Great land demand projected for port back-up and open storage activities
A consultancy study commissioned by the Planning Department has identified a significant future demand for land for port back-up-and open storage activities.
Speaking on the findings of the study at a press conference today (Wednesday), the Director of Planning, Dr Peter Pun, pointed out that the estimated demand for port back-up land was 380 hectares by 2001 and 507 hectares by 2011 respectively.
Demands for land for open storage are 555 hectares and 753 hectares by 2001 and 2011 respectively.
"A planning strategy is, therefore, required to accommodate future needs," Dr Pun noted.
Dr Pun said potential sources of supply would include 254 hectares of land already planned as part of the new container terminal development at Kwai Tsing and Lantau; 196 hectares of land earmarked for port back-up or open storage on town plans; and other long-term sites at Tuen Mun West and North East Lantau.
The study has recommended two major policies - a broad area policy and a site planning policy.
The broad area policy was to be implemented through planning applications and zoning on statutory plans, he explained.
Existing port back-up and open storage sites are grouped into 25 broad areas. and each of them is assigned to one of five categories, ranging from intensification of uses, limited intensification to discontinuance of sites in the long term.
As regards the site planning policy, he said 154 existing problem sites covering 64 hectares of land had been identified as creating severe environmental problems and should be discontinued once alternative sites became available.
A further 79 sites covering 26 hectares of land, also with significant environmental problems, had potential to be improved through mitigation measures.
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