The draft Tai O fringe development permission area plan has been published, which will conserve its areas of high ecological significance, protect its rural and natural character and maintain its unique landscape and cultural heritage.

The Town Planning Board said the plan, covering 186.62 hectares, is bounded by Lantau North Country Park to the east and south, and surrounded by natural coastline in the north and west.

Land is reserved for small house development by indigenous villagers. About 6.57 hectares is for village-type development to provide land for village expansion and reprovision of village houses affected by government projects.

Pending detailed study, about 1.16 hectares of land is intended for a proposed salt-panning demonstration area for preserving the cultural heritage and enhancing Tai O's visitor appeal.

About 0.75 of a hectare will be open space while 3.25 hectares is zoned for other specified uses to reflect its existing uses, including a military site, sewage treatment works and the Tai O Cemetery.

The green-belt zone will cover 124.47 hectares. It will preserve topography and natural vegetation and provide passive recreational outlets. It mainly includes fallow agricultural land, hillslopes, natural vegetation and streams.

The conservation area occupies 6.58 hectares to protect and retain the natural landscape, ecological and topographical features for conservation, education and research purposes.

Another 6.72 hectares is the coastal protection area to conserve, protect and retain the natural coastlines and the sensitive coastal natural environment, including attractive geological features, physical landforms or areas of high landscape, scenic or ecological value, with a minimum of built development.

The draft plan has been uploaded to the board's website. People can make representations in respect of the amendments to the board secretary.