Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow has visited Sandy Ridge Cemetery in North District to inspect the area which will be used for the development of columbarium facilities.

It is one of the 12 identified sites with potential for columbarium development as listed in the public consultation document on the review of columbarium policy.

Dr Chow today checked the site's suitability and to study the feasibility of building columbarium facilities in the cemetery to meet public demand.

According to the draft development plans for the closed area in the northern New Territories, the 92.08 hectare cemetery is zoned other specified uses annotated "cemetery" to designate land for cemeteries, graves and funeral facilities.