ENG-1968 — Page 187

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LAND AND HOUSING

development programmes and a more balanced approach to the preparation and review of statutory, outline development and detailed layout plans.

PRIVATE BUILDING

The declared cost of building works resulting in new buildings in 1968 was $501,685,809 which, as expected, was less than the figure for last year.

Proposals for building development, however, showed a slight increase over the total for 1967 and in all 308 approval permits were issued.

Among other signs of renewed interest in development is the increase in balcony fees paid to Government: these fees are paid immediately before building work commences and relate to domestic buildings usually of the tenement type.

Renewed interest was shown in proposals for new cinemas, five such schemes having been approved, thereby showing a return to near 1965 levels after a severe drop in the figures for 1966-7.

Although no new hotel projects were approved during the year, informal discussions have been held on a number of schemes and the Building Authority has agreed with the Hong Kong Tourist Association that some concessions to permit additional floor area in hotels might be given on certain conditions including, for example, better provision for the loading, unloading and parking of vehicles within the hotel site.

A notable building in the domestic field completed during the year was the 29-storey Tai On Building at Shau Kei Wan, which comprises 1,856 domestic units in addition to shops, offices and a restaurant. In the public utility sector the new power station at Ap Lei Chau was completed at a cost of approximately $30,000,000 while the Wong Tai Sin Telephone Exchange, believed to be the largest of its kind in the world, was also finished. Another large telephone exchange at Lai Chi Kok estimated to cost about $8,000,000 is at present under construction, completion being expected in August 1969.