ENG-1993 — Page 241

204

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

order to provide a planning context for the preparation of these OZPs, the NWNT Development Statement Study has been commissioned. This study has produced Recom- mended Outline Development Plans, which will provide input in the preparation of OZPs in the rural NWNT.

An Interim Recommended Strategy has been formulated for the SWNT. It proposes that urban-type development be concentrated in North Lantau and the existing centres. Countryside areas will be conserved by the extension of country parks, and the designation of coastal and landscape protection areas. Suitable areas have been identified for recreation and tourism development in the sub-region. The strategy will be reviewed when the results of the TDS are available in 1994, before the SWNT Development Strategy is finalised.

Work on the NENT Development Strategy Review commenced in September 1993 to review current issues and formulate an up-to-date strategy for the sub-region. Results are expected to be available by early 1995. The SENT Development Strategy Review will commence in due course.

District Planning

Development projects are implemented in accordance with statutory or departmental district plans. These plans aim to regulate and provide guidance to development in terms of land use, building density and development characteristics, to ensure that they are in line with the planning objectives of the districts.

Statutory Planning

Statutory plans are prepared and published by the Town Planning Board (TPB) under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. There are two types of statutory plans: Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) and Development Permission Area Plans (DPA plans).

In 1993, one new OZP was published and 29 existing plans were amended by the TPB. In the same period, four new DPA plans were published and seven amended. At the end of the year, there were a total of 51 OZPs and 35 DPA plans.

The OZPs are prepared for existing and potential urban areas and show the proposed land uses, specific development restrictions within respective land use zones, and major road and other transport systems of individual planning scheme areas.

DPA plans have been prepared after the enactment of the Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance 1991 for areas not previously covered by OZPs. So far, they have been prepared mainly for rural areas in the New Territories. DPA plans provide interim planning control and development guidance for selected areas, pending the preparation of OZPs within three years. While DPA plans may also indicate land use zones, the zonings are not comprehensive and there are many 'unspecified' areas where planning permission is required for developments other than those listed as always permitted. Development without the necessary planning permission will constitute an unauthorised development and will be subject to enforcement. The provisions for enforcement will continue to be applicable in the subject areas after the DPA plans are replaced by OZPs.

Under the provisions of the ordinance, any person affected by the statutory plans can make objections to the TPB. DPA plans are subject to the same publication and objection hearing procedures as OZPs.

During the year, a total of 96 objections to the statutory plans were lodged and 74 objections were considered by the TPB.