The draft Tai Tam & Shek O Outline Zoning Plan, featuring 290 hectares of land adjoining the Country Park and other hilly areas, has been zoned as "Green Belt".

The Town Planning Board said the belt will conserve the natural environment, safeguard it from encroachment by urban-type development, and provide additional outlets for recreational activities.

Another 51 hectares has been zoned "Coastal Protection Area" to conserve the natural coastline, the sensitive environment, and the undeveloped areas below the 20-metre contour. It covers the coastal areas around Tai Tam Bay, Tai Tam Harbour, Cape D'Aguilar, Lap Sap Wan, Island Bay, Shek O Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Ng Fan Chau and Big Wave Bay.

The planning scheme area of the plan, about 1,119 hectares, is bounded by Tai Tam Country Park to the west, Chai Wan to the north, Tai Tam Bay to the south, and Big Wave and Island Bays to the east.

The area is relatively undeveloped except along the section of Tai Tam Road north of Stanley, the Red Hill area and Shek O. About half falls within Shek O Country Park and with a high amenity value, it is a very important recreational area.

36 hectares residential

Most residential developments within the area are zoned "Residential (Group C)" covering about 31 hectares. Two existing medium-density residential developments at Tai Tam Road near the American Recreation Club are zoned "Residential (Group B)" covering about three hectares.

Developments within these two zones are subject to plot ratio and site coverage restrictions to preserve views, the area's character and avoid overtaxing the limited road capacity and utility services.

The "Residential (Group C)" zone is further divided into six sub-areas, each with its own height restriction. The Shek O Village, covering about two hectares, is zoned "Village Type Development". To ensure its future development or redevelopment be compatible with the existing character of the area, a building height restriction is imposed.

To serve the local residents, a small site near the junction of Pak Pat Shan and Tai Tam Roads, which is a shopping centre, is zoned "Commercial" with an area of 0.17 hectares.

Open space

Thirteen hectares, mainly concentrated at Shek O Village and north of Red Hill, is zoned "Government, Institution or Community" to serve the needs of local residents and a wider district, region or territory. It includes a health centre, a hostel of the Boy Scouts Association, and the Hong Kong International School.

Eight hectares is zoned "Open Space" to provide outdoor open-air space for active and passive recreational use for local residents and visitors. Existing major open spaces include Turtle Cove, Big Wave Bay, Shek O, and Rocky Bay Beaches and the Shek O Golf Course.

About 52 hectares are zoned "Other Specified Uses", including the Shek O Country Club, the American Recreation Club, and the Radio Communication Station at Cape D'Aguilar. Developments within the clubs are subject to height restrictions.

Quarry site undetermined

As the future use of the Shek O Quarry site is subject to further detailed study, the 35-hectare site is zoned "Undetermined". All proposed developments within this zone require planning permission from the board.

About 14 hectares at Tai Tam Harbour (Inner Bay) and Cape D'Aguilar (Hok Tsui) are zoned "Site of Special Scientific Interest".

The approved Tai Tam & Shek O OZP No.S/H18/8 is available for public inspection at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, Hong Kong District Planning Office and Southern District Office.

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