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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

maintaining a correct balance between conservation and development in the sub- region. It recommends that major developments should be confined to North Lantau to capitalise on the development opportunities associated with the improved transport infrastructure and proximity to the airport, while the rest of the sub-region is mainly reserved for conservation and sustainable tourism/recreation developments with respect to its high quality natural environment. As a follow-up to the strategy, a detailed planning and engineering feasibility study for Mui Wo and South Lantau will be undertaken to formulate a land use framework for the area with an emphasis on exploring the recreation/tourism opportunities therein.

The SENT Development Strategy Review has been completed after incorporating the public views and suggestions. It provides an updated, broad planning framework for the long-term development of SENT with a view to enhancing the sub-region as the 'Leisure Garden of Hong Kong' by promoting conservation, enhancing visitor attractions and achieving a sustainable level of development.

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 planning objectives of the districts.

Statutory Planning

The Town Planning Board is set up under the Town Planning Ordinance to prepare statutory plans to show the broad land use framework of specific areas, including major roads and other transport systems, and provide statutory planning controls through land use zoning and specification of development parameters. Two types of statutory plans are prepared: outline zoning plans (OZPs) and development permission area (DPA) plans.

DPA plans are similar to OZPs but they are interim plans covering rural areas of the New Territories and would be eventually replaced by OZPS. Development scheme plans (DSPs) prepared by the Land Development Corporation (LDC) also require approval by the board. The LDC was replaced by the Urban Renewal Authority on May 1, 2001.

During the year, two new OZPs were published by the board. The board also amended 107 statutory plans. At the end of the year, there were 100 OZPs, four DPA plans and 10 DSPs.

Under the Town Planning Ordinance, any person affected by statutory plans on exhibition for public inspection, including DSPs, may lodge objections with the board. During the year, 4 263 objections were lodged with the board. The board gave preliminary consideration to 3 281 objections and further consideration to 128 objections (including those bought forward from previous years). Draft plans, together with objections not withdrawn and amendments made to meet objections, will be submitted to the Chief Executive in Council (CE in C) for approval. During the year, 43 statutory plans were submitted to the CE in C for approval. The CE in C also referred 29 approved plans back to the board for amendment.

Attached to each statutory plan is a set of notes indicating the uses in particular zones that are always permitted and those uses for which the board's permission must

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