XN000022-1980-05-30 — Page 7

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1980

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SOUTH LANTAU ZONING PLAN PUBLISHED

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THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY PUBLISHED A DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE MAIN COASTAL STRIP OF SOUTH LANTAU.

THE PLAN COVERS ABOUT 2 449 HECTARES AND COMPRISES THE WHOLE OF THE COASTAL PART OF LANTAU ISLAND SOUTH OF THE EXISTING WATER CATCHMENT.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN IS TO PROVIDE A STATUTORY LAND USE PATTERN AND MAJOR ROAD FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF LAND MAY BE LEGALLY CONTROLLED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID THAT UNDER THE DRAFT PLAN THE SOUTH LANTAU COAST WOULD BE MAINLY DEVELOPED FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

MORE THAN 2 037 HECTARES ARE ZONED FOR GREEN BELT, INCLUDING ABOUT 1 565 HECTARES OF GAZETTED COUNTRY PARK.

HE SAID PREDOMINANT ZONING OF THE COASTAL STRIP AS GREEN BELT WAS AIMED TOWARDS GREATER USE OF THE AREA FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

+SOUTH LANTAU IN ITS NATURAL SCENIC SETTING OFFERS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND HOLIDAY-MAKERS FROM THE CROWDED URBAN AREAS, HE EXPLAINED.

IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE CHARACTER OF THE SHORELINE, TO SAFEGUARD THE BEACHES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE HINTERLAND AND TO PREVENT RIBBON DEVELOPMENT IN A HAPHAZARD MANNER ALONG THE MAIN ROAD, SOME 140 HECTARES HAVE BEEN ZONED AS COASTAL PROTECTION AREA, HE SAID.

+THIS AREA IS RELATIVELY ACCESSIBLE AND CAN ALLOW FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF HIGH INTENSITY USE, SUCH AS PLAYGROUND OR PLAYING FIELD, PROMENADE, PARK AND GARDEN, HE ADDED.

OF THE REMAINING AREA COVERED BY THE PLAN, 44.6 HECTARES HAVE BEEN ZONED FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL USE, 91.5 HECTARES FOR VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT AND 99 HECTARES FOR GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY PURPOSES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PRESENT POPULATION OF THE PLANNING AREA WAS ABOUT 7 000, CONCENTRATED MAINLY IN THE VILLAGES AT PUI 0, CHEUNG SHA AND TONG FUK.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE POPULATION UPON FULL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE 13 300, COMPRISING 11 000 IN VILLAGE TYPE AND 2 250 IN OTHER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

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