| 1. What are the functions of
the Planning Department?
With the objective of making Hong Kong a better place to live and work
in, the Planning Department is responsible for the preparation of various
types of town plans to guide the proper use and development of land .
These plans range from development strategies at the territorial and sub-regional
level to detailed layout plans at the local district level. The Department
also provides services to the Town Planning Board.
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2. Where is the Planning Department located?
The Headquarters of the Planning Department is located on the 17/F, North
Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong. Click here for addresses of
individual planning sections and district planning offices.
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3. What if I have a question or suggestion relating
to planning?
You may visit our Planning Enquiry
Counter, or call our Planning Enquiry Hotline at 2231-5000. You may
also send us a letter, fax
or e-mail stating clearly your
question(s) or suggestion(s).
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4. What kind of information could I obtain from the Planning Enquiry Counter?
Staff of the Counter will assist you both in general and site-specific
planning information, and any matters related to town planning in Hong
Kong as much as possible. Current and previous Outline
Zoning Plans and Development Permission Areas Plans and relevant planning
documents are available for inspection.
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5. How do I find out the planned land-use and development
of a particular district or a particular piece of land?
You may approach the Planning
Enquiry Counter for information. You may also simply refer to the
Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) or Development
Permission Areas (DPA) Plan. Click here for information
on how to obtain OZP or DPA.
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6. How do I know if there is a land-use amendment on the Outline Zoning Plan?
All the amendments on the Outline Zoning Plan will be exhibited for public
inspection for a period of two months. During the first three weeks of the
public inspection period, a notice will be published once a week in two
daily Chinese and one daily English local newspapers and notified in
each issue of the Gazette. The notice will specify the place and hours
at which such plan may be inspected, and invite the public to make
representation within the 2-month period. The notice will also be
posted at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, the
Planning Enquiry Counters
of the Planning Department, the relevant District Planning Office, the
relevant District Office, and, where appropriate, the local community
centre and Rural Committee office, and be uploaded to the
Town Planning Board's website.
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7. What is Outline Zoning Plan?
Outline Zoning Plan(OZP) is a kind of statutory plan prepared by the
Town Planning Board under the Town Planning Ordinance. It is basically a plan
that shows the land-use zonings and major road systems of individual planning
scheme areas. Each plan is accompanied by a Schedule
of Notes which show for a particular zone the uses always permitted (Column
One Uses) and uses that would require permission from the Town
Planning Board (Column Two Uses) upon application.
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8. How is Development Permission Areas (DPA) Plan
different from an Outline Zoning Plan(OZP)?
DPA Plan is prepared for an area not previously covered by OZP. The
land use information shown on a DPA plan is generally not as detailed
as on an OZP. This Plan serves as a control to unauthorized development
in the rural areas. This Plan will only be effective for three years from
the date of publication and will be replaced by OZP within the period.
Development without the necessary planning permission will constitute
an unauthorized development and might result in prosecution. The provision
for enforcement will however continue to be applicable in the areas even
after the DPA Plan is replaced by OZP.
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9. How could I report a suspected unauthorized development?
You could report a suspected unauthorized development through our Enquiry
hotline at 2231 5000 or you may also send us a letter,
fax or e-mail.
The Central Enforcement and Prosecution Section of the Department will
investigate and action accordingly. The Department pledges to inspect
any suspected unauthorized development and give a reply within 4 weeks
on receipt of the report.
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10. What is the Town Planning Board?
The Town Planning Board is a statutory body established under the Town
Planning Ordinance with a view to promoting the health, safety, convenience
and general welfare of the community through the systematic preparation
of plans for the layout of such areas of Hong Kong as the Chief Executive
may direct, as well as the types of buildings suitable for erection therein.
Click here to
visit the Town Planning Board's web site.
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11. How do I get a copy of the Outline Zoning Plan
(OZP) or Development Permission Areas (DPA) Plan?
Current OZP and DPA can be purchased at the Map Publications Centre
Hong Kong - 23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North
Point
Kowloon - 382 Nathan Road
OZP for individual district can also be purchased at the respective District
Survey Office.
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12. When is a S.16 application required?
Each Outline Zoning Plan is accompanied by a Schedule of Notes showing
the uses always permitted (Column One Uses) and uses that would require
permission from the Town Planning Board (Column Two Uses) within a particular
zone. There may be additional controls on developments within a particular
land use zone and these are specified under the 'Remarks' column in the
Notes for that land use zone. You only need to apply for permission under
S.16 of the Town Planning Ordinance when your proposed use or development
is under 'Column Two' or as required by the 'Remarks' of the Notes.
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13. How do I submit a Section 16 application?
The S.16 application form and the 'Guidance
Notes' on how to apply are available at the Planning Enquiry Counter,
and could also be downloaded from the Town
Planning Board's web site.
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14. What can I do if the proposed use neither falls
within Column One nor Column Two Uses?
You may submit an application for amendment of plan under S.12A of the Town
Planning Ordinance. The S.12A application form and the 'Guidance
Notes' on how
to apply are available at the Planning Enquiry Counters, and could also be downloaded from the
Town
Planning Board's website.
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15. How do I participate in the planning process?
There are different ways to participate in the planning process. One
way is to check the local newspapers and our web page for the latest planning
news, and express your view by writing
to us. Public forums are organised for major planning studies to solicit
public views. Detailed schedules of
the public forums including dates and topics are listed on our web
site. New or amended OZPs will be exhibited for public comments, and
any person may make representation to the Town Planning
Board during the public inspection period.
Gazetted information could also be accessed through the
Town Planning
Board's website. We welcome your participation.
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16. What if I have a suggestion or complaint
to make on the Planning Department's services?
You could e-mail us if you have
any suggestion or complaint. We will from time to time modify our web
page and improve our services.
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