ENG-2014 — Page 232

Planning

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

Strategic Planning

'Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy' provides a strategic planning framework for Hong Kong's future development up to 2030. Under the overarching goal of sustainable development, it aims to provide Hong Kong with an environment which promotes quality of life, enhance economic competitiveness and improve connectivity with the Mainland and the world. The Development Bureau and Planning Department are updating this strategic planning framework, and are reviewing future land requirement for major economic land uses as part of the update.

Town Planning Board

The Town Planning Board (TPB), established under the Town Planning Ordinance, oversees the preparation and review of statutory plans and considers planning applications. In 2014, 22 statutory plans were amended and eight new Outline Zoning Plans and four new Development Permission Area Plans were published.

Any person may submit to the TPB his or her views on draft statutory plans. In 2014, the TPB examined 115,134 such submissions, 24 statutory plans were submitted to the Chief Executive in Council for approval, and the TPB considered 73 applications for amendments to statutory plans, 1,119 applications for planning permission, 649 applications for amendments to the approved schemes, and also reviewed the decisions of its Planning Committees on 107 applications.

Applicants aggrieved by the TPB's decisions may lodge appeals with the independent Town Planning Appeal Board. In 2014, the Appeal Board heard six cases, of which four were dismissed, one was abandoned by the appellant during hearing and one is awaiting decision. The TPB also promulgates guidelines for statutory planning. At the end of 2014, there were 32 sets of guidelines.

Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines

The Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines provide the criteria for determining the scale, location and site requirements of various land uses and facilities applicable to planning studies, town plans and development control. They are reviewed from time to time to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics, and social and economic trends. During the year, chapters on internal transport facilities, environment and community facilities were revised.

Cross-Boundary Planning and Development

The government maintains close liaison with Mainland authorities, particularly Guangdong and Shenzhen. Cross-boundary surveys are commissioned regularly to collect statistical information on various aspects of cross-boundary activities, such as travel patterns and characteristics and Hong Kong people's experience of, and aspirations to, taking up residence in the Mainland. The findings help in planning cross-boundary infrastructure and formulating development strategies.

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