ENG-1969 — Page 183

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LAND AND HOUSING

As the 1:10,000 scale map series nears completion, the Directorate of Overseas Surveys is reducing this series photographically to produce a 1:25,000 series. The first sheet of this new series, out of a total of 20 to cover the whole Colony, should be available in 1970.

Aerial photography continued during the year. This has been used to assist in the revision of maps and to provide photographic records for other departments, and has included coverage of reclamation areas and development sites for the Civil Engineering Office, harbour areas for Marine Department, catchment areas for Waterworks Office, and a record of fast-developing areas in the New Territories for the NT Administration.

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Dr P. M.-Allen left the Colony in April having completed the Geological Survey of the Colony. To accompany the interim geological report, a geological map has been produced by the Crown Lands and Survey Office as a series of overlays at scale 1:25,000 (to be used with the existing L8811 topographic maps). No date has yet been fixed for the completion of the final report, but a brief digest describing the geological pattern of the-Colony has been provided by Dr Allen.

TOWN PLANNING

Since 1953 plans have been prepared for the 37 planning areas which make up the main urbanised portion of the Colony and for 13 towns of various sizes in the New Territories. These plans are of two types: statutory plans prepared under the Town Planning Ordinance; and outline development and detailed layout plans which are used as a guide in the sale of Crown land and the re- development of private land but which have no statutory effect.

The Town Planning Board constituted under the Town Planning Ordinance comprises seven official and three unofficial members. Plans of areas where development is likely to affect private land or interests are prepared on the instructions of the Governor under the board's direction. Statutory plans for 20 planning areas have been approved; of these, eight have been referred back to the Town Planning Board for amendment or replacement; a further 10 draft plans are under preparation.