The Town Planning Board has revised its guidelines on extension of time for commencement of development and compliance with planning conditions for temporary use/development, to provide clearer guidance for applicants.

Under the revised guidelines, an extension application must be made to the board at least six weeks before the original time limit expires to allow enough time for processing and consultating government departments. Applications made less than six weeks ahead of the specified time limit may not be processed.

If the approved development is not underway or conditions for approval have not been met by the time limit, the planning permission would lapse or be revoked. The board would not consider an extension after the planning permission expires or is revoked, even if an extension application had been made before the specified time limit expired. 

A new planning permission application would be needed under such circumstances.

Where to go, who to call

The revised guidelines - TPB PG-No. 34A and 35A - are available at the Town Planning Board Secretariat at 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point. For enquiries, call 2231 4810 or 2231 4835, or visit the board's website.

Send requests for information to the Secretariat, or visit the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department at 17/F, North Point Government Offices and 14/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin. There is also a hotline, 2231 5000, and an email address, enquire@pland.gov.hk.