XN000022-1996-07-26 — Page 4

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Another new feature in the White Bill is to provide more certainty to development by introducing a planning certificate as a pre-requisite for Building Authority's approval of building plans. This will ensure that all new building works comply with the relevant statutory plans and conditions of planning permission. Planning Certificate will have effect for a period of two years, during which the certified development would not be affected by any change in zoning restrictions

Other new features in the White Bill include:

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands is empowered to make regulations to require certain classes of development, which may cause a health or safety hazard or a significant environmental impact, to obtain planning permission from TPB.

TPB may designate an area as an environmentally sensitive area where planning permission is required for all developments within the area.

All planning applications will be published for public comment for one month and such applications must be considered within three months.

TPB's power in controlling all relevant planning parameters, such as building height, building intensity and provision of public facilities, will be set out explicitly.

More than one Deputy Chairman and one secretary can be appointed to TPB and TPB members are required to declare interest.

Mr Leung said: "The White Bill was drawn up after the Government had considered carefully views expressed during the consultation on the Comprehensive Review of the Town Planning Ordinance in 1991 and the recommendations made by a Special Committee on Compensation and Betterment to consider complex and contentious issues.

"The Bill was drafted with the spirit to make the planning process more transparent and to provide adequate forward planning and effective control on land uses in order to meet the community's needs."

"The Government will consider carefully all views expressed during the consultation before finalising the Bill for introduction into the Legislative Council," Mr Leung added.