ENG-1991 — Page 237

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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dependent on both public sector resource allocations and market forces. Metroplan is not a programme of public works. It is a framework which will guide the selection of projects and the priority given to them, so as to restructure and develop the city in a more cost-effective way. Metroplan will be applied on an administrative basis and will provide a guide for the formulation of statutory zoning plans and associated controls at district level.

District Planning

Most development projects are implemented in accordance with plans prepared at district level. There are two types of district plans, statutory and departmental. Their purposes are to regulate and guide various types of land use, the building volumes and development characteristics of individual sites to meet the demand of the territory's growing population, and to ensure that adequate provision is made for community facilities and public utility services.

Statutory outline zoning plans (OZPs) for various districts of the main urban areas and new towns, as well as development permission area (DPA) plans for some parts of the rural areas in the New Territories, are prepared by the Town Planning Board (TPB) under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. Once exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance, both the OZPS and DPA plans have statutory effect. The Building Authority is empowered to disapprove any plans of new building works submitted - under the Buildings Ordinance if they contravene the OZPs or DPA plans.

The main urban areas and new towns in the New Territories are now covered by a total of 48 OZPs. The OZPS indicate the proposed broad land use patterns and major road systems of particular districts and serve as development guides to public and private investments. In the year of 1991, eight OZPs were exhibited by the TPB.

Some parts of rural areas in the New Territories are covered by DPA plans prepared under the provisions of the Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance 1991. The ordinance empowers the TPB to prepare plans to require planning permission for all development in the designated DPAs, unless otherwise exempted in the plans. These plans serve to provide guidance for planning and to facilitate development control within DPAs. It is intended that DPA plans will be replaced by OZPs in three years' time.

Unless in conformity with the DPA plans or with the required planning permission, any development, other than an existing use, undertaken or continued on or after gazetting of the DPA plans, may be subject to enforcement proceedings under the ordinance. During the year, the Director of Planning served 33 warning letters/enforcement notices.

Attached to and forming part of the OZPS and DPA plans are notes setting out the types of land use which are permitted as of right in particular zones or which may be permitted with or without conditions on application to the TPB. This permission system allows for greater flexibility in land use planning to meet community needs. The ordinance also allows an unsuccessful applicant the right to request the TPB to review its decision. During the year, the board considered 396 applications for planning permission and 47 for review, as compared with 266 and 39 respectively in 1990.

An area may be designated as a 'Comprehensive Development Area' on a statutory plan. This is intended to promote development in a comprehensive manner, often including the provision of a range of related community facilities and open space. Development proposals within these areas must have planning permission from the TPB and applica- tions for planning permission should include a master layout plan. During the year,