ENG-2007 — Page 260

212 | Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation

The Development Bureau is also responsible for enhancing the Government's heritage conservation work and for striking a balance between development and conservation. The Government's heritage conservation policy and initiatives were drawn up in response to public aspirations and to facilitate active public involvement in protecting Hong Kong's heritage.

Planning for Hong Kong

Strategic town planning provides an important framework for Hong Kong's future development. To this end, the Government completed the 'Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy' study which provides a planning framework for the city's long-term development.

The Government maintains close liaison with the Guangdong authorities on planning matters under an arrangement called the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference. Joint studies with the Guangdong Government on coordinated development of the Greater Pearl River Delta townships and with the Shenzhen Municipal Government on a new corridor to be built at Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai, and an internal study for examination of the planning, environmental and engineering aspects of the new cross-boundary control point were continuing at end- 2007. The study 'Land Use Planning for the Closed Area' was also progressing.

Land Use Planning

The Planning Department prepares planning and development strategy at the territorial level and town plans at the district level. The Department also keeps the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines under constant review, and serves as the executive arm of the Town Planning Board.

Town Planning Board

The Town Planning Board (TPB) is the principal body responsible for statutory planning in Hong Kong. Its members are appointed by the Chief Executive under the Town Planning Ordinance (TPO). Comprising predominantly non-official members, the TPB oversees the preparation of draft statutory plans, considers representations to such plans and considers applications for planning permissions and for amendments to plans. In 2007, 19 statutory plans were amended and three Urban Renewal Authority development scheme plans were published. At year-end, there were 108 outline zoning plans (OZPS), one development permission area (DPA) plan, eight Land Development Corporation development scheme plans and eight Urban Renewal Authority development scheme plans.

Under the TPO, any person may submit to the TPB representations in respect of draft statutory plans exhibited for public inspection. In 2007, the TPB heard 2 748 representations and related comments. The authority to approve statutory plan rests with the Chief Executive in Council. During the year, 15 statutory plans were submitted to the Chief Executive in Council for approval. To achieve greater public participation in the planning process, a new section about applications for amendment of statutory plans was incorporated in the TPO in 2004. In 2007, the TPB considered 49 such applications.