The Buildings Department approved 23 building plans in February - 13 on Hong Kong Island, six in Kowloon and four in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, 17 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, four were for commercial developments, one was for factory and industrial developments and one was for community services developments.

In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 16 building projects that, when completed, will provide 205,670 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 2,031 units, and 45,380 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use.

The department has received notification of commencement of work for three building projects and issued 14 occupation permits - two on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.

Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use were 153,117 square metres, involving 2,109 units, and 125,341 square metres for non-domestic use.

The declared cost of the new buildings completed in February totalled about $3.8 billion.

Four demolition consents involving four building structures were issued and 2,472 complaints against unauthorised building works were received in the month, and 520 removal orders on unauthorised works were issued.