Good News for Hebe Haven
But a ghost hovers
While objections flew over the road on Pak Sha Wan Peninsula, the Town Planning Board (TPB) approved the Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) for Hebe Haven (which includes the Peninsula).
To quote the TPB: “The planning intention for the Area is primarily to conserve the natural landscape features and the rural character of the Area. The Pak Sha Wan Pen-SSSI, the Mau Tin headland, the Cheung Kung Shan area and its surrounding hillslopes consist of areas of natural vegetation and undisturbed woodland of high landscape value. These areas provide a variety of habitats and a natural setting at the gulf of Hebe Haven. Urban developments in these areas are not recommended, whilst uses that are in line with conservation purposes such as nature or ecology study centres are considered compatible with the surrounding environment. Apart from conservation, it is also the planning intention to promote marine-related recreational uses along the coastal front of Hebe Haven. Private initiatives to improve the planning and infrastructure of these areas for various recreational activities is also encouraged.”
To put this in perspective: of the total area of 370 hectares, 113 are zoned "conservation area" 36 "coastal protection area", 21.7 "green belt" and 127.5 "Country Park". And 4.9 hectares of land have been designated for recreational development to promote marine-related activities.
Included in the 42 page document that constitutes “Notes” to the Plan is a “Schedule of Uses”. There are two columns under each category; Column 1 is: “Uses always permitted” and Column 2 is “Uses that may be permitted with or without conditions, on application to the TPB”.
Explore found it interesting that Column 2 under GREEN BELT includes: “Cable car route and terminal building” and “utility installation for private project”. Does a cable car and an unidentified private project truly constitute appropriate use in a Green Belt area? We’d like to know more.
Could a revival of the cable car project first proposed in 1996 be in the pipeline?? Stay tuned!