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1. More development restrictions on the cards

1. More development restrictions on the cards
YVONNE LIU , SCMP 16 August 2006

The Planning Department received 129 objections from developers and residents
after it introduced building height restrictions in Kowloon Tong earlier this year.
Photo: Ricky Chung

The Planning Department will speed up the process of imposing development controls across the city with plans to add development and buildings restrictions on six districts within the next six months.

The department earlier this year introduced building height restrictions in Kowloon Tong and as a result received 129 objections from developers and residents.

According to sources close to the government, the Planning Department is reviewing six outline zoning plans that cover six districts in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island .

They did not identify the districts but said the outline zoning plans covered sites on the land sale application list.

The department will consider imposing restrictions on building height, maximum gross floor area and plot ratio, according to sources.

The process was expected to be completed in six months, compared with the existing time period of 12 months.

The department took a year to amend the Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan for imposing building height restriction.

Town planners expect the government will face more objections from developers and the public when the new development controls are imposed in the six districts.

"As Hong Kong is over developed and crowded, the government has to stop the high-density living environment through tighter planning controls," said Betty Ho Siu-fong, the honorary treasurer of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners. "If we don't impose development control, our living environment would continue to worsen. It will have an impact on flat prices."

A spokeswoman for the Town Planning Board said the public would be consulted during the exhibition of the relevant outline zoning plans.

However, Ms Ho said the government had failed to explain their objectives of imposing restrictions in Kowloon Tong.

"The government should carry out consultation before amending the zoning plans. Developers may speed up its building plans submission to escape from new controls. But the government could freeze the building plan consideration processes in the districts to avoid the problem," she said.

Chan Kim-on, a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, said the government should impose temporary development restriction before the consultation was completed.

"It will be fair to the developers and public if the government imposes temporary controls," Mr Chan said.

"The government should provide flexibility for relaxation if the developments are unique and design merits. The existing planning system lacks flexibility."