1 Revitalisation of Repulse Bay building urged
Olga Wong, SCMP 19 December 2008
The government has been urged to consider a proposal to revitalise the Seaview Building in Repulse Bay, instead of tearing it down, and sell it with an open space for hotel development.
Non-profit organisation Designing Hong Kong has suggested turning half of the car park next to the building, originally an open space, back into a space for public enjoyment.
Architect Vincent Ng Wing-shun said half of the existing car park could be used to accommodate coaches for tourists, while the other half could be made into a green space with trees and grass. The group said the proposal would cut existing traffic on Beach Road by 5 per cent. Idling coaches unloading tourists along Beach Road are a major source of traffic congestion.
Under the government's plan, the car park has been zoned as open space and will be sold with the Seaview Building for hotel development.
It would take only HK$10 million to HK$20 million to renovate the 60-year-old Seaview Building, Mr Ng said, adding the building could be turned into a vibrant place for alfresco dining, beach club and small shops serving beach-goers. Residents are worried that the proposed hotel development will aggravate traffic problems.
2 Approved Wo Keng Shan Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2008
The Town Planning Board today (December 19) announced amendments to the approved Wo Keng Shan Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The amendments involve rezoning of several land parcels adjoining the North East New Territories Landfill from “Green Belt” to “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Landfill” for the proposed extension of the North East New Territories Landfill.
The draft Wo Keng Shan OZP No S/NE-WKS/9, incorporating the amendments, is now available for public inspection during office hours at the Board’s Secretariat; the Planning Enquiry Counters at North Point and Sha Tin Government Offices; the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Offices; the North District Office; as well as the Ta Kwu Ling and Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committees.
Any person can make written representations in respect of the amendments to the board’s on or before February 19, 2009. Representations made to the Board will be available for public inspection.
Copies of the draft Wo Keng Shan OZP No. S/NE-WKS/9 are available for sale at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version of the plan can be viewed at the Board's website at (www.info.gov.hk/tpb/).
3 Proposed improvement to Sham Tseng Interchange gazetted
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2008
The Government published in the Gazette today (December 19) the proposed improvement works at Sham Tseng Interchange.
The proposed works include construction of a single-lane vehicular underpass beneath Tuen Mun Road (TMR) at Sham Tseng Interchange (STI); widening of TMR slip road between TMR Kowloon Bound and Castle Peak Road–Sham Tseng from a single two-lane to single three-lane carriageway; modification of the junction of TMR slip road at STI (north of Block 5 of Rhine Garden) to a signalised junction; modification of the junction of TMR slip road with Castle Peak Road–Sham Tseng; reconstruction of at-grade pavements; some sections of the existing underpass, carriageways and footpaths will be extended, permanently or temporarily closed; and ancillary works including slope, drainage, landscaping and utility works.
The construction work will start at the end of 2009 and be completed by the end of 2014.
The plan and scheme are available for public inspection at the following Government Offices during office hours:
(i) Central and Western District Office,
Public Enquiry Service Centre, Unit 5, Ground Floor, The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central;
(ii) Tsuen Wan District Office,
1st Floor, Tsuen Wan Station Multi-storey Carpark Building, 174-208 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan; and
(iii) Tuen Mun District Office,
2nd Floor, Tuen Mun Government Offices, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun;
(iv) District Lands Office, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing,
10th Floor, Tsuen Wan Station Multi-storey Carpark Building, 174-208 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan; and
(v) District Lands Office, Tuen Mun,
6th Floor, Tuen Mun Government Offices, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun.
Any person who wishes to object to the proposed works or the use, or both should write to the office of the Secretary for Transport and Housing, 16th Floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong, on or before February 17, 2009.
4 Walkway covers of footpaths near Exit D of Tai Wai Station gazetted
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2008
The Government published a notice in the Gazette today (December 19) on a proposal to construct walkway covers for sections of existing footpaths near Exit D of Tai Wai Station.
Proposed works include construction of walkway covers for sections of existing footpaths at Mei Tin Road near Tsuen Nam Road roundabout and outside Exit D of Tai Wai Station; conversion of sections of existing footpaths into amenity areas; and ancillary works including civil, drainage, water and landscaping works.
Some sections of existing footpaths will be temporarily or permanently closed.
The plan and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:
(i) Central and Western District Office, Public Enquiry Service Centre, Unit 5, Ground Floor, The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central;
(ii) Sha Tin District Office, Public Enquiry Services Centre, Ground Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin; and
(iii) District Lands Office, Sha Tin, 11/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin.
Any person who wishes to object to the proposed works or the use, or both should write to the Secretary for Transport and Housing, 16th Floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong, on or before February 17, 2009.
5 Roads and drainage modification works at Whitehead and Lok Wo Sha phase 1 gazetted
Hong Kong Government, 19 December 2008
The Government published a notice in the Gazette today (December 19) on a scheme to provide roads, drainage and sewerage works for the phase 1 development in Whitehead and Lok Wo Sha with modification. The modification involves revision of the proposed limit of works area.
Proposed works include construction of a dual two-lane carriageway connecting to the existing Sai Sha Road roundabout; construction of a single two-lane carriageway; construction of an access road connecting to the future sewage pumping station; realignment of the existing access road; temporary or permanent closure, demolition and reconstruction of sections of the existing carriageways and footpaths/tracks; construction of associated footpaths, cycle tracks, central reserves/traffic islands, amenity areas and retaining walls; and ancillary works including landscaping, drainage and sewerage works.
The works will start in mid-2009 for completion by 2011.
The modification plan of the works is available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:
(i) Central and Western District Office, Public Enquiry Service Centre, Unit 5, G/F, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central;
(ii) Sha Tin District Office, Public Enquiry Service Centre, Ground Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin; and
(iii) District Lands Office, Sha Tin, 11th Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin.
