The draft Sai Ying Pun & Sheung Wan Outline Zoning Plan has been amended, incorporating building height restrictions for certain zones to preserve views to the ridgelines.

Building height restrictions will be imposed on Commercial, Residential (Group A), Government, Institution or Community and Other Specified Uses zones, with a stepped building height profile increasing progressively from the waterfront to inland areas.

The Town Planning Board today said the planning objective for Soho is to keep the height of development and redevelopment as low as possible and keep the area pedestrian oriented, minimising vehicular traffic.

For sites smaller than 900 square metres, on-site car parking and loading and unloading requirements will be waived but building height restrictions will be more stringent. For larger sites in the area minor relaxation of building height restrictions to cater for demand for such facilities will be considered by the board on individual merit.

Setback requirements are also specified in the plan for footpath and street widening to facilitate pedestrian movement and roadside loading and unloading activities in Soho and its immediate adjoining area.

Other amendments include rezoning of Commercial-Residential sites to Commercial or Residential (Group A) and other rezoning proposals to reflect completed developments as well as designating non-building areas and specification of setback requirements to facilitate air ventilation.

Written representations should be sent to the board's secretary by July 7. Click here to view the plan.