ENG-1974 — Page 136

LAND AND HOUSING

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Committee. It has provided a framework for all other planning activities and sets out general planning concepts for future population distribution and development. As the Hong Kong outline plan it will continue to serve these purposes and recommend standards for the provision of community facilities, suggest the general locations of major facilities and define the functions of areas in board terms. It will also provide a framework for the preparation of statutory outline zoning plans, planning guides, and other plans and form a basis for the formulation of land development programmes and the reappraisal of transportation proposals. The data bank is continually up- dated and the plan itself is now being revised, taking into account the 1971 census and recent developments in planning policies and techniques.

Outline zoning plans are prepared by the Town Planning Board when instructed by the Governor, who is advised of the need by the Land Development Policy Com- mittee. These plans show land for public and private development, housing, industry, commercial development, roads, open spaces and other uses.

Background studies are prepared for all areas before detailed planning proceeds. They identify deficiencies or over-provision of community facilities and land required for various uses in relation to the existing and future populations of planning areas.

The board's plans become statutory and the zoning proposals are enforceable by the Building Authority, as soon as they are exhibited as draft plans for public comment. Any objections are then considered by the board. The draft plans are amended where appropriate, and submitted, together with any outstanding objections, to the Governor in Council for final approval. The zoning proposals are implemented through lease conditions where possible, and through the Buildings Ordinance. During the year, two statutory plans were formally approved by the Governor in Council, eight were being prepared by the board, and four more were referred back to the board for replacement.

Departmental planning guides for developing rural areas and outline develop- ment and layout plans for developing urban areas are prepared within the framework of the Hong Kong Outline Plan, and statutory outline zoning plans where these exist. Outline development and layout plans are drawn to larger scales and show detailed road patterns and the layout of sites for various uses including reserves for government and community uses, open spaces, utility companies and other specific requirements. After consultation with other departments and amendment where appropriate, these plans are submitted to the layout plans sub-committee of the Land Development Policy Committee or to the New Territories Development Prog- ress Committee for agreement.

In the urban areas they are then adopted by the Director of Public Works, or in rural areas by the Secretary for the New Territories. During the year, three outline development plans were adopted. These plans have no statutory effect but are used as a guide for the formulation of leases, the sale of Crown land and the development of public and private land.

Most of Hong Kong's developing areas are now covered by some form of plan; in the urban areas, by statutory plans. However, many of the present departmental