***
Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (March 5):
Question:
In September 2001, the Town Planning Board (TPB) endorsed a recommendation of the Planning Department to introduce a new land use zoning of "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Rural Use" ("OU(RU)") for land intended for maintaining the rural landscape and for rural and recreational uses that were commensurate with the rural environment. Under this new zoning, low-density, low-rise developments (maximum plot ratio of 0.4 and building height of three storeys) may be permitted by the TPB. In June 2002, the new zoning was first introduced in the amended Tai Tong Outline Zoning Plan, in which three pieces of land were rezoned from "Agriculture" to OU(RU). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it had conducted proper public consultation on the introduction of the new land use zoning of OU(RU); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) it had assessed if the new land use zoning will lead to speculation on agricultural land, pose threats to the New Territories' rural landscape, and have impacts on sites with conservation and heritage value; if it has, of the assessment results; and
(c) it has given due regard to the formulation of a policy on conservation and agriculture before deciding to introduce the new land use zoning?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Pursuant to section 3 of the Town Planning Ordinance (the Ordinance), the Town Planning Board (TPB) is responsible for the preparation of statutory town plans. From time to time, new statutory plans or amendments to statutory plans introducing new land use zonings and/or associated schedules of uses may be made to suit the changing planning circumstances and socio-economic needs of the community. When a new land use zoning is introduced in a new or amendment plan, the public will be given an opportunity to inspect and object to the proposals contained in the plans in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance.
The land use zoning of "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Rural Use" ("OU(RU)") was first introduced in the draft Tai Tong Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) in June 2002 as a pilot proposal to gauge public views on this zoning. The Yuen Long District Council was consulted before and during the exhibition of the Tai Tong OZP.
In addition, the "OU(RU)" zoning was included in the public consultation on the Review of the Master Schedule of Notes conducted in August 2002. The Planning Department also held several meetings with the Green Groups to exchange views on this new zoning. At the request of the Green Groups, the consultation period for the Master Schedule was actually extended to November 2002 to allow sufficient time for the Green Groups to prepare a submission to TPB.
(b) The planning intention of the "OU(RU)" zoning is primarily to preserve the character of the rural area. Like other land use zonings, the "OU(RU)" zone is no more than a mechanism to guide development. Detailed district assessments will be made before any rezoning proposal is put to TPB for consideration. Even if a site had been rezoned "OU(RU)", any development that might have an impact on the rural environment would still be subject to the scrutiny of the TPB under the planning permission system. Application for development would only be permitted if the applicant could demonstrate that there would be no adverse impact on the rural environment.
(c) The "OU(RU)" zoning was introduced in the draft Tai Tong OZP as a pilot, and its applicability at district level would be subject to detailed assessments. In so doing, we would take into account all relevant considerations, including land use compatibility, accessibility, infrastructure capacity, as well as government's policy objectives in respect of conservation and agriculture, before any rezoning proposal to individual sites is put to TPB.
End/Wednesday, March 5, 2003
NNNN