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Wan Chai development scheme plan approved

The Governor-in-Council has approved the Land Development Corporation (LDC) Wan Chai Road/Tai Yuen Street Development Scheme Plan, a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (Friday).

"The approved Wan Chai Road/Tai Yuen Street Development Scheme Plan provides a statutory planning framework to guide the LDC in redeveloping an area of about 0.85 hectares in Wan Chai which is bounded by Tai Yuen Street, Queen's Road East, the Ruttonjee Hospital and Cross Street, including portions of Stone Nullah Lane and Wan Chai Road."

At present, the area mainly features four to eight-storey residential buildings with retail uses and metal shops on the ground floor. Over half of the existing buildings were constructed before 1966. A number of on-street hawkers are currently trading along Cross Street and Tai Yuen Street.

The LDC's development scheme will comprise residential and commercial developments within which government/institution/community facilities including an Urban Council Market, a public toilet and a day nursery will be provided. A podium open space will also be provided to serve the future residents within the development.

To enable a comprehensive layout for the area, a portion of Stone Nullah Lane will be closed.

Existing Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai Road and the junction of Queen's Road East and Wan Chai Road will be widened to improve traffic flow in the area.

Off-street car parking spaces and loading/unloading bays will also be provided within the development.

With the approval of the plan, LDC will commence implementation of the scheme which is expected to complete by 2002.

The approved plan (No. S/H5/LDC1/2) is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at:

Planning Department

16th floor, Murray Building Garden Road

Hong Kong;