Publications and Press Releases > Publicity Leaflets & Publications > Pamphlets on Planning for New Territories > Sai Kung > Planning Principles and Concepts

 Planning Principles and Concepts 

Overall Concept

The Territorial Development Strategy Review (TDSR) identifies Sai Kung as one of the major tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Its Broad Conservation Strategy also identifies Sai Kung together with its rural hinterland and coastal waters as one of the unique areas for conservation.

The vision for Sai Kung under the Recommended Development Strategy (RDS) of the SENT Development Strategy Review is to enhance it as the "Leisure Garden of Hong Kong" by:

• promoting conservation;

• enhancing visitor attractions; and

• achieving a sustainable level of development.

Sai Kung Town will continue to play the role as a central area for the provision of commercial, recreational, transport and services to the district as a whole, as well as the gateway to the countryside and coastal recreation areas. Outside Sai Kung Town are the rural hinterland comprising Tseng Lan Shue, Ho Chung, Pak Kong, Silverstrand, Tai Po Tsai, Tsam Chuk Wan, Tai Mong Tsai, Sai Kung Hoi, Port Shelter and the outlying islands.

Overall concept plan for Sai Kung

Sai Kung Town

Sai Kung Town served as a market place about a hundred years ago. The old town area in the centre was the earliest gathering place for fishermen and villagers. In order to provide accommodations to the fishermen and infrastructural development, the town further expanded southwards. Rural public housing, sewage treatment works and Government, Institution and Community (GIC) facilities had been developed in Tui Min Hoi. Now it still serves as a service centre for the Area providing for residential, commercial and major GIC developments and open space.

The predominant built form in Sai Kung Town is medium-rise housing blocks with a range of 5 to 12 storeys. 12-storey building blocks are located at the centre of the town, while low-rise residential blocks are situated at Tui Min Hoi and the waterfront.

In strengthening its role of Sai Kung Town as a service centre and as a tourist attraction, a large piece of land at Sai Kung Town North is planned as an extension area mainly for tourism, medium-rise residential and commercial developments.

Sai Kung Town, a bird-eye view

Developments in Sai Kung Town comprise:

• Commercial and tourism related developments are planned mainly at Sai Kung Town North. Low-rise commercial complexes will serve as a hub of various activities and may include retailing provisions, restaurants, hotel, recreational uses, offices and public car-parks etc. The proposed developments would form an interesting landmark in the town to promote the image of Sai Kung as the "Leisure Garden of Hong Kong" for tourists and local visitors;

• A continuous waterfront promenade linking up Sai Kung Town North, Sai Kung town centre and Sai Kung old town, and an integrated open space and recreational areas system will be enhanced to increase for the attraction to tourist and coherence of the residents;

• "Comprehensive Development Area" ("CDA") for medium-rise residential developments are proposed at the ex-Sha Kok Mei Temporary Housing Area, the interim housing blocks and the nearby area. Development and redevelopment in the "CDA" would be planned and designed in a comprehensive manner;

• Private residential developments, such as Sai Kung Garden and Sai Kung Villa, are situated at Sai Kung town centre. These building blocks are in a range of 5 to 12 storeys and commercial activities are allowed on the lower floors;

• Rural public housing estates, mainly developed by the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), include Lakeside Garden in the south of the Sai Kung Town and Sai Kung Tui Min Hoi Chuen;

• Village houses concentrate in the Sai Kung old town, Tui Min Hoi and a new village expansion area designated at Sai Kung Town North near Sha Ha; and

• Residential developments in Tui Min Hoi, such as Fishermen Housing Eastate and Kwun Mun Fishermen Eastate are occupied by the previous fishermen.

Waterfront promenade in Sai Kung Town

 

Commercial / residential developments in Sai Kung Town

 

Lakeside Garden in Sai Kung Town

Hinterland

Low-rise residential blocks and village houses usually three-storey high dominate the building profile of the hinterland in Tseng Lan Shue, Ho Chung, Pak Kong, Tai Po Tsai, Silverstrand, Tsam Chuk Wan and Tai Mong Tsai. Developments are carefully controlled in order to avoid disturbance to the rural and natural environment and aggravation of the inadequate transport and infrastructural capacities.

General Land Uses of Sai Kung Town

Developments and uses in the hinterland include:

Residential Developments

• Low-rise, low-density and high class residential developments were concentrated in Tai Mong Tsai, Hebe Haven, Silverstrand, areas along Clear Water Bay Road and Fei Ngo Shan. Marina Cove in Hebe Haven is a developed low-rise residential development at waterfront with marina and other commercial facilities.

• There is a total of 58 recognised villages in Sai Kung, most of which are scattered within the hinterland. The planning intention is to consolidate village expansion areas in suitable locations around the existing villages to avoid haphazard suburban sprawl and inappropriate encroachment of agricultural land and the natural landscape.

Clear Water Bay Peninsula in Sai Kung Hinterland

 

Low-rise residential developments along Tai Mong Tsai Road

 

Traditional village houses

Agriculture

Good arable land under active cultivation or with good potential for rehabilitation are protected from encroachment by any development under "Agriculture" zone in Ho Chung and Sha Kok Mei Valleys.

Recreational Facilities

The hinterland is a prime area for regional recreational facilities of the territory, especially water sports. People can enjoy a great variety of land-based and water-based recreational activities. The existing facilities include:

• Country Parks
  Sai Kung is surrounded by Ma On Shan, Clear Water Bay and Sai Kung East / West Country Parks with well-wooded and scenic environment. Barbecue pits, picnic tables, camping grounds and other facilities are available to cater for visitors.
  
  

• Holiday Camps
  The Area contains a number of major facilities for holiday accommodations. They include Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, Po Leung Kuk Holiday Camp and Lady Maclehose Holiday Village etc. providing for accommodations, recreational and sports facilities for the campers.

Po Leung Kuk Holiday Camp

• Golf Course
  Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course is situated in the northern part of Kau Sai Chau and is managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The total area is around 158 ha comprising two 18-hole golf courses, a club house, a driving range and a golf instruction academy. The feasibility of the extension of the Golf Course is under study.
  
  The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club is located in the southern tip of Clear Water Bay Peninsula. It provides a variety of recreational facilities such as golf course, clubhouse and marina for its members. A golf and tennis academy with ancillary facilities in the "Recreation" zone of Pak Kong Valley has been approved by the Town Planning Board.
  

The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club

• Water-based Recreational Areas
  The inshore and offshore waters of Sai Kung, including waters around Tsam Chuk Wan, Kiu Tsui Chau, Clear Water Bay and Hebe Haven offer great scope for watersports activities. The concentration of boating facilities in Hebe Haven is proposed, capitalising on the scenic setting of the Gulf of Hebe Haven and the existing boating and other supporting facilities. A "Recreation" zone is therefore proposed for the Hebe Haven coastal area.

  Two major yacht clubs, namely the Hong Kong Marina Club and Hong Kong Yacht Club are located along the eastern coast of Hebe Haven to provide berthing and other supporting activities for their members. These together with the marina facilities in Marina Cove have created the image of Sai Kung as a pleasure boat centre in the territory.
  
  Chong Hing Water Sports Centre is located at the West Sea Cofferdam of the High Island Reservoir. An artificial lagoon in the centre is ideal for sailing, windsurfing and other water-based recreational activities. Tai Mong Tsai Outdoor Training Camp and The Hong Kong Award for Young People Water Sports Centre at Tsam Chuk Wan also provide ample opportunities for canoeing and rowing to the visitors.
  
  Sai Kung is famous for its best natural beaches. Clear Water Bay First and Second Beaches, Silverstrand Bay Beach, Trio Beach, Kiu Tsui Beach and Hap Mun Bay Beach attract a lot of holiday-makers during summer.

Concentration of boating facilities in Hebe Haven

Hong Kong Marina Club

Water Sports of Tai Mong Tsai

 

Clear Water Bay First and Second Beaches

Conservation

The hinterland consists of significant coastal/ natural features and large tracts of undisturbed woodland. They are important resources in providing habitats for flora and fauna and should be conserved. Landscape conservation is pronounced throughout the district. Areas of landscape and ecological value are designated "Coastal Protection Area" or "Conservation Area". Nature conservation is intended to preserve the following significant habitats:

• Site of Special Scientific Interests (SSSIs) in Ho Chung Valley and Tai Long Wan which include a variety of topographical features providing habitants for rare plants, ferns and herbs. Protected species or rare plants which are worthy of conservation can be found within the zone.

Tai Long Wan - a unique area of natural beauty

• Mangrove is an important component in the ecosystem for education and scientific research. Mangrove stands in Sai Kung are mainly distributed along Wong Chuk Wan, Wong Yi Chau and other areas. Most of the mangroves are protected under the zonings of "Country Park", "Coastal Protection Area" or "Conservation Area" in order to prevent intrusion by developments.

Mangroves at Wong Yi Chau

• Architectural heritage in the area includes Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, which is located to the south of Po Leung Kuk Holiday Camp. It is a gazetted monument under the Antiquities and Monument Ordinance. A folk museum associated with the kiln provides visitors a full picture of the past daily life of the Sai Kung villagers.

Other declared monuments in Sai Kung includes Rock Carvings at Lung Ha Wan, Kau Sai Chau and Tung Lung Island, Rock Inscription at Joss House Bay and Tung Lung Fort.

Hung Shing Temple is an important historic building in Kau Sai Chau. The temple has long been a place in which to pray for the safety of fishermen and has the social function of strengthening the community. The restoration of the temple was commenced in November 1999 and completed in March 2000. The restoration has been regarded as a successful community preservation project, which was recognised as an Outstanding Project of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.

Che Kung Temple at Ho Chung is one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong for more than 300 years. It honours Che Kung, a general during the Sung Dynasty who suppressed a revolt in Southern China.

Sheung Yiu Folk Museum

Hung Shing Temple

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

The HKUST was opened in October 1991. It is located in the northern part of Clear Water Bay Peninsula at Tai Po Tsai with a site area of around 60 ha. Since the HKUST is situated on the slopes along the shore, developments with a gradation of descending building heights towards the shore are planned to blend in with the topography.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Government Planned Developments

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