Many current planning permissions granted for commercial development on South Lantau take advantage of a well known loophole in the Outline Zoning Plan (OZP)
Research going back to the 80s identifies lack of enforcement as a “major threat to the health of South Lantau”.
No action is required to make the existing use of any land or building conform to this Plan until there is a material change of use or the building is redeveloped.
There is growing awareness of a complex situation where many current planning permissions granted for commercial development on South Lantau take advantage of this well known loophole in the Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
No protection is afforded to areas zoned “Green Belt” because there is no enforcement mechanism for the OZP scheme.
It appears the officials in charge can do no more than monitor the ongoing irreversible destruction.
Research going back to the 80s identifies this oversight as a “major threat to the health of South Lantau”.
Read the notes — full version
Research dating back to 1986 highlights the loophole which was listed as a priority in the current policy address:
“South Lantau’s natural environment and biodiversity are at risk.
Undesirable development and environmental destruction have led to the loss of freshwater marshes and other important habitats.
This paper argues that to conserve the distinct biodiversity and natural landscapes and coastal waters of South Lantau, unbalanced development must be stopped and other development stringently regulated.//
Related
WWF South Lantau Watershed Analysis
[https://wwfhk.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_south_lantau_watershed_analysis_27sept2021.pdf]
In the news
WWF-Hong Kong calls on government to step up protection of threatened habitats on South Lantau (SCMP – 28 September 2021)
Hundreds of trees felled in Hong Kong in ‘revenge’ at government zoning plan (SCMP – 19 April 2016)