CFA hearing on Town Planning Board's appeal concluded

The Court of Final Appeal hearing on the Town Planning Board's (the Board) appeal against the High Court's decision with respect to the Draft Wan Chai North Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) was concluded today (December 12).

It is not the Board's intention to save the Wan Chai North reclamation plan in total. The Board has already decided not to pursue the Harbour Park, and has requested the Government to conduct a comprehensive planning and engineering review on Wan Chai Development Phase II and to draw up a minimum reclamation option that would comply with the law.

The reason why the Board appealed against the High Court judgment was to seek a clarification of the legal principles behind the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance in view of the Court's highly restrictive interpretation which could have far-reaching implications on future planning and development of the harbourfront areas.

"The Board wishes to bring the Harbour to the people of Hong Kong by providing a well-planned, accessible and vibrant waterfront. This is the vision of the Board", a spokesman of the Board said.

The Board's Vision Statement for Victoria Harbour was published in 1999 to meet public aspirations for protecting and preserving the Harbour.

End/Friday, December 12, 2003

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