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1. HA's Divestment Plan to Adopt REIT Structure (Friday, 19 December 2003)

2. Resumption of land in Sai Ying Pun gazetted

3. Approved Hebe Haven Outline Zoning Plan referred back for amendment

4. Approved Kennedy Town and Mount Davis Outline Zoning Plan amended

5. Approved Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling Outline Zoning Plan amended

6. Draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended

7. 28 approved Outline Zoning Plans referred to TPB for amendment

1. HA's Divestment Plan to Adopt REIT Structure (Friday, 19 December 2003)
HKHA Press Release, 19 December 2003

The Housing Authority's Supervisory Group on Divestment (SGD) today (19 December) agreed in principle to pursue a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) structure for implementing its divestment plan for its retail and car parking facilities (RC Facilities).

The SGD adopted the recommendation made by the Joint Global Coordinators (JGCs) at a meeting today during which members thoroughly examined and discussed the impact of two broad divestment structures for the RC Facilities, namely a REIT structure or a property company structure with REIT characteristics.

A spokesman for the Housing Authority said, "The SGD agreed with the JGCs' recommendation that a REIT would be the optimal divestment structure for the HA scenario in that it meets the objectives for setting up a vehicle with strong corporate governance and promoting a successful divestment."

Following the decision, the JGCs will proceed along the REIT route, and maintain a close liaison with the relevant regulatory bodies on the required approvals.

2. Resumption of land in Sai Ying Pun gazetted
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2003

The Lands Department today (December 19) announced the resumption of land in Sai Ying Pun for a redevelopment project of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA).

The redevelopment project has been included in the first Business Plan of the URA for 2002-03. Its implementation will help to rejuvenate the old district concerned and improve the living conditions of its residents.

A total of 64 interests in First Street, Second Street and Centre Street will be resumed under the Lands Resumption Ordinance. The affected interests will revert to the Government three months from the date of the Gazette Notice. 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 can make statutory claims under the Lands Resumption Ordinance and, if the claims cannot be settled by agreement, can apply to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Any professional fees reasonably incurred for making such a claim may be reimbursed by the 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 site covering an area of about 3,511 square metres will be granted to the URA at nominal premium for redevelopment.

The project will contribute to general environmental improvements in the locality. The site will be developed principally for commercial/residential use with the provision of a residential care home for the elderly and open space.

Ends/Friday, December 19, 2003

3. Approved Hebe Haven Outline Zoning Plan referred back for amendment
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2003

The Chief Executive in Council has referred the approved Hebe Haven Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) to the Town Planning Board for amendment.

The Hebe Haven OZP was last approved by the Chief Executive in Council on February 22, 2000. Amendments to the approved OZP are necessary to reflect the latest planning proposals in the Hebe Haven area.

The Hebe Haven OZP incorporating the amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance.

4. Approved Kennedy Town and Mount Davis Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2003

The Town Planning Board today (December 19) announced amendments to the approved Kennedy Town and Mount Davis Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

Major amendments include deletion of the indicative limit and annotation of the possible future reclamation off Kennedy Town, and rezoning of a site at Victoria Road occupied by the former Kung Man Tsuen (Mount Davis Cottage Area) from "Village Type Development" ("V") and "Village Type Development (1)" to "Undetermined".

A site occupied by The Belcher's at Pok Fu Lam Road is rezoned from "Residential (Group B)" ("R(B)") and "Green Belt" to "Residential (Group A)1" ("R(A)1") together with minor boundary adjustment and three pieces of land at the eastern boundary of The Belcher's are rezoned from "R(B)" to "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)"), "Government, Institution or Community" (GIC) and "Road" to reflect the latest development of the area.

In connection with the amendments, a set of Remarks is incorporated in the Notes for the "R(A)" zone to stipulate restrictions on domestic and non-domestic gross floor areas and the requirements to provide GIC facilities and public open space on land designated "R(A)1" as well as to make provision for minor reduction of the gross floor area for the GIC facilities on application under the Town Planning Ordinance. The previous Notes for the "V" zone have also been deleted.

Other amendments include revision of the Notes of the OZP to effect 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 a variety of land use zones have been revised to expand the scope of uses that are always permitted. The planning intention for various zones has been incorporated in the Notes to form part of the statutory plan.

The draft Kennedy Town and Mount Davis OZP No. S/H1/13 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;

* Hong Kong District Planning Office, 14/F, North Point Government

Offices; and

* Central and Western District Office, G/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central.

Anyone affected by the amendments can submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before February, 19 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 seen on the board's website at www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

5. Approved Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2003

The Town Planning Board today (December 19) announced the amendments to the approved Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The amendments include rezoning a site next to Man Kam To Road in Fu Tei Au from "Open Storage" to "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Petrol Filling Station" "OU(PFS)" to facilitate the development of a proposed petrol and liquefied petroleum gas filling station. In this connection, the Notes for the "OU(PFS)" zone will be added.

Other amendments involve revision of the Notes of the OZP 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 intention for various zones have been incorporated in the Notes to form part of the statutory plan.

The draft Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling OZP No. S/NE-FTA/6 incorporating the amendments is 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, North Point;

* Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, 13/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin;

* North District Office, 3/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling;

* Sheung Shui District Rural Committee, 3 Po Wan Road, Sheung Shui; and

* Ta Kwu Ling District Rural Committee, Ping Che Road, Ta Kwu Ling.

Anyone affected by the amendments can submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before February 19, 2004.

Copies of the draft OZP 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 www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

6. Draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2003

The Town Planning Board today (December 19) announced amendments to the draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

The major amendments include rezoning all "Commercial/Residential" sites in Tsuen Wan to "Commercial", "Residential (Group A)" ("R(A)"), "Other Specified Uses"("OU") annotated "Mass Transit Railway Depot with Commercial and Residential Development Above", or "OU" annotated "Mass Transit Railway" to facilitate more effective infrastructure planning and better land use management in Tsuen Wan.

Other amendments include rezoning part of a "Comprehensive Development Area" site (occupied by the Tsuen Wan South Substation and Tsuen Wan Sewage Pumping Station) near Tsuen Tsing Interchange to "Government, Institution or Community" ("G/IC"); rezoning an existing hotel site (The Bay Bridge) in Yau Kom Tau and two residential sites (The Cairnhill and The Cliveden) at Route Twisk from "Residential (Group B)" ("R(B)") to "R(B)1", "R(B)2" and "R(B)3" respectively; rezoning the Tsuen King Circuit Wu Chung Public Swimming Pool, the Tsuen King Circuit Sports Centre and the Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital and its associated staff quarters from "R(A)", "Open Space" ("O"), "Nullah" and "Road" to "G/IC"; rezoning a number of existing recreation grounds and gardens at Tsuen King Circuit from "G/IC', "R(A)" and "Nullah" to "O".

The proposed Tsuen Wan Bay Further Reclamation will be deleted from the OZP.

The Notes of the OZP are also amended to follow a revised set of Master Schedule of Notes to Statutory Plans. The Notes for "R(A)" and "R(B)" zones are revised to incorporate plot ratio controls and other relevant development restrictions.

In addition, the Notes for "OU" annotated "Mass Transit Railway Depot with Commercial and Residential Development Above" are added.

The draft Tsuen Wan OZP No. S/TW/19, 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, North Point;

* Tsuen Wan and West Kowloon District Planning Office, 27/F, Tsuen Wan Government Offices, 38 Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan; and

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

Anyone affected by the amendments can submit a written objection to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before January 9, 2004.

Copies of the draft Tsuen Wan OZP 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 www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

7. 28 approved Outline Zoning Plans referred to TPB for amendment
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2003

The Town Planning Board today (December 19) announced that the Chief Executive in Council had referred 28 approved Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) to the board for amendment.

"Amendments to these OZPs are necessary. They mainly revise the Notes of the 28 OZPs to follow the revised set of Master Schedule of Notes (MSN) endorsed by the board on February 28 this year," a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said.

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 permit more uses as of right wherever appropriate.

The planning intention for various zones will be incorporated in the Notes to form part of the statutory plans. Technical and other amendments to reflect the latest land use proposals will also be incorporated.

The 28 OZPs are as follows:

- Wan Chai OZP No. S/H5/21;

- Causeway Bay OZP No. S/H6/12;

- North Point OZP No. S/H8/17;

- Pok Fu Lam OZP No. S/H10/13;

- Mid-Levels East OZP No. S/H12/8;

- Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau OZP No. S/H15/19;

- Stanley OZP No. S/H19/8;

- Shek Kip Mei OZP No. S/K4/17;

- Lai Chi Kok OZP No. S/K16/12;

- Tsuen Wan West OZP No. S/TWW/14;

- Ho Chung OZP No. S/SK-HC/5;

- Tai Long Wan OZP No. S/SK-TLW/2;

- South Lantau Coast OZP No. S/SLC/12;

- Discovery Bay OZP No. S/I-DB/2;

- Kwu Tung South OZP No. S/NE-KTS/8;

- Lam Tsuen OZP No. S/NE-LT/7;

- Sha Lo Tung OZP No. S/NE-SLT/2;

- Ping Kong OZP No. S/NE-PK/6;

- Wo Keng Shan OZP No. S/NE-WKS/3;

- Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South OZP No. S/NE-LYT/7;

- Man Uk Pin OZP No. S/NE-MUP/6;

- Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling OZP No. S/NE-TKL/7;

- Kau Lung Hang OZP No. S/NE-KLH/7;

- Tuen Mun OZP No. S/TM/18;

- Tin Shui Wai OZP No. S/TSW/7;

- Ngau Tam Mei OZP No. S/YL-NTM/8;

- Tai Tong OZP No. S/YL-TT/10; and

- Kam Tin South OZP No. S/YL-KTS/6

The 28 OZPs incorporating the above amendments will be exhibited for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance.

The plans were approved by the Chief Executive in Council between December 2000 and September 2003.