Board for replacement by a new plan.

Council.

The move was ordered by the Governor on the advice of the Executive

The original plan is out of date. It was based on the 1961

Census which envisaged a population of 7.2 million in Hong Kong by 1986.

This would have necessitated a new town at Sha Tin for a population

of 1 million, with parallel developments at Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun.

However, the 1971 Census puts the 1986 population at 5.4 million.

In view of this, the Council believes that the three now towns need not

be planned for such large populations even though they will be the medium

through which the bulk of the 10-year housing target will have to be met.

It is therefore estimated that Shatin should be planned for a

population of the order of 500,000 by 1986.

This provides an opportunity to create a better environment in

accordance with improved standards for various community uses adopted since

approval of the existing plan.

A new major feature in the new plan will be the race course at Sha Tin.

This will necessitate additional reclamation and some of the areas

at prosent in the Green Belt will probably be used as a source of fill for

the reclamation.

The new plan will also have to take account of revised major road and

possible future mass transit proposals, and a possible site for an army camp,

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