The Town Planning Board has published five draft development permission area plans for the closed area in the New Territories' northernmost area, covering Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai, Man Kam To, Ta Kwu Ling North, Lin Ma Hang and Sha Tau Kok.

The planning intends to conserve the areas' rural character, enhance nature conservation, promote recreation tourism, retain good agricultural land for agricultural purposes and to facilitate cross-boundary infrastructural development.

Conservation areas are included in the five plans to conserve existing natural landscape, ecological and topographical features and to protect the sensitive natural environment from adverse effects of development.

All five plans also include village-type development zones, covering existing recognised villages and areas of land considered suitable for village expansion. The zoning will concentrate small-house developments within existing villages or at suitable locations for more orderly and efficient use of land and conservation of the surrounding natural setting.

In the Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai plan, 9.15 hectares is zoned for eco-lodge uses to provide for sustainable tourism in the form of an eco-lodge with low-rise, low density resort-type accommodation.

The 92 hectare Sandy Ridge Cemetery in Man Kam To has been designated for cemeteries, graves and funeral facilities.

Boundary-crossing facilities related to the proposed Liantang-Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point will be developed on a site of 24 hectares southwest of Pak Fu Shan in Ta Kwu Ling North.

Click here for details of the five plans. People can make written representations in respect of the draft plans to the board secretary by September 30.