In accordance with the Central Clearing House (CCH) mechanism, the Education Bureau upon confirming that a vacant school premises (VSP) site is no longer required for school use, will inform the Planning Department (PlanD) and other relevant departments (e.g. the Lands Department (LandsD) and the Housing Department (HD)). PlanD will conduct review under the mechanism, and recommend suitable long-term use (such as Government, Institution or Community (G/IC), residential and other uses) for the VSP site concerned.
Since the establishment of CCH mechanism in 2011, PlanD has reviewed a total of 269 VSP sites. In respect of their recommended long-term uses, about 74% (199 sites) have been recommended for retaining for G/IC uses, and about 17% (45 sites) have been recommended for residential use. The remaining 9% (25 sites), which are former village schools located within village areas in the New Territories, have been recommended for retaining as village type development, rural use, open space, etc. in the long term. The departments concerned (e.g. LandsD, HD, etc.) will take follow-up actions as appropriate in accordance with the recommendations.
Sites wholly or mostly on government land
There are 219 sites wholly on government land (including private land to be surrendered to the Government) or partly on government land that can be separately utilised. In accordance with their availability (as at December 2025), they can be categorised as follows –
VSPs available for application for long-term or short-term uses
- Category 1A: 49 sites are available for application for long-term or short-term uses; and
- Category 1B: 6 sites are available for application for short-term uses pending implementation of long-term uses identified.
Other VSPs include long-term or short-term uses already implemented; under consideration or processing; and currently not suitable or not yet avaliable for use.
Application of VSP sites for short-term uses
To optimise the use of land resources, pending implementation of the long-term uses for individual VSP sites, these sites may be arranged for short-term uses or made available for applications for community, institutional, or non-profit making uses by non-government organisations or social enterprises.
The status and availability of specific VSP sites may change from time to time in the course of a year. For enquiries on specific VSP sites, please contact the relevant managing party directly (e.g. LandsD or HD). Organisations may also refer to the “GeoInfo Map” website which sets out the list of vacant government sites (including VSP) currently managed by LandsD that can be used for community, institutional or non-profit making purposes. Relevant application guidelines and procedures are available on LandsD’s website. Support from the relevant bureau(x) must be obtained before making an application with the managing party for using the VSP.
For general enquiries, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Housing and Office Land Supply Section of PlanD at hols@pland.gov.hk.
Sites wholly or mostly on private land
Apart from the said sites on government land, there are 50 sites wholly or mostly on private land. While long-term uses would be recommended under the CCH mechanism, the utilisation of individual sites generally depends on private land owners’ initiative having regard to the applicable uses in statutory planning terms and lease conditions.
Sites retained by EDB for school use
The above information only covers VSP sites reviewed under the CCH mechanism and does not include those currently retained by EDB for school use.
