The Buildings Department approved 31 building plans in July - 15 on Hong Kong Island, 10 in Kowloon and six in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, 16 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, 11 were for commercial developments, one was for factory and industrial developments, and three were for community services developments.

During the month, consent was given for work to start on 15 building projects that, when completed, will provide 129,941 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 1,170 units, and 238,783 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for 10 building projects.

Nine occupation permits were issued - two on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon and five in the New Territories - providing 63,266 square metres gross floor areas for domestic use, involving 1,130 units, and 30,524 square metres for non-domestic use.

The declared cost of the new buildings completed in July totalled about $800 million.