ENG-2015 — Page 232

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

28-hectare site for residential and other uses. The government also launched feasibility studies. on the relocation of three other service reservoirs or sewage treatment works to caverns.

The CEDD is continuing with a consultancy study on the long-term strategy for cavern development, with the aim of formulating a territory-wide Cavern Master Plan and new initiatives to facilitate cavern development.

Underground Space Development

The CEDD is continuing with a territory-wide study to identify the constraints for urban underground space development. The department began a pilot study in Causeway Bay, Happy Valley, Admiralty/Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui West in 2015 to formulate master plans for underground development in these areas and identify priority projects.

Major Planning Studies and Development Projects

Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas

The KTN and FLN Outline Zoning Plans were approved in June 2015. These plans provide a land use framework for the NDAs to meet Hong Kong's long-term housing, social and economic development needs. The KTN and FLN NDAs will provide about 60,000 new flats altogether, of which 60 per cent will be Public Rental Housing and Home Ownership Scheme units, to accommodate an additional population of about 173,000. The two areas will also produce about 37,700 new job opportunities. Development works are being implemented in phases for full completion by 2031. The Advance Works and First Stage Works are the first phase, involving site formation and associated engineering infrastructure for about 16,000 flats to accommodate the first intake of about 46,500 residents by 2023, and to support subsequent NDA development. Detailed design and site investigation for this first phase began in November 2014 and major construction works are anticipated to start in 2018.

Tung Chung New Town Extension

Following the end of a Tung Chung New Town Extension Study, the government proposed building about 49,400 flats and a commercial hub with gross floor area of about 877,000 sq m for office, retail and hotel use along with the creation of about 40,000 jobs to meet housing, social, economic, environmental and local needs in the area. The Planning Department and the CEDD submitted an environmental impact assessment report in October 2015 and are preparing to gazette the statutory plans and reclamation works. Subject to funding approval, detailed design and site investigation would start around mid-2016. The construction works are anticipated to begin in 2017 for the first population intake in end-2023 at the earliest.

Quarry Sites

Outline zoning plans for the Anderson Road and Cha Kwo Ling quarry sites were amended in 2014 and 2015 to take forward land use proposals recommended under planning studies completed for the two areas. It is envisaged that these sites will provide about 9,400 and 2,200 new flats to accommodate additional populations of about 25,000 and 6,000 respectively. At Anderson Road, design of the site formation and infrastructure works started in 2014 and construction is anticipated to begin in 2016 for the first population intake in 2022-23.

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