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  Friends of Sai Kung | Projects | Planning
photo Clear Water Bay area development
       
Although Sai Kung is considered the “Garden of Hong Kong” it seems to be up to us to ensure it stays that way. Sometimes development is necessary (such as sewage works), sometimes it enhances the area (garden areas) and other times it is just a crime. Pristine conservation areas end up under a slab of concrete, trees are felled at night so that no-one has a chance to complain, new developments are not planned and no thought is given to what the changes will mean to the area (fauna, flora, humans, traffic, utilities usage, etc).

Many of our members have experienced “fighting” the developers. Sometimes the projects have gone ahead regardless but more than once the projects have been put on hold (Sha Ha), stopped and moved somewhere else or enhanced thanks to our action. Through these pages we want to share successful strategies adopted in the past. In addition we will also post a list of current applications that are open for comments. Please follow the links below.
   
  Current Applications
   
     

This is a list of current applications:

New House Lot 253 in D.D. 257and adjoining Government Land, Wong Keng Tei,Sai Kung, New Territories: A/SK-TMT/20

Application to build a new house. Objections to be uploaded shortly
Expiry Date for Making Comments on Application 20 June 2008 (scroll down for a generic form to send comments)

Change of Coastal Protection area to Fishing：A/SK-TMT/19

Apparently the application was to renew a license for recreational fishing. However locals are keeping an eye on it should they decide to change the zoning of this site. This is an area (Government Land) that seems to be already being used as a fishing area (pay for entry and/or fish they catch).

Site map
Application gist

A/SK-HC/162 - Application for a three storey house in Ho Chung New village

This latest application to build a house in Ho Chung New village follows on from the previous applications to build in the area, they now total over 17 houses (none of them with car parking space). As the area is going to be developed anyway, those concerned are sending their comments to the Planning Board with suggestions as how to improve the whole development (not just the individual sites): a green belt by the road, pedestrian access, emergency vehicle access, better public transport to service what might be over 150 new people in the area, etc).

Site map
Application gist

Generic form for Comments (remember to add the application number and your details)

 
 
  Past Applications
   
     

Below is a list of applications for which the comments period has already closed.

A/SK-HC/161 - 2 storey Buddhist Temple in Ho Chung valley - comment's period until 13th of May

Application to build a two storey temple in the middle of the Ho Chung valley, most of which is agricultural land either disused or cultivated. This is one of the few undeveloped areas remaining in Sai Kung. At one point there were talking about extending the Ma On Shan Country Park down to the valley. Many of you have probably walked up it to the catchwater.

The worry about setting a precendet for other structures is probably not justified as not many people would want to build next to an osuary (it seems that is what the owner has in mind for the area).

Locals are worried about having a burial ground next to their homes and there is also some concern about a possible area for burning offerings that could be a fire hazard and pollute the area with unwanted smoke.

If the owner really only has in mind to make some money out of his beautiful gardens maybe he should be encouraged, but perhaps further information is needed to understand why he needs a two storey structure and what the neighbours think.

Site map
Application gist

A/SK-CWBN/8 - Clear Water Bay Peninsula North - comments until 05/04/2008

Application to use the land for an organic farm. The area is below the village Pik Shui Sun Tsuen, north of HKUST and just above Pak Shui Wun. The text below is a smaple of an objection lodged:

OBJECT to the application based on the following:
1. Incompatible with the zoning as coastal protection area
2. Incompatible with the zoning as conservation area
3. Approval will start process of incremental conversion of area to higher intensity uses
4. The proposed use will require an access road with related slope works through a sensitive area - unless specifically denied by the Board
5. The proposed use will require works in a sensitive area unless it is specified by the Board that the use may not require any works or otherwise affect or disturb any surrounding land (including for, among others, slope protection, sewage, electricity, water, and so forth.)

Official information and link for sending your comments

Y/SK - CWBN/3 - Rezoning from Conservation Area to Residential (Group C) 4 - Oct.2007
An application for rezoning this 2,580m2 site near the end of Hang Hau Wing Lung Road. Not only has the rezoning permit been granted but the developer has decided to speed things up and destroy the adjacent area to ensure more room for extra houses. More information

TPB/Y/SK-TMT/2 Rezoning of Coastal Protection Area - March 2007
An application for development in Wong Keng Tei, the village between Tsam Chuk Wan and the barrier to Sai Kung East Country Park.

A/SK-SKT/1 Sha Ha development - March 2007
An application to build residential blocks by the water front in Sai Kung. Luckily the application has been put on hold as “the existing infrastructure would not be enough to accommodate the 600+ new residents expected”. More information

H/SK-HC/151, 147, 146, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157 Village houses in Ho Chung New village - March 2007 ongoing
A series of applications to build 3 story village houses at the end of Ho Chung New Village (by the Nam Pin Wai Rd.) These applications have been granted despite reservations by Agriculture and Fisheries Department who would like to retain agricultural areas. More information

Link to the: Town planning board applications list

If you have any other applications to add please send an email the forum to make a record.

 
   Strategies
     
For a rough guide as to what to do in any of the situations below please follow the links:    
     
     

New development applications