XN000022-1995-07-12 — Page 81

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Factors to determine sites for schools

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Many of the sites proposed by the Government for the construction of primary and secondary schools are located in areas which have serious noise problems. This has often resulted in the need to provide noise insulation in the schools concerned, thus increasing the costs as well as casting doubts whether the schools erected on these sites can provide a quiet learning environment for students. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council :

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the criteria for determining sites for the construction of schools in land use planning;

what factors will be considered in selecting suitable school sites and whether the existence of noise problems in the vicinity of a site is a decisive one; and

if the answer to the latter part of (b) is in the affirmative, why there are still schools built on sites in areas with noise problems?

Answer:

Mr President,

(a)

Sites for schools are identified according to the location guidelines set out in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. These guidelines provide for, among other things, school buildings to be located away from areas affected by significant noise sources, and if this is unavoidable, then appropriate noise abatement measures should be considered.