ENG-1988 — Page 237

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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pertaining to environmental, locational and site requirements which need to be considered in the preparation of town plans and planning briefs. The document is constantly kept under review to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteris- tics and social and economic trends. Any changes to the document must be approved by the Land Development Policy Committee. Standards and guidelines reviewed during the year were related to children's and youth centres, community centre facilities and the provision of parking, loading/unloading facilities within residential developments.

Surveys in land and floor uses covering the whole territory were carried out or updated to provide the basic input in preparation of statutory and departmental plans. Land use surveys were completed for Yau Yat Cheun, Tsuen Wan West, Kwai Chung, Junk Bay, Lai Chi Kok, Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei. Special studies covering such topics as the allocation standard for industrial floor space, open space development on reservoir decks and underneath flyovers, hotel development, the application of balanced development concept in the new towns in Hong Kong, and cycle parking facilities, were also carried out during the year. An assessment of the urban living conditions was completed as an input to the Metroplan study. Regular studies such as forecast of future land supply and land requirement were carried out to monitor the situation of the supply and requirement of various land use in the territory over the next ten years.

District Planning

At the district level, two types of plans are prepared - statutory and departmental. Their purpose is to control land use and building volume on individual sites to meet the demands of the territory's growing population and to ensure, as far as possible, adequate provision of the required community facilities and public utility services.

The Town Planning Ordinance provides for the preparation of statutory town plans, normally called outline zoning plans, under the direction of the Town Planning Board. These plans show areas zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, open space, govern- ment/institution/community or other specified purposes. By indicating the future land use pattern, they provide a guide to public and private investment. Once a statutory plan is exhibited for public inspection, it has statutory effect. Under the Buildings Ordinance, the Building Authority may refuse to give approval to any plans of building works which would contravene any draft or approved plan prepared under the Town Planning Ordinance.

In 1988, the Town Planning Board exhibited 18 statutory plans including two new plans covering Tai Tam - Shek O and Stanley and 16 amendment plans for various parts of the main urban areas and new towns. During the exhibitions of these plans, 196 public objections were received. These objections were duly considered by the Town Planning Board and, to meet some of them, further amendments were made to some of the plans.

At the end of the year, the main urban areas were largely 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. Eight of these plans were approved by the Governor in Council during the year.

The Town Planning Ordinance also provides for the preparation of a schedule of notes to be attached to each statutory plan. This schedule shows the land use which are permitted in a particular zone and those 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 to meet changing needs. Should an application for planning permission be refused, the applicant may, under the provisions of the ordinance, apply to the Board for a review of its decision. During the year, the Town Planning Board