The zoning of the 4.72-hectare site designated for the proposed Global Innovation Centre by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in Pok Fu Lam is amended from "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Global Innovation Centre" to "Undetermined", the Planning Department announced today.

The Town Planning Board (TPB) completed the deliberation on the representations in respect of the draft Pok Fu Lam Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H10/22 today. After thorough discussion, the TPB decided to accept the department’s recommendation to partially meet some of the representations by making the amendment.

The move allows HKU to review and adjust its proposal in response to the views expressed by the representers and to consult relevant stakeholders including the local community before it submits a revised proposal for the Government's consideration.

During deliberation, the TPB thoroughly considered the 3,677 representations and the oral submissions by about 80 representers and their representatives during a three-day hearing early November, as well as the views and responses of the department and relevant bureaus and departments before arriving at the decision.

TPB members acknowledged that most representers supported the development of the centre by HKU to consolidate Hong Kong's leading position in deep technology research, and their objections and concerns were mainly related to site selection and hence land use compatibility, development intensity, impacts on traffic, visual, landscape, ecological, environmental, geotechnical, public health and safety aspects, as well as the lack of proper consultation.

To address the representers' concerns, TPB members made comments and suggestions for HKU's consideration in reviewing its proposal and taking forward the project.

They include the considerations of alternative locations in Pok Fu Lam and other places such as the Northern Metropolis. If HKU concludes after review that the centre should be in Pok Fu Lam, it should consider whether the present site or another area, including but not limited to the adjoining undeveloped "Residential (Group C) 6" site, is more suitable while minimising impacts on neighbouring communities.

The considerations also include a critical review of the necessity and floorspace requirements for various components of the centre, including accommodation and conferencing facilities, and consider optimising the utilisation of the university's existing premises/facilities to meet such needs.

In addition to enhancing the design, including reducing density and bulk, lowering building height and increasing setback from neighbouring buildings, HKU should address traffic concerns and minimise environmental impacts and nuisance on the neighbouring community and residential developments during both construction and operation phases.

Tree felling and disturbance to natural habitats should be minimised, plus the enhancement of tree compensation and the provision of more green space.

The considerations also cover the incorporation of additional planning and design merits and facilities that might benefit the local community, as well as strengthening efforts to engage and consult with stakeholders including the local community.

In particular, in case HKU decides after review that the centre should remain in Pok Fu Lam, TPB members considered that the university should fully address the impacts on students with hearing impairments in Ebenezer.

Traffic is another area requiring more effort from HKU - not only should the traffic impact of the centre be properly assessed and improvement measures formulated, but the university should also consider advancing the impact study of construction traffic so that the results can be discussed with the local community and refined as appropriate.

Last but not least, TPB members emphasised the need for constructive engagement with stakeholders and looked forward to HKU stepping up communication with them, as it has pledged on various occasions.

In view of the above, the TPB considered it inappropriate to revert the zoning of the Site to "Green Belt", maintain the "OU(Global Innovation Centre)" zoning, or propose other specific zoning before HKU's submission of a revised proposal.

It was therefore prudent to rezone the Site to "Undetermined" in the interim, serving as a stopgap arrangement pending HKU's completion of the review.

Members also noted that there would be adequate planning controls under the "Undetermined" zoning, as anyone taking forward development in the "Undetermined" zone would require the TPB's approval.

The TPB will exhibit, under section 6C of the Town Planning Ordinance, the proposed amendment of rezoning the Site to "Undetermined" on December 13 for public inspection for three weeks, during which any person might make a further representation to the TPB on the proposed amendment.

The TPB will consider further representations, if any, in accordance with the ordinance before submitting the draft Outline Zoning Plan to the Chief Executive in Council for approval within the statutory time limit.

Upon HKU's completion of the review and engagement with the community on the revised proposal, the university will need to submit a revised proposal supported by technical assessments for consideration by relevant bureaus and departments.