ENG-2019 — Page 243

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

Twelve projects launched under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme of the bureau's Commissioner for Heritage's Office (CHO) are up and running, while works for three other revitalisation projects are in progress, scheduled for completion by early 2021. Preparatory works, including detailed design, for another four projects are under way. Applications for a new batch of four historic buildings opened in December 2019 and the assessment results will be announced by late 2021.

The Built Heritage Conservation Fund operates two funding schemes to support public engagement and research. Public engagement activities conducted under the fund in 2019, including an exhibition, lectures, guided tours to historic buildings and workshops, recorded more than 15,000 participants.

In the private domain, the CHO and the Antiquities and Monuments Office monitor any works or development of declared monuments and graded historic buildings and engage owners of historic buildings to discuss preservation options. The CHO approved grants for maintenance works at 12 historic buildings under the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme on Built Heritage in 2019.

Restoration and repair works were carried out at Fan Sin Temple and Man Mo Temple in Tai Po and Tung Wah Museum in Yau Ma Tei. Archaeological investigations were conducted in Tuen Mun, North District, Yuen Long, Lantau Island and Cheung Chau.

The Antiquities Advisory Board advises the government on antiquities and monuments. As at end-2019, it had confirmed the gradings of 1,5362 historic buildings to provide an objective basis for guiding conservation efforts. A rock carving at Cape Collinson in Eastern District, Yuk Hui Temple in Wan Chai and Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall in Sheung Shui were declared monuments during the year in accordance with the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

Development Framework

Town Planning Board

As a statutory body established under the Town Planning Ordinance, the TPB oversees the preparation and review of statutory plans and considers planning applications. In 2019, it amended nine statutory plans. The board also promulgates guidelines for statutory planning. It has 32 sets of guidelines.

Anyone may submit views on draft statutory plans to the TPB. In 2019, the board examined 1,128 such submissions. It also considered 70 applications for amendments to statutory plans, 1,124 for planning permission, 1,410 for amendments to the approved schemes and 67 to review the decisions of its planning committees.

Applicants aggrieved by the TPB's decisions may lodge appeals with the independent Town Planning Appeal Board. In 2019, the appeal board heard two cases.

This figure comprises items on the list of 1,444 historic buildings and new items proposed for grading.

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