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1. URA Olympic project draws interest from 17 developers

2. Resumption of land in Tai Kok Tsui and Hung Hom gazetted

3. Five Outline Zoning Plans amended

4. Approved Tin Shui Wai Outline Zoning Plan amended

5. Draft North-East Lantau OZP amended

1. URA Olympic project draws interest from 17 developers
ERNEST KONG, SCMP 29 May 2004

A Tai Kok Tsui redevelopment project has drawn expressions of interest from about 17 land-hungry developers, even though the site will be difficult to develop.

Surveyors said the response to the Urban Renewal Authority's (URA) project in Cherry Street was better than expected, given that it was split into two separate sites. The project will include more than 600 residential units when completed in 2008.

Interested developers include heavyweights such as Cheung Kong (Holdings), Sun Hung Kai Properties, Henderson Land and Sino Land.

Mid-tier developers who have expressed interest include HKR International, K Wah International, Wharf (Holdings), Chinese Estates Holdings and Chinachem Group.

K Wah International senior property manager Wilson Chan said the company hoped to develop the site along similar lines to neighbouring Park Avenue, which was selling at about $4,000 to $5,000 per square foot.

"It is not feasible to develop a relatively large-scale shopping podium with the project split into two sites," Mr Chan said.

The 48,500 sq ft site, next to Olympic Station, has a gross floor area of 459,000 sq ft.

A selection panel will invite qualified parties to submit a formal tender for the development. The chosen developer will be expected to build an 11,800 sq ft home for the elderly and provide 19,000 sq ft of open space.

The Land Development Corp, a forerunner to the URA, selected Cheung Kong as a partner for the project in 1999. However, no contract was signed due to disagreements over development details.

2. Resumption of land in Tai Kok Tsui and Hung Hom gazetted
Hong Kong Government, 28 May 2004

The Lands Department today (May 28) announced the resumption of land in Tai Kok Tsui and Hung Hom for two redevelopment projects of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA).

The two redevelopment projects have been included in the URA's Business Plan for 2003/04. Their implementation will help to rejuvenate the old districts concerned and improve the living conditions of local residents.

A total of 21 interests in Bedford Road/Larch Street, Tai Kok Tsui, and four interests in Baker Court, Hung Hom, will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. The affected interests will revert to the Government three months from the date of the Gazette Notices. Details of the private land affected are contained in the Gazette published today.

Apart from their entitlement to statutory compensation, eligible owners of domestic property will be offered an ex-gratia home purchase allowance or supplementary allowance as appropriate.

Owners and tenants affected may make statutory claims under the Lands Resumption Ordinance and, if the claims cannot be settled by agreement, may apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Any professional fees reasonably incurred for making such a claim may be reimbursed by Government. Occupiers of commercial properties may also be eligible for an ex-gratia allowance in lieu of the right to make statutory claims for business loss and disturbance.

Eligible domestic occupiers will be offered rehousing or an ex-gratia cash allowance in lieu of rehousing. Rehousing will be in units provided by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Housing Society, or the URA itself.

Upon completion of resumption and clearance, the Tai Kok Tsui site and the Hung Hom site covering an area of about 1 240 square metres and 250 square metres respectively will be granted to the URA at nominal premium for redevelopment.

The projects will contribute to general environmental improvements in the localities. Mixed use development is permitted on the sites, and the current proposals are for residential developments with commercial use on the lower floors.

3. Five Outline Zoning Plans amended
Hong Kong Government, 28 May 2004

The Town Planning Board today (May 28) announced amendments to five approved Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs).

The amendments mainly involve revision of the Notes of the OZPs to follow a revised set of Master Schedule of Notes (MSN) to Statutory Plans endorsed by the Town Planning Board. Under the revised MSN, various measures including broad-use terms have been introduced to provide greater flexibility for change of use and reduce the need for planning applications.

The general provisions under the covering Notes and the user schedules for various land use zones have been revised to expand the scope of uses that are always permitted. The planning intentions for various zones have also been incorporated into the Notes to form part of the relevant OZPs.

The five approved OZPs amended are as follows:

* Approved Wan Chai Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H5/21

* Approved Causeway Bay Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H6/12

* Approved Mid-levels East Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H12/8

* Approved Aberdeen & Ap Lei Chau Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H15/19

* Approved Yuen Long Outline Zoning Plan No. S/YL/12

The amendments to these five approved plans are available for public inspection during normal office hours at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point and the relevant District Planning Offices of the Planning Department, District Offices and/or Rural Committee Offices.

Anyone affected by the amendments to these five approved OZPs may submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before July 28, 2004.

Copies of the relevant draft plans are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plans can be seen on the Town Planning Board's website at www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

4. Approved Tin Shui Wai Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 28 May 2004

The Town Planning Board today (May 28) announced amendments to the approved Tin Shui Wai Outline Zoning Plan.

Amendments have been made to revise the Notes of the OZP in accordance with a revised set of Master Schedule of Notes (MSN) to Statutory Plans endorsed by the Town Planning Board. Under the revised MSN, various measures including broad use terms have been introduced to provide greater flexibility for change of use and reduce the need for planning application.

The general provisions under the covering Notes and the user schedules for various land use zones have been revised to expand the scope of uses that are always permitted. Besides, the planning intentions for various zones have been incorporated into the Notes to form part of the statutory plan.

Moreover, the Notes for the "Residential (Group B)" zone have been revised to incorporate the restriction on maximum non-domestic gross floor area within the zone so as to reflect the existing control under the lease.

The draft Tin Shui Wai OZP No. S/TSW/8 incorporating the amendments is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the following locations:

* Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point;

* Tuen Mun and Yuen Long District Planning Office, 14th Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin;

* Yuen Long District Office, Yuen Long District Office Building, 269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long; and

* Ping Shan District Rural Committee, No. 137-149 On Ning Road, Yuen Long.

Any person affected by the amendments can submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before July 28, 2004.

Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be seen on the Town Planning Board's website at http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

5. Draft North-East Lantau OZP amended
Hong Kong Government, 28 May 2004

The Town Planning Board today (May 28) announced amendments to the draft North-East Lantau Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The amendments include the rezoning of strips of land shown as "Road" near the planned water recreation centre to "Other Specified Uses" (OU) annotated "Water Recreation Centre" to reflect refinements to the detailed alignments of the Cho Ko Wan Link Road (Penny's Bay Section) and Road P2, and the fire station site at Penny's Bay from "Government, Institution or Community" (G/IC) to "Government, Institution or Community (2)" (G/IC(2)) to allow for the installation of a lightning rod above the fire station.

General revision to the Notes of the Plan has also been made to reflect the refinements to the revised Master Schedule of Notes to Statutory Plans recently endorsed by the Board.

The draft North-East Lantau OZP No. S/I-NEL/11, incorporating the amendments, is now available for public inspection during normal office hours at the following locations:

* Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road;

* Lantau and Islands District Planning Office, 15/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road;

* Islands District Office, 20/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central;

* Islands District Office, Mui Wo Sub-office, G/F, Mui Wo Government Offices, 2 Ngan Kwong Wan Road; and

* Tsuen Wan District Office, 1/F and 2/F, Tsuen Wan Station Multi-storey Carpark Building, 174-208 Castle Peak Road.

Anyone affected by the amendments can submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before June 18, 2004.

Copies of the draft OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in Yau Ma Tei and North Point. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website (www.info.gov.hk/tpb).