The Buildings Department approved 34 building plans in December - 12 on Hong Kong Island, 10 in Kowloon and 12 in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, 15 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, six were for commercial developments, and 13 were for community-services developments.

Consent was given for work to start on 24 building projects which will provide 129,471 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 929 units, and 72,145 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

The department has received notification of commencement of work for 22 building projects. It has also issued 16 occupation permits - one on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories.

They involve 391 units, with 76,001 square metres gross floor areas for domestic use, and 50,698 square metres for non-domestic use.

The declared cost of the new buildings completed in December totalled about $3.4 billion.