The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Tuen Mun Outline Zoning Plan with 770.2 hectares or 30% of land zoned as "Green Belt", and 19% or 430 hectares planned for residential developments.

The Town Planning Board said the plan provides a statutory land-use planning framework to guide development and redevelopment within the area. The Planning Scheme Area, covering about 2,253 hectares, is located at the head of Castle Peak Bay.

It is bounded by the ridges of Castle Peak to the west, Lam Tei Interchange of Castle Peak Road to the north, and Tai Lam Country Park to the east. To the southeast, the area extends to Tuen Mun Road's Siu Lam Interchange, while to the southwest it extends to the power station at Tap Shek Kok.

4 comprehensive development zones

Some 24.7 hectares is zoned "Comprehensive Development Areas". Four sites have been designated in Areas 52, 55, 56 and 59 which are intended for comprehensive development of low- to medium-density residential development.

A total of 27.9 hectares is zoned "Commercial-Residential". A proposed commercial-residential site is located near the typhoon shelter.

About 272.8 hectares is zoned "Residential (Group A)" for high-density residential developments. Some 133.3 hectares mainly located at the periphery of the New Town is zoned "Residential (Group B)" for medium-density residential developments.

A total of 88.3 hectares is zoned "Village Type Development" comprising existing villages and land for their expansion.

Some 57.2 hectares is zoned "Industrial" which is intended for general industrial uses, information technology and telecommunications industries.

Other uses

To cater for local, district and territory needs, about 229.3 hectares is zoned "Government, Institution or Community". And 130.4 hectares is designated as "Open Space" to provide land for both active and passive recreational use.

Some 345.7 hectares is zoned "Other Specified Uses" to cover land allocated for specific uses such as a Light Rail Transit terminus and associated comprehensive development areas, river trade terminal, cargo-handling area, special industries area, power station, sewage treatment plant, cement plant and public recreation and sports centre.

The "Green Belt" zone with an area of 770.2 hectares serves to define the limits of the new town and to contain urban sprawl. It also serves to provide passive recreational outlets and to conserve areas of high ecological value.

The approved Tuen Mun OZP No.S/TM/20 is available for public inspection at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the Tuen Mun & Yuen Long District Planning Office, the Tuen Mun District Office, and the Tuen Mun Rural Committee.

Copies of the plan are available at the Map Publications Centres in North Point and Yau Ma Tei. The electronic version can be viewed on the Town Planning Board's website.