ENG-1987 — Page 218

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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

Board. These plans show areas zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, open space, government institution and community or other specified purposes. They provide a guide to public and private investment by indicating the future broad land use pattern. Once a statutory plan is gazetted for public inspection, it has statutory effect. Under the Buildings Ordinance, the Building Authority may refuse to give approval to any plan of building works which would contravene any draft or approved plan prepared under the Town Planning Ordinance.

In 1987, the board published 21 statutory plans, including new plans for Shouson Hill - Repulse Bay and Fanling - Sheung Shui and 19 amended plans for various parts of the main urban areas and new towns. It also considered 29 objections to the published plans, and, as a result, some of the plans were amended for future public examination. At the end of the year, 37 out of 43 planning areas in the main urban areas were covered by statutory plans. In the New Territories, there were eight statutory plans covering Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Tuen Mun, Fanling-Sheung Shui, and South Lantau coast. Two statutory plans were also approved by the Executive Council during the year.

The Town Planning Ordinance makes provision for a schedule of notes to be attached to each statutory plan. This schedule shows the land use permitted in a particular zone together with other uses for which the Town Planning Board's permission must be sought. This provision for applications for planning permission allows greater flexibility in land use planning within the bounds of planning guidelines, and improves control of development to meet changing needs. During the year, the board considered 209 applications, compared with 150 in the previous year. Should the board refuse to grant permission, the applicant may apply for a review of the decision. In 1987, there were 26 applications for review, compared with six in 1986.

Some planning applications involve relatively large-scale comprehensive redevelopment schemes with significant impact on the districts in which they are located. During the year, such schemes considered by the board included the redevelopment of Shell depots at North Point, Ap Lei Chau and Kwun Tong, comprehensive redevelopment of the old depot and electricity power station in Ap Lei Chau and commercial/residential development in Tai Po Area 2.

Outline development and layout plans are used administratively within the government to guide development. While outline development plans and layout plans are both prepared within the framework of the sub-regional planning statements and statutory outline zoning plan, layout plans are usually of local significance and apply to newly-formed land or to areas requiring comprehensive redevelopment. They are action plans enabling land to be prepared and released for public and private development. Compared with statutory plans, they are normally drawn to a larger scale, showing road proposals and the disposition of sites in greater detail. Examples of such plans prepared during the year included layout plans for Ma On Shan Town Centre, eastern part of Yuen Long Town, eastern private housing areas of Tin Shui Wai and northwestern Tin Shui Wai.

The 'Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines' provide guidelines and standards for the reservation of land for various uses, standards of provision for community facilities, and locational and use requirements crucial to the preparation of town plans and planning briefs. The document is constantly kept under review to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics and social and economic trends. Any changes to the document must be approved by the Land Development Policy Committee. Sections revised during the year were related to community facilities, industry, utility services, environment and density of residential development.