The Development Bureau (DEVB) said today that with the completion of the statutory planning process, the Government will press ahead with the San Tin Technopole and related projects.

The Chief Executive-in-Council has approved three draft outline zoning plans that provide a statutory planning framework for taking forward the San Tin Technopole and the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP) projects.

The approved plans are the draft San Tin Technopole Outline Zoning Plan (OZP), the draft Mai Po & Fairview Park OZP, and the draft Ngau Tam Mei OZP. The statutory planning for the Loop was approved earlier.

The DEVB said although the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for San Tin Technopole is under the challenge of a judicial review, the project is underpinned by comprehensive and professional studies and extensive consultation in accordance with the laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the project carries strategic importance to innovation and technology (I&T) development, and there is a strong voice in society for accelerating I&T development without further delay.

The DEVB made it clear that the Government is striving to promote the development of the Northern Metropolis as a strategic growth area, pressing ahead with various land development, infrastructure and housing projects to address the needs of society, people’s livelihood and economic development.

The Government will not, and should not, halt a project that will bring benefits to society simply because an individual has applied for a judicial review.

The government team will tackle the challenges of the judicial review in full strength, while proceeding with the project cautiously and pragmatically, with a view to minimising the impact to the project progress arising from the judicial review.

The DEVB added that the Government will seek funding approval for the first batch of site formation and infrastructure works for the San Tin Technopole from the Legislative Council Finance Committee towards the end of this year as scheduled, targeting to have the first batch of I&T sites formed in 2026.

The availability of I&T land in a progressive and timely manner will create more space for local I&T startups to grow and better attract companies outside Hong Kong to settle in here.

This will fuel up the momentum for development of the whole I&T sector, duly responding to the strategic support for Hong Kong to develop into an international I&T centre under the 14th Five-Year Plan.

Besides, the Government has been emphasising the co-existence of development and conservation. One of the goals of establishing the SPS WCP is to achieve no-net-loss in the ecological function and capacity arising from development.

When the authorities apply for works funding towards the end of this year, they will bundle it with the funding application for the design work of the SPS WCP Phase 1.

The DEVB stressed that the funding application for the first batch of works will not involve pond filling. As committed earlier, the Government will not start the pond filling works before the commencement of works for the wetland park in 2026-27.

As the flagship project of the Northern Metropolis, the San Tin Technopole will provide about 160,000 employment opportunities and about 50,000 flats. Its vision is to become a modern new development area with industrial development, ecological conservation and a livable environment.