12
Landscape
and Visual Impact Assessment
This section reports on the study to assess the
potential landscape and visual impacts arising from construction and operation
of any above ground structures and works areas associated with NDAs within the
KTN and FLN areas.
The Project is a Schedule 3 Designated Project (DP)
and various Schedule 2 DPs have been identified within it. The identified DPs are listed in Section 12.3.1 and ‘DP
Packages 12A-D’
provide further details for each.
In accordance
with the criteria as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the Technical Memorandum on
Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), the landscape and visual
impact assessment (LVIA) for the Schedule 3 NDA Project includes:
·
a list
of the relevant environmental legislation, standards and guidelines;
·
a
definition of the scope and contents of the Study;
·
a
review of the relevant planning and development control framework;
·
a landscape impact
assessment section, including:
-landscape impact assessment methodology;
-a landscape baseline study providing a
comprehensive and accurate description of the baseline landscape resources
(LRs) and landscape character areas (LCAs) within the two NDA Study Areas;
-identification of potential landscape
impacts (these are similar to the potential visual impacts and hence all
potential landscape and visual impacts are contained within one section);
-prediction of the nature of landscape
impacts and the potential magnitude of change they will cause as well as the
potential significance of impacts before the implementation of mitigation
measures;
-recommendation of appropriate mitigation
measures and associated implementation programmes;
-prediction of the significance of residual
landscape impacts after the implementation of the suggested mitigation
measures;
·
a
visual impact assessment section, including:
-visual impact assessment methodology;
-a visual baseline study, providing
comprehensive details of visual elements surrounding each NDA and their
Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs);
-prediction of the nature of visual impacts
and the potential magnitude of change they will cause, as well as the potential
significance of impacts before the implementation of mitigation measures;
-recommendation of appropriate mitigation
measures and associated implementation programmes;
-prediction of the significance of residual
visual impacts after implementation of the suggested mitigation measures; and
·
an
assessment of the acceptability or otherwise of the predicted residual impacts,
according to the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, namely
beneficial, acceptable, acceptable with mitigation measures, unacceptable or
undetermined.
The following legislation, standards and guidelines
are applicable to this LVIA associated with the construction and operation of
the Project:
·
Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499. S16) and the Technical Memorandum on EIA
Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 10 (Criteria for Evaluating Visual and
Landscape Impact, and Impact on Sites of Cultural Heritage) and 18 (Guidelines
for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment);
·
Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note 8/2010 (Preparation
of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the Environmental Impact
Assessment Ordinance);
·
Town
Planning Ordinance (Cap131) and Town Planning
(Amendment) Ordinance;
·
Hong
Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) issued by the Planning
Department, in particular Chapters 4, 10, 11 and Section 7 in Chapter 12 (As at
August 2011);
·
Land
Administration Office Instruction (LAOI) Section D-12 Tree Preservation;
·
Development
Bureau TCW No. 2/2012 – Allocation of Space for Quality Greening on Roads;
·
Development
Bureau TCW No. 3/2012 – Site Coverage of Greenery for Government Building
Projects;
·
Development
Bureau, Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section (GLTM) April 2012 –
Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barriers;
·
Development
Bureau TCW No. 2/2013 – Greening on Footbridges and Flyovers;
·
Drainage Services Department Practice Note
No.1/2005 – Guidelines on Environmental Considerations for River Channel Design;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 2/2004 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;
·
ETWB TCW
No. 11/2004 – Cyber Manual for Greening;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 29/2004 – Registration of Old and Valuable Trees, and Guidelines for
their Preservation;
· ETWB TCW No. 36/2004 – The Advisory Committee on the Appearance of Bridges and Associated Structures (ACABAS), including Appendix A ‘Guidelines for Submissions to ACABAS;’
·
ETWB
TCW No. 5/2005 – Protection of Natural Streams/Rivers from Adverse Impacts Arising from Construction Works;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 3/2006 – Tree Preservation;
·
HyD
HQ/GN/13 Interim Guidelines for Tree Transplanting Works under Highways
Department's Vegetation Maintenance Ambit;
·
HQ/GN/15
- Guidelines for Greening Works along Highways;
·
Urban
Design Guidelines for Hong Kong issued by the Planning Department (2003);
·
Study
on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong([1]);
·
WBTC
No. 25/92 – Allocation of Space for Urban Street Trees;
·
WBTC
No. 7/2002 – Tree Planting in Public Works;
·
GEO publication
(1999) – Use of Vegetation as Surface Protection on Slopes; and
·
GEO
1/2011 – Technical Guidelines on Landscaping Treatment for Slopes.
The Study Area,
as shown in aerial photographs in Figures 12.0.0 to 12.0.2.2, is located at
the northeastern part of the New Territories.
KTN NDA is
located to the west of Sheung Shui and is generally bound by the Shek Sheung
River to the east, Castle Peak Road and the Fanling Highway to the south, Pak
Shek Au and Tit Hang villages to the west and the present Closed Area Boundary
to the north. KTN NDA has an area of approximately 450ha.
FLN NDA is
located immediately to the northeast of the established Fanling / Sheung Shui
urban area and is bound by the Upper Ng Tung River to the north and east, Sha
Tau Kok Road to the south, and Ma Sik Road and Tin Ping Road to the southwest.
FLN NDA has an area of approximately 164ha.
12.3.1 Designated Projects Under Schedule 2 within NDA Project
The Project is a
Designated Project under Item 1 of Schedule 3 of the EIAO. In addition, the Project includes various
Schedule 2 DPs as summarised in Table
12.3.1 for
KTN area and Table
12.3.2 for FLN
area. Further details of each of the DPs
and their LVIAs are found in DP Packages 12A-D.
Table 12.3.1 - Schedule 2 DPs in, and
associated with, KTN NDA
Item |
Work
Component |
|
Schedule
2 DP Category |
Associated
Schedule 2 DP Package |
1 |
San Tin Highway and
Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po
Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road |
12A |
2 |
Castle Peak Road (CPR) Diversion (Major Improvement) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road. |
12A |
3 |
KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung
Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement (Major
Improvement) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road. |
12A |
4 |
KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road. |
12A |
5 |
New Sewage Pumping Stations (SPSs) in KTN NDA |
F3 |
A SPS---(b)
with an installed capacity of more than 2,000 m3 per day and a boundary of which is less
than 150 m from an existing or planned residential area or educational
institution. |
12B |
6 |
Proposed railway station
and associated facilities in KTN NDA (To be conducted under separate study) |
A2 |
A railway and its associated stations. |
EIA to be conducted under separate study |
7* |
Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) from Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works (SWHSTW) |
F4 |
An activity for the reuse of treated sewage effluent from a
treatment plant. |
12C |
*Work
component serves both KTN and FLN NDAs.
Table 12.3.2 - Schedule 2 DPs in, and associated
with, FLN NDA
Item |
Work Component |
|
Schedule 2 DP Category |
Associated Schedule 2 DP Package |
7* |
Utilization of TSE from SWHSTW |
F4 |
An
activity for the reuse of treated sewage effluent from a treatment plant. |
12C |
8 |
Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement (Major
Improvement) |
A1 |
A road
which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district
distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to
existing road. |
12D |
9 |
Fanling Bypass Western Section (New Road) |
A1 |
A road
which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district
distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to
existing road. |
12D |
10 |
Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (New Road) |
A1 |
A
road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district
distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to
existing road. |
12D |
11 |
Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works - Further Expansion at FLN NDA |
F1 |
Sewage
treatment works with an installed capacity of more than 15,000 m3 per
day. |
12C |
12 |
Reprovision of temporary wholesale market in FLN NDA |
N3 |
A wholesale market. |
12D |
13 |
New Sewage Pumping Stations (SPSs) in FLN NDA |
F3 |
A
sewage pumping station---(b) with an installed capacity of more than 2,000 m3 per day and a boundary of which is
less than 150 m from an existing or planned residential area or educational
institution. |
12C |
*Work
component serves both KTN and FLN NDAs.
Chapter 2 of
the EIA Report evaluates the potential concurrent projects, as shown in Table
2.12, with Figures
2.21 and 2.22 illustrating
their locations. The evaluation provided in Chapter 2 concludes that four of these projects
should be assessed for cumulative impacts, as listed below.
Agreement No. CE42/2006(TP) Planning Study on Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai
Cross-boundary Control Point and its Associated Connecting Roads in Hong Kong –
Feasibility Study
A new Boundary
Control Point (BCP) is proposed to be constructed at Heung Yuen Wai. The
associated connecting road is within the 500m study boundary of Fanling Bypass,
considered a Schedule 2 DP. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts have
therefore been assessed for both construction and operational phases in DP Package 12D for this LVIA.
Agreement No. CE53/2008(CE) Planning and Engineering Study on
Development of Lok Ma Chau Loop – Investigation
The Development
of the LMC Loop comprises the buildings, landscape and supporting
infrastructure within and adjacent to the site.
The eastern connection road lies within the study area of KTN NDA. Since
the construction programme for the Project is likely to be concurrent with the
Development of LMC Loop, cumulative landscape and visual impacts have been
assessed for both construction and operational phases in Section 12.13.4.
Widening of Tolo Highway/ Fanling Highway between Island House
Interchange and Fanling (Stage 2)
The project
comprises (1) widening of a section of Fanling Highway of approximately 3 km
long between Tai Hang and Wo Hop Shek Interchange from dual three-lane to dual
four-lane carriageway; and (2) widening of the southbound slip road at Wo Hop
Shek Interchange. The tentative completion date of the project is from Year
2015 to Year 2018 but is still under review by the Highways Department. This
project intersects with the Fanling Bypass, considered a Schedule 2 DP. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts have
therefore been assessed for both construction and operational phases in DP Package 12D for this LVIA.
Construction of cycle tracks and the associated supporting facilities
from Sha Po Tsuen to Shek Sheung River
This project (the
EIAO DP portion) is for the Priority Phase of the proposed Cycle Track Network
recommended in the Feasibility Study. According to discussions with CEDD,
the construction period is Year 2014 - 2017. Cumulative landscape and visual
impacts have therefore been assessed in Section
12.13.4.
According to the Study Brief (ESB-176/2008)
requirement, the Study Area for the landscape impact assessment shall include
all areas within 500 m from each NDA site boundary as described in Section 12.3 and indicated in the aerial photograph of
the whole Study Area in Figure 12.0.0. Figures 12.0.1 and 12.0.2.1-2 are close up aerial
photographs of KTN and FLN NDA Study Areas respectively.
Firstly a
baseline study has been conducted within the NDA Study Area, followed by an
impact assessment, and each step is described below.
· Identification of the baseline LRs and LCAs found within the 500 m Study Area has been achieved by site visits and desktop study of topographical maps, information databases and photographs. LR types are mapped based on their principal physical landscape and visual characteristics which link them together, rather than their habitat function; for example wet and dry agricultural land and active and abandoned agricultural land are considered as a single LR. In mapping these resources, contiguous areas of the LR types are identified which may not always match ecological habitat maps. Figures 12.5.0 and 12.6.0 show key plans for baseline LRs in KTN and FLN respectively, with zoom-ins shown in Figures 12.5.1-8 and 12.6.1-7. LCAs are broader categorizations than LRs, and each one encompasses a number of different LRs. Figures 12.7.0 and 12.8.0 show key plans for baseline LCAs in KTN and FLN NDAs respectively, with zoom-ins shown in Figures 12.7.1-8 and 12.8.1-7.
·
Broad-brush
tree survey. Identification of the tree species ([2]),and
approximate proportion of the different tree species, noting dominant species,
as well as maturity and rarity of species (including species of conservation
interest) within LRs and LCAs in the Study Areas, with special focus within the
NDA boundaries.
·
Assessment
of the sensitivity of LRs and LCAs. This
is influenced by a number of factors including the following.
-
Quality
and maturity, condition and value of landscape resources / character areas,
taking into account information from the Broad Brush Tree Survey and general
quality, maturity and condition of other types of vegetation. (Ranked as high,
medium or low)
-
Important
/ rarity of landscape resources / character areas. (Ranked as high, medium or
low)
-
Whether
a landscape resource / character area is considered to be of local, regional,
national or global importance. (Taken into account and included in the
descriptive text where relevant)
-
Whether
there are any statutory or regulatory limitations / requirements relating to
the landscape resources / character areas. (Taken into account and included in
the descriptive text where relevant)
-
Ability
of the landscape resources / character areas to accommodate change without
compromising their essential nature. (Ranked high, medium or low)
The sensitivity
of each LR and LCA is based on the values of all the above factors in totality
and classified as follows:
High: Important
landscape or landscape resources of particularly distinctive character of high
importance, sensitive to relatively small changes
Medium: Landscape or landscape resources
of moderately valued landscape characteristics reasonably to tolerant to change
Low: Landscape or landscape resources
of relatively unimportant landscape characteristics largely tolerant to change
12.4.2 Landscape Impact Assessment
Landscape impacts
have been assessed for the construction and operational phases of the Project
in each of the two NDA Study Areas as follows.
·
Identification
of potential sources of landscape impacts.
There are various construction works elements and operational procedures
that have the potential to generate landscape impacts.
·
Rating
of the magnitude of change caused by landscape impacts. The magnitude of change
caused by the landscape impact is quantified as far as possible and depends on
a number of factors including the following:
-
The
physical extent of the impact. This is assessed
using a number of factors, including: absolute area/length within the NDA
Project Site; relative area/length with the NDA Site compared to the Study
Area; and the current land use compared to the proposed land use i.e. taking
into account some land, even though within the NDA Project Site, will not be
directly impacted e.g. land zoned as “Green
Belt” will remain unchanged. (Ranked as small, medium or large)
-
Compatibility
of the Project and associated works with the existing and planned landscape in
the vicinity. (Ranked as good, fair or poor)
-
Duration
of impacts i.e. whether it is temporary (short or medium term) or permanent,
under construction and operational phases
-
Reversibility
of change (ranked as reversible or irreversible)
The magnitude of
landscape change on each LR/LCA is based on the values of all the above factors
in totality and classified as follows:
Large: The LRs or LCAs
would suffer a major change
Intermediate: The LRs or LCAs
would suffer moderate change
Small: The LRs or LCAs would
suffer slight or barely perceptible change
Negligible: The LRs or LCAs
would suffer no discernible change
·
Prediction
of landscape impact significance before and after the implementation of the
mitigation measures. By understanding the
magnitude of change caused by the various impacts and the sensitivity of the
various LRs/ LCAs, it is possible to categorize impacts in a logical,
well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 12.4.1 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four
thresholds, namely insignificant, slight, moderate, and substantial, depending
on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of change
and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of LR/ LCA.
Table 12.4.1 - Relationship between receptor sensitivity and magnitude of change in
defining impact significance
|
|
Receptor Sensitivity of LR/LCA |
||
|
|
Low |
Medium |
High |
Magnitude of Change |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Small |
Slight |
Slight/
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Intermediate |
Slight/
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate/
Substantial |
|
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Substantial |
The four thresholds for the degree of significance are explained
below. All impacts are assumed to be
adverse in the text of the Report, unless specifically identified otherwise.
Substantial: Adverse / beneficial
impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause significant deterioration or
improvement in existing landscape quality
Moderate: Adverse /
beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause a noticeable
deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Slight: Adverse /
beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause barely perceptible
deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Insignificant: No discernible change in the existing
landscape quality
Impacts have been mapped for the LRs in Figure 12.11.0 (key
plan) and Figures 12.11.1-4 (zoom ins) for KTN NDA,
and Figure 12.12.0 (key plan) and Figures-12.12.1-4
(zoom ins) for FLN NDA. Figures
12.9.0 and 12.10.0.1-2 show the revised RODP for KTN NDA and FLN NDA
respectively and Figures 12.9.1-2 and 12.10.1-2 give details of the Development Parameters of KTN NDA and FLN NDA RODPs respectively.
Impact for LCAs have been mapped in Figures 12.13.0 (key plan) and Figures
12.13.1-4
(zoom ins) for KTN NDA, and Figure 12.14.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.14.1-4 (zoom ins) for FLN NDA.
·
Potential
landscape mitigation measures have been identified with a view to reduce landscape impacts to acceptable levels during design,
construction and operation of the Project and associated works. The proposed
mitigation measures are not only concerned with damage reduction but will also
include consideration of preservation to avoid disturbance to LRs and LCAs and
potential enhancement of existing landscape (and visual) quality. Mitigation
measures may take the form of:
-
Adopting
alternative design or revising the basic engineering and / or architectural
design, to prevent and / or minimize adverse impacts. Alternative alignment(s),
design(s) and construction methods that avoid or reduce the identified
landscape impacts have been evaluated for comparison before adopting other
mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts
-
Remedial
measures such as colour and textural treatment of physical, engineering and
building features and green roofing
-
Compensatory
measures such as the implementation of landscape design measures (e.g. tree
planting, creation of new open space etc.) to compensate for unavoidable
adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term
impacts
To ensure their effectiveness throughout the construction and operational phases of the Project and associated works, the relevant responsible parties for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures have been identified. Approval-in-principle to the funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures is being sought from the appropriate authorities, according to the principles in ETWB TCW No. 2/2004.
·
Prediction
of Acceptability of Impacts. An overall
assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts in accordance
with the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM is given, considering
the guidelines in paragraph 3.11 of Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note No. 8/2010.
This section
provides an overview of the HKSAR Government’s development intentions, statutory land-use and
planning within the Study Areas, specifically from landscape and visual
standpoints, and also discusses the overall development principles and concepts
considered during the design of the revised RODPs. Relevant, published studies,
such as HK2030 Study are reviewed before detailing how the design of the
revised RODPs has affected landscape and visual impacts. The existing Outline
Zoning Plans (OZPs), and Development Permission Area (DPA) Plans are then
considered in relation to the relevant revised RODP of the NDAs and their
Layout Plans, with the aim of assessing whether the Project can fit into the
surrounding setting.
12.5.1 The Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy
HK2030 Study was
tasked to update the Territorial Development Strategy for Hong Kong
recommending, on the basis of a series of assumptions, how the spatial
environment should respond to various social, economic and environmental needs
in the next 20 to 30 years, taking Hong Kong towards a shared vision.
The HK2030 Study
proposed a number of recommendations including improvement of the degraded
rural environment, better protection of resources of high conservation value,
and particularly that the NDAs (i.e. NENT NDAs([3])
and Hung Shui Kiu NDA) could be an important source of housing land. Based on
the HK2030 Study, the residential population target would be 0.35 million
within NENT NDAs and Hung Shui Kiu NDA.
They would be served by rail and highly accessible through the
development of new rail stations. The NDAs proposed in the HK2030 Study are
contiguous to existing developed areas such that they would be more cost
effective in the provision of infrastructure. Some of the existing government,
institutions or community facilities could also be shared between the currently
developed areas and the NDAs. In
addition, the NDAs would have the potential to provide additional employment
opportunities for new town dwellers.
It is considered
that the current proposed NDA developments (KTN and FLN NDAs only) and
associated works are in principle following the concept of HK2030 Study and
further details regarding the design of the revised RODPs are given in Section 12.5.2, particularly with
respect to landscape and visual considerations.
12.5.2 Revised RODP Design to Minimize Landscape & Visual Impacts
The revised RODPs
set out the proposed land use framework to guide future development of the KTN and
FLN NDAs in terms of spatial land use arrangements, development intensities and
heights, major infrastructural networks, open space and visual
corridors/networks, etc. and therefore play a key part in directing the
potential landscape and visual (L&V) impacts of the Project. They have
undergone a number of iterations and substantial changes since the HK2030 Study
concept and the NENT Study was completed in 2003, taking into account the
findings and recommendations of various technical assessments such as
engineering, land, traffic and environment, etc. The text below summarises the relevant planning principles and
concepts that have been incorporated into the revised RODPs, particularly
highlighting those that mitigate the potential landscape and visual impacts of
the Project.
12.5.2.1
Overall Development Principles
and Concepts
Each NDA has been
planned to achieve the distinct landscape characteristic of a new town;
considering the KTN NDA is served by the Fanling Highway and Lok Ma Chau
(LMC) Spur Line and its strategic
proximity to Lo Wu BCP, LMC BCP, and the proposed LMC Loop, it
has been planned as a ‘mixed development node’ with a town centre based around
the proposed railway station and focused on transit oriented development. FLN NDA on the other hand has been planned as
a ‘riverside community’ with Ng Tung River serving as the key linkage in the
NDA with pedestrian and cycle track systems and the open space corridor and
mixed residential and commercial development. Both FLN NDA and KTN NDA are
planned to be the extensions of the existing Fanling/Sheung Shui new town to
form the FL/SS/KTN New Town.
Care has been
taken to preserve major landscape assets such as Tai Shek Mo, Wa Shan and Cham
Shan uplands, Fung Kong Shan and limit development in Long Valley, thus
avoiding L&V impacts. Similar
priority has been given to establishing a network of linked open spaces,
accommodating a number of parks, plazas, squares, green amenity strips and
landscape corridors, to create ‘green’ new towns and partly compensate for any
loss of such existing open spaces or other relevant LRs.
During public
consultations, people were noted to be concerned about the L&V impacts of
the elevated road infrastructures and noise barriers specifically. Some people
also suggested maximizing the greening opportunities. The revised RODPs
therefore aim to minimize areas needing noise barriers and maximize greening
opportunities.
Site formation
has also been carefully considered to minimize works and L&V impact, by
keeping all the proposed developments and infrastructures as close to the
existing ground profile as possible and achieving the best cut/ fill balance
for each development stage of the NDAs. For low-lying areas drainage has also
been taken into account and filled to above 1-in-200-year flood levels. Where
there is a need for site formation to significantly cut into existing
landscape, the use of retaining walls has been preferred. Retaining walls reduce the extent of land affected
(thereby reducing direct landscape impact) and avoid formation of extensive and
unsightly cut slopes, although the visual impact of retaining walls themselves
has also been taken into account and addressed..
Details of
specific principles adopted when formulating the revised RODP for each NDA are
provided below, focusing on those that particularly affect L&V impacts.
12.5.2.2
KTN NDA Planning Principles and
Concepts
Key principles adopted when formulating the KTN NDA revised RODP and which avoid, reduce or compensate for
potential L&V impacts, are detailed below, and Figures 12.9.3 to 12.9.5 in combination help illustrate them.
Layout Design Respecting the Surrounding Environment
and Ecology
To respect the
rural character in the surrounding areas, a stepped building height profile is
adopted in designing the NDA which helps to increase visual interest and give a
more visually amenable appearance. The high density developments will be
concentrated around the proposed Kwu Tung Railway Station. The building density
and heights drop gradually towards the periphery of the NDA to ensure a better
integration between the NDA developments and the adjacent rural setting.
Additionally site
coverage restrictions have been considered and adopted in the allocation of
land uses in order to respect and integrate with the local context and
development, and also to reduce potential visual impacts in particular. The
building mass is controlled by the proposed maximum site coverage, with the
site coverage for CDA sites for example restricted at 65% to avoid excessive
building bulk, allow space for greening and improve visual amenity.
Due consideration is also given to Long
Valley as outlined in the paragraphs below.
Incorporation of Key Natural and Landscape Features into NDA
Development, including creation of Long Valley Nature Park
A key planning
principle is to preserve and enhance the significant landscape character areas
and landscape resources in the NDA, thus avoiding landscape (as well as visual)
impacts. Due respect has been paid to
the existing landscape features such as Fung Shui woodlands, which are of high
social importance. Development/encroachment within Fung Shui woodlands should
be avoided. The existing Fung Shui Woodland adjacent to Ho Sheung Heung is
integrated into the land use framework through its designation as “Green Belt”
zone and the five registered OVTs within the NDA boundary, located along Castle
Peak Road/ Fanling Highway, are proposed to be retained. In addition, Fung Kong
Shan and the hill to its east have been designated as “Green Belt” zone and a
large area to the west of the NDA, incorporating the foothills of the Western
Ranges, is another Green Belt designated area.
With respect to
the habitat of Long Valley, the urban type developments within this NDA are
located away from the core area of Long Valley, where ecologically important
habitats are present. Direct impacts to the core area or areas immediately
adjacent to this core area have been avoided by designating the core area of
Long Valley as “Other Specified Uses (Nature Park)” zone to create the Long
Valley Nature Park (LVNP), which will be actively managed by the Government,
and designating those areas immediately adjacent as ‘AGR’ zone to retain their
use. This is a key avoidance mitigation
measure to reduce overall impact on agricultural landscape due to the Project,
and partially compensate for any unavoidable marsh/ wetland loss (See Section 12.9, MM13 for further details and also Section 12.5.3.1 for further details of
the treatment of Long Valley).
In addition,
existing trees have been retained as far as possible throughout the NDA, to
avoid the loss of landscape resources and greening.
Creating a Comprehensive Green Network
Fung Kong Shan
Park is proposed to be designed as a green park featuring a major artificial
lake with water running off from Fung Kong Shan. The park could exemplify the
green vision of the NDA. Additionally the riverside promenade along the western
side of Sheung Yue River also serves as an important riverside open space with good
views to the green LVNP on the opposite bank of the river. The Town Park
stretching from west to east linking up Pak Shek Au and Long Valley also
provides spaces for recreational and social activities and the north-south open
space corridors linking Kwu Tung South with Fung Kong Shan Park will be
landscaped and form part of the comprehensive green network. This green network serves as a physical
linkage between major residential areas and major activity nodes (such as Kwu
Tung Railway Station, Town Park, LVNP and Fung Kong Shan Park) and could
enhance the overall landscape character of the area.
Creating Visual Connections and Breezeways
The major
east-west green corridor (Site A1-10) connecting Long Valley to Pak Shek Au
provides a key visual corridor and breezeway for the NDA. The north-south
corridors (including through Sites B2-9, B2-13 and A3-3) also provide direct
visual linkage from the southern part of the NDA to the hilly backdrop in the
north and give a sense of space. Another view corridor is also provided in a
northwest-southeast direction in the form of the eastern periphery road,
providing a distant view to Fung Kong Shan. A continuous open view from Long
Valley to the hills in the north is also preserved. The positions of the building blocks have
also been designed to maintain view corridors and designations of building
separation as well as building set back are considered to avoid wall-like
buildings and achieve better visual permeability.
Public Open Space System
Apart from the
major public open spaces of the east-west running Town Park in the town centre;
the Fung Kong Shan Park in the northern part of the NDA and the riverside
promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River, a secondary green loop
offering a continuous open space framework connecting all the residential neighbourhoods, in both east-west and north-south
direction, is also provided to promote a safe and comfortable walking
environment within the NDA. These public open spaces could be designed to
create central squares, gardens, children’s playgrounds or parks. The public
open space system will enhance the visual amenity of the area and improve the
overall landscape character.
Buffer Areas
Amenity areas have been
carefully planned to provide buffers between major roads and proposed
developments to mitigate potential environmental impacts, including visual
impacts. They offer good opportunities for landscaping and tree planting and
may screen views of roads and generally enhance their landscape and visual
amenity.
Preservation of Cultural and Heritage Resources
The declared
monuments and graded historic buildings have been considered and incorporated
in the NDA development.
Other planning
principles less directly
affecting L&V impacts of the KTN NDA include:
Minimising
Impacts on Existing Communities - In the revised RODP, attempts have been made to minimize
disturbance to the existing community which may have implications on landscape
impacts. Two burial grounds are located
on the hillside slopes immediately west of Ho Sheung Heung and near Tit Hang,
on the northern and western fringes of the NDA.
No developments encroach on these areas. Developments in the close
vicinity are compatible with the rural setting.
Sufficient Government, Institution and Community
Facilities - Some of the
existing G/IC facilities within the NDA will be retained thus reducing the land
required to provide additional G/IC facilities.
Promoting a Sustainable Living Environment through
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) – The majority of the NDA’s developments and population
will be located within a 500 m catchment area of the proposed Railway
Station and the population will therefore be concentrated in this area rather
than expanding further afield and the natural area at the periphery of the NDAs
can be preserved.
Reserving Land to Support Economic Growth of Hong Kong
- The existing
infrastructure has been considered, particularly Fanling Highway and the
proposed Railway
Station, with a
cluster of “Commercial, Research and Development” sites located within easy
access.
Balanced Community Mix - A range of housing types must be accommodated to cater
for different housing needs.
Incorporation of Environmentally ‘Green’ Features – Planning also considers the provision of a
District Cooling System (DCS) for non-domestic developments, passive building
design, water saving fixtures, reuses of treated sewage effluent (TSE) for
non-portable purposes such as landscape irrigation, etc.. The revised RODP
allows for subsequent implementation of road-based EFTM e.g. charging stations
for electric vehicles.
12.5.2.3
FLN NDA Planning Principles and
Concepts
Key principles adopted when formulating the FLN NDA revised RODP and which avoid, reduce or compensate for
potential L&V impacts, are detailed below, and Figures 12.10.3 -5 in combination help illustrate them.
Compatibility with the Surrounding Environmental and Development
Characters
In FLN NDA, high
buildings with the highest density are concentrated within the two core areas
on the southern bank of Ng Tung River to minimize urban sprawl and an area
between the two core areas is reserved for a Central Park and low-rise
buildings for various recreation, social and community facilities to provide
some relief between the two core concentrated development areas. In addition,
the intensity and building heights drop gradually towards the periphery and Ng
Tung River to help maximize views to this natural feature and the hills behind,
increase visual interest through the stepped building height profile and
overall give the NDA a more visually amenable appearance.
With respect to
development characters, FLN NDA (and KTN NDA) will extend to the existing
Fanling/Sheung Shui new town to form the FL/SS/KTN New Town, with residents
sharing the existing and the planned community facilities. FLN NDA will
therefore be compatible with the surrounding development, extending the
existing urban area.
In addition, the
existing Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (WTW) has a ‘Consultation Zone’ and
‘Influence Zone’ of 1km and 2km radius respectively. These have been considered during development
of the RODP in view of the potential hazards within these areas. Therefore residential developments will not
be planned within the Consultation Zone, while residential developments of
relatively lower intensities are planned in the Influence Zone and sensitive
uses such as schools will be located as far as possible from the Influence
Zone. In sum, the amount of residential development and working opportunities
within these zones has been carefully controlled.
Incorporation of Key Natural and Landscape Features into NDA
Development
FLN NDA occupies
the flat land between the existing new town and surrounding hill slopes and
village developments. The outer limit to the new town is clearly delineated by the retrained Ng Tung River and the proposed major road.
To help preserve
the green aspect in north-western part of the NDA, Sites A1-3 and A1-9 will
remain as an “Agriculture” zone and the mitigation meander at Site A1-7, which
was formed as a result of the channelization of Ng Tung River, is designated as
a “Conservation Area” zone. This site is conserved for relocation of Man Kam To
egretry and there is a general presumption against development.
Creating a Comprehensive Green Network
In order to
enhance the living environment in the NDA, an open space system is embedded
into the NDA to provide a continuous green network across the neighbourhood and create convenient accesses to the
riverside promenade either from the NDA development or the existing Fanling/Sheung
Shui New Town. The riverside promenade along Ng Tung River forms an important
element to the open space system in FLN NDA and will also be linked all the way
to Long Valley in Kwu Tung North. It aims to improve the environment along the
River for leisure and recreational use.
Green spines
(Sites B2-9, B3-8, C2-2, C2-10, D1-4, D1-5, D2-3, D2-5, D2-8, D2-10, D2-11,
D3-5 and D3-10) are provided to connect the residential areas to the riverside
promenade and Central Park, providing not only green linkages to the
recreational resources, but also important physical and visual relief to the
residential developments in the NDA as well as existing residential neighbourhoods in the Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town.
Major green
corridors and secondary green corridors are designed in the form of tree
avenues, boulevards, pedestrian streets and green walkways which make the FLN
NDA visually cohesive in terms of the continuity of tree and shrub planting and
allow, where possible, continuous and safe pedestrian access throughout the
development.
Sites A1-3 and
A1-9 will help preserve the green aspect in north-western part of the NDA, by
remaining as an “Agriculture” zone and the conservation area at Site A1-7,
reserved for the Man Kam To egretry, will also help retain the green aspect of
the area.
Creating Visual Connections and Breezeways
The riverside
location and the linear configuration of the NDA mean that there is a wealth of
opportunity for attractive views and breezeways under prevailing north-easterly
winds. The riverside promenade and
riverside parks along Ng Tung River and the Central Park (Site C2-8) provide
visual and spatial relief in the NDA, with the Central Park providing a
large-scale visual and physical break between the two main residential neighbourhoods. The Central Park and the north-south
running green spines also serve as major view corridors to protect the
long-range views toward the green backdrop in the north.
Furthermore, to
allow prevailing winds to pass through the NDA, all breezeways are oriented in
a northeast-southwest direction creating visual permeability across the
residential neighbourhoods to the River and Central Park.
Public Open Space System
A number of sites
are zoned “Open Space” in FLN NDA to provide public recreational and leisure
space and to integrate major parks and riverside promenades. This land is
intended primarily for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for
active and/or passive recreational uses. The open space at Site C2-8 is
proposed as the Central Park which serves as a major recreational area and
combines with the social services and recreational facilities in the vicinity
(Site C2-6) to serve as a civic core of the NDA. Areas along the northern and
southern banks of Ng Tung River will be developed into continuous promenades
for the enjoyment of residents and visitors and Riverside Parks are also
proposed at a number of sites such as Sites B1-2, B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, D1-2 and
D1-3, as other activity nodes in the NDA.
The public open space system will therefore enhance the visual amenity
of the area and improve the overall landscape character.
Buffer Areas
Amenity strips
will be provided alongside many road edges to enhance the amenity and to serve
as visual buffers. They offer good opportunities for landscaping and tree
planting and may screen views of roads and generally enhance their landscape
and visual amenity.
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Man Ming Temple
(a Grade 3 historic building) will be preserved and located within open space
for public use.
Other planning principles
less directly affecting L&V impacts of the FLN NDA
include:
Sufficient Government, Institution and Community (G/IC) Facilities - Sufficient land has been reserved for a comprehensive range of G/IC uses to accommodate the needs of the future and existing residents in Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town.
Concentration of Population around Major Transport and
Activity Nodes -High
density residential and commercial developments are clustering within
500 m catchments of the proposed public transport interchanges. By
concentrating the population around certain nodes, fragmented land use is
avoided and potentially L&V impacts reduced.
Balanced Community Mix - A range of housing types are accommodated to cater
for different housing needs.
Incorporation of Environmentally ‘Green’ Features – such as passive building design, water
saving fixtures, green construction materials, reuse of TSE for non-portable
purposes such as landscape irrigation, etc. The revised RODP allows for
subsequent implementation of road-based EFTM and Site B2-2 in FLN NDA is
reserved as the parking and operation facilities for EFTM which is intended to
serve the NDAs in the future.
12.5.3 Existing Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs)
The review of the
OZPs has included a review of the Plans as well as the accompanying Notes and
Explanatory Statements. The NDA Study Areas and NDA boundaries have been
superimposed onto existing OZPs and Development Permission Area (DPA) Plans to
determine the effect of the revised RODPs on the current land zoning. Details
for each NDA are provided below.
The KTN NDA Study
Area is currently covered by a number of OZPs and DPA Plans as illustrated in Figure
12.1.0. Details of the affected DPA Plan(s) are given in Section 12.5.4 Land Use Planning for
Frontier Closed Area, and further details of the OZPs affected by KTN NDA
are provided below.
The KTN NDA (as
defined by the NDA boundary) principally sits within Approved Kwu Tung North
OZP No. S/NE-KTN/8 and in the north a small area falls within DPA/NE-MTL/2.
Although the southern periphery of the NDA boundary touches upon the Draft Kwu
Tung South OZP No. S/NE-KTS/13, the areas affected are so small as to be
considered insignificant (see Figure 12.1.0).
Table 12.5.1
summarizes the areas of existing zoning types of OZP No. S/NE-KTN/8 within the
KTN NDA boundary. Although KTN NDA falls almost entirely within this OZP
boundary, some falls within other DPA plans.
However essentially no development is proposed (e.g. H1-1, B1-3, D1-8, E1-8,
F1-5, F1-6, and part of G1-3 are all designated to remain as Green Belt) except
the water service reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5.
Other key changes are listed in the table.
Table 12.5.1- Approved Kwu Tung North OZP No. S/NE-KTN/8
Zoning
Type |
Existing
Area within OZP (ha) |
Area
within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate
percentage that will undergo land use change) |
Comments on Major land
use changes |
Agriculture (AGR) |
131.59 |
130.51 (35%) |
More than half
of this zoning type will not be modified, having been designated to be
retained as Agricultural Land (e.g. C1-6, C2-2, C2-4, C2-5), protected in as
a Nature Park in Long Valley (C1-9), or partly falling in Green Belt sites
(e.g. H1-1). Approximately 35% of this zoning type will be modified by the proposed
development: various commercial, research and development
facilities and residential
sites west of the Sheung Yue River and Long Valley (e.g. B3-5, B3-12, part of
A2-9, D1-7 etc.); amenity and government facilities in the south west of the
NDA (e.g. B1-1, B1-4, B1-9, etc. and the proposed Plant for District Cooling
System in B1-7); and part of the area of AGR in the mid-west of the NDA
(approximately 2 ha) will also be modified by the proposed swimming pool and sports centre (E1-5) and primary school (E1-2). |
Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) |
18.21 |
18.21 (100%) |
Both areas of CDA in this OZP will change to compatible land
uses. The area in the south west of the NDA is proposed to accommodate part
of the hospital,
polyclinic
and general
clinic/healthcare
facilities (B2-2) as well as some educational (e.g. B2-5, B2-6, B2-7), residential use
(e.g. A1-4, A1-2) and the CLP substation (B2-4). The area further to the east in the NDA, will change to accommodate
some residential
sites (e.g. A1-9) and distributor roads and a small part will be affected by
sites proposed for commercial, research and development
facilities (e.g. B3-8). |
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC) |
11.52 |
11.52 (15%) |
There are no significant changes to this land zoning. Many facilities such as Lo Wu Saddle Club, Lo Wu Correctional
Institution and an existing basketball court (C2-3) will remain
unaffected. Other areas that are
affected fall with sites proposed for the same land use (e.g. primary school at E1-2 and police facilities at
E1-3). The former Ma Tso Lung Landfill area is proposed as open space (O),
which will be a land use change (about 15%), but this is compatible with the
current land use. |
Green Belt (GB) |
107.23 |
107.12 (25%) |
Of the approximately 107.12 ha of GB in this OZP that falls
within the revised RODP, approximately 80 ha
(approximately 75 %) falls on sites designated to remain as Green Belt
(e.g. B1-3, H1-1, E1-8, D1-8, F1-5, F1-6 and part of G1-3) and will be
unaffected. Of the remaining approximate 25% of land where land use change is
proposed, some is proposed for compatible land use (e.g. The remaining Lo Wu
Firing Range at G1-2, open space at E1-7 for Fung Kong Shan Park), however
approximately 18 ha is proposed for land uses that are not compatible; one
site west of Fung Kong foothill is proposed for a fire station cum ambulance depot (E1-6) and
part of a site for a sports ground/ sports complex (F1-1) will
also fall on GB; Sites D1-12, D1-13 and D1-14 are Government reserves or potential activity centres which are
not compatible either. Equally the Sites reserved for research and
development in support of LMC Loop Development at F1-3 are not compatible.
Finally the proposed district distributor roads also partially fall in this
zoning (e.g. at B1-3 and west of A2-2) and are not compatible. |
Industrial (Group D) (I(D)) |
26.03 |
26.03 (100%) |
All I(D) in this OZP will change in land use. It is mainly proposed
for residential
uses and some commercial, research and development use
which are considered compatible. Some affected areas fall on sites proposed for
amenity
uses which would be considered to enhance the land use. |
Open Space (O) |
7.19 |
7.19 (60%) |
All the Open Space in this OZP falls within the NDA boundary but just
over half will change land use to become residential (e.g. public rental housing at A1-2, and high
density residential zone at A1-6) and comprehensive development area (B2-10), while
the rest will remain as open space (e.g. A1-10 and
B2-9). |
Open Storage (OS) |
43.44 |
43.44 (100%) |
All the Open Storage in this OZP falls within the revised RODP
and will be converted to open space, residential, educational and recreational land uses
as well as amenities
such as roads or railway associated facilities. |
Village Type Development (V) |
14.03 |
14.03 (0%) |
There will be no changes to this zoning type in this OZP. |
TOTAL |
358.2 |
358.1 |
|
Approximately 18 ha of GB which is proposed
for incompatible land use such as fire station cum ambulance depot, government
reserves or potential activity centres etc., as described in the table above.
During formulation of the revised RODP, however, areas with mature vegetation
and/or hilly terrain have been designated as GB to protect existing green areas
and preserve the hilly terrain as a green backdrop to the NDA, with the primary
intention of reserving the natural and green setting of the NDA insofar as
possible. Areas of recognized burial grounds have also been designated as GB,
as well as high value Fung Shui woodlands at Site D1-8, such that in total
approximately 120 ha of GB will remain in KTN NDA, comprising roughly 30% of
the NDA area. Figures 12.9.3-5 highlight the urban context and some of the design
measures incorporated into the revised RODP. In addition, various sites have
been designated for compensatory woodland planting (see Figure 12.15.0 Landscape Mitigation Plan for KTN NDA)
which will also enhance the green aspect.
Additionally,
approximately 45 ha of land zoned AGR will be lost to various commercial,
research and development facilities and residential sites west of the Sheung
Yue River and Long Valley, amenity and government facilities in the south west
including the proposed Plant for District Cooling System and part of the
swimming pool and sports centre proposed for this NDA. Given this loss of AGR,
careful consideration has been given to the Long Valley area.
Some
37 hectares of land in the core area of Long Valley generally of high
ecological value are designated as a Nature Park to be implemented by the
Government as part and parcel of the NDAs project. It will become a “green lung” contributing to
a quality living environment for the KTN and FLN NDAs. It will conserve and enhance the ecologically
important environment which supports a diverse bird community, and compensate
for the wetland loss due to the NDAs development. A visitor centre will be provided to
demonstrate the ecological importance of Long Valley. As the ecological value of this area is
closely related to the existing wet farming practice, part of the Nature Park
may allow such use based on guidelines and requirements to be prescribed by the
Government. The Nature Park will
showcase the harmonious blending of farming activities with nature
conservation.
For
the area to the north of the Nature Park which comprises mainly wet agriculture
and fishponds, the current “AGR” zoning would be retained to allow continuation
of the existing farming practices, while the area to the south of the Nature
Park would also be retained as “AGR” zoning to act as a buffer for the Nature
Park.
12.5.3.2
Fanling North NDA
The FLN NDA Study
Area is currently covered by a number of OZPs and DPA Plans as illustrated in Figure
12.2.0.1-2. Details of
the affected DPA Plans are given in Section
12.5.4 Land Use planning for Frontier Closed Area and further details of
the OZPs affected by FLN NDA are provided below.
The FLN NDA
Project Site (as defined by the NDA boundary) principally sits within two OZPs,
namely:
·
Approved Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling
OZP No. S/NE-FTA/12
·
Draft Fanling / Sheung Shui OZP No. S/FSS/17
Due to the
proposed service reservoir in northern FLN NDA at Site A3-1, some of the
Approved Hung Lung Hang OZP No. S/NE-HLH/7 is also affected by this NDA. In addition, although a very small area of
the FLN NDA sits within the Draft Lung Yeuk Tau and Kwan Tei South OZP No.
S/NE-LYT/15, the area affected is under 0.1 ha and is not considered
significant for the discussion (see Figure 12.2.0.1).
Tables 12.5.2, 12.5.3
and 12.5.4,
summarize the areas of existing zoning types in OZPs No. S/NE/FTA/12, S/FSS/17
and S/NE-HLH/7 respectively within the FLN NDA boundary and give details of the
key changes. It should be noted that the
alignment of Ng Tung River after training has not been incorporated into the
Fanling/ Sheung Shui OZP, such that currently much of the trained river falls
within land zoned as AGR and GB.
Therefore, the actual impact of the FLN NDA on AGR and GB is likely to
be less than predicted by the numbers shown in Table 12.5.3.
Overall,
approximately 86 ha of GB will undergo land use change in the FLN NDA, mainly
to make way for proposed residential developments but also to accommodate a
proposed water service reservoir. Provision has been made for the inclusion of
large areas of open space between buildings in many of these residential areas
to help alleviate this loss, with a total of approximately 25 ha of open space
in the NDA. During formulation of the revised RODP, care has been taken to
consider natural and landscape features and provide green corridors (See Section 12.5.2.3).
Figures 12.10.3-5 highlight the urban context and some of the planning
measures incorporated into the revised RODP. In addition, various sites have
been designated for compensatory woodland planting (see Figure 12.16.0
Landscape Mitigation Plan for FLN NDA and Figure 12.15.0 for KTN NDA
Landscape Mitigation Plan).
Additionally,
approximately 16 ha of AGR will be lost to various land uses such as proposed
Police Driving and Traffic Training Division, as well as some residential, G/IC
uses and the distributor roads. However,
approximately 12 ha of land in Fu Tei Au has been avoided and retained as
“AGR”, allowing continuation of farming activities there.
Table 12.5.2 – Approved Fu Tei Au and Sha Ling OZP No. S/NE-FTA/12
Zoning
Type |
Existing
Area within OZP (ha) |
Area
within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate
percentage that will undergo land use change) |
Comments
on Major Land Use Changes |
Agriculture (AGR) |
175.66 |
39.12 (65%) |
Some of the AGR in this OZP within FLN NDA is
the river which will not be affected but most of the rest of this zoning will
undergo land use change. Approximately 15% of this AGR zoned land in
the FLN NDA is on site proposed as open space and this is fairly compatible with the
current use. Another approximately 45% in the west of FLN
NDA, AGR is proposed to change to land use types that are not compatible: Government
land for a Police Driving and Traffic Training Division (A1-8). Further east
approximately another 5% will be affected by some residential sites (e.g.
B1-7) and Government sites proposed for a sports centre and integrated children and youth service centre (C2-6). In
addition some of the AGR will be converted to amenity land for
roads. |
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC) |
25.39 |
1.68 (100%) |
This G/IC affected by the FLN NDA will all change land use to either residential or a village re-site area. |
Green Belt (GB) |
112.50 |
0.03 (0%) |
Not a significant area – likely discrepancies in GIS mapping. |
Open Storage (OS) |
7.19 |
0.06 (0%) |
Not a significant area – likely discrepancies in GIS mapping. |
Other Specified Uses (OU) |
13.35 |
2.51 (100%) |
The area affected in this OZP is all proposed to be used for Police’s weapons training
complex (A1-11). |
TOTAL |
334.09 |
40.75 |
|
Table 12.5.3 – Draft Fanling / Sheung Shui OZP No. S/FSS/17
Zoning Type |
Existing Area within OZP (ha) |
Area within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate percentage that will undergo land use
change) |
Comments on Major Land Use Changes |
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC) |
105.63 |
1.63 (0%) |
This G/IC area affected is in the south east
of the FLN NDA and will not change land use as it is proposed for as government reserve (D2-15) and to re-provide
the existing
North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products (D1-6). |
Green Belt (GB) |
159.02 |
89.30 (95%) |
Most of the area of GB within the FLN NDA
will undergo land use change, with most of it converted to other incompatible
land uses, mainly residential
(e.g. B1-7, B2-6, B2-7, B2-11, B2-12, B3-2, B3-3, B3-6, B3-7, B3-9, D2-2, D2-4,
D2-6, D2-9, D2-12, D3-1a, D3-1b, D3-1c, D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7, D3-8) and
distributor roads. Most of the residential areas have provision of open space
between the buildings however. |
Industrial (I) |
58.37 |
1.51 (100%) |
This area is due to be converted to road and
to land proposed for Government use, namely a government reserve (D2-16) and
to re-provide the existing
North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products (D1-6). |
Open Space (O) |
47.44 |
2.62 (80%) |
Most of this small area of open space
affected by the FLN NDA is proposed for residential use
(e.g. public
rental
housing
at D3-8 and high density residential zone at D3-6), school (Site D3-11) as well as part of a road. A
small area remains as open space (D3-10) or more compatible land use (e.g. amenities at D3-9). |
Other Specified Uses (OU) |
35.82 |
0.11 (0%) |
Not significant area – likely discrepancies
in GIS mapping. |
Residential (Group B) (R(B)) |
8.18 |
0.01 (0%) |
Not significant area – likely discrepancies
in GIS mapping. |
Residential (Group C) (R(C)) |
23.23 |
0.29 (100%) |
Likely to be affected by land proposed for a distributer road with the
FLN NDA. |
TOTAL |
437.69 |
91.72 |
|
Table
12.5.4 –Approved Hung Lung Hang OZP No. S/NE-HLH/7*
Zoning Type |
Existing Area within OZP (ha) |
Area within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate percentage that will undergo land use
change) |
Comments on Major Land Use Changes |
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC) |
1.06 |
0.17 (100%) |
The G/IC area in this OZP is already a firing range with a fresh water service reservoir underneath
it. It is affected by the proposed FLN
Fresh Water Service Reservoir (A3-1) and therefore will not change land use. |
Green Belt (GB) |
245.87 |
1.31 (100%) |
A very small portion of the GB in this OZP
will be affected by the FLN NDA at Table Hill, by the proposed FLN Fresh Water
Service Reservoir (A3-1) and access road.
Therefore this small area will undergo land use change, to an
incompatible land use. |
*Only
affected zones are detailed. Certain
zones e.g. “Agriculture” and “Village Type Development” do not fall within the
NDA Boundary and will not be affected.
In summary, the
NDAs have a great variety of mixed land uses and there are some potential
conflicts with the existing planning and development control framework which
may not be in line with the existing OZPs as summarised in Tables
12.5.1-4. The text in Sections 12.5.3.1 and 12.5.3.2
help explain these conflicts.
Measures taken to address them are summarized below.
Although a large
area of land zoned GB and AGR will be affected by the NDAs as shown in Tables
12.5.1 and 12.5.3, it should be noted that the alignment of Ng Tung
River after training, has not been incorporated into the OZP, such that
currently much of the trained river falls within land zoned AGR and GB. As such, the actual impact of the FLN NDA on
AGR and GB zones is likely to be less than predicted by the numbers shown in
the tables.
The nature of the
project inevitably means there will be some loss of GB and AGR zones, and
therefore careful consideration has gone into the planning stages of the NDAs
to help alleviate the loss. Some key planning principles for KTN NDA are to
preserve and enhance the ecological
sensitive area of Long Valley, respect the natural topography and enhance
the natural landscape in Fung Kong Shan as well
as provide a continuous open
space system, integrated into a landscape framework with connections between
them. For FLN NDA, some of the key planning principles include creating a
“green” new town by providing a strong and attractive landscape framework with
linked open spaces and providing a continuous open space alongside the river,
connecting with open spaces in the new and existing developments areas.
Whilst a total of approximately
104 ha of GB zone will be affected by the NDA development, approximately
120 ha of GB zone will be protected in KTN NDA. A
total of approximately 58 ha of open space is also provided in the NDA, of
which much is passive open space, and this will also go some way to help
alleviate the loss of GB zone.
Approximately
45 ha of AGR in KTN NDA and 16 ha of AGR in FLN NDA will be
lost. AGR has been retained as far as
possible in the planning stage e.g. the area to the north and south of Long
Valley Nature Park in KTN NDA (approximately 45 ha) as well as a large
area of land in of Fu Tei Au (approximately 12 ha) in FLN NDA will be
retained as AGR zone. Considering the KTN and FLN NDAs as a whole, careful
consideration has also been given to the Long Valley area in KTN NDA to
alleviate the overall loss of AGR; the core area of the Long Valley is
designated as “Other Specified Uses (Nature Park)”. Farming practices may be allowed in the
Nature Park based on guidelines and requirements to be prescribed by the
Government.
It should be
noted that the land use zoning designated in the OZP may not reflect the
current condition of the land e.g. the land may have become abandoned and
undergone succession to shrubby grassland; land may have been changed to open
storage use; etc. Therefore more accurate information regarding the impact on
agricultural land will be made in the Landscape Impact Assessment in Section 12.8 and the measures taken to alleviate any
loss detailed in Section 12.9.
12.5.4 Land Use Planning for Frontier Closed Area (FCA) – Existing Development Permission Area (DPA) Plans
The Frontier
Closed Area (FCA) was not covered by any OZPs. When the new Closed Area
boundary is put in place, the total land area of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA)
will be reduced from 2,800 ha to 400 ha in phases and the areas released from
the FCA are now to be put under planning control.
The NDA areas
fall within some of the area to be released. The future development of this
area has been investigated in the Planning Department’s “Land Use Planning for
the Closed Area” study completed in July 2010, examining the future use of the
areas released from FCA and their development potential and constraints. A
number of DPA Plans based on the study’s recommended development plan were
gazetted on 30 July 2010.
· The landscape study area partly falls within two such DPA Plans: Part of the KTN NDA Study Area falls within the Approved Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-MTL/2 and touches upon the Approved Man Kam To DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-MKT/3 in the same area as the FLN NDA Study Area.
· The FLN NDA Study Area also touches upon the Approved Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-MTL/2 but none of FLN NDA itself actually lies within the DPAs.
Further details
of the KTN NDA Project Site falling within DPA/NE-MTL/2 are detailed
below.
Three KTN NDA
land plots within DPA/NE-MTL/2 will keep the existing land use (i.e. Sites G1-1
Lo Wu Firing Range; G1-6 Lo Wu Saddle Club and G1-8 Lo Wu Correctional
Institution) but other land plots (F1-3, G1-4 and G1-5) will change. Sites F1-1
and F1-3 fall within the area zoned as AGR and are currently reserved for a
Sports Ground/ Sports Complex and Research and Development uses to support the
LMC. KTN NDA land Sites G1-4 and G1-5 are designated for service reservoirs,
and they fall onto the area zoned as GB.
However, the changes would only constitute insignificant loss of AGR and
GB compared with the total area in this DPA Plan.
According to the Study Brief (ESB-176/2008) the
baseline review comprises the identification of all existing LRs and
LCAs
within 500m of the NDA boundaries.
The overall Study Area for all the NDAs is very
generally natural and rural. Complex LRs can be classified into different major
categories, as follows:
· LR1 – Channelized Water Course
· LR2 – Water Course
· LR3 – Water Pond
· LR4 – Marsh/ Wetland
· LR5 – Plantation
· LR6 – Hillside Woodland
· LR7 – Lowland Woodland
· LR8 – Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic
· LR9 – Agricultural Land
· LR10 – Open Space / Recreational Area
· LR11 – Urban Development Area
· LR12 – Rural Development Area
· LR13 – Industrial / Open Storage
· LR14 – Major Transportation Corridor
The LCAs in the
Study Area are classified into major categories as follows:
· LCA1 – Natural Hillside Landscape
· LCA2 – Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape
· LCA3 – Urban Development Landscape
· LCA4 – Industrial Landscape
· LCA5 – Lowland Agricultural Landscape
· LCA6 – Major Transportation Corridor Landscape
· LCA7 – Major Water Course Corridor Landscape
The LRs and LCAs
of each NDA are described in further detail, together with their sensitivity,
in Sections 12.6.2 and 12.6.3 for
KTN NDA and FLN NDA respectively.
A broad brush
tree survey has been carried out within the study area which estimates that
there are approximately 17,000 trees which may be affected by the proposed
development. Major tree species included Acacia
confusa, Acacia auriculiformis, Araucaria heterophylla, Bauhinia blakeana,
Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Clausena
lansium, Citrus maxima, Dimocarpus longan, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ficus
virens, Ficus microcarpa, Litchi chinensis, Leucaena leucocephala, Macaranga
tanarius, Mangifera indica, and Melaleuca quinquenervia. Many trees are
found in the foothills of the natural upland, as well as the rural fringe in
between different villages and they are generally mature.
This preliminary
survey suggests that more than 30% of the affected trees can be retained or
transplanted and that the remaining would be felled. A detailed Tree Felling Application process
will be carried out at a later detailed design stage, to finalise tree treatment and allocate compensatory
planting areas including available open space, parks and streetscape.
There are five
Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs) found in the Study Area, all in KTN (ref. No. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47,
LCSD/ N49, LCSD/ N50, LCSD/ N51) and their locations are illustrated in Figure 12.5.0 (key plan) and Figure 12.5.7 (zoom in). All these OVTs will be retained.
The baseline LRs
of KTN NDA, are detailed along with their sensitivity in Table 12.6.1 and mapped in Figure 12.5.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.5.1-8 (zoom ins). Illustrative
photographs of the LRs are presented in Figures
12.5.9-20.
The baseline LCAs
of KTN NDA are listed in Table
12.6.2 and
mapped in Figure 12.7.0 (key plan)
and Figures 12.7.1-8 (zoom ins). Illustrative photographs of the LCAs are
presented in Figures 12.7.9-10.
LRs of higher
sensitivity are generally natural streams, woodland, marsh/ wetland, some water
ponds, although other resource such as agricultural land and rural development
areas may also have high sensitivity due to certain characteristics. For KTN NDA key LRs are summarized below.
LRs associated
with natural water bodies are often considered higher value resources. All the natural streams (those at Tai Shek Mo
(KLR-2.2), Ki Lun Shan (KLR-2.3) and Ma Tso Lung (KLR-2.4)) have high
sensitivity even if some are not perennial or have sections that are less
natural. The steams in Kwu Tung
(KLR-2.1) were generally natural but degraded by pollution, with seasonal flows
and some sections fortified by concrete banks such that they were considered
less sensitive and rated ‘medium’. Similarly to watercourses, ponds are
generally considered a valuable landscape resource and those at Ho Sheung Heung
(KLR-3.1), in Long Valley associated with agriculture (KLR-3.2) and beside Kam
Hang Road (KLR3.5) and in the Closed Area (KLR-3.8) are all considered as
having high sensitivity mainly due to their low ability to accommodate
change. In addition all the
marsh/wetland areas in the KTN NDA including those in Long Valley (KLR-4.1),
the mitigation wetland along Sheung Yue River (KLR-4.2), wetland/ marsh in the
Closed Area (KLR-4.3) and marsh around Pi Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun (KLR-4.4), are
all rated as highly sensitive largely due to their low ability to accommodate
change.
Given the nature
of trees as a precious landscape resource, all areas of woodland within the NDA
(both hillside and lowland) are rated as having high sensitivity with the
exception of some woodland at Veron’s Pass (KLR-7.5) which is frequently
disturbed by human activities and of lower quality. In addition, the five OVTs found amongst
roadside planting near Fanling Highway and Castle Peak road are highly
sensitive. Trees found within separate
small patches of plantation, which can be recreated reasonably easily, are
considered less valuable resources.
While most
agricultural LRs have medium sensitivity, the agricultural land in Long Valley (KLR-9.1)
is a large contiguous area which would be difficult to recreate in Hong Kong
due to a lack of similar areas, hence this agricultural land is recognized as
having high sensitivity and is a key element of KTN NDA. Similarly, most rural
development areas (KLR-12) are of medium sensitivity, except the sensitivity of
the rural development area in Long Valley, Ying Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka
Wai is high as a number of historical buildings are located there, and even the
whole of Hakka Wai is designated as a ‘Grade 1 historic building’. Overall it is noted that the general Long
Valley area is a key landscape within KTN NDA.
It should also be
noted that there is a considerable amount of open storage/ industrial land in
KTN NDA, and all of these areas are considered of low quality and
sensitivity.
With regards to
LCAs, Natural Hillside Landscape in KTN NDA (KLCA-1) is considered highly
sensitive, largely due to its high landscape quality and inability to
accommodate change. The Lowland
Agricultural Landscape encompassing the Long Valley area (KLCA-5) similarly has
high sensitivity given it includes a large contiguous area of high quality
agricultural land in the Long Valley area (see KLR-9.1) and has a low inability
to accommodate change. Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA-2)
and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (KLCA-7) have medium sensitivity,
largely due to their moderate amenity value and the Major Transport Corridor
Landscape (KLCA-6) also has medium sensitivity mainly due to the extensive
planting along the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road conferring high
greening and lowering this LCA’s ability to accommodate change. Urban Development Landscape (KLCA-3) and
Industrial Landscape (KLCA-4) have low sensitivity due to their low landscape
quality and high ability to accommodate change.
Table
12.6.1 - Landscape Resources and their Sensitivity- KTN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.5.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.5.1-8 (zoom ins))
Id. No. |
Landscape Resource (LR) |
Quality & Maturity (High /Medium /Low) |
Rarity (High /Medium /Low) |
Ability to Accommodate Change (High /Medium /Low) |
Sensitivity |
|||||
KLR 1 – Channelized
Water Course |
||||||||||
Refers to modified water courses
channelized with concrete or grasscrete, or with gabion-fortified banks, or
water courses undergoing such channelization.
This LR includes both large channelized river water courses as well as
some much smaller concrete lined water courses associated with agricultural
land. This LR also includes some
walkways along the larger water course and the vegetation associated with the
water course, both within the channel and along the banks as well as the
ridge of the banks. The vegetation
mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, but also includes trees in some areas
as detailed further in the individual LR descriptions. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR
includes sections of Ng Tung River, Shek Sheung River, and Sheung Yue River
and is one of the prominent landscape features. |
||||||||||
KLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung River |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Ng Tung River runs across the northeast portion of KTN NDA study area.
It combines with two other major channelized watercourses, that of Sheung Yue
River and then Ng Tung River, before they all empty into the Shenzhen River
far outside the study area. This river
in the Study Area is modified with grasscrete banks and tree planting is
found along some of its banks as well as neighbouring the banks. Dominant plantation tree species are Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia confusa. Other trees recorded in this LR include Ficus virens and Leucaena leucocephala. |
||||||||||
This river is reasonably capable of
accommodating change and its sensitivity is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-1.2 |
Shek Sheung River |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Shek Sheung River collects water from the south and flows north,
joining the Sheung Yue River west of the Sheung Shui Slaughter House. There is also a branch that splits from Ng
Tung River and flows round the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works to the south
but this is mainly dry and a flood protection measure. This LR is mainly a grasscrete banked,
trapezoidal channel, formed for the purpose of flood protection in the Kwu
Tung and Fanling areas. Water
partially dries out during the dry season and there are small water channels
at the base of the channel when water flow is low, with grass on either side.
|
||||||||||
A small section of this river flows through
the eastern corner of Long Valley, where it is a narrow channel. There are grasses and shrubs along the
river’s embankment, as well as trees planted along both sides in many
sections of the river. The dominant
tree species are exotic, including Acacia
auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena
leucocephala. Native trees can also be found in lower abundance, e.g. Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora,
Cleistocalyx operculatus and Sapium
sebiferum. Overall this river has medium amenity value
and is reasonably capable of accommodating change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered to
be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-1.3 |
Sheung Yue River |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Sheung Yue River runs across Long Valley from southwest to northeast
where it joins Shek Sheung River before flowing into Ng Tung River. This
river drains water in Ho Sheung Heung and Shek Tsai Leng to the west and Yin
Kong and Tsung Pak Long to the east.
Its banks are fortified with a rigid lining of stone masonry among
which grasses grow sparsely between the stone blocks. At ground level, planted trees are found
along both sides of the river. Most of
the dominant trees are exotic, including species such as Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala.
Other trees include the native species Cordia dichotoma, Ficus virens and Macaranga tanarius. |
||||||||||
This river is reasonably capable of
accommodating change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-1.4 |
Water Course
Network in Long Valley |
Medium |
Low |
High |
Medium |
|||||
This LR describes a network of waterways in
the Long Valley area which eventually connect and flow into a box culvert
near the Kwu Tung Road junction with Castle Peak Road. The channels are mainly vertically-sided
concrete channels which are vital for irrigation purposes but have little
vegetation. The riparian vegetation
comprises common and widespread herb species.
This LR has a reasonable ability to
accommodate change, being a man-made network of water channels, but overall
it is vital to the Long Valley agricultural area and its sensitivity is
considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR 2 – Water
Course |
||||||||||
Refers to natural or semi-natural water
courses, including short sections with concreted banks. This LR also includes vegetation associated
with the water course, both within the streams and along the banks as well as
in the immediate vicinity. The
vegetation mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, but also includes trees in
some areas such as the upland streams, as detailed further in the individual
LR descriptions. The vegetation often
provides a subtle transition between this LR and its surrounding LR(s). |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR
includes watercourses running between different rural areas and villages,
incorporating streams running off Ki Lun Shan and Tai Shek Mo, near Fung Kong
and Shek Tsai Leng and around Kwu Tung itself. |
||||||||||
KLR-2.1 |
Streams in Kwu Tung |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
These streams, connecting with the Sheung Yue River, are located in
the central area of KTN NDA Study Area.
They pass through villages including Fung Kong, Tung Fong, Tong Kok,
Shek Tsai Leng and south of Ho Sheung Heung.
The upstream section is natural but degraded by pollution, with
seasonal flows and heavily vegetated stream banks, overgrown with common
grass species such as Bidens alba
and Pennisetum spp. Other sections of these streams are
fortified by concrete banks with grey water flowing. |
||||||||||
This LR has medium tolerance to change and
its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-2.2 |
Natural Streams at Tai Shek Mo |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
These natural streams run off Tai Shek Mo, where rainwater flows down
from the hill and reaches lowland areas such as Liu Pok and around Ngam
Pin. Some of these streams are
intermittent and cease flowing during the dry season. Grasses and shrubs overgrow the banks of
these streams including common grasses such as Alocasia odora, Wedelia trilobata and Panicum maximum. |
||||||||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
|
||||||||||
KLR-2.3 |
Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
These natural streams run off Ki Lun Shan and flow down to the lowland
area in the south of KTN NDA Study Area. They are not perennial streams and
flow decreases and ceases during the dry season. Common grasses such as Alocasia odora, Wedelia trilobata and Panicum maximum grow abundantly along the banks. |
||||||||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be
high. |
||||||||||
KLR-2.4 |
Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR describes natural streams running
off Ma Tso Lung to the lowland area in Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen in the northwest
of KTN NDA Study Area. Riparian plants included fruit trees (i.e. Dimocarpus longan and Litchi chinensis) and native
understory species (e.g. Lophatherm
gracile and Alocasia odora) and
the vegetation near the streams is dominated by the exotic climber species Mikania micrantha and herb species Bidens alba and Alocasia macrorhizos. The section at Ma Tso Lung is regarded as
ecologically important due to its naturalness and well developed bank area. This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be
high. |
||||||||||
KLR 3 – Water Pond |
||||||||||
Refers to freshwater ponds. The
ponds are often associated with agricultural land and used for irrigation,
and punctuate the traditional field pattern.
Some ponds are also found near residential or developed areas and have
aesthetic landscape value and some are fish ponds. This LR also includes vegetation associated
with the ponds, both within and around the banks as well as in the immediate
vicinity. The vegetation mainly
consists of grasses and shrubs, with scarce trees. |
||||||||||
The main locations of these water ponds within the Study Area of KTN
NDA include both foothill and lowland areas and are most concentrated in Ho
Sheung Heung and Long Valley. |
||||||||||
KLR-3.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR is located within Ho Sheung Heung agricultural land and is a
relatively large continuous area of water ponds within the study area of KTN
NDA. These ponds retain water most of
the time including during both the dry and wet seasons. The bunds of these ponds are vegetated by
grasses and low shrubs, as well as some fruit trees such as Musa x paradisiaca, Litchi chinensis, Mangifera indica, Dimocarpus longan and Citrus maxima. |
||||||||||
The ponds in this area are of medium
quality with common fruit trees and are relatively intolerant to change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to
be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-3.2 |
Long Valley Water Ponds |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR is located within Long Valley agricultural land. Water in the ponds is usually full in the
wet season and periodically pumped out by local farmers during the dry season
for management purposes and irrigation.
Grasses grow along their banks and provide a subtle transition between
this LR and its surrounding agricultural land. |
||||||||||
Overall these ponds are relatively
intolerant to change and their sensitivity is high. |
||||||||||
KLR-3.3 |
Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds |
Low |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
|||||
The ponds of this LR are located at the foot of Fung Kong Shan, to the
west and east of Ma Tso Lung Road.
They are isolated water ponds and store rainwater in both the wet and
dry seasons but appear to be mainly abandoned. Dense grasses and shrubs grow in their
immediate vicinity, as well as the Palm species Roystonea regia and some fruit trees such as Litchi chinensis and
Dimocarpus longan. |
||||||||||
The quality and significance of this LR is
relatively low, but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is
therefore considered to be medium.
|
||||||||||
KLR-3.4 |
Fu Tei Au Water
Ponds |
Low |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
|||||
This is a group of water ponds located between Fu Tei Au Road and Ng
Tung River. Only a small number of these ponds fall within the study area of
KTN NDA. The ponds were most likely
used for irrigation purposes in the past and have now been abandoned. Common grasses (e.g. Bidens alba and Pennisetum spp.)
and small trees (e.g. Bombax ceiba
and Leucaena leucocephala) grow
densely along the banks. |
||||||||||
The quality and significance of this LR is
relatively low, but it is intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is therefore
considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-3.5 |
Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
The ponds of this LR are located along Kam Hang Road and surrounded by
villages and some agricultural land.
They generally share a similar appearance and condition to the Long
Valley water ponds (KLR-3.2) and water is sometimes pumped out from the ponds
during the dry season. The bunds and
some areas with shallow water within these ponds are vegetated by grasses and
low shrubs. |
||||||||||
Overall these ponds have medium amenity value
and are relatively intolerant to change. This LR’s sensitivity is considered
to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-3.6 |
Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au |
Low |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
|||||
These are relatively small and isolated ponds at Pak Shek Au just north
of the Fanling Highway in a small area of agricultural land now largely
bordered by industrial land or open storage use.
The ponds were most likely used for irrigation purposes serving the surrounding
farmland in the past and have now been abandoned. Grasses and climbers overgrow their banks
and their surfaces are largely covered in duckweed. |
||||||||||
This LR has low landscape quality with its
small area and overgrown vegetation but it is relatively intolerant to
change. Its sensitivity is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-3.7 |
Water Ponds at Tit Hang |
Low |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
|||||
These are two small water ponds located at Tit Hang. Grasses and climbers overgrow their banks and
are present in their immediate vicinity, while much of the water surface on
one of the ponds in particular is covered in duckweed. |
||||||||||
This LR has low landscape quality and small
area but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-3.8 |
Water Ponds within the Closed Area |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
Part of the northern KTN NDA study area lies within the Closed Area and
the water ponds of this LR are mainly located north of Sheung Shui Water
Treatment Works and between Fai King Road and Ng Tung River in the north east
of the Study Area. A few ponds are
also located just north of Ma Tso Lung, also within the Closed Area. The ponds in the north east of the Study
Area are generally large and continuous covering a reasonably large area with
some of them being active fish ponds, some inactive fish ponds and some
connecting with wet agricultural land in their vicinity. The few ponds north of Ma Tso Lung are
generally smaller and may be overgrown, but are associated with agricultural
land also. |
||||||||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
|
||||||||||
KLR-3.9 |
Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
The pond of this LR is associated with Kam Tsin Tsuen. It has manmade, stone banks with no
vegetation and is fenced off from the surrounding walkway. |
||||||||||
This pond is relatively tolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
|
||||||||||
KLR-3.10 |
Wai Loi Tsuen
Water Pond |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR is on the periphery of Wai Loi Tsuen serving as the moat of this
traditional village. It has concrete
banks and is connected with the Shek Sheung River to its west. |
||||||||||
Since this is an LR having significant
artificial characteristics, it is relatively tolerant to change, however the
moat has cultural landscape significance and therefore its sensitivity is
considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR 4 – Marsh/ Wetland |
||||||||||
Refers to freshwater marsh/ wetland
landscape resources, often found at old river meanders which have been
truncated during river channelization and retraining, overgrown with
herbaceous vegetation and often with some areas of seasonal or permanent open
water. This LR also includes wetland
areas along natural streams around Ma Tso Lung as well as areas that were
once ponds but have not been actively managed for a long time. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA, this LR
is found in Long Valley, along the channelized water courses as well as in
the north around Ma Tso Lung. |
||||||||||
KLR-4.1 |
Marshes in Long Valley |
Medium |
High |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR is generally located in the middle of Long Valley agricultural
land, including both permanent wet marshes and well vegetated marshes. For the permanent wet marshes, they used to
be fish ponds or used for irrigation purposes and have now been abandoned and
are not actively managed. Dense
emergent vegetation is present in these marshes and shows relatively high
diversity including Phragmites karka,
sedges Cyperus iria and Kyllinga aromatica, and herbs and
climbers Ipomoea aquatica, Polygonum barbatum and Polygonum lapathifolium. For the well vegetated marshes, a large
portion of the wetland area is covered with rich and moist topsoil, colonised
by common and widespread species such as Brachiaria
mutica, Panicum maximum, Bidens alba, Ludwigia perennis and the Common Wetland Fern Cyclosorus interruptus. |
||||||||||
This LR is fairly rare, it is relatively
intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-4.2 |
Mitigation Wetland |
Medium |
High |
Low |
High |
|||||
Several plots of marsh are located along the Sheung Yue River that
borders the Long Valley agricultural land.
They were formerly meanders of the river and were isolated during the
river channelization. To mitigate the
ecological impact resulting from channelization, these areas are now managed
by a government department to provide marsh habitat, mainly for wetland
dependent wildlife. As part of the
habitat management, wetland plants and riparian vegetation have been
planted. These plants include Commelina diffusa, Hedychium coronarium, Ludwigia perennis and Nelumbo nucifera. Bamboos and trees are also planted along
the bunds, e.g. Acacia auriculiformis,
Cinnamomum camphora, Hibiscus tiliaceus and Ilex rotunda. |
||||||||||
Mitigation habitats are fairly rare in Hong
Kong and additionally, this LR is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-4.3 |
Wetland/ Marsh in the Closed Area |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
The area of this LR along the natural
stream in northern Ma Tso Lung appears to have evolved from agricultural land
that has been abandoned for a long time and is influenced by the water
course, such that the land is mainly wet underfoot. The wetland vegetation is dominated by the
exotic grass Brachiaria mutica and
creeper Ipomoea cairica as well as
native herbs including Commelina
diffusa, Colocasia esculenta, Cyclosorus interruptus, Ludwigia perennis and
Pennisetum purpureum. Vegetation near the streams is dominated by the
exotic climber species Mikania
micrantha and herb species Bidens
alba and Alocasia macrorhizos. Abandoned ponds north of Ma Tso Lung, likely
previously used as fish ponds or for irrigation purposes, have been abandoned
for a long time and now have dense emergent vegetation present in them such
that they are considered marshes. They
include vegetation such as exotic wetland
species such as Brachiaria mutica and Sesbania cannabina and
the invasive exotic tree species Leucaena leucocephala but also
support some native wetland herb species including Polygonum japonicum,
Commelina diffusa and Ludwigia octovalvis. |
||||||||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
due to the succession of vegetation and the natural sensitivity of
wetland/marsh. Its sensitivity is
considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-4.4 |
Marsh around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
Several ponds around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung
Yuen, likely previously used as fish ponds, for wet agriculture or for irrigation
purposes, have been abandoned for a long time and now have dense emergent
vegetation present in them such that they are considered marshes. Commonly occurring
species include Alternanthera sessilis, Amaranthus spinosus, Chenopodium
album, Cyperus pilosus, Ipomoea aquatica, Ludwigia
perennis, Mimosa pudica and Panicum maximum. |
||||||||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
due to the succession of vegetation and the natural sensitivity of
marsh. Its sensitivity is considered
to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR 5 – Plantation |
||||||||||
Refers to medium sized and larger clusters
of trees that have been planted and are distinct from natural woodland since
they have been planted by man. Common
tree species in this LR include native (Ficus
microcarpa, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic species
(Acacia confusa, Casuarina equisetifolia and Melaleuca quinquenervia) and further
details are given in the individual LR descriptions. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR
includes patches of plantation to the south of Fanling Highway, in the
vicinity of Hakka Wai and Wai Loi Tsuen as well as a number of OVTs as
detailed in KLR-5.4. |
||||||||||
KLR-5.1 |
Plantation South of Fanling Highway |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR mainly includes two plantation patches. One is close to the Sheung Yue River and is
currently managed by a government department as one of the mitigation measures
for the ecological impacts arising from the river channelization. Trees in this plantation area are fairly
mature, including mainly planted exotic species (Acacia confusa and Casuarina
equisetifolia). Other species in
lower abundance include exotic species (Melaleuca
quinquenervia) and native species (Celtis
sinensis and Macaranga tanarius). The other patch of dense plantation is
found just north of Hong Kong Golf Club and trees commonly recorded in this
area include native (Cinnamomum
camphora, Ficus virens and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic species
(Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba, Melaleuca quinquenervia and Leucaena
leucocephala). |
||||||||||
Trees in this LR are dense and mature,
providing a relatively high landscape value.
However, it is a man-made resource and is able to be recreated
reasonably easily meaning it has a reasonable capacity to accommodate
change. Its sensitivity is therefore
considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-5.2 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai |
Medium |
Medium |
High |
Medium |
|||||
This area of plantation is largely associated with the narrow Sheung
Yue River channel and the villages of HakkaWai and Tsung Pak Long, including in
their playground areas and public facilities.
This plantation generally comprises exotic tree species dominated by Acacia confusa. Other species in lower
abundance include exotic species (Acacia
auriculiformis, Acacia mangium,
Araucaria heterophylla, Casuarina equisetifolia, Livistona chinensis and Leucaena leucocephala) and native
species (Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus microcarpa, and Macaranga tanarius). |
||||||||||
This LR has a relatively high capacity to
accommodate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-5.3 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
A mixture of native and exotic trees is planted around the moat of Wai
Loi Tsuen, serving as a good screen for the road and industrial area to the
west of the village. Compared to those
trees planted immediately along the Shek Sheung River in its vicinity, trees
in this plantation have a relatively higher diverse composition, including
native species (Bauhinia blakeana, Celtis sinensis and Ficus microcarpa) and exotic species (Acacia confusa, Aleurites moluccana, Bombax
ceiba, Cassia siamea, Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus citriodora, Grevillea robusta, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Melaleuca quinquenervia). |
||||||||||
This LR has medium amenity value and a
reasonable capacity to accommodate change and it is sensitivity is considered
to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR- 5.4 |
OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak
Road |
High |
High |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR refers to OVTs found in the roadside planting along Fanling
Highway and Castle Peak Road. There
are five (5) OVTs as classified by the Leisure, Culture and Services Department
(LCSD) and protected by technical circular ETWB TCW No.29/2004. They are all
located nearest to Castle Peak Road (location indicated on the Figure12.5.0
and Figure 12.5.7) and reference
numbers are. No. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N49, LCSD/ N50, LCSD/ N51). All the trees species are Melaleuca quinquenervia of unknown
age, registered in September 2004 and last inspected in August 2012. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N50, and LCSD/ N51 all have ‘large size’
as their special characteristic, reaching between 15-18 m in height,
1130-1280 mm diameter at breast height (DBH) and 9-16 m crown spread. LCSD/ N49 is listed as having
‘outstanding form’ as its special characteristic and is 15 m high with a
DBH of 670 mm and a crown spread of 8 m. |
||||||||||
These trees have a low ability to
accommodate change and are highly valued.
The sensitivity of this LR is high. |
||||||||||
KLR 6 – Hillside
Woodland |
||||||||||
Refers to woodland areas largely scattered
over hillsides, including at the base of hills and associated patches of
woodland. This LR is predominantly
composed of native tree species and is generally
located some distance from human activities and hence disturbance (except at
the base of hills where it often borders rural development areas where there
is human activity), growing naturally with some understorey vegetation. It can include areas of Fung Shui Woodland
growing in hillsides in the vicinity of villages as detailed in the
individual descriptions. Common tree
species in this LR include Macaranga
tanarius, Leucaena leucocephala, Celtis sinensis and Ficus microcarpa. Further
details are given in the individual LR descriptions. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, this
LR is found at the hillsides of Ki Lun Shan, Tai Shek Mo, Ma Tso Lung, Tit
Hang, Fung Kong Shan as well as northwest of Ho Sheung Heung. |
||||||||||
KLR-6.1 |
Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR lies on the northern foothills of Ki Lun Shan, bordering
shrubland / grassland on the higher ground above and rural villages and
lowland woodland in the lowland area below.
Due to limited human disturbance, these trees are mature, medium to
large in size and growing on hillsides including the foothills. Dominant tree species include Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga
tanarius. |
||||||||||
This LR is considered to be relatively
mature and of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate
change. The sensitivity of this LR is
considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-6.2 |
Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
Several small patches of woodland are scattered among the foothills of
Tai Shek Mo. Dominant species include
exotic trees Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia as well as
native trees Celtis sinensis,
Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius. |
||||||||||
This LR is considered to be relatively
mature and of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate
change. The sensitivity of this LR is
considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-6.3 |
Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR refers to the narrow, winding and
largely continuous patches of woodland in the hillside areas of Ma Tso Lung,
Tit Hang and Fung Kong. Woodlands in these
areas predominantly border uphill shrubland/grassland areas and lowland
woodlands, and sometimes adjoin rural and industrial areas. Due to limited human disturbance, these
trees are mature and of medium to large sizes. Dominant trees include both native and
exotic species. Dominant native trees are Ficus hispida, Cinnamomum camphora,
Rhus succedanea, Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius. Dominant exotic species include Melaleuca quinquenervia, Leucaena
leucocephala, Melia azedarach, Acacia
confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia. |
||||||||||
This LR is considered to be relatively
mature, of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to
be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-6.4 |
Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland |
High |
High |
Low |
High |
|||||
Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland is bound
by Ho Sheung Heung Road, Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road and Chung Kuk Path and
covers a small hill. It used to be a complete
area of woodland with continuous canopy but has been fragmented by hill
fires. Grasses and shrubs have now
colonised the bald areas to connect the woodland patches. Apart from Aquilaria sinensis, a species of conservation interest, other
typical Fung Shui Woodland trees are also found, such as Garcinia oblongifolia, Sterculia lanceolata and Litsea glutinosa. Other dominant trees
include native species Celtis sinensis,
Ficus microcarpa, Ficus hispida, Macaranga tanarius, Bischofia javanica, Cinnamomum camphora, Microcos paniculata
and Schefflera heptaphylla and
exotic species Acacia confusa, Bombax
ceiba, Dimocarpus longan and Melia
azedarach of medium to large sizes. |
||||||||||
This Fung Shui Woodland has high amenity and
cultural value and is intolerant to change.
Its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR 7 – Lowland
Woodland |
||||||||||
Refers to woodland growing on low lying
ground (generally <40 mPD), often found near rural village areas in small,
fragmented patches, with differing tree species according to location. This LR can be found in patches within
areas of human activity and also includes some Fung Shui Woodland of
particular cultural importance, located adjacent to certain villages as
detailed in the individual descriptions.
Common plant species in this LR include Acacia confusa, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Leucaena
leucocephala and Macaranga tanarius. Further details are given in the individual
LR descriptions. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR
includes woodlands in lowland areas in Ki Lun Shan, Kam Tsin, Pak Shek Au,
Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fu Tei Au. |
||||||||||
KLR-7.1 |
Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR refers to a small patch of woodland near the intersection of
Kwu Tung Road and Kwu Tung South Road.
It is associated with the residential buildings in the lowland area but
has a similar plant species composition to the Ki Lun Shan Hillside
vegetation. The dominant species
include exotic species (Acacia confusa
and Leucaena leucocephala) and
native species (Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora and Macaranga tanarius). |
||||||||||
This LR is considered to be relatively
mature and of high quality with relatively little capacity to tolerate
change. The sensitivity of this LR is high. |
||||||||||
KLR-7.2 |
Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR is found in several patches in the
vicinity of Kam Tsin area, including the woodlands surrounding Casas Domingo
and Ascot Park. Woodlands within this
LR are in close proximity to residential and recreational areas and therefore
potentially suffer disturbance from human activities lowering their
quality. This LR also includes a small
patch of Fung Shui woodland bordered by Kam Tsin road and Kam Tsin South Road
to the west and Kam Tsin village to the east.
It includes a number of large Cinnamomum
camphora and Dimocarpus longan trees. Elsewhere the dominant species include both native (Ficus microcarpa, Cinnamomum camphora, Macaranga tanarius and Celtis sinensis) and exotic (Acacia confusa, Acacia auriculiformis, Averrhoa carambola, Bombax ceiba, Leucaena
leucocephala and Dimocarpus longan)
species. |
||||||||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
|
||||||||||
KLR-7.3 |
Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR refers to the lowland woodlands at Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok,
north of Fanling Highway. These
woodlands are largely surrounded by adjacent industrial/open storage areas
and therefore potentially suffer from disturbance by human activities. This LR also includes an old developed area
west of Dills Corner that has now become completely overgrown with woodland. |
||||||||||
The trees in this woodland are of medium to
large sizes, and are dominated by both native and exotic species. The most
abundant native species include Ficus
microcarpa, Bischofia javanica,
Cinnamomum camphora, and Macaranga
tanarius, while exotic species include Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba, Dimocarpus longan, Delonix regia, Averrhoa carambola, Casuarina
equisetifolia, Chukrasia tabularis, Leucaena leucocephala and Spathodea campanulata. This LR has a medium to high amenity value,
a low capacity to tolerate change and it sensitivity is considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-7.4 |
Sheung Shui Water Treatment
Works Lowland Woodland |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR refers to a small
isolated area of woodland on the periphery of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. The dominant tree species are medium to
large in size and are native species such as Celtis sinensis and Microcos paniculata. Exotic species recorded in this woodland
include Acacia confusa, Casuarina
equisetifolia, Melia azedarach and Acacia
auriculiformis. |
||||||||||
The quality of this LR is medium but it has
little capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
||||||||||
KLR-7.5 |
Vernon Pass Woodland |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR refers to a small patch of woodland patch at Vernon Pass to
the north east of the Study Area. It
contains some built structures and is generally disturbed by frequent human
interaction. The dominant species in
this LR include native species (Ficus
variegata var. chlorocarpa, Ficus hispida and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic species
(Dimocarpus longan). |
||||||||||
Due to its association with built
structures and therefore not being in a totally natural state, this LR has a
medium capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR 8 – Shrubland /
Grassland Mosaic |
||||||||||
Refers to a mosaic of shrubland and
grassland which is usually large in size and uniform in appearance. This LR is typical of the fire-maintained
hill-slopes in Hong Kong and common species include grasses such as Imperata koenigii, Neyraudia reynaudiana,
Bidens alba, Panicum maximum
and Miscanthus spp., fern Dicranopteris pedata and shrubs Baeckea frutescens, Breynia fruticosa, Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia and Rhaphiolepis indica. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA, this LR
is found mainly on hillsides, particularly on the upper areas of Fung Kong
Shan, Ki Lun Shan, Tai Shek Mo and its western foothill, and forms a large
part of the Study Area. Further details are given in the individual LR
descriptions. |
||||||||||
KLR-8.1 |
Ki Lun Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This resource is located on the uplands of
Ki Lun Shan and comprises a large area (approximately 20 ha). It borders woodlands at the foothills. It is one of the prominent landscape
features in the southern KTN NDA Study Area and is maintained by periodical
hill fires. |
||||||||||
This LR can re-establish itself fairly
easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR- 8.2 |
Fung Kong Shan
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This resource is located on the uphills of
Fung Kong Shan. It borders some
woodland at the foothills as well as rural development areas. It is maintained by periodical hill fires. |
||||||||||
This LR can re-establish itself fairly easily
and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR- 8.3 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Ranges
Foothills |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR is an extensive area of shrubby
grassland on the uplands of Tai Shek Mo and the foothills of the Western
Ranges covering Ma Tso Lung. It
largely merges into hillside woodland in at the foothills and is sometimes
adjacent to some rural and urban development areas. Similar to the other hilly shrubland/grassland in Hong Kong, this LR is also maintained by
periodical hill fires. |
||||||||||
This LR can re-establish itself fairly
easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-8.4 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River, Ng Tung River and
Fanling Highway |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
These shrublands /grasslands are all located in lowland areas and in the
vicinity of artificial resources such as channelized watercourses and
highways. They are waste grounds
through lack of maintenance and have been gradually colonized by weeds and
climbers. |
||||||||||
This LR is of low landscape value and
amenity and is relatively tolerant to change.
Its sensitivity is low. |
||||||||||
KLR-8.5 |
Fu Tei Au
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Low |
Medium |
High |
Low |
|||||
This resource is located north of Fu Tei Au
Road and is in the immediate vicinity of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. This LR is dominated by
grasses such as Miscanthus
sinensis and Miscanthus
floridulus and some small trees including Rhus succedanea and Macaranga
tanarius are also present. |
||||||||||
This LR is of low landscape value and
amenity and is relatively tolerant to change.
Its sensitivity is low. |
||||||||||
KLR 9 -
Agricultural Land |
||||||||||
Refers to land used for agriculture
including crops and orchards as well as ornamental plant nurseries. This LR contains a small number of
structures such as small irrigation ponds, green houses, equipment sheds and
small/ narrow hard paved areas. It not
only contains agricultural vegetation but also some scattered
non-agricultural vegetation including some shrubs and trees. It is often an intermediary between areas
of development and natural areas. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, this
LR is mainly found in Long Valley, Ho Sheung Heung, Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok
and Tung Fong. |
||||||||||
KLR-9.1 |
Long Valley Agricultural Land |
High |
High |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR in Long Valley consists mainly of wet agriculture and includes
both active and inactive fields.
Common wetland crops in Long Valley include Ipomoea aquatica and Nasturtium
officinale, with some fields cultivated with Eleocharis dulcis, Oryza
sativa and Trapa bispinosa. Water lily (Nymphaea sp.) and Lotus (Nelumbo
nucifera) are also cultivated in some ponds with shallow water. Dry land crops include Aloe vera var. chinensis,
Allium tuberosum, Brassica chinensis, and Lactuca sativa. Fruit trees are present along field bunds
including Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis and Magnifera indica. |
||||||||||
This LR in Long Valley is of good quality
and high significance in terms of crop production and being a large
contiguous area of agriculture in Hong Kong.
Although agricultural land per se is fairly easy to re-establish in
the right environment, given the size of this LR and lack of similar areas in
Hong Kong, it is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is high. |
||||||||||
KLR-9.2 |
Ho Sheung Heung Agricultural Land |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Ho Sheung Heung agricultural land is located to the northeast of Ho
Sheung Heung village. This LR includes
both active and inactive agricultural lands and shares high similarity in
crop species composition with the adjacent Long Valley agricultural
land. It is closely associated with
the Long Valley agricultural land and also forms a fairly large continuous
area, but not as large as the Long Valley area. |
||||||||||
This LR is of high value in terms of crop
production similarly to Long Valley but being of a smaller contiguous area
and with agricultural land being fairly easy to re-establish in the right
environment, it has medium ability to accommodate change. Overall this LR sensitivity is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-9.3 |
Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
These agricultural lands scattered in the centre of the study area of
KTN and are associated with the villages in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung
Kong, where they are surrounded by industrial or open storage areas. Most of the agricultural lands within this
area are abandoned with weeds and invasive trees (e.g. Leucaena leucocephala) beginning to colonize the land and turning
it to wasteland. In some locations,
common vegetable plants, such as Lactuca
sativa, are still found being cultivated in the small areas of farmland
that are still active. |
||||||||||
This LR is mostly abandoned and does not
have high value in terms of crop production but does provide some green space
between the hard surfaces of industrial/open storage areas or rural
development areas. Agricultural land
is fairly easy to re-establish in the right environment, and is relatively
tolerant to change but given the greening element amongst an area where there
is a lot of industrial/ open storage, overall this LR is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-9.4 |
Other Agricultural Lands in KTN |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR refers to several small and fragmented agricultural lands in
different locations within the study area of KTN, including Chau Tau Tsuen,
Pak Shek Au, Yin Kong, Kam Tsin and Tai Tau Leng. Most of these agricultural lands have been
wholly or partly abandoned and grass and shrubs now grow in the fields. For those fields remaining active, common
crops cultivated by farmers include Brassica
parachinensis and Lactuca sativa. |
||||||||||
This LR has low to medium value in terms of
crop production and is relatively tolerant to change. It is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-9.5 |
Other Orchards Areas in KTN |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR refers to several small and fragmented orchard areas in
different locations within the study area of KTN, including around the Ma Tso
Lung area, on the lower slopes of Fung Kong Shan, and near Ngam Pin. Common fruit trees in this LR include Musa x paradisiaca, Artocarpus macrocarpon, Mangifera indica
and Dimocarpus longan, where the
fruit trees present include Artocarpus
macrocarpon, Dimocarpus longan
and Carica papaya. Not all these orchard areas are still well
looked after and some have been left untreated for a while. |
||||||||||
This LR has medium value in terms of crop
production and being agricultural is relatively tolerant to change although
trees generally take longer to grow and produce fruit than crops take to be
harvestable, so ability to accommodate change is medium. Overall this LR is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR 10 - Open Space
/ Recreation Area |
||||||||||
Refers to areas that provide recreational
use either in the form of playground areas, sports pitches, passive recreation parks or sitting out spaces. There is vegetation
associated with this LR, particularly within golf courses where there is
maintained grass on the greens, as well as many landscaped trees and some
shrubs. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, this
LR is found at Hong Kong Golf Club, Sheung Shui Community Sports and Lo Wu
Saddle Club. |
||||||||||
KLR-10.1 |
Hong Kong Golf Club |
High |
Medium |
High |
Medium |
|||||
Hong Kong Golf Club is located either side of Fan Kam Road. It is a large private golf club with
extensive greens maintained for golfing activities. Besides the golf course, the club has
some built structures including the Club House and facilities to
accommodate swimming and tennis, as well as restaurants and
accommodation. The Half Way House at
Hong Kong Golf Club is a Grade 3 historic building. |
||||||||||
Trees, dominated by Melaleuca quinquenervia, are planted around the golf course for
landscaping purposes. Water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) are cultivated in the
golf course ponds. The entire
plantation is well maintained and in good condition. |
||||||||||
This LR is of high quality and amenity
value and covers an extensive area of land; however it is an artificial
resource and has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-10.2 |
Sheung Shui Community Sports |
Medium |
Medium |
High |
Medium |
|||||
Sheung Shui Community Sports is located near Ma Tso Lung Road. It is a multi-sport centre with both
outdoor and indoor facilities such as a basketball court, grass football
pitch, campsite and clubhouse etc.
Trees are planted within this sport centre and include Michelia x alba, Psidium guajava,
Dimocarpus longan and Mangifera
indica. |
||||||||||
This LR has medium landscape value and due
to its man-made nature has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be medium |
||||||||||
KLR-10.3 |
Lo Wu Saddle Club |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Situated along Ho Sheung Heung Road, Lo Wu
Saddle Club has more than 50 years of history and has a stable complex
including grass riding arenas as well as clubhouse facilities and a schooling
arena. Trees found within this LR
include Melia azedarach, Celtis sinensis and Delonix regia. |
||||||||||
This LR is of relatively high quality and
amenity value. The artificial elements
can accommodate change relatively easily but the fields where horses graze
are less able to accommodate change.
Overall this LR’s sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR 11 – Urban
Development Area |
||||||||||
Refers to urbanized areas which are heavily
developed with considerable hard paved surfaces and limited landscaped
areas. These LRs consist mainly of
large clusters of medium to high density buildings with a high degree of
related infrastructure and often with some high rise developments, with some
associated facilities such as post office, police station, hospital,
restaurants, supermarkets etc. The LR
also includes work sites where construction is ongoing, or sites being
cleared/ formed prior to development of a structure that would form part of an
urban area. Vegetation in this LR is
mainly landscape planting with scattered amenity shrubs and trees and some
small public green spaces and private gardens. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, it
includes Lo Wu Correctional Institute and the existing formation site for the
proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station. |
||||||||||
KLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu Correctional Institution |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
Lo Wu Correctional Institution was opened in 2010 and is located in
between of the Ho Sheung Heung Road and Tai Shek Mo foothills. Buildings in this LR are medium-rise and
roads are all hard-paved. Tree
planting is limited within the institution although it does have some green
roofs. |
||||||||||
This LR has a high ability to accommodate
change due to its artificial nature and is considered to have low sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-11.2 |
Existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
This site for the proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station is located near Po
Lau Road and is currently being formed prior to constructing a new MTR
Station that would form part of an urban area. Trees present in this area
include native species such as Macaranga
tanarius and exotic species such as Dimocarpus
longan, Melia azedarach and Bauhinia
variegata. |
||||||||||
This LR is undergoing site clearance, is of
low landscape value and can accommodate change easily. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
|
||||||||||
KLR 12 – Rural
Development Area |
||||||||||
Refers to traditional villages, modern
villages and small scale, low rise residential areas of lower density
dominated by domestic structures (mainly of 2-3 stories) interwoven with
roads and paths, but limited other infrastructure. There are some Ancestral Halls, shrines and
temples, and this LR may also contain limited facilities such as small police
stations, post offices, and covered water reservoirs and pumping stations and
some small, managed, recreational areas (such as football and basket ball
pitches) and small wasteland areas either wholly or partly covered by weedy
or sparse vegetation. This LR often
has small orchard areas associated with it (most commonly planted fruit tree
species are Dimocarpus longan, Litchi
chinensis, Clausena lansium, Mangifera indica and Citrus maxima) and private gardens, as well as amenity planting
among the built structures. This LR
usually occurs in fragmented patches with agricultural or natural landscape
resources adjacent to it. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA this
LR is mainly found in Ho Sheung Heung, Long Valley, Ngam Pin, along Fanling Highway, as well as in the central area
of Kwu Tung. This LR also includes a water
reservoir and rifle range. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
|||||
Ho Sheung Heung village is bounded by Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road
and Chung Kuk Path. In the vicinity (but
not part of this LR), there is Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland and
agricultural land in which water ponds are scattered. Although the village could be classified as
relatively modern due to the fact many houses have been replaced by modern
housing blocks of 2-3 storeys, some of the residential houses are identified
as Historic Buildings (refer to Chapter 11), with Hau Kui Shek Ancestral Hall, a Declared Monument, located on
the middle of the village and two Grade 3 listed buildings, Hung Shing Temple
& Pat Fung Temple and ‘Sin Wai Nunnery’ located in the south of the
village . The whole village is mostly
hard-surfaced and has limited softscape treatment but does include some trees
(e.g. Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis and Clausena lansium) and private amenity
planting (e.g. Plumeria rubra and Thuja orientalis). |
||||||||||
Although most of the houses in Ho Sheung
Heung Village are relatively modern, the ancestral hall and graded historic
buildings are vulnerable to change since they cannot be easily recreated and
overall this LR has medium
sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.2 |
Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai |
Medium |
High |
Low |
High |
|||||
This LR lies between the Shek Sheung River and Fanling Highway to the
southeast of Long Valley. It covers
three villages: Yin Kong Tsuen, Hakka Wai and Tsung Pak Long. |
||||||||||
Yin Kong Tsuen is a traditional village undergoing
transformation. Some of the existing
residential houses in the northern part of the village are identified as
historical buildings. Earth shrines associated with Fung Shui Trees (Ficus microcarpa in most cases) are
present including the Grade 2 listed Earth God Shrine of Kam Tsin. In addition an old western styled Enchi
Lodge (Grade 2 historic building) is located on the southern part of the
village. Between the northern and
southern parts of the village there is grassland which would have been
agricultural land in the past. On the
other hand, the modern aspect of Yin Kong Tsuen is presented by many
well-established modern village houses as well as facilities such as
small-scaled playgrounds. |
||||||||||
Hakka Wai is a traditional compound with around 100 years of history. It consists of two rows of residences, an
ancestral hall (the Wong Shek Chung Ancestral Hall), a study hall, an
entrance gate, enclosing walls and a watch tower. This compound is a Grade 1 historic
building. |
||||||||||
Tsung Pak Long is a traditional village undergoing
transformation. It contains ancestral
halls, earth shrines, a school and a church in traditional style to its
northwest. Most areas within this LR
are hard-surfaced and have limited vegetation except those private amenity
plantings, in which fruit trees Dimocarpus
longan, Carica papaya and Citrus reticulata and landscaping
shrub Duranta erecta and Murraya paniculata are commonly found.
|
||||||||||
The historic buildings located in this LR,
particularly the relatively large area of Hakka Wai, cannot be easily
recreated and this LR is relatively intolerant to change. Overall it is considered to have high sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.3 |
Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR is just located within the Closed Area. Structures in the village are old and
simple with most of the residential buildings consisting of iron
structures. Tall grasses grow along
the roads winding between houses without management and much of the area is
abandoned with a large degree of vegetation which make it less able to
accommodate change. |
||||||||||
This LR is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.4 |
Rural Development Area to the East of MTRC East Railway Line |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
|||||
This LR covers a part of Wai Loi Tsuen, as well as settlements between
Fu Tei Au Road and Ng Tung River. Wai Loi
Tsuen is clearly demarcated by a channelized watercourse (i.e. moat)
connected with the Shek Sheung River. Although some of the houses in this village have been replaced by
modern housing blocks of 2-3 storeys, it is still a relatively traditional village
and contains temples and Ancestral Halls.
South of Fu Tei Au Road there is an orchard with a water pond in the
middle and fruit trees in this orchard include Clausena lansium, Dimocarpus
longan, Litchi chinensis, Citrus maxima and Musa x paradisiaca. |
||||||||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
due to historical buildings and this LR has medium sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR – 12.5 |
Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club |
Medium |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
This LR mainly covers one modern village, Golf Parkview, consisting of residential 4-5 storey blocks enclosed by walls but
also includes some buildings and associated landscaped area in the middle of
a plantation area Golf Parkview is fairly new and being a man-made structure has a reasonable
capacity to accommodate change despite some significant landscaping. The buildings within the plantation make up
Oi Yuen Villa, Lot No. SSL 2RP and is currently (May 2013) proposed as a
Grade 1 historic building. |
||||||||||
Overall since the historic building grading
is not confirmed to date, this LR is considered to have low sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.6 |
Kam Tsin Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR refers to the rural area around Kam
Tsin located at the south east of the KTN NDA. It covers a number of well established
villages and developments, including Kam Tsin Tsuen, The Royal Oaks, Ascot Park and Casas
Domingo. It also contains community
facilities such as kindergarten and schools.
Planted trees are found between village houses and some grow naturally
along the edge of the roads and villages.
|
||||||||||
Trees commonly found in this LR include
both native (e.g. Bauhinia blakeana,
Celtis sinensis and Bischofia javanica) and exotic (e.g. Melaleuca quinquenervia as well as
some fruit trees such as Dimocarpus
longan and Psidium guajava)
species. |
||||||||||
Overall, this LR is dominated by domestic residencies,
its landscape amenity, significance and quality is moderate and it has a
medium ability to tolerate change due to the vegetation within the LR, making
its overall sensitivity medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.7 |
Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir is a permanent structure
located on Ki Lun Shan for the purpose of fresh water storage. This area is hard-paved and covered with a grass
roof but with limited vegetation otherwise.
|
||||||||||
Due to its low landscape value and high
ability to accommodate change, it has
low sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.8 |
Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
This LR lies south of Fanling Highway and west of Sheung Yue
River. The groups of houses in this LR
are low-rise private residential buildings of 2-3 stories. Trees are present both in the public areas
such as roads (e.g. Acacia confusa,
Casuarina equisetifolia and Thevetia peruviana) and within the
private gardens where Dimocarpus longan
and Averrhoa carambola as well as
some palm trees that are cultivated.
This LR also contains one historic graded building, the Grade 2 listed
Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre (Main Block and Bungalow) (See Chapter 11 for more details) |
||||||||||
Most components within this LR are man-made
structures and are tolerant to change.
The exception is the Grade 2 listed historic building, but since this
forms a very small proportion the LR, overall its sensitivity is considered
to be low. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.9 |
Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit
Hang |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Rural area in Shek Tsai Leng mainly includes Dills Corner Garden and
its associated facilities. Dills
Corner Garden is located along Po Lau Road and is a home for the aged. It contains several rows of 2-storey houses and is enclosed by fences. Except for several individual, large trees
along the fences (mostly Ficus
microcarpa), this area is almost entirely hard-surfaced with limited
landscaping. Nevertheless, well
maintained trees are planted along the roads in this area and dominant
species include Acacia confusa and Melaleuca quinquenervia. There is also
a soccer pitch, playground and school in this area. |
||||||||||
The rural area in Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang contains loosely grouped
village houses in traditional style, with some graves of Hau clan scattered
in the northern part of Fung Kong Tsuen.
All the villages are mostly hard-surfaced with small houses and
winding paths and have limited softscape treatment but do include some
abandoned fruit trees (e.g. Dimocarpus
longan, Citrus maxima, Musa x paradisiaca and Clausena
lansium) and private amenity planting.
|
||||||||||
This is a LR with a medium capacity to
tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.10 |
Lo Wu Rifle Range |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Lo Wu Rifle Range is located between Fung Kong Shan and the Tai Shek
Mo mountain. It is a large piece of
grassland for police’s training. Many
mature trees grow naturally in the surroundings, including Bauhinia blakeana, Macaranga tanarius,
Celtis sinensis and Leucaena
leucocephala. |
||||||||||
This LR is a man made area but it is green land
not hard surface and so has a medium tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LR is medium. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.11 |
Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung |
Low to Medium |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
|||||
This LR refers to the rural area at Ma Tso
Lung on the northwest of the KTN NDA Study Area. It mainly covers two villages, i.e. Ma Tso
Lung San Tsuen and Shun Yee San Tsuen, which are relatively small, mainly
consisting of more traditional houses of a single storey. Trees associated with this area include
some fruit trees such as Diospyros kaki,
Musa x paradisiaca and Dimocarpus longan as well as other
native and exotic trees such as Bauhinia
blakeana, Leucaena leucocephala, and
Bombax ceiba. |
||||||||||
Although these structures cannot be recreated
easily and have low ability to accommodate change, their landscape quality
and maturity are not high and overall this LR has medium sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-12.12 |
Fanling Lodge |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
Fanling Lodge is a two
storey house in a wooded lot within the Hong Kong Golf Club off Castle Peak
Road -
Kwu Tung with a helicopter pad on the lawn
of the landscaped gardens. Trees and
shrubs planted for landscaping purpose include Magnolia grandiflora,
Melaleuca quinquenervia, Eucalyptus citriodora, Livistona chinensis and
Bougainvillea spectabilis. |
||||||||||
This LR has cultural significance but being
man-made still has a reasonable capacity to accommodate change and is
considered to have medium
sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR 13 - Industrial
/ Open Storage |
||||||||||
Refers to areas which are heavily adapted
for human industrial use, such as factory facilities, waste processing plants
and other industrial buildings, often with some open areas for storage, parking
or other associated activities. These
areas have small roads within them and some concrete drainage channels. There is very little existing vegetation
within this LR. |
||||||||||
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA, this LR is
mainly found in areas adjacent to villages and main roads, such as Yin Kong
industrial / open storage, Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong open
storage and Pak Shek Au open storage.
It also includes Sheung Shui Slaughter House, Sheung Shui Water Treatment
Works and Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works.
This LR can also be found at the foothill of more natural LRs, often
on flatter land and includes Ki Lung Shan Foothill industrial / open storage. |
||||||||||
KLR-13.1 |
Sheung Shui Industrial Area |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
This LR is located along the east boundary of the KTN NDA Study Area
and is part of Sheung Shui industrial area.
It contains Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works, Sheung Shui Slaughter House,
Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works as well as several warehouses and
industrial buildings. Planted trees
are found along the roads and dominant species include Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala.
|
||||||||||
This LR has relatively low landscape
amenity value and consists mostly of modern man-made structures that can be
easily recreated. Its sensitivity is
considered to be low. |
||||||||||
KLR-13.2 |
Industrial / Open Storage Area in Yin Kong |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
This is an isolated plot beside Yin Kong Tsuen and is now mainly used
for open storage and car park. Trees
growing within this LR include Macaranga
tanarius, Ficus microcarpa, Celtis sinensis, Araucaria heterophylla, Carica
papaya, Artocarpus macrocarpon and Syzygium
jambos. |
||||||||||
This LR predominantly consists of man made
structures which have a high capacity to tolerate change and have low
landscape value. This LR is considered
to have low sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-13.3 |
Industrial/Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
Low |
|||||
This LR is located around the villages of Shek Tsai Leng, Fung Kong,
Tung Fong and Tong Kok and is generally in the middle of the KTN NDA Study Area. This continuous area is largely used for
open storage and car parks and has a network of small road running within it,
some with associated concrete drainage channels. It
also has several waste processing plants within this LR. In addition, this LR has two graded
historic buildings, one just west of where the Sheung Yue River flows under
Fanling Highway (Yeung Yuen Grade 3 listed building) and one in Shek Tsai
Leng (Yan Wah Lo Grade 3 listed building).
(Further details can be found in Chapter 11). |
||||||||||
Trees within this LR are not actively managed and grasses occupy many
places between the car parks. Tree
species commonly found in the area include Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Bauhinia blakeana, Mallotus paniculatus,
Ficus microcarpa, Acacia confusa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Leucaena
leucocephala, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Dimocarpus longan, Livistona chinensis,
Morus alba, Psidium guajava and Artocarpus
macrocarpon. |
||||||||||
This LR predominantly consists of man made
structures which have a high capacity to tolerate change and have low
landscape value. The exceptions are
the two graded historic buildings which have low ability to change and are
rarer, but since they form a very small part of this LR, overall it is
considered to have low
sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR-13.4 |
Industrial/Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki
Lun Shan |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
This LR refers to a lowland area surrounded by woods on southwest of
the KTN NDA Study Area. It contained
factories, open storage and car park areas.
Due to the lack of routine management, grasses and climbers have
occupied many places and trees found in this area include Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Dimocarpus longan, Leucaena leucocephala
and Bombax ceiba. |
||||||||||
This LR predominantly consists of man made
structures of little landscape value which have a high capacity to tolerate
change. This LR is considered to have low sensitivity. |
||||||||||
KLR 14 – Major
Transportation Corridor |
||||||||||
Refers to Fanling Highway running west-east
along the south of the Study Area, all the associated major intersections and
key adjacent roads including Castle Peak Road. There is tree planting along
the sides of the roads consisting of a variety of indigenous and exotic
species. In addition, there is some planting along the central divider
(median) in some sections, including of amenity shrubs. Drainage channels associated with the
roads/highway are considered part of this LR as they are an integral function
of the roadscape. Within the study
area of KTN NDA, major transportation corridor also includes the MTRC East
Rail. |
||||||||||
Within the KTN NDA Study Area, the roadside
vegetation associated with this LR also includes five OVTs as detailed in the
plantation LR, KLR-5.4. |
||||||||||
KLR- 14.1 |
Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
|||||
This LR is includes the Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung section), Castle
Peak Road running parallel and nearby associated roads, which are the major
transportation routes connecting Kwu Tung to its adjacent areas. The roads run west-east along the south of
the Study Area and there are areas of established roadside planting along the
sides of the roads as well as in the central divider (median) in some
sections, including of amenity shrubs.
In addition along parts of the roads, there are open drainage channels
lined by the roadside planting. Trees
commonly used for roadside planting in this area include Melaleuca quinquenervia, Bombax
ceiba, Ficus microcarpa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia confusa and Bauhinia blakeana. |
||||||||||
Despite being a man-made resource, the
landscape value of this LR is increased by the significant roadside planting
(in which several individual OVTs are present but considered separately. See KLR-5.4) and its sensitivity is raised
to medium. |
||||||||||
KLR- 14.2 |
MTRC East Rail (to/from Lo Wu) |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
|||||
This LR mainly refers to the MTRC East Railway leading to Lo Wu
Station running south-north. The Lok
Ma Chau Spur Line running west-east is underground. No significant planting is found along the
railways and trees growing randomly in its vicinity are dominated by Leucaena leucocephala. |
||||||||||
This resource is highly utilized and well
linked but it is man-made with low landscape value and a high ability to
accommodate change. Its sensitivity is
low. |
||||||||||
The
baseline LCAs of KTN NDA are listed in Table 12.6.2 and mapped in Figure 12.7.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.7.1-8 (zoom ins). Illustrative photographs of the LCAs are
presented in Figures
12.7.9-10.
Table
12.6.2 - Landscape Character Areas and their Sensitivity – KTN NDA
Id No. |
Landscape Character Area (LCA) |
Quality & Maturity |
Rarity |
Ability to Accommodate Change |
Sensitivity |
KLCA-1 |
Natural Hillside Landscape |
High |
High |
Low |
High |
Refers to large hillside areas which are dominated by shrubland,
grassland and some woodland in places. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA encompasses Tai Shek Mo
(183 mPD), Western Range of Tai Shek Mo (Ma Tso Lung and Lok Ma Chau) (144
mPD), Ki Lun Shan (222 mPD), and Fung Kong Shan (40 mPD). |
|||||
Tai Shek Mo lies to the north of the Study Area. The primary ridgeline extends southward
while the Western Range ridgeline runs approximately NE-SW, covering Ma Tso
Lung and Lok Ma Chau. These two sections of LCA are separated by lower land
and to their south the smaller Fung Kong Shan is found. |
|||||
Ki Lun Shan lies to the southwest of the Study Area. |
|||||
This landscape area is natural and has high
landscape quality. Its significance is
also high and it is not capable of tolerating change. Therefore its sensitivity is considered to
be high. |
|||||
KLCA-2 |
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village
Landscape |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Refers to rural village areas and village areas on the fringes of
urban developments, including relic landscapes of former villages. This LCA is dominated by small or medium
sized villages with modern and traditional houses and some Ancestral Halls,
interspersed with small agricultural plots and comprises a broad mix of other
land uses including water ponds, schools, sports grounds, and playgrounds,
some open storage areas and car parks, and a golf course to the southeast of
Kwu Tung. This LCA also has some small
patches of woodland as well as vegetation associated with the villages and
park areas. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA can be mainly divided into
five districts at Lo Wu, Ma Tso Lung and Pak Shek Au on the west, Kwu Tung in
the middle, Kam Tsin and Sheung Shui Heung on the east. Some of the villages
in this LCA are located at foothill areas, including Ho Sheung Heung, Ma Tso
Lung Shun Yee San Tsuen and Pak Shek Au, while some other villages are
located in lowland areas, such as Tsung Pak Long, Tong Kok and Shek Tsai
Leng. |
|||||
This LCA is considered to have medium
tolerance to change and moderate amenity value. Its sensitivity is therefore medium. |
|||||
KLCA-3 |
Urban Development Landscape |
Low |
Medium |
High |
Low |
Refers to urban areas with significant numbers of high rise
developments and extensive transport infrastructure. It also contains hospital, car parks and
open areas associated with urban development such as playgrounds and small
parks and sitting out areas. This LCA
has little if any natural vegetation but does include some man-made
landscaping. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA is found only in the northeast i.e. Lo Wu Correctional Institution. |
|||||
This is an urban development landscape and has reasonable tolerance to
change. The sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low. |
|||||
KLCA-4 |
Industrial Landscape |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
Refers to areas comprising a broad mix of land uses including
factories, utility facilities, workshops, open storage and some channelized
water courses. It is normally located
on low lying ground or at the base of hills and may include small and
fragmented areas of residential houses and their associated agricultural
land. There is little significant
vegetation among this built environment, but small patches of vegetation do
exist, particularly along the channelized river. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA is found to the west near
the San Tin Interchange, in the east at the Shek Sheung River and the area
east of this river, and more centrally bordering Ma Tso Lung Road, Shek Tsai Leng and east of Fung Kong Shan. |
|||||
This LCA usually contains abandoned
facilities that are able to accommodate change. Except for the significant planting along
Ng Tung River, most areas in this LCA have little vegetation, resulting in a
low landscape amenity. Therefore, its
sensitivity is considered to be low.
|
|||||
KLCA-5 |
Lowland Agricultural Landscape |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
Refers to large areas dominated by cultivated land with scattered
small villages and low-rise buildings and may also include some fishponds and
irrigation ponds. This LCA is mostly
found among lowlands and floodplain areas.
|
|||||
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA the key
area of this LCA is found at Long Valley which is a highly sensitive LR in
itself. And there are also some
isolated farmlands at Chau Tau and Ma Tso Lung. Tree vegetation is generally sparse and
restricted to field boundaries, adjacent to local houses and, together with
bamboo, along the banks of Sheung Yue River.
The value and significance of the LCA is
high, largely due to it encompassing the high quality, contiguous
agricultural land of the core Long Valley area. It has little tolerance to change and its
sensitivity is considered to be high. |
|||||
KLCA-6 |
Major Transportation Corridor Landscape |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Refers to major highway and railway areas, with
their scattered associated buildings and associated planting. Within the Study Area for KTN NDA, Fanling
Highway and its nearby associated roads (such as Castle Peak Road) are the
major transport routes stretching in an east west direction located at the
south boundary of KTN NDA.
There are two key connection junctions at Fan Kam Road to the east and
San Sham Road to the west. In
addition, the MTRC East Rail leading to the Lo Wu Station runs south-north in
the east of the study area. Lok Ma
Chau Spur Line branches off from Sheung Shui Railway Station to Lok Ma Chau
Station, of which this section
is underground passing through KTN NDA.
The Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung section) and Castle Peak Road running
parallel have considerable areas of established roadside planting, including
five OVTs, which provide significant greening to the LCA. Due to the
considerable associated planting, this LCA resource is considered to be less
tolerant to change than simple highway/railway and its sensitivity is medium. |
|||||
KLCA-7 |
Major Water Course Corridor Landscape |
Medium |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Refers to modified water courses
channelized with concrete or grasscrete and also includes the vegetation
associated with the water course, both within the channel and along the banks
as well as in the ridge of the banks. Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR
includes Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River and Shek Sheung River. The landscape amenity and significance of this
LCA are medium. Due to its partially
artificial state, it is relatively tolerant to change and its sensitivity is
considered to be medium. |
The baseline LRs of
FLN NDA, are detailed along with their sensitivity in Table 12.6.3 and mapped in Figure 12.6.0 (key plan)
and Figures
12.6.1-7 (zoom ins).
Illustrative photographs of the LRs are presented in Figures 12.6.8-17.
The
baseline LCAs of FLN NDA are listed in Table 12.6.4 and mapped in Figures 12.8.0 (key plan) and Figures
12.8.1-7 (zoom ins).
Illustrative photographs of the LCAs are presented in Figures
12.8.8-9
LRs of higher
sensitivity are generally natural streams, woodland, marsh/ wetland, some water
ponds, although other resources may also have high sensitivity due to certain
characteristics. For FLN NDA key LRs are
summarized below.
LRs associated
with natural water bodies are often considered higher value resources. With the exception of a semi-natural steam in
Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land (FLR2.1) which is generally degraded by
pollution and has some banks fortified with concrete, and a natural steam at
Cham Shan (FLR-2.2) which has banks partially paved in places and low water
(quality commonly polluted with rubbish), the natural streams in FLN (at Lung
Shan (FLR-2.3) and Siu Hang San Tsuen (FLR-2.4)) have high sensitivity, largely
due to their low ability to accommodate change.
Two pond areas which are relatively intolerant to change, those at Ho
Sheung Heung and Long Valley (FLR-3.1) and within the Closed Area (FLR-3.2),
are considered to have high sensitivity.
In addition, all the marsh/wetland areas in FLN NDA, including those in
Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun (FLR-4.1), and the mitigation wetland along Ng
Tung and Sheung Yue River (FLR-4.2), are all rated as highly sensitive largely
due to being rare resources and being intolerant to change.
Given the nature
of trees as a precious landscape resource, all areas of hillside woodland
within the FLN NDA are rated as having high sensitivity. Unlike KTN NDA, the lowland woodland around
FLN NDA is generally of low to medium quality with more human disturbance and
only the lowland woodland at Sacred Hill (FLR-7.4) and at Ling Hill/Ling Shan
Tsuen (FLR-7.5) are considered to have high sensitivity as they are of better
quality and less able to accommodate change.
There are no OVTs in this area but one area of plantation (at Ha Pak
Tsuen (FLR-5.2)) is considered to have high sensitivity due to the fact that it
is mature and the area now has many large trees in a traditional village
setting, giving it a low ability to accommodate change.
While most
agricultural LRs have medium sensitivity (given it is relatively easy to create
in the right environment and not being rare in the New Territories), the
agricultural land in Long Valley is unique as it forms part of a large, high quality,
contiguous area which would be difficult to recreate in Hong Kong due its
characteristics and a lack of similar areas.
This agricultural land in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley (FLR-9.1) to
the north west of the FLN NDA Study Area is therefore recognized as having high
sensitivity.
With regards to
LCAs, Natural Hillside Landscape in FLN NDA (FLCA-1) is considered highly
sensitive, largely due to its high landscape quality and inability to
accommodate change. Rural and Urban
Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2) and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape
(FLCA-7) have medium sensitivity, largely due to their moderate amenity value
and medium tolerance to change. The
Lowland Agricultural Landscape in this area (FLCA-2) is predominantly of medium
value and considered reasonably easy to recreate given the right environment,
and therefore also has medium sensitivity.
The Major Transport Corridor Landscape in this area (FLCA-6) includes
the southern Fanling Highway and part of the MTRC. Unlike in the KTN area, there is limited
planting within this LCA in FLN NDA so it has a high ability to accommodate
change and therefore this LCA has low sensitivity. Urban Development Landscape (FLCA-3) and
Industrial Landscape (FLCA-4) also have low sensitivity due to their low
landscape quality and high ability to accommodate change.
Table
12.6.3 - Landscape Resources and their Sensitivity- FLN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.6.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.6.1-7 (zoom ins)
Id. No. |
Landscape Resource |
Quality & Maturity |
Rarity |
Ability to Accommodate Change |
Sensitivity |
FLR 1 – Channelized
Water Course |
|||||
Refers to modified water courses channelized with concrete or
grasscrete, or with gabion-fortified banks, water courses undergoing such
channelization. This LR includes both
large channelized river water courses as well as some much smaller concrete
lined water courses associated with agricultural land. This LR also includes some walkways along
the larger water course and the vegetation associated with the water course,
both within the channel and along the banks as well as the ridge of the
banks. The vegetation mainly consists
of grasses and shrubs, but also includes trees in some areas as detailed
further in the individual LR descriptions.
|
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA this LR includes sections of Ng Tung
River, Shek Sheung River, Sheung Yue River and Ma Wat River and is one of the
prominent landscape features running across a large part of the Study Area. |
|||||
FLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung River (Fanling District) |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Ng Tung River (Fanling District) runs in an east-west direction in the
FLN NDA Study Area. It collects water
from Ma Wat River in the east, then Shek Sheung River and Sheung Yue River further west and
finally empties into the Shenzhen River far outside the study area. Ng Tung
River is modified with grasscrete banks and tree planting is found in its
immediate vicinity. Dominant
plantation tree species are Acacia auriculiformis
and Acacia confusa. Other trees also recorded include Ficus virens and Leucaena leucocephala. The river also includes a nullah in the
south of the Study Area and some small channels linking through culverts
under the banks of the main channel to smaller channelized watercourses which
connect to drainage systems and sometimes to more natural watercourses. |
|||||
This resource is reasonably tolerant to
change and its sensitivity is medium. |
|||||
FLR-1.2 |
Shek Sheung River |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Shek Sheung River collects water from the south and flows north,
joining the Sheung Yue River west of the Sheung Shui Slaughter House. There is another branch of Shek Sheung
River that splits from Ng Tung River and flows round the south of the Shek Wu
Hui Sewage Treatment Works. Water
drained from Tin Ping San Tsuen low land area flows into this branch after
passing through a floodwater storage area.
This LR is mainly a grasscrete banked, trapezoidal channel, formed for
the purpose of flood protection of the Fanling and Kwu Tung areas. Water partially dries out during the dry
season and there is only a small amount of water at the base of the channel,
with grass on either side. There are
grasses and shrubs along the river’s embankment also, as well as trees
planted along both sides in many sections of the river. The dominant tree species are exotic,
including Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia
confusa, Eucalyptus spp. and Leucaena leucocephala. Native trees of lower abundance can also be
found, e.g. Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum
camphora, Cleistocalyx operculatus, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens and Sapium sebiferum. |
|||||
Overall this river is relatively tolerant
to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR-1.3 |
Sheung Yue River |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
The Study Area of FLN NDA covers a short section of Sheung Yue River
on the west where it drains water from Ho Sheung Heung and other areas in Kwu
Tung. It joins Shek Sheung River
before flowing into Ng Tung River. Its
banks are fortified with a rigid lining of stone masonry among which grasses
grow sparsely between the stone blocks.
At ground level, planted trees are found along both sides of the
river. Most of the dominant trees are
exotic, including species such as Acacia
auriculiformis, Acacia confusa, Eucalyptus
spp. and Leucaena leucocephala. Other trees include the native species Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens and Macaranga
tanarius. |
|||||
This river is reasonably capable of
accommodating change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR-1.4 |
Ma Wat River |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Ma Wat River runs across the southeast part of the FLN NDA Study Area,
passing through industrial, rural and agricultural areas. It joins Ng Tung River near Kan Lung
Tsuen. Water in the channel decreases
significantly during the dry season when its concrete bottom is often partly
exposed and dry. There is grasscrete
along both its banks, where Imperata
koenigii is one of the dominant grasses.
Tree planting consisting of large and mature trees is found in the
immediate vicinity of this river.
Dominant tree species are Acacia
confusa, Ficus microcarpa, Melia azedarach and Leucaena leucocephala. Trees with
lower abundance include native (Bauhinia
blakeana, Celtis sinensis, Macaranga tanarius and Sapium sebiferum) and exotic (Casuarina equisetifolia and Pterocarpus indicus) species. |
|||||
Overall this river is relatively tolerant
to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR-1.5 |
Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR
describes a channelized concrete watercourse flowing through agricultural
land from the Ma Shi Po area towards Ng Tung River where it connects through
a concrete channelized link. It is
likely to have been used for irrigation purposes, but there is limited water
flow and the watercourse is polluted by domestic waste. Vegetation associated with this LR includes
the herb species Bidens alba, Eleusine
indica and Mikania micrantha. This LR is reasonably tolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be low. |
|||||
FLR 2 – Water
Course |
|||||
Refers to natural or semi-natural water courses, including short
sections with concreted banks. This LR
also includes vegetation associated with the water course, both within the
streams and along the banks as well as in the immediate vicinity. The vegetation mainly consists of grasses
and shrubs, but also includes some trees in certain areas such as the upland
streams, as detailed further in the individual LR descriptions. The vegetation often provides a subtle
transition between this LR and its surrounding LR(s). |
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR includes watercourses
running down from different hills into lowland areas. |
|||||
FLR-2.1 |
Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Refers to a natural stream passing through Tin Ping Shan (Sacred Hill) agricultural land and finally flowing
into the channelized Shek Sheung River.
This is a narrow stream with grasses and climbers overgrowing its
banks. The grasses mainly include Bidens alba, Polygonum chinense and Oxalis corymbosa. Although parts of this stream are more
natural, much of it passes through development areas and is adjacent to open
storage areas. It is degraded by
pollution while some sections of the stream are fortified by concrete
banks. |
|||||
This LR has medium tolerance to change and
its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR-2.2 |
Natural Stream at Cham Shan |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
This natural stream comes from Cham Shan and flows down to the lowland
rural area in the northwest of the FLN NDA Study Area. It is not perennial and water flow may
cease during the dry season. The banks
of this stream is overgrown with common grasses such as Alocasia odora, Bidens alba and Panicum maximum, particularly in the upstream sections where it
flows through extensive grasslands.
Within the downstream sections in lowland rural areas, its banks are
partially paved in places and the water quality is low as rubbish is commonly
found near and in the stream. |
|||||
This LR is not of high quality but it is
relatively intolerant to change. The
sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR-2.3 |
Natural Streams at Lung Shan |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR refers to natural streams located at the foothill of Lung Shan
and running through all heavily vegetated areas. The streams are intermittent and cease flowing during the
dry season. Grasses and climbers grow along their banks. These include Alocasia odora and Cuscuta
chinensis as well as some invasive species such as Mikania micrantha. |
|||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
|
|||||
FLR-2.4 |
Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR describes streams at around Siu
Hang San Tsuen. Stream banks are colonized by common species such as Commelina diffusa, Polygonum
lapathifolium, Alocasia odora and Macaranga
tanarius. Part of one stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen is regarded as
ecologically important due to its naturalness and moderately diverse aquatic
community. This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR 3 – Water Pond |
|||||
Refers to freshwater ponds. The
ponds are often associated with agricultural land and used for irrigation,
and punctuate the traditional field pattern.
Some ponds are also found near residential or developed areas, and
have aesthetic landscape value and some are fish ponds. This LR also includes vegetation associated
with the ponds, both within and around the banks as well as in the immediate
vicinity. The vegetation mainly
consists of grasses and shrubs, with scarce trees. |
|||||
These water ponds are mainly in Fu Tei Au and Wai Loi Tsuen in FLN
NDA, but also in the area overlapping with KTN, including Ho Sheung Heung and
Long Valley. |
|||||
FLR-3.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds
|
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR refers to part of the area of ponds in Ho Sheung Heung and
Long Valley that are covered by the Study Area of FLN NDA. Ponds in Ho Sheung Heung retain water most
of the time including during both the dry and wet seasons, while those in
Long Valley are periodically emptied by local farmers during the dry season
for management purposes and irrigation.
The bunds of these ponds are vegetated by grasses and low shrubs, as well
as some fruit trees such as Musa x paradisiaca, Litchi chinensis, Mangifera indica, Dimocarpus longan
and Citrus maxima. |
|||||
The ponds within this LR are of medium
quality with common fruit trees present and are relatively intolerant to
change. The sensitivity of this LR is
considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR-3.2 |
Water Ponds within the Closed Area |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
Part of the north FLN NDA study area lies within the Closed Area and
the water ponds of this LR are mainly located north of Sheung Shui Water
Treatment Works and beside the Sha Ling Livestock Waste Control Centre but
also at the northern base of Cheung Po Tau.
In the west, they are generally large ponds covering a reasonably large
area while those in the east are large but more isolated. Some of them are active fish ponds, some
inactive fish ponds and some connect with wet agricultural land in their
vicinity. |
|||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change
and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
|
|||||
FLR-3.3 |
Fu Tei Au Water Ponds |
Low |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
This is a group of water ponds located between Fu Tei Au Road and Ng
Tung River. The ponds were most likely
used for commercial fish farming and for irrigation purposes in the past and
have now mainly been abandoned. Common
grasses (e.g. Bidens alba and Pennisetum spp.) and small trees
(e.g. Bombax ceiba and Leucaena leucocephala) grow densely
along the banks. Trees are planted or
naturally have established themselves on the pond bunds; these include Macaranga tanarius, Litchi chinensis, Dimocarpus longan and Ficus
hispida. |
|||||
The quality and significance of this LR is
relatively low, but it is intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is therefore
considered as medium. |
|||||
FLR-3.4 |
Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area |
Low |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
There are two isolated ponds located in Lung Yeuk Tau in the east FLN
NDA Study Area, one in San Uk Tsuen and the other one in Ma Wat Tsuen. Both are no longer used and not actively
managed. Grasses and climbers grow
along their banks and are also present in their immediate vicinity. The water surface of these ponds is largely
colonized by plants. |
|||||
This LR has low landscape quality and is
small in area but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium. |
|||||
FLR-3.5
|
Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR is on the periphery of Wai Loi Tsuen serving as the moat of
this traditional village. It has
concrete banks and is connected with the Shek Sheung River to its west. |
|||||
Since this is a LR having significant
artificial characteristics, it is relatively tolerant to change, however the
moat has cultural landscape significance and therefore its sensitivity is
considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR 4 – Marsh/
Wetland |
|||||
Refers to freshwater marsh/ wetland landscape resources. Some of them
are found at old river meanders which have been truncated during river
channelization and retraining, overgrown with herbaceous vegetation and often
with some areas of seasonal or permanent open water. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR is found along certain
sections of Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River as well as in Long Valley
agricultural land. |
|||||
FLR-4.1 |
Marshes in Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun |
Medium |
High |
Low |
High |
This LR refers to part of the Long Valley marshes and marshes near
Tsung Yeun that are covered by the Study Area of FLN NDA to its west. They are located within Long Valley
agricultural land and in the agricultural land near Tsung Yeun and include
both permanent wet marshes and well vegetated marshes. For the permanent wet marshes, they used to
be fish ponds or used for irrigation purpose and have now been abandoned and
are not actively managed. These
marshes contain water all year round; dense emergent vegetation is present in
the marshes and shows relatively high diversity including Phragmites karka, sedges Cyperus iria and Kyllinga aromatica, and herbs and climbers Ipomoea aquatica, Polygonum
barbatum and Polygonum lapathifolium. For the well vegetated marshes, a large
portion of the wetland area is covered with rich and moist topsoil, colonised
by common and widespread species such as Brachiaria
mutica, Panicum maximum, Bidens alba, Ludwigia perennis and the common wetland fern Cyclosorus interruptus. |
|||||
This LR is fairly rare and is relatively
intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR-4.2 |
Mitigation Wetland |
Medium |
High |
Low |
High |
Several plots of marsh are located along Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue
River. They were formerly meanders of
the river and were isolated during the river channelization. To mitigate the ecological impact resulting
from channelization, these areas are now managed by a government department
to provide marsh habitat, mainly for wetland dependent wildlife and are hence
a wetland landscape resource. Wetland
plants and riparian vegetation have been planted and include Commelina diffusa, Hedychium coronarium, Ludwigia perennis and Nelumbo nucifera. Bamboos and trees are also planted along
the bunds, e.g. Acacia auriculiformis,
Cinnamomum camphora, Hibiscus tiliaceus and Ilex rotunda. |
|||||
This LR had medium quality and maturity and
in general marsh habitats are reasonably rare in Hong Kong. Additionally this LR is relatively
intolerant to change so its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR 5 – Plantation |
|||||
Refers to medium sized and larger clusters of trees that have been
planted and are distinct from natural woodland in terms of species
composition since they have been planted by man. Common tree species in this LR include Ficus virens, Ficus microcarpa, Acacia
confusa, Bombax ceiba, Macaranga tanarius and Melaleuca quinquenervia. Further details are given in the
individual LR descriptions. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA this LR is found in the vicinity of
Wai Loi Tsuen, Ha Pak Tsuen, On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill. |
|||||
FLR-5.1 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Medium |
Medium |
High |
Medium |
A mixture of native and exotic trees is planted around the moat of Wai
Loi Tsuen and its vicinity, serving as a good screen for the road and
industrial area to the west of the village.
Compared to those trees planted immediately along the Shek Sheung
River in its vicinity, trees in this plantation have a relatively higher
diversity, including native species (Bauhinia
blakeana, Celtis sinensis and Ficus microcarpa) and exotic species (Acacia confusa, Aleurites moluccana,
Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Casuarina
equisetifolia, Eucalyptus
citriodora, Grevillea robusta, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Melaleuca quinquenervia). |
|||||
This LR has medium amenity value and
relatively high capacity to accommodate change and its sensitivity is
considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR-5.2 |
Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
A patch of plantation is located to the east of Ha Pak Tsuen and a
number of large mature trees within the village park area near Mun Hau Tsuen.
Trees are densely planted within the village as well as along the
nearby roads leading to the village to enhance the landscape value of this
area. Among these planted trees, Chinese
Banyan Ficus microcarpa is one of
the most prominent trees as most of them are mature and large. Other tree species include native (Macaranga tanarius) and exotic (Acacia confusa and Bombax ceiba) species. |
|||||
Although this resource was originally man
made, it now has many large, mature trees in a traditional village setting
and this is harder to recreate, so it has a relatively low capacity to
accommodate change. Its sensitivity is
considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR-5.3 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
There is significant plantation on the periphery of On Kwok Villa and
Noble Hill mainly along Tin Ping Road, Lung Sum Road, Ma Sik Road and a
branch of Ng Tung River. Trees planted
in this area are reasonably mature and dense.
They include native (Ficus
virens, Ficus microcarpa, Bauhinia blakeana and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic (Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Delonix
regia, Eucalyptus spp., Ficus religiosa and Melaleuca quinquenervia) species. |
|||||
Although trees in this LR provide a certain
high landscape value, the trees are set amongst modern residential
areas. The LR was originally a
man-made resource and is able to be recreated fairly easily meaning it has a
reasonable capacity to accommodate change.
Its sensitivity is therefore considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR 6 - Hillside
Woodland |
|||||
Refers to woodland areas largely scattered over hillsides, including
at the base of hills and associated patches of woodland. This LR is predominantly composed of native
tree species and is generally
located some distance from intense human activities (except at the base of
hills where it often borders rural development areas), growing naturally with
some understory vegetation. Common
tree species in this LR include Acacia
confusa, Macaranga tanarius, Ficus microcarpa, Dimocarpus longan, Celtis
sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora and
Ficus hispida. Further details are
given in the individual LR descriptions. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR is largely scattered at
the foothill of Cham Shan, Wa Shan and Lung Shan. |
|||||
FLR-6.1 |
Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
Several small patches of woodland lie at the eastern base of the
hillside surrounding Sheung Shui Water Treatment
Works. Trees grow naturally and
densely in this area and dominant species include Macaranga tanarius, Celtis
sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Melia azedarach and Leucaena leucocephala. |
|||||
This LR is relatively mature and intolerant
to change. The sensitivity of this LR
is considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR- 6.2 |
Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR refers to the relatively large and continuous woodlands along
the foothills of Cham Shan and Wa Shan to their northern, western and
southern sides, bordering shrubland/grassland on the higher ground above and
rural villages and agricultural lands in the lowland area below. Due to limited human disturbance, these
trees are mature in medium to large sizes.
Dominant tree species include both native and exotic ones. Dominant native trees are Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus
hispida, Ficus variegata var. chlorocarpa, Rhus succedanea, Sapium
discolor, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius. Dominant exotic species include Melia azedarach, Dimocarpus longan, Syzygium
jambos, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia. |
|||||
This LR is considered to be relatively
mature and of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate
change. The sensitivity of this LR is
considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR- 6.3 |
Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR refers to a small and isolated woodland patch embracing Ma Wat
Wai on all sides expect the northeast.
A mixture of exotic and native trees as well as many bamboos is
present in this area. Dominant trees
include native species (Celtis sinensis,
Ficus microcarpa, Ficus hispida, Sterculia lanceolata, Rhus
succedanea and Sapium discolor)
and exotic species (Dimocarpus longan
and Melia azedarach). |
|||||
This is a mature resource and of relatively
high quality. It has little capacity to tolerate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR- 6.4 |
Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei
Shan |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR covers part of the woodlands on the foothill of Lung Shan to
the northeast of Fanling Highway and the foothill of Wa Mei Shan to the
southwest in the vicinity of Wo Hop Shek.
This resource includes mature woodland trees growing on hillside
slopes, including native species (Celtis
sinensis, Macaranga tanarius, Ficus hispida, Ficus microcarpa and Litsea
glutinosa) and exotic species (Acacia
confusa, Eucalyptus spp., Dimocarpus longan, Melia azedarach and Syzygium jambos). |
|||||
The quality and landscape value of this LR
is relatively high, with little tolerance to change and its sensitivity is
considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR 7 – Lowland
Woodland |
|||||
Refers to woodland growing on low ground (generally <40 mPD), often
found near rural village areas of human activities in small, fragmented
patches, with differing tree species according to location. Common tree species found in this LR
include Dimocarpus longan, Cinnamomum camphora, Macaranga tanarius, and Leucaena leucocephala. Further details
are given in the individual LR descriptions. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR is found in Vernon Pass, Fu
Tei Au, Hung Kiu San Tsuen, Sacred Hill, Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen. |
|||||
FLR-7.1 |
Vernon Pass Woodland |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR refers to a small patch of woodland at Vernon Pass in the
northwest of the Study Area. It
contains some built structures and is generally frequently disturbed by human
interaction leading to the vegetation within the LR being of lower
quality. The dominant species in this
LR are native species (Ficus variegata var.
chlorocarpa, Ficus hispida and Macaranga
tanarius) and exotic species (Dimocarpus
longan). |
|||||
Due to its association with built
structures and therefore not being in a totally natural state, the quality of
this LR is low. It has a medium
capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR- 7.2 |
Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung
Shui Water Treatment Works |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR refers to several patches of woodland in Fu Tei Au area and in
the close vicinity of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works.
They are generally surrounded by, or bordering, rural areas and
abandoned agricultural lands and so receive moderate human disturbance
leading to the vegetation within the LR being of lower quality. Trees in this resource are not diverse and
dominated by Dimocarpus longan,
Hibiscus tiliaceus, Celtis sinensis, Macaranga tanarius and Cinnamomum camphora. |
|||||
This is a landscape resource of medium
quality and has a medium tolerance to change, making its sensitivity medium. |
|||||
FLR- 7.3 |
Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR refers to the lowland woodlands in the vicinity of Hung Kiu
San Tsuen, east of Man Kam To Road.
These woodlands are largely surrounded by adjacent industrial/open
storage areas and therefore potentially suffer from disturbance by human
activities making this resource of lower quality than it would otherwise
be. |
|||||
These trees are of medium to large sizes, and are dominated by both
native and exotic species. The most
abundant native species include Celtis
sinensis, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus hispida, Bischofia javanica, Cinnamomum
camphora, and Macaranga tanarius,
while exotic species include Averrhoa
carambola, Casuarina equisetifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Dimocarpus longan and Melia azedarach. |
|||||
This LR has a medium amenity value,
relatively low quality, a medium tolerance to change and its sensitivity is
considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR- 7.4 |
Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR is located to the east of Tin Ping Shan Tsuen, adjacent to the
large Tin Ping Shan Tsuen agricultural lands. Common tree species include Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius. |
|||||
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and
its sensitivity is considered to be high.
|
|||||
FLR-7.5 |
Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland
Woodland |
High |
Medium |
Low |
High |
This LR refers to the woody areas near the intersection of Ma Sik Road
and Jockey Club Road. These woodland
patches are on the periphery of and associated with Ling Shan Tsuen. There is an old temple (Sam Sheung Temple)
located in this village and it is also surrounded by this woodland. Trees in this resource are fairly large and
mature including both native and exotic species. Native species include Celtis sinensis, Ficus
microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius
and exotic species include Acacia
confusa, Delonix regia and Dimocarpus longan. |
|||||
This is a natural resource of high quality
and is not able to accommodate change.
Its sensitivity is considered to be high. |
|||||
FLR 8 - Shrubland /
Grassland Mosaic |
|||||
Refers to a mosaic of shrubland and grassland which is usually large
in size and uniform in appearance.
This LR is typical of the fire-maintained hill-slopes in Hong Kong and
common grass species include Miscanthus sinensis, Neyraudia spp. and Panicum
spp. Further details are given in the
individual LR descriptions. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR is found largely on
hillsides, particularly on Wa Shan, Cham Shan and Lung Shan, as well as some
relatively lowland areas to the west of the Study Area. |
|||||
FLR - 8.1 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic West of and along
Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
These shrublands /grasslands are all located in lowland areas and in
the vicinity of man-made resources such as channelized watercourses, rural
and urban development areas. They are
waste grounds through lack of maintenance and have been gradually colonized
by weeds and climbers. |
|||||
This LR is of low landscape value and
amenity and is relatively tolerant to change.
Its sensitivity is low. |
|||||
FLR-8.2 |
Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This resource is located north of Fu Tei Au Road surrounding the
Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. It is dominated by grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus floridulus and some small
trees including Rhus succedanea and
Macaranga tanarius are also present
in this area. |
|||||
This LR is of low landscape value and
amenity and is relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is low. |
|||||
FLR- 8.3 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and
Wa Shan |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR can re-establish itself fairly
easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change but is
of medium quality and maturity. Its
sensitivity is considered to be medium.
|
|||||
FLR - 8.4 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR is part of the extensive shrubby grassland on the uplands of
Lung Shan. It merges into hillside
woodland at the foothills and is sometimes adjacent to the urban development
area. Similar to the other hilly shrubland/grassland
in Hong Kong, this LR is maintained by periodical hill fires. |
|||||
This LR can re-establish itself fairly
easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. It is of medium quality and maturity and
its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
|
|||||
FLR 9 -
Agricultural Land |
|||||
Refers to land used for agriculture including crops and orchards as
well as ornamental plant nurseries.
This LR contains a small number of structures such as small irrigation
ponds, green houses, equipment sheds and small/ narrow hard paved areas. It not only contains agricultural
vegetation but also some scattered non-agricultural vegetation including some
shrubs and trees. It is often an
intermediary between areas of development and natural areas. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR is mainly found in Tin
Ping Shan, Ma Shi Po and Sheung Shui Wa Shan. |
|||||
FLR- 9.1 |
Agricultural Lands in Ho Sheung Heung and
Long Valley |
High |
High |
Low |
High |
The Study Area of FLN NDA covers small parts of the agricultural lands
in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley in the west. They are mainly wet agricultural lands,
including both active and inactive fields.
Common wetland crops in Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung share a high
similarity in their species composition, including Ipomoea aquatic, Nasturtium
officinale, Eleocharis dulcis, Oryza sativa and Trapa bispinosa. Fruit
trees are present along field bunds including Dimocarpus longan, Litchi
chinensis and Magnifera indica. |
|||||
This LR is of good quality and a
significant local resource due to its large size, long history and crop
production. Although agricultural land
is normally relatively easy to re-establish in the right environment, this
particular LR would be relatively hard to recreate in Hong Kong given its
size and it being largely not fragmented.
Its sensitivity is high. |
|||||
FLR-9.2 |
Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Agricultural land in Fu Tei Au area is partially abandoned. Common vegetables such as Brassica parachinensis and Lactuca sativa are grown in the active
fields. In those inactive fields,
grasses dominated by Miscanthus
spp. have colonized the land, with some isolated shrubs and trees growing
along the previous field bunds without management. Those trees include Dimocarpus longan, Litchi
chinensis and Magnifera indica. |
|||||
This LR provides some green space between
the hard surfaces of industrial/open storage areas or rural development areas
making it locally reasonably important.
Agricultural land is fairly easy to re-establish in the right
environment and especially given some of this land is abandoned, it has
medium tolerance to change. The LR is considered
to have medium sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR - 9.3 |
Agricultural Land between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
A patch of active agricultural land is located in the flood area
between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River, north of Po Wan Road. This agricultural land probably connected
with the agricultural land in Tin Ping Shan Tsuen (FLR-9.4) in the past but
has now been separated by an open storage area between them (FLR-13.1). The area of this LR is relatively small,
but of reasonable quality. |
|||||
This LR has medium value and being
agricultural land has medium ability to tolerate change in the right
environment. It is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR - 9.4 |
Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Tin Ping Shan Tsuen agricultural land is located on the north of Tin
Ping Shan Tsuen. This is a reasonably sized,unfragmented
area of agricultural land and more than half the fields remain active. In addition to open farmlands, there are
also some orchards in which small fruit trees including Musa x paradisiaca, Litchi chinensis and Dimocarpus longan are cultivated. |
|||||
The LR is mature and established and of
medium quality, yet since it is agricultural land, in the right environment
it could be recreated, meaning it has reasonable capacity to accommodate
change. It is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR - 9.5 |
Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR is located in the lowland area at the foot of Wa Shan, along
the eastern bank of Ng Tung River. Much
of the agricultural land within this area is abandoned with weeds, climbers,
isolated shrubs and banana trees and some other invasive trees (e.g. Leucaena leucocephala) colonizing the
land. However some areas are still
active and this land is a green resource neighbouring village developments. |
|||||
This LR has medium landscape quality and
maturity. Being agricultural land it
is relatively tolerant to change in the right environment. It is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR - 9.6 |
Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang
Tsuen and Shek Wu San Tsuen |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This resource is mainly situated in the
east of the Study Area of FLN NDA and includes both active and inactive
agricultural lands. A variety of crops
are grown in the active fields, including Benincasa
hispida, Pisum sativum, Solanum melongena and Lactuca sativa. As a
result of human activity of cultivation, vegetation on the bunds of these
fields is poorly developed and is dominated by common herbs such as Ageratum conyzoides, Hedyotis diffusa and Kyllinga brevifolia and Lobelia chinensis and few shrubs and trees are present.
Some of the inactive fields, due to the lack of management and
disturbance for a long time, are beginning to develop naturally into
grassland or shrubby grassland with colonisation by herbs, isolated shrubs
and small trees. |
|||||
This LR is mature and established yet the
land is highly fragmented and overall the LR is not of high quality. Since it is agricultural land, in the right
environment it could be re-established, meaning it has reasonable capacity to
accommodate change. I It is considered to have medium sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR - 9.7 |
Agricultural Land South of Sha Tau Kok Road |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This resource is situated in the south east of the Study Area of FLN
NDA, south of Sha Tau Kok road and near the base of Lung Shan. It includes both active and inactive
agricultural lands near Lung Yeuk Tau, Mat Wat Wai and east of Wing Ning Wai,
Wing Ning Tsuen and Tung Kok Wai. A
variety of crops are grown in the active fields, including Benincasa hispida, Brassica chinensis and Lactuca sativa. For those inactive fields, due to the lack
of management, they are beginning to develop naturally into grassland or
shrubby grassland with colonisation by herbs (e.g. Alocasia odora, Miscanthus
sinensis, and Bidens alba) and
small trees (e.g. Ficus hispida and Macaranga tanarius). |
|||||
This LR has medium value and, being
agricultural land, is reasonably easy to recreate in the right environment,
which means it has medium capacity to accommodate change and it is considered
to have medium sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR 10 - Open Space
/ Recreation Area |
|||||
Refers to areas that provide recreational use either in the form of
playground areas or sports pitches. There is vegetation associated with this
LR, as well as landscaped planting. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR is found at North
District Sports Ground. |
|||||
FLR- 10.1 |
North District Sports Ground |
Medium |
Medium |
High |
Low |
North District Sports Ground is a multi-purpose sports ground located
between Jockey Club Road and Tin Ping Road.
Facilities provided in this sports ground include natural grass
football field, running track, covered grandstand, public leisure pool,
basketball/volleyball courts and outdoor and indoor tennis courts. Dominant amenity trees planted in this LR
include Ficus microcarpa, Bauhinia
blakeana and Bauhinia variegata. |
|||||
This LR has medium landscape value and due
to its man-made nature and high percentage of hard landscape, has a high
capacity to accommodate change. Apart
from the open grass pitch, it has little planting and therefore soft
landscape is relatively low value.
Overall its sensitivity is considered to be low. |
|||||
FLR 11 – Urban
Development Area |
|||||
Refers to urbanized areas which are heavily developed with
considerable hard paved surfaces and limited landscaped areas. These LRs consist mainly of large clusters
of medium to high density buildings with a high degree of related
infrastructure and often with some high rise developments, with some
associated facilities such as post office, police station, hospital,
restaurants, supermarkets etc. The LR
also includes work sites where construction is ongoing, or sites being
cleared/ formed prior to development of a structure that would form part of
an urban area. Vegetation in this LR
is mainly landscape planting with scattered amenity shrubs and trees, some
small public green spaces and private gardens. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR broadly covers Lo Wu
Correctional Institution and the large urban development areas in Sheung Shui
and Fanling. |
|||||
FLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu Correctional Institution |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
Lo Wu Correctional Institution is located in between Ho Sheung Heung
Road and the foothills of Tai Shek Mo.
Buildings in this LR are medium-rise and roads are all
hard-paved. Tree planting is limited
within the institution although it does have some green roofs. |
|||||
This LR has a high ability to accommodate
change due to its man-made nature and is considered to have low sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR- 11.2 |
Sheung Shui Urban Development Area |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR refers to the northeastern part of the Sheung Shui town
centre. There are high-rise public
(e.g. Tin Ping Estate) and private (e.g. Tsui Lai Garden, On Kwok Villa and
Noble Hill) estates, training centres, multi-storey car park and home for the
aged located in this area. Gardens and
small scale playgrounds can also be found associated with those residential
blocks. Amenity trees and shrubs are
planted and well maintained to enhance the environment, and the dominant tree
species are Melaleuca quinquenervia,
Acacia confusa, Bauhinia blakeana, Ficus microcarpa, Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Eucalyptus
citriodora and Phoenix roebelenii.
|
|||||
This LR has low landscape value and due to
its man-made nature, has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
|
|||||
FLR- 11.3 |
Fanling Urban Development Area |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR mainly covers Luen Wo Hui urban development area in
Fanling. Medium and high rise
residential buildings (e.g. Fanling Garden, Wing Fok Centre, Wing Fai Centre,
Union Plaza, Belair Monte, Grand Regentville), schools (e.g. Fanling Public
School, Buddhist Ma Kam Chan Memorial English Secondary School and Fanling
Rhenish Church Secondary School), a church (St. Joseph’s Church), cinema,
commercial complexes and street markets can be found in this area. Gardens and playgrounds of small scale can
also be found associated with the residential blocks. Amenity trees and shrubs are planted along
roads but are relatively limited. The dominant tree species are Melaleuca quinquenervia, Acacia confusa,
Ficus microcarpa, Cassia siamea and
Bauhinia variegata.
|
|||||
This LR has low landscape value and due to
its man-made nature, has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
|
|||||
FLR 12 - Rural
Development Area |
|||||
Refers to traditional villages, modern villages and small scale
residential areas dominated by domestic structures (mainly of 2-3 stories)
interwoven with roads and paths, There
are some Ancestral Halls, shrines and temples, and this LR may also contain
some facilities such as small police stations, post offices, and covered
water reservoirs and pumping stations and some small, managed, recreational
areas (such as football and basket ball pitches) and small wasteland areas
either wholly or partly covered by weedy or sparse vegetation. This LR has a few small orchard areas
associated with it and private gardens, as well as amenity planting among the
built structures. This LR usually
occurs in fragmented patches with agricultural or natural landscape resources
adjacent to it. Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA this LR includes Ngam Pin, Fu Tei
Au, Sheung Shui lowland area, Lung Yeuk Tau, Wo Hap Shek, as well as some
areas at the base of Wa Shan and Lung Shan.
|
|||||
FLR-12.1 |
Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
This LR is just located within the Closed Area. Structures in the village are old and
simple with most of the residential buildings consisting of iron
structures. Tall grasses grow along
the roads winding between houses without management and much of the area is abandoned. |
|||||
This LR is considered to have low sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR- 12.2 |
Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of
Fu Tei Au |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR mainly covers the rural area between Fu Tei Au Road and Ng
Tung River. Settlements in this area
consist predominantly of simple and traditional houses of a single storey,
some of which are fenced off. Trees
are present both along the roads winding between houses and in private
gardens, including Dimocarpus longan,
Macaranga tanarius and Aleurites moluccana. |
|||||
Man Ming Temple, constructed before 1924, is located within to the
south of this LR. It is a Grade 3 Historic Building which is a three-hall building, with two open
corridors on the two sides of the central hall, used to access the end
hall. |
|||||
This resource has limited landscape value,
but some of its structures have heritage significance and therefore have
little ability to accommodate change.
Its sensitivity is overall considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR- 12.3 |
Rural Development Area in the North of FLN
NDA |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR covers the rural development areas in the north of the Study
Area and it is partially located within the Closed Area. Main structures included in this LR are
the Border District Police Headquarters, Sha Ling Livestock Waste Control
Centre, a firing range at the uphill of Cheung Po Tau, as well as some
scattered village settlements in Sha Ling.
A number of individual Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) are well maintained along the boundary fence of
Border District Police Headquarters, while in other areas there are patches
of trees along the roads, most of them without management. These trees mainly include Macaranga tanarius, Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba and Casuarina
equisetifolia. |
|||||
Overall this LR has limited landscape value
and high ability to accommodate change.
It is considered to have low
sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR- 12.4 |
Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui
Lowland Area |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This is a lowland resource where a number of villages are
concentrated, particularly in the western part which encompasses Wai Loi
Tsuen, Man Kok Village, Mun Hau Tsuen, Po Sheung Tsuen, Ha Pak Tsuen, Chung Sum
Tsuen, Sheung Pak Tsuen, Tai Yuen Tsuen and Hing Yan Tsuen (collective named as Sheung Shui
Heung/Sheung Shui Wai). The eastern part of this LR
includes Tin Ping Shan Tsuen. Fung Kai
School with its associated football pitch and several basketball pitches and
some mature trees are also located at the centre of this LR. |
|||||
Those villages in the west are well established, consisting of some
modern housing of 2-3 storeys and some traditional housing and include one declared monument and two graded historic buildings. Liu Man Shek Tong
Ancestral Hall, a declared monument, was built by Liu Man Shek Tong in 1751 at Mun Hau Tsuen. This typical three-hall two-courtyard
building is decorated by plaster
mouldings, wood carvings and murals of auspicious motifs and pictures. One of the graded historic buildings is Liu Ying Lung Study Hall, situated at Po
Sheung Tsuen which is a confirmed Grade 1 Historic Building. It was renovated in 1923 and was once the
place where Spring Equinox, births and weddings were celebrated. The other is Old Sheung Shui Police
Station, which is a confirmed Grade 2 Historic Building. It was one of thirteen police stations
built soon after the British took over the New Territories and later became a
police reporting centre and then a Junior Police Call (JPC) Club House after
the new Sheung Shui Police Station was opened in 1979. Tin Ping Shan Tsuen in the east is
relatively small, mainly consisting of more traditional and simple structured
houses of a single storey. Most areas are
hard-surfaced and have limited vegetation except those private amenity
plantings. |
|||||
Given the traditional nature of much of
this LR and its historical buildings, this LR is relatively intolerant to
change and is considered to have medium
sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR- 12.5 |
Wa Shan Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR refers to several rural development areas along the hillsides
or at the foothill of Wa Shan. They
are largely rural settlements including Sheung Shui Wa Shan village, Siu Hang
Tsuen and Siu Hang San Tsuen. Most of
these villages are undergoing transformation due to the fact that many houses
have been replaced by modern housing blocks of 2-3 stories and some new housing blocks are being constructed. This LR has limited softscape treatment but
does include some trees (e.g. Mangifera
indica, Dimocarpus longan and Livistona chinensis) and private
amenity plantings (e.g. Duranta erecta). |
|||||
One temple is located in Siu Hang Tsuen, (Fuk Tak Temple), established
some 100 years ago. The temple is for
the worship of the Earth God and other gods/deities that give protection to
the villagers and so is locally important.
Although the temple is not a graded historic building, it is at one
end of the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail.
Part of San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range is also
included in this LR. It is a large
piece of grassland for military purpose.
Many mature trees grow in the surroundings, including Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Leucaena leucocephala and Eucalyptus spp. |
|||||
This LR is largely a man-made area but some
of the historical buildings and the vegetation associated with the firing
range are relatively intolerant to change.
The overall sensitivity of this LR is medium. |
|||||
FLR- 12.6 |
Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
A group of villages aggregate in Lung Yeuk Tau, including Kan Lung
Tsuen, San Wai, San Uk Tsuen, Wing Ning Wai, Wing Ning Tsuen, Tung Kok Wai,
Ma Wat Wai, Ma Wat Tsuen and Lo Wai. These villages are largely divided into
two parts (i.e. northern and southern parts) by Sha Tau Kok Road. |
|||||
Houses in Kan Lung Tsuen, San Wai and San Uk Tsuen in the north are
relatively traditional and simple. The
Sisters of the Precious Blood Children’s Village is also located in this
area. There are facilities such as a
playground and basketball pitch provided in this village. |
|||||
Wing Ning Wai, Wing Ning Tsuen, Tung Kok Wai, Ma Wat Wai, Ma Wat Tsuen and Lo Wai in the
southern part of this LR are either modern villages with housing blocks of
2-3 stories or villages undergoing
transformation. However, some
historical elements remain in these villages.
These include the Entrance Gate of Wing Ning Wai and Tsung Kyam Church
at Shung Him Tong Tsuen, both of which are classified as Grade 3
Historic Buildings, as well as the Entrance Tower of Ma Wat Wai and Entrance Tower and Enclosing
Walls of Lo Wai, which are declared monuments. The whole village area is
mostly hard-surfaced and has limited softscape treatment but does include
some trees (e.g. Dimocarpus longan,
Sterculia lanceolata and Ficus microcarpa) and some bamboos. |
|||||
The Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail passes
through this LR taking in the high number of heritage buildings in the
LR. Although many village areas in
this LR are relatively modern, the historic buildings and declared monument
are vulnerable to change since they cannot be easily recreated and overall
this LR has medium sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR- 12.7 |
Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and
Lung Shan |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR includes Cyber Domaine, Tong Hang and Tong Hang Tung Chuen at the foothill of Lung Shan as
well as part of the Wo Hop Shek San Tsuen in Wo Hop Shek. It also includes the Tong Hang Fresh Water
Service Reservoir that is located on the hillside of Lung Shan. Trees commonly found in this LR are Melaleuca quinquenervia, Celtis sinensis ,
Ficus hispida, Leucaena leucocephala,
Dimocarpus longan, and Eucalyptus
citriodora |
|||||
This LR is dominated by domestic
residencies. Its landscape amenity,
significance and quality are moderate and it has a high ability to tolerate
change, making its overall sensitivity low.
|
|||||
FLR- 12.8 |
Rural Development Area at Ma Shi Po |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR refers to the rural settlements scattered among the
agricultural lands in Ma Shi Po. Most
of the settlements are old in style and of small and simple structure. Trees associated with these village houses
include Celtis sinensis , Ficus
hispida, Leucaena leucocephala and
Dimocarpus longan etc. |
|||||
This LR is dominated by domestic
residencies. Its landscape amenity,
significance and quality are medium and it has medium ability to tolerate
change, making its overall sensitivity
medium. |
|||||
FLR- 12.9 |
Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural
Development Area |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR mainly refers to two patches of continuous rural development
located at Wu Nga Lok Yeung as well as Ling Shan Tsuen and Good View New
Village. |
|||||
Some of the construction works at Wu Nga Lok Yeung are suspended,
leaving two rows of 3-storey unfinished village houses on exposed
ground. Plants are generally absent
from this area. The village houses in
Ling Shan Tsuen and Good View New Village are relatively concentrated with
large trees frequently found along the winding roads and in private
gardens. These trees include Celtis sinensis, Dimocarpus longan, Livistona chinensis and Macaranga tanarius, etc. |
|||||
This LR is dominated by domestic residencies. Its landscape amenity, significance and
quality are medium and it has high ability to tolerate change, making its
overall sensitivity low. |
|||||
FLR 13 - Industrial
/ Open Storage |
|||||
Refers to areas which are heavily adapted for human industrial use,
such as factory facilities, waste processing plants and other industrial
buildings, often with some open areas for storage, parking or other
associated activities. These areas
have small roads within them and some concrete drainage channels. There is very little existing vegetation
within this LR. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this
LR is geographically divided into Sheung Shui and Fanling industrial/open
storage areas and will be further described individually. |
|||||
FLR- 13.1 |
Sheung Shui Industrial/Open Storage Area |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
The western part of this LR contains Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works, Sheung Shui Slaughter
House, Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works as well as several warehouses and
industrial buildings. Planted trees
are found along the roads and dominant species include Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala. |
|||||
The rest of this LR is largely used for open storage and car parks as
well as several waste processing plants.
There is a Tin Hau Temple (No. 41 Hung Kiu San Tsuen), but it is not a
graded historic building. Trees within
this area are not actively managed and grasses occupy many places between the
car parks. Tree species commonly found
include Leucaena leucocephala, Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia variegata,
Macaranga tanarius, Delonix regia, Cassia siamea, Bombax ceiba, Syzygium
jambos, Ficus virens, Mangifera indica and Acacia auriculiformis. |
|||||
This LR has relatively low landscape
amenity value and consists mostly of modern man-made structures that can be
easily recreated. Its sensitivity is
considered to be low. |
|||||
FLR- 13.2 |
Fanling Industrial Area |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR refers to the warehouses and industrial buildings, factories
and workshops southwest of Luen Wo Hui in Fanling District. There are individual fenced factories
containing some open areas for car parks with small patches of wild grasses
or small shrubs growing on exposed ground.
Trees grow sparsely along the roads between building blocks and
include Celtis sinensis, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Aleurites moluccana
and Leucaena leucocephala. |
|||||
This LR has low amenity value and is
capable of accommodating change. It is
considered to have low
sensitivity. |
|||||
FLR 14 - Major
Transportation Corridor |
|||||
Refers to
MTRC railway, Fanling Highway, as well as Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau)
and all the associated intersections. There is tree planting along the sides
of the roads consisting of a variety of indigenous and exotic species such Cassia siamea and Acacia confusa. In
addition, there is some planting along the central divider (median) in some
sections, including of amenity shrubs such as Allamanda schottii and sometimes palm trees Livistona chinensis.
Drainage channels associated with the roads/highway are considered
part of this LR as they are an integral function of the roadscape. |
|||||
FLR- 14.1 |
MTRC East Rail |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
The LR includes a short section of MTRC East Railway running between
Sheung Shui and Lo Wu Stations. No
significant planting is found along the railway lines and trees growing
randomly in its vicinity are dominated by Leucaena
leucocephala. |
|||||
This resource is highly utilized by the
general public and well linked but it is man-made with low landscape value
and a high ability to accommodate change.
Its sensitivity is low. |
|||||
FLR- 14.2 |
Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau) |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau) starts from Sheung Shui Police
Station and runs northwest through the south of Luen Wo Hui in the FLN NDA Study Area.
There is significant roadside planting, with planted trees dominated
by Melaleuca quinquenervia found
along the road sides and the central divider.
In addition to trees, amenity shrubs such as Ixora chinensis and Schefflera
arboricola are also planted to enhance to landscape value of this area. |
|||||
Despite this being a man-made resource, the
landscape value of this LR is increased by the significant roadside planting
with many mature roadside trees and overall its sensitivity is considered to
be medium. |
|||||
FLR- 14.3 |
Fanling Highway |
Medium |
Low |
Medium |
Medium |
This LR is a major transportation corridor connecting Fanling, Sheung
Shui, Kwu Tung and other adjacent areas.
It includes a short section of Fanling Highway with a reasonable
amount of roadside planting with some mature tree. Species include Melaleuca quinquenervia, Bombax
ceiba, Ficus microcarpa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia confusa and Bauhinia blakeana. |
|||||
This is a man-made resource, and due to the
roadside planting is less able to accommodate change and its overall
sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLR- 14.4 |
MTRC near Fanling Highway |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
This LR is small section of the MTRC East Rail line running parallel
to Fanling Highway. It has no planting
associated with it, only noise barriers at its edges. |
|||||
This is a man-made resource which has a
high ability to accommodate change.
Its overall sensitivity is considered to be low. |
The baseline LCAs of FLN NDA
are listed in Table 12.6.4 and mapped in Figures 12.8.0
(key plan) and Figures 12.8.1-7
(zoom ins). Illustrative photographs
of the LCAs are presented in Figures
12.8.8-9
Table
12.6.4 - Landscape character areas and their sensitivity – FLN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.8.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.8.1-7 (zoom ins))
Id. No. |
Landscape
Character Area (LCA) |
Quality &
Maturity |
Rarity |
Ability to
Accommodate Change |
Sensitivity |
FLCA-1 |
Natural Hillside Landscape |
High |
High |
Low |
High |
Refers to large hillside areas which are
dominated by shrubland, grassland and some woodland in places such as the
ravines. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA
encompasses Cham Shan and Wa Shan to the north reaching 164 mPD and the
foothills of Lung Shan to the south.
Other area of this LCA found within the study area is at and Ling Hill. It is relatively at lower height and close to
human activities. |
|||||
This LCA is predominantly natural and of
high quality. It is a significant LCA within the Study Area and has a low
tolerance to change. Therefore its
sensitivity is considered to be high.
|
|||||
FLCA-2 |
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Refers to rural village areas and village
areas on the fringes of urban developments, including relic landscapes of
former villages. This LCA is dominated
by small or medium sized villages with modern and traditional houses and some
temples, interspersed with small agricultural plots and comprises a broad
mixture of other land uses including water ponds, schools, sports grounds,
and playgrounds, some open storage areas and car parks. This LCA also has some patches of woodland
as well as vegetation associated with the villages and park areas. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA
is generally found at the foothills of the Cham Shan and Wa Shan along the
northern bank of Ng Tung River such as at Fu Tei Au, as well as in other
lowland areas near the river around Sheung Shui Heung and Shek Wu San Tsuen. |
|||||
This LCA is considered to have medium
tolerance to change and be of moderate amenity value. Its sensitivity is therefore medium. |
|||||
FLCA-3 |
Urban Development Landscape |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
Refers to urban areas with significant
numbers of high-rise developments and extensive transport
infrastructure. It also contains car
parks and open areas associated with urban development such as playgrounds
and small parks and sitting out areas.
This LCA has limited natural vegetation but does include some man-made
landscaping. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA
is found only towards the south-western boundary including Sheung Shui and
Fanling town centres, with buildings becoming more modern. It includes the high-rise developments such
as Woodland Crest, Grand Regentville, Regentville, and Avon Park and some
high rise estates such as Tin Ping Estate. |
|||||
This is an important residential landscape
and has high tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LCA is considered
to be low. |
|||||
FLCA-4 |
Industrial Landscape |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
Refers to areas comprising a broad mix of
land uses including factories, utility facilities, workshops, open storage
and some channelized water courses. It
is normally located on low lying ground or at the base of hills and may
include small and fragmented areas of residential houses and their associated
agricultural land. There is little
significant vegetation among this built environment, but small patches of
vegetation do exist, particularly along the channelized river. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA
is mainly comprised of factory buildings, vacant land and open storage. It includes the Fanling Industrial Area that is found between Sha Tau Kok Road and
Ma Wat River channel. The Sheung Shui Slaughter House, Sheung Shui Water
Treatment Works and Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works, at the west of the
Study Area and the open storage uses along Man Kam To road are also included. |
|||||
This LCA contains man-made facilities that
are able to accommodate change, particularly if they have been
abandoned. Except for the significant
planting along Ng Tung River, most areas in this LCA are exposed with the
vegetation largely removed, resulting in a low landscape amenity. Therefore, the sensitivity of this LCA is
considered to be low. |
|||||
FLCA-5 |
Lowland Agricultural Landscape |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Refers to large areas dominated by
agricultural land (active and abandoned) with scattered small villages and
low-rise buildings and may also include some fishponds and irrigation
ponds. This LCA is mostly found among
lowlands and floodplain areas. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA the key
area of this LCA is found at Tin Ping Shan Valley and Ma Shi Po. Tin Ping Shan (Sacred Hill) Valley is
located to the west of Ng Tung River and contains both abandoned agricultural
fields and drained concrete fishponds, as well as some active agricultural
land. Ma Shi Po agricultural land is in the lowland area located to the east
of Wu Nga Lok Yeung and south of Ng Tung River. The active agricultural land
is fragmented with a mixed use of villages and light industry amongst some
man-made woodland and nursery. The fragmented greenery pattern extends along
the southern side of Ng Tung River. |
|||||
The value, quality and maturity of this LCA
are medium, with many of the plots in the Ma Shi Po area now abandoned and
overall the active plots being fragmented.
In the right environment this LCA can accommodate reasonable change
and its overall sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
|||||
FLCA-6 |
Major Transportation Corridor Landscape |
Low |
Low |
High |
Low |
Refers to major highway and railway areas,
with their scattered associated buildings. |
|||||
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA, Fanling
Highway, Sha Tau Kok Road and MTRC East Railway are major transport routes
stretching in a variety of directions and located at the east, west and south boundaries of the Study
Area, connecting the FLN NDA with other adjacent areas. |
|||||
The LCA is considered to be highly tolerant
to change and its sensitivity is low.
|
|||||
FLCA-7 |
Major Water Course Corridor Landscape |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Refers to modified water courses
channelized with concrete or grasscrete and also includes some walkways along
the water course and the vegetation associated with the water course, both
within the channel and along the banks as well as in the ridge of the
banks. |
|||||
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA this LCA
includes sections of Ng Tung River, Shek Sheung River, Sheung Yue River and
Ma Wat River. |
|||||
The landscape amenity and significance of
this LCA are medium. Due to its
largely man-made state, it is reasonably tolerant to change and its
sensitivity is considered to be medium. |
Section 12.5.2 details how the revised RODPs
have already taken into consideration L&V impacts to reach the final
layout. Some impacts from the Project, however, are
inevitable. Potential L&V impacts
from the construction phases of the various components of the NDAs generally
result from:
· Site clearance including demolition of structures, tree removal/transplantation and other vegetation removal.
· Site formation works including cutting (e.g. slope formation for reservoir formation) and filling e.g. of streams and agricultural land (see Sections 12.7.1-2 for further details of site formation including cut and fill).
· Stockpiling of construction and demolition materials, including existing topsoil, and storage of construction equipment and plants.
· Construction of at-grade and above ground facilities including residential blocks, government/ institutional facilities, bridges, viaducts, interchanges, roads, slip roads and noise barriers.
· Temporary structures within the Project Site including site offices and parking areas.
· Re-alignment of roads.
· Re-alignment of streams and watercourses.
Care has been taken to minimize site formation works by keeping all the
proposed developments and infrastructures as close to the existing ground
profile as possible and achieve an ultimate cut/ fill balance as far as
possible. In addition drainage levels for the ultimate development scenario
have been considered and in
general, low-lying areas will be filled to an
elevation just above the flood levels of ultimate scenario.
Further details of the site formation requirements in each NDA are given
in Sections 12.7.1 and 12.7.2 for
KTN and FLN NDAs respectively and Figures
12.11.5a-d and 12.12.5a-d
show cut/fill contour plans for each NDA.
During the operation
phase, potential impacts are likely to result from:
· Operation of buildings including residential blocks and facilities, government facilities, sports facilities, sewerage treatment facilities etc.
· Operation of new roads including intersections and viaducts.
· Provision of open spaces.
· Provision of any noise mitigation structures.
· Residual impacts from loss of trees and vegetation during the construction phase.
· Landscaping works.
· Faunal barriers provided as part of the mitigation measures for ecological impacts.
Figure
12.9.0 illustrates the
revised RODP and land site codes for KTN NDA, also
showing it is divided into eight broad areas with the land sites labelled
correspondingly. Figures 12.9.1-2 explain the
corresponding development parameters for each site. Figures are also provided
to help illustrate landscape impacts in KTN NDA as specified in the impact assessment
in Section
12.8. The VSR locations and locations of the new
developments in KTN NDA are shown in Figures
12.18.0 and 12.18.1.
Figures
12.10.0.1-2 illustrate the revised RODP
and land site codes for FLN NDA RODP, also showing it is divided into four
broad areas with the land sites labelled
correspondingly. Figures 12.10.1-2 explain the corresponding development parameters
for each site. Figures are also provided to help illustrate landscape
impacts in FLN NDA as specified in the impact assessment in Section 12.8.
Sections 12.7.1 and 12.7.2 provide further details of the site formation
required to achieve these revised
RODP for KTN NDA and FLN NDA
respectively.
In KTN NDA, the
eastern portion along Sheung Yue River is generally low-lying subject to
residual flood risk and filling is proposed to this area up to the existing
river bank level. On the western portion some excavation is required and
extensive excavation at the service reservoir sites but in general KTN NDA will
require a net general fill import after the refinement. Further details of the
site formation impacts caused during construction in each KTN general area are
provided below and Figure 12.11.5 provides a plan of the
cut/fill contours for this NDA:
·
A sites -
Town Centre & North Residential Area. The Town Centre is the area around the
proposed Kwu Tung Station and the North Residential Area is located to the
immediate north of the Town Centre. During construction, proposed site
formation levels are close to the existing ground levels and minimal cut-fill
activities are generally anticipated in site formation works.
· B sites - Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area. The Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area is located in the southern part of the KTN NDA. Since existing ground levels are generally lower than the proposed site formation levels, fill activity would be required and potentially retaining walls. The proposed district cooling system at B1-7 in particular may require extensive cut/fill activity.
· C sites - Long Valley Ecological Area. Long Valley Ecological Area contains the Nature Park and the adjoining agricultural land. No site formation works will be proposed in this area of particular ecological importance.
· D sites - Tranquil Rural Residential Area. The Tranquil Rural Residential Area is located to the west of Sheung Yue River and the Long Valley Ecological Area. Proposed site formation levels are close to the existing ground levels and there would be minimal cut-fill activities in site formation works with most cut/fill work required at sites D1-12 and D1-13 which are proposed as potential activity centres. The site formation strategy for this Area is to form cut/fill slopes as the interface between proposed roads and each land cluster and preliminary stability assessments suggest no cut/fill slope angels would exceed 40°, to satisfy the requirement of a minimum Factor of Safety of 1.4. No site formation works are proposed in Ho Sheung Heung and Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland.
· E sites - Recreational Area. This Area is located in the north-western portion of the KTN NDA including the sports ground, sports centre, swimming pool, potential activity centres and the Fung Kong Shan Park. In view of the existing ground levels, filling works would be involved in the site formation works. The existing Fung Kong Shan located at the east of the Area is to be preserved with no site formation works.
· F sites - Research and Development Area. This Area is located at the northwestern end of KTN NDA. The site formation strategy for this Area is to form cut / fill slopes at the interface between proposed roads and each land clusters. Based on preliminary stability assessment, the proposed cut / fill slope angle would not exceed 40° to satisfy the requirement of minimum Factor of Safety of 1.4.
· G sites - Government Facility Area. The Government Facility Area is located in the northern portion of KTN NDA and most of this area will be preserved as existing, including the Lo Wu Firing Range in G1-1 and Lo Wu Saddle Club in G1-6 and G1-7.
The
notable exceptions in this area are for the construction of the Flushing Water
Service Reservoir at G1-4, the Fresh Water Service Reservoir at G1-5 and the
access road to them, which will
require formation works and will be a key source of excavation in this NDA. The
impact assessment for the LVIA is based on preliminary studies stating cut/
fill slope formations will be a maximum of 38 m high at G1-4 and 53 m
high at G1-5 with the proposed cut/fill slope angle not exceeding 40°, to satisfy the requirement of
a minimum Factor of Safety of 1.4. The height
of the exposed slopes after completion will drop to 32 m and 46 m for
G1-4 and G1-5 respectively as some of the slope will be buried underground. Figures 12.11.6 and 12.11.7
provide indicative sections of the reservoirs and topographical illustrations
respectively. Although the LVIA
assessments are based on the above stated parameters, this is considered the
worst case scenario. Further
studies at the detailed design stage may succeed in reducing the extent of site
formation and reducing landscape and visual impacts.
· H sites - Hilly Terrain Area. The Hilly Terrain Area is located in the north-west of the KTN NDA. Most of the area will be preserved as existing, including the retention of the Ma Tso Lung Restored Landfill within this area.
· Roads. There is a general site formation strategy in D and F Sites to form cut/fill slopes as the interface between proposed roads and each land cluster and preliminary stability assessments suggest no cut/fill slope angels would exceed 40°. The road and interchange formation works at the western boundary of NDA area, will require up to +29mPD site formation leading to steep cut-slope formation which will have to be stabilised with soil nails. These new road works and interchange are a Schedule 2 DP and further details can be found in DP Package 12A.
In FLN NDA, the
whole area along Ng Tung River is generally low-lying subject to residual flood
level. Filling is proposed in this area up to the existing river bank level and
overall FLN NDA will require a net general fill import. Further details of the
impacts caused by site formation during construction in each FLN general area
are provided below and Figure 12.12.5 provides a plan of the
cut/fill contours for this NDA.
· A sites - Government Facilities Zone. The Government Facilities Zone is located in the north- western end of the FLN NDA and to the north of Ng Tung River. Site formation is mainly required for the Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex in the area and cut/fill slope angle would not exceed 40°. The proposed site formation levels to sewage treatment works range from +6.5mPD adjacent to Ng Tung River, to +12.0mPD adjacent to the Fu Tei Au Road at the northern boundary of the area.
Additionally
cut/fill works will be required for the proposed Fresh Water Service Reservoir
at Table Hill and access route. The impact assessment for the LVIA is based on
preliminary studies stating the highest cut/fill slope formation will be
approximately 24 m with the angle not exceeding 40°. The slope exposed after completion is 18 m
due to some being underground. Figures 12.12.6 and 12.11.8 provide indicative
sections of the reservoir and topographical illustrations respectively. The LVIA
assessments are based on the above
stated information, which is considered the worst case scenario. Further studies at the detailed design
stage may succeed in reducing the extent of site
formation and reducing landscape and visual impacts.
The existing levels of nullah, Ng Tung River, Dong Jiang Water mains, Fu Tei Au Road and any designated areas (such as structures with historical value or preserved green areas) are to be preserved. In addition the large area of A1-3 and A1-9 will be designated as agricultural land and minimal, if any, cut/fill will be required here.
· B sites – West Residential Area. The West Residential Area is located at the middle portion of the FLN NDA, on the eastern side of the Government Facilities Zone. Site formation will ensure cut/fill slope angles would not exceed 40°.
·
C sites -
Civic and Recreation Area. The
Civic and Recreation Area is located in the middle of the FLN NDA, mainly occupied by a Central Park with a
range of social facilities in the vicinity. The proposed site formation levels
range from +8mPD in most planned areas. Since formation levels are close to the existing ground levels, minor site
formation works with cut/fill slope less than 3m level difference are
anticipated. The existing levels of nullah, Ng Tung River, and any designated
areas (such as structures with historical value or preserved green areas) are
to be preserved.
·
D sites -
District Centre. The District Centre is located in the south-eastern part of FLN NDA. The proposed site formation
levels range from +8.0 mPD
adjacent to Ng Tung River to +12.2 mPD adjacent to Ma Sik Road. Since
formation levels are close to the existing
ground levels, minor site formation works with cut/fill slope less than
3 m level difference are anticipated in most of the area.
Some
cut/fill will also be required for the Flushing Water Service Reservoir at site
D4-1 and access road.
The impact assessment for the LVIA is based on the highest cut/fill slope
formation being approximately 62 m with the angle not exceeding 40°. The slope exposed after completion is
56 m since some will be underground. Figures 12.12.7 and 12.11.9 provide indicative
sections of the reservoir and topographical illustrations respectively. The
LVIA assessments are based on the above stated information, which is considered
the worst case scenario. Further
studies at the detailed design stage may succeed in reducing the extent of site
formation and reducing landscape and visual impacts.
The
existing levels of nullah, Ng Tung River, and any designated areas (such as
structures with historical value or preserved green areas) are to be
preserved.
Roads. Areas were cut/fill will be
required for roads in FLN NDA include in the Civic and Recreation Area
(C-Sites) where up to +9.5mPD would be required for some proposed roads, and at
the at-grade roundabout connecting
eastern and western section of proposed Fanling Bypass, cut and fill in
excess of 3 m level difference would be required. This roundabout is part of the Schedule 2 DP and
further details are provided in DP Package 12D.
The landscape impact assessment has been carried out considering baseline LRs and LCAs described in Section 12.6 and potential impacts described in Section 12.7, according to the methodology described in Section 12.4.
Section 12.8.1 describes the magnitude of change to each LR and LCA and then Section 12.8.2 reports the significance of landscape impacts before mitigation, calculated according to the matrix provided in Table 12.4.1. Mitigation measures are then described in Section 12.9. Section 12.9.1 reports the significance of residual landscape impacts upon mitigation, providing details of the mitigation for the most affected LRs and LCAs.
The magnitudes of change caused by the Project impacts are discussed for KTN NDA and FLN NDA is Sections 12.8.1.1 and 12.8.1.2 respectively. The significance of these impacts before mitigation is discussed in Section 12.8.2.
12.8.1.1 Kwu Tung North NDA
The magnitudes of change to KTN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.8.1 and 12.8.2 respectively.
Figures 12.11.0-12.11.4 and 12.13.0-12.13.4 help to illustrate these landscape impacts on LRs and LCAs respectively. Figure 12.11.5a-d also illustrates the cut/fill contour plan for KTN NDA.
Noting that almost no LRs or LCAs had ‘local, regional, national or global importance’ nor ‘statutory or regulatory limitations / requirements relating to the landscape resources / character areas’, details of these parameters are only given in the descriptive text, where necessary.
Table 12.8.1 - Magnitude of change to KTN NDA LRs
LR Code |
Name |
DPs
and Site No. (Land Use Type*) Impacting LR |
Approx.
Area of LR in Study Area (ha) |
Area
of LR affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Approx. % of this impacted) |
Physical
extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/
Large) |
Compatibility
with Surrounding Landscape |
Duration
of Impact (Temporary
[Short/Medium term], Permanent) |
Reversibility
of Change (Reversible/
Irreversible) |
Magnitude
of Change |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
||||||
KLR 1 Channelized Water Course |
|||||||||||||
KLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung River |
C2-6(O) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 1450 m |
Length within the NDA: 120 m Length affected: 0 m (0%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Ng Tung River is mainly outside the RODP but small
sections of bank lies within the open space (C2-6). This area will not be modified and it will
remain compatible with these small sections of river. Therefore this LR will not be impacted by
the Project and the magnitude of change is negligible. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-1.2 |
Shek Sheung River |
C1-5(GB); C1-6(AGR); |
Length of LR in Study Area: 2260 m |
Length within the NDA: 1360 m Length affected: 0 m (0%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary (Short Term) |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Shek Sheung River mainly flows outside the KTN NDA
boundary but a small section of its west bank lies within the NDA boundary,
in the Long Valley area, bordering agricultural land, rural development area
and an area of plantation. This
corresponds with where site C1-6 (agricultural land) and site C1-5 (green
belt) fall. These sites will not
undergo changes affecting the River.
Part of the river bank is grasscrete and is also compatible with the
sites C1-7, C1-8 (open space) which partially fall on it. It is unlikely this LR will be affected by
the Project; therefore magnitude of change is negligible during construction
and operation. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-1.3 |
Sheung Yue River |
DP3
Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung Interchange where it crosses the
river; B3-3, B3-4, B3-9, C2-1, all (O); C2-2 (AGR); (C1-9 (OU-Nature
Park); B3-10, C1-10 both (A); B3-5, B3-8, B3-12 all (OU-C,R&D); B3-16(OU-VC); D1-3(OU-SPS); D1-5(R4); D1-9(V) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 2540 m |
Length within the NDA: 2000 m Length affected: 80 m (<5%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary (Short Term) |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Sheung Yue River bisects the eastern corner of the
KTN NDA and its eastern bank borders Long Valley agricultural land while its
western bank borders agricultural land and rural development areas. Most of the sites impacting on this LR have
similar land use to the current land use e.g. B3-3, B3-4, B3-9, C2-1, C2-6
(open space), C2-2 (agricultural land) and lie on the river grasscrete banks
or adjacent to them. The proposed Long
Valley Nature Park (C1-9) lies on the eastern banks of the river. All these areas act as buffers to the river
and will remain unchanged. A very
small section of the river bank will suffer some impact from the edge of land
Sites B3-5, B3-8 and B3-12, designated for Commercial, Research and
Development use, during site formation works and equally a small section of
the river bank may be affected during construction of the new road leading
from the Kwu Tung interchange to meet Fanling Highway. The overall magnitude of change for this LR
is small during construction but during operation will be negligible. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-1.4 |
Water Course Network in Long
Valley |
DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung
Interchange; C1-9(OU-NP), C1-10(A) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 2270 m |
Length within the NDA: 2270 m Length affected: 400 m (15 %) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary (Short Term) |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this network of watercourse in the Long Valley
area fall within the RODP, but the majority will not be adversely affected by
the Project as they fall within C1-9 designated to become a Nature Park where
this network will be preserved. Nearer
Fanling highway, the watercourses converge and here this LR will be affected
by land use that is incompatible with it such as commercial, research and
development buildings. The amenity
areas (B3-14, C1-10) that affect it are associated with the new road P1 here
and along with the road, during site formation, will affect the
watercourse. Currently this LR leads
into a box culvert and the downstream section near here also be diverted into
box culverts. The magnitude of change
is considered to be intermediate during construction and operation |
|||||||||||||
KLR 2 Water Course |
|||||||||||||
KLR-2.1 |
Streams in Kwu Tung |
DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung
Interchange; DP4 Roads D1 to D5; A1-1;A2-1, A2-10, D1-6 all (A); A1-8(R1c), A1-9(R2),
A1-2, A2-2, A2-4, A2-5, A2-7, A2-9, A3-3,D1-7 all
(PRH), (R1c), (R2) of (R3); A2-11 (E) D1-1(O), D1-2(OU-RAF), D1-4(O), D1-5(R4) |
Length of LR in Study Area:
4130 m |
Length within the NDA:
4130 m Length affected: 4130 m
(100%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These streams are located in the central area of KTN
NDA and will be impacted by sites for many different uses including mainly
buildings for residential uses, a primary school, amenities, open space,
railway associated facilities and commercial, research & development
buildings. During construction these streams
will be removed during site formation works for these sites. Overall this LR will be permanently lost
due to new facilities with poor compatibility and the magnitude of change
during construction and operation is large. |
|||||||||||
KLR-2.2 |
Natural Streams at Tai Shek Mo |
G1-3 (GB) |
Length of LR in Study Area:
1630 m |
Length within the NDA: 500 m (0%) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Most of these
streams are located outside the RODP boundary and the Project will have no
impact on them. Two short streams,
likely to be dry during the dry season, fall within the RODP near the
Lo Wu Correctional Institution, mainly amongst woodland at the foot of Tai
Shek Mo. Both these streams fall in
G1-3 which is designated for ‘green belt’ and therefore they will not be
affected. Overall the magnitude of
change during construction and operation is negligible. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-2.3 |
Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 1410 m |
Length within the NDA: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These streams are located outside the RODP boundary
and the Project will have no impact on them. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-2.4 |
Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung |
RoadR1; E1-2(E), F1-8(AGR), E1-6(G), F1-3(OU-R&D),
F1-7(O); G1-1(OU-FR), G1-9 (A), G1-3, F1-5 and H1-1 all (GB) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 6500 m |
Length within the NDA: 3670 m Length of LR affected: 580 m (15%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Major sections of the stream will not be impacted as
they are located within the green belt zone (G1-3, F1-5, H1-1), Lo Wu Firing
Range (G1-1), land designated for Agriculture (F1-8) and amenity area (G1-9)
where no change will occur. Impacted stream sections are those within sites
designated for various incompatible uses most notably the primary school
(E1-2) and Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop
Development (F1-3) and possibly a tiny section by the fire station cum
ambulance depot (E1-6). Parts of some of the streams would be lost without
mitigation during construction, but large sections of the streams have been
avoided when planning the RODP through green belt designation or providing
buffer zones around the stream within sites.
In addition parts of the stream in conflict with the R1 road running
between F1-1 and F1-3 will be diverted and overall the magnitude of change
for this LR is intermediate. |
|||||||||||||
KLR 3 Water Pond |
|||||||||||||
KLR-3.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung
Water Ponds |
DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung
Interchange; |
10.24 |
9.96 (10%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation One pond of this LR is outside the RODP but the
majority is within and will be affected by sites C2-2, designated for
agriculture and therefore likely to remain unchanged. One pond within the RODP lies within site
D1-9, in the existing Ho Sheung Heung village area; it is designated for
'village type development' and also unlikely to be modified. Another reasonably large pond south of Ho
Sheung Heung (~ 1 ha) will be impacted by construction of a road interchange
and residential developments (D1-7).
This pond will be filled during site formation works during
construction and permanently lost, but given most ponds remain unaffected the
overall impact on this LR is intermediate. |
||||||||||||
KLR-3.2 |
Long Valley Water Ponds |
C1-9 (OU-Nature Park) |
3.69 |
3.69 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Although all these ponds lie within the RODP, they
fall within a site designated for a Nature Park (C1-9) and will therefore not
be negatively affected by the Project and therefore the impact on this LR is
considered to be negligible both during construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-3.3 |
Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds |
E1-5(G-REC); A3-3(PRH) |
1.12 |
1.12 (100%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All the ponds in this LR lie within the RODP
boundary and will be affected by sites designated for government sports
facilities (E1-5) and public rental housing (A3-3) which are not compatible
with this LR. The ponds will be filled
during site formation and the magnitude of change is therefore considered to
be large both during construction and operation. |
||||||||||||
KLR-3.4 |
Fu Tei Au
Water Ponds |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.69 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and
therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-3.5 |
Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.27 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-3.6 |
Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au |
DP2: Castle Peak Road
Division; B1-8, B1-9, B2-1 all (A); |
0.23 |
0.23 (100%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The ponds of this LR are all within the RODP and
will be affected by sites designated for amenities (B1-8, B1-9, B2-1) or a
hospital and polyclinics (B2-2) which are not compatible with this LR. The ponds will be filled during site
formation and the magnitude of change is therefore considered to be large
both during construction and operation. |
||||||||||||
KLR-3.7 |
Water Ponds at Tit Hang |
H1-1(GB) |
0.20 |
0.06 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation One of the ponds at Tit Hang falls outside the RODP,
while the other is within on a site of land designated as green belt (H1-1),
so the Project will not have an impact on either of these ponds, making the
magnitude of change negligible. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-3.8 |
Water Ponds within the Closed Area |
Outside RODP boundary |
9.03 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-3.9 |
Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.40 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This pond is located outside the RODP boundary and
therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-3.10 |
Wai Loi
Tsuen Water Pond |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.23 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This pond is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore
the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR 4 Marsh |
|||||||||||||
KLR-4.1 |
Marshes in Long Valley |
C1-9 (OU-Nature Park) |
2.65 |
2.65 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Although all these marsh areas lie within the RODP,
they fall within a site designated for ‘Nature Park’ (C1-9) and will
therefore remain unchanged. Magnitude
of change to this LR is considered to be negligible both during construction
and operation. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-4.2 |
Mitigation Wetland |
C1-9(OU-Nature Park); B3-4,B3-9 both (O); |
1.30 |
1.30 (20%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Temporary Medium Term |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this LR lies within the RODP and roughly two
thirds of it within a site designated for ‘Nature Park’ (C1-9) which will therefore
not be adversely affected by the Project.
One small area of this LR lies on a site designated as 'open space'
along the river (B3-9) and is also unlikely to be affected by the Project. However the remaining small area will be
affected by sites designated for amenities (C1-10) and commercial, research
and development (B3-5), which are not compatible land uses, and this small
area will be irreversibly lost during site formation works during
construction. The magnitude of change
to this LR is considered to be small overall at construction and operation
since most of the area will remain unaffected. |
||||||||||||
KLR-4.3 |
Wetland/ Marsh in the Closed Area |
Outside RODP boundary |
4.09 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These marsh areas are located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
||||||||||||
KLR-4.4 |
Marsh around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung
Yeun |
C2-2, C2-4 both (AGR) |
2.10 |
2.10 (0 %) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this LR is within the RODP boundary
but falls on land designated as ‘agricultural land’ and therefore the
magnitude of change due to the Project is negligible. |
||||||||||||
KLR 5 Plantation |
|||||||||||||
KLR-5.1 |
Plantation South of Fanling
Highway |
Outside RODP boundary |
4.87 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-5.2 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai |
C1-5(GB), C1-6(AGR) |
6.95 |
4.88 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Roughly a third of this LR is outside the RODP
boundary. Of the area within the RODP, roughly half is designated as 'green
belt' (C1-5) and will not be affected.
The other half is on land designated as 'agriculture' (C1-6) within
Long Valley and no site formation works or construction activities are
proposed here so it will not be adversely affected. Overall the magnitude of change due to the
Project is negligible. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-5.3 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Outside RODP boundary |
2.65 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-5.4 |
OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road |
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; |
5 trees |
All within NDA boundary; all due to be retained |
Small |
Fair |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The five OVTs within plantation along Fanling Highway
and Castle Peak Road will all be retained during the Project. Although the
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway proposed alignment is in close
proximity, it avoids the trees. For
worst case scenario, however, works in the vicinity of the trees during
construction may affect them (e.g. their roots) and therefore magnitude of
change prior to any mitigation, is considered potentially small. Should the
trees have been affected by the construction works, this will likely continue
at operation, therefore the magnitude of change prior to mitigation is also
cautiously considered to be potentially small. |
||||||||||||
KLR 6 Hillside Woodland |
|||||||||||||
KLR-6.1 |
Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland |
Outside RODP boundary |
23.72 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-6.2 |
Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland |
D1-11(R2);
D1-12 (G-REC); |
5.89 |
4.65 (10%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation While most of this woodland is outside the RODP
boundary, some areas east of Fung Kong Shan fall within land designated Green
Belt (G1-3) and woodland here will not be affected by the Project. Roughly 0.5 ha lies within D1-12 designated
as a potential activities centre where adverse impact by site formation is
expected. A very small area of this LR
falls within D-11 designated for residential use and although it does not
fall under any proposed buildings and it is likely that trees in this area
could avoid impact, they may be affected during site formation works and site
clearance in the construction phase.
Another small area of this LR lies within the site for Lo Wu Saddle
Club (G1-6) and no change to the land use will occur here, so the woodland
will not be affected. Overall
the land use affecting this LR is considered to be fairly compatible but
given approximately 0.5 ha or less of woodland will potentially be lost, the
magnitude of change is considered intermediate. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-6.3 |
Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung
Kong |
DP4
Roads D1 to D5; E1-8,
F1-6, G1-3, H1-1 all (GB); A1-10, E1-1, E1-7 all (O); G1-1, G1-2 both
(OU-FR); |
49.93 |
32.90 (40%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Two patches of this woodland near Chau Tau are
outside the RODP boundary and much of this LR area (particularly in the west
of the NDA, but some patches further east too) lies on land designated as
'green belt' (E1-8, F1-6, G1-3, H1-1), and a tiny area on E1-7 designated as
'green spine, open space and Fung Kong Shan, cycling park'. Woodland in these areas is considered to
remain unaffected by the Project and equally so in the former Ma Tso Lung
landfill site (E1-1) also designated for open space. Some of this LR also lies along the edge of
the Lo Wu Rifle Range (G1-2) and at this site the trees will remain as the
rifle range will not be changed. Site
A1-10 which also affects part of this LR and is designated as open space, is
expected to be landscaped between development areas and therefore trees in
this area are likely to be affected during site formation. Some of the area of this LR is on land designated
for Research and Development in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development
(F1-3) and Government Reserve (D1-14) and this land use would appear to be
incompatible with the present use.
About another quarter of the LR lies on sites designated for incompatible
land use, such as fire station cum ambulance depot“ (E1-6), refuse collection
point (E1-9), building of a standard swimming pool (E1-5), public rental
housing (A1-2, A2-2), building of a primary school at the southern base of
Fung Kong Shan (A3-4), building of a hospital, polyclinic and clinic and
refuse collection point (B2-2) and building of amenities such as roads (A1-1,
A2-1, D1-15, G1-9). Woodland in these
areas will be adversely impacted with trees being cleared during site
clearance and site formation in the construction phase. During operation, the land use in these
sites will have changed completely and the impacts remain. Although relatively only about a third of
the LR within the RODP is adversely impacted, the overall size affected is
still large (about 8 ha) and so the magnitude of change is considered to be
large overall. |
||||||||||||
KLR-6.4 |
Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland |
D1-8(GB), D1-11(R2) |
7.30 |
7.30 (<10%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The
majority of this woodland falls on land designated as 'green belt' for fung
shui woodland (D1-8) and will not be affected at all. Tiny patches on the borders of the woodland
area may be affected by land designated for residential development (D1-11)
and a road. Some trees in these small
areas may be cleared during site clearance and formation in the construction
phase, but this will be relatively minor and overall magnitude of change is
considered small. |
||||||||||||
KLR 7 Lowland Woodland |
|||||||||||||
KLR-7.1 |
Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland |
Outside RODP boundary |
2.33 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-7.2 |
Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin |
Outside RODP boundary |
10.14 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This
woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have
no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-7.3 |
Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok |
DP1:
San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section; DP2: Castle Peak Road
Division; DP3 Road P1 and associated new Pak Shek Au Interchange; DP4 Roads D1
and D4; B1-3
both (GB); |
13.63 |
13.63 (85%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this LR lies within the RODP boundary but about 2
ha is on land designated as green belt (B1-3) and will not be affected. The majority, however, is on land
designated for land use incompatible with the current LR e.g. for the
District Cooling System (B1-7), 'amenities' (B1-1, B1-4, B1-6, B1-8, B1-9, B2-1,
B2-3), for a hospital, polyclinic/specialist clinic (B2-2), CLP substation
(B2-4), a public transport interchange (A1-5), nursery class and kindergarten
buildings (within A1-4 and A1-5), primary and secondary schools (B2-5, B2-6,
B2-7), residential developments (A1-2, A1-4, A2-9)
and the open spaces between buildings (A1-3, A1-10). Trees in all these areas may be lost during
site clearance and formation works. The overall magnitude of change is
considered large. |
||||||||||||
KLR-7.4 |
Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Lowland Woodland |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.98 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-7.5 |
Vernon Pass Woodland |
Outside RODP boundary |
1.79 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR 8 Shrubland / Grassland
Mosaic |
|||||||||||||
KLR-8.1 |
Ki Lun Shan Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic |
Outside RODP boundary |
21.71 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This shrubland/grassland is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-8.2 |
Fung Kong
Shan Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic |
DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to
D5; A3-4(E), E1-7 (O); E1-8 (GB) |
10.08 |
10.08
(<5%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Most of this shrubland/grassland is located on site E1-8
which is designated as 'green belt', and will not be impacted at all. Very small patches on the borders of the
shrubland/grassland area may be affected by site E1-7 designated for 'green
spine, open space, Fung Kong Shan, Cycling Park’, a road and a school site at
Site A3-4. During construction, this
may be affected by some site formation work, but this will be relatively
minor and given the small area and good compatibility at operation, overall
magnitude of change is considered small. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-8.3 |
Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the
Western Ranges Foothills |
DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung
Interchange; DP4 Roads D1 and D4; and DP7
Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent (reservoir at G1-4); B1-1(A); D1-12,
D1-13 both (G-REC)), D1-14(G); F1-1(G-REC),
F1-2 (OU-SPS), F1-3 (OU-R&D), F1-8(AGR); F1-7(O); G1-3,
H1-1 both (GB); G1-4,
G1-5, G1-6 all (G) |
230.40 |
73. 47 (15%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Most of this shrubland/grassland is located outside
the RODP boundary and the Project will have no impact on it. The majority within the RODP boundary lies
on sites designated as 'green belt' (D1-8, G1-3, H1-1) and will also not be
affected by the Project and a very small area falls within Lo Wu Saddle Club
(G1-6) and agricultural land (F1-8) where the land use will not change
either. Two sites of just under 3 ha total area designated
for 'service reservoirs' (G1-4, G1-5) are located in this LR, and will
require considerable site formation for their construction and affect more of
this LR for the construction of their access roads. The preliminary design of the reservoirs
proposes cut/ fill slopes of up to 38 m for the flushing water reservoir
at G1-4, and up to 53 m for the fresh water reservoir at G1-5. At completion exposed slopes will be
32 m and 46 m respectively. The overall topography of this area
will be changed as Figures 12.11.5a-d
and 12.11.6-7 help illustrate. The
existing vegetation in these areas will be lost although there is potential
for landscaping of the reservoir roofs and cut/ fill slopes and remediation
in future. In addition, sites affected by D1-14 (government
reserve), F1-3 designated for Research and Development in support of Lok Ma
Chau Loop development, D1-12 and D1-13 potentially designated for activity
centres and F1-2 sewage pumping station may be adversely impacted by site
formation works. Overall although a relatively small area is
affected, given the potentially large topographical changes due to the
reservoirs and their access roads, the magnitude of change is considered to
be large at both construction and operation. |
||||||||||||
KLR-8.4 |
Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River,
Ng Tung River and Fanling Highway |
C2-2, C2-5 both (AGR) |
10.50 |
2.69 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This shrubland/grassland is half located outside the
RODP boundary but the area within the RODP falls on land designated as 'agricultural'
(C2-2, C2-5) and essentially LRs in these sites will remain unchanged. Therefore overall the Project will not
affect this LR. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-8.5 |
Fu Tei Au
Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic |
Outside RODP boundary |
4.28 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This shrubland/grassland is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR 9 Agricultural Land |
|||||||||||||
KLR-9.1 |
Long Valley Agricultural Land |
DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung
Interchange |
38.84 |
38.84 (5%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this agricultural land lies
within the RODP boundary but mostly on land designated for 'agriculture'
(C1-6) or 'Nature Park' (C1-9) and there will be no land use change and no
adverse impact from the Project here.
However an area of roughly 2 ha lies on land designated for 'commercial,
research and development' buildings (B3-12) which will cause a land use
change and adversely impact this area.
The magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate given the
overall size of the area adversely impacted. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-9.2 |
Ho Sheung Heung Agricultural Land |
C2-1 (O), C2-2 (AGR); |
8.96 |
8.96 (5%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this agricultural land is located within the
RODP boundary, the vast majority lies on land designated for 'agriculture'
(C2-2) and therefore will not suffer any changes due to the Project. A small part of it lies on C2-1 designated
as ‘open space’ along Sheung Yue River and is unlikely to suffer any impacts
or land use change. One section falls within the existing Ho Sheung Heung
village area of site D1-9 and will experience no change. The worst case scenario is that magnitude
of change to this LR will be small. |
||||||||||||
KLR-9.3 |
Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and
Tung Fong |
DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and
P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement;
DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5; DP5 new SPS at D1-3; A1-9, A2-9, A3-6 all (R2); A1-10 (O); A2-7, A3-3
both (PRH); A2-10 (A); A2-11, A2-12, A2-13 all (E); |
11.93 |
11.93
(100%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The majority of this agricultural land lies on land
designated for development of some type, such as residential (A1-9, A2-7,
A2-9, A3-3, A3-6, D1-7), railway associated facilities (D1-2), sewage pumping
station (D1-3), schools (e.g. A2-11, A2-12, A2-13), commercial, research and
development (B3-2, B3-5, B3-8), amenities (A2-10, B3-6, B3-7, D1-6), etc. and will be adversely affected
by the Project; during construction site clearance will remove vegetation and
site formation will also affect these sites.
During operation the land use will have changed completely. Small areas of this LR lie on land
designated as 'open space' (e.g. A1-10, D1-1, D1-4) but these are open spaces that are likely to
undergo site formation prior to landscaping and as such the LR will be
changed here also. Overall magnitude
of change is considered large |
||||||||||||
KLR-9.4 |
Other Agricultural Lands in KTN |
DP1:
San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section; DP2: Castle Peak Road
Division; B1-8, B1-9,
B2-1 all (A), B2-2(G); |
9.05 |
2.75 (90%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The majority of this agricultural land lies outside
the RODP boundary and will not be affected.
The areas that will be affected, will be affected by site clearance
and formation during construction and these include: an area near Pak Shek Au
on land designated for building of a hospital (B2-2) and amenities (B1-8,
B1-9, B2-1); and a small area on land designated for 'comprehensive
development area' (about 1.7 ha) at (C1-3).
During operation there will have been a complete land use change at
these small areas. Although the
majority of this LR is not affected, a sizeable area (about 3 ha) will be
lost and the overall magnitude of change is considered intermediate. |
||||||||||||
KLR-9.5 |
Other Orchard Areas in KTN |
E1-7(O), E1-8(GB); F1-1(G-REC), F1-3
(OU-R&D), F1-7(O); H1-1(GB) |
9.57 |
1.76 (70%) |
Small |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The
majority of this LR is outside the RODP boundary and will not be
affected. A few small areas lie within
the RODP. The areas located at Fung
Kong Shan and Ma Tso Lung are designated as 'green belt' (E1-8 and H1-1)
which will not be affected by the Project.
The other areas within the RODP will be affected by site clearance and
formation during construction and these include a small area at Ma Tso Lung on
land designated for Research and Development in Support of Lok Ma Chau Loop
Development (F1-3), a sports ground/ sports complex at (F1-1), open space (E1-7, F1-7) and the road
R1. During operation there will have
been a land use change at these small areas, apart from within the green belt
but overall only approximately 1 ha of this LR will be lost, a
relatively small amount, and the overall magnitude of change is considered
small. |
||||||||||||
KLR 10 Open Space /
Recreational Area |
|||||||||||||
KLR-10.1 |
Hong Kong Golf Club |
Outside RODP boundary |
19.40 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The
golf club is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will
have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-10.2 |
Sheung Shui Community Sports |
DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to
D5; A3-1, A3-2 both (E); A3-3 (PRH); H1-1(GB) |
10.15 |
10.15
(70%) |
Large |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A very small area of this LR falls within the site H1-1
which is designated as 'green belt' and this land will not be impacted by the
Project. Approximately 3 ha of this LR
will be impacted by sites designated for similar land use, such as a Standard
Swimming Pool & Sports Centre at E1-5 and land designated as 'open space'
at E1-1. At these sites impacts due to
demolition of existing structures and site formation may be large during
construction, but at operation the impact will reduce to small as the land
use will be highly compatible. About 4
ha of this LR is on land designated for other less compatible land uses e.g.
Primary Schools at A3-1 and E1-2, district HQ, divisional Police Station and
Married Quarters and Re-provisioning of Fan Garden at E1-3, and Secondary
Schools at A3-2 and E1-4. During construction,
demolition of existing structures and site formation will adversely impact
this LR and at operation land use will have changed to less compatible uses.
Overall the Project affects most of this LR and at construction the magnitude
of change is considered large. At
operation although much of the land use will have changed, some of this is
compatible and the overall magnitude of change is considered intermediate. |
||||||||||||
KLR-10.3 |
Lo Wu Saddle Club |
D1-9 (V), G1-6, G1-7 both (G) |
1.96 |
1.96 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Lo Wu Saddle Club is on land designated to remain
the same and will not be affected by the Project. |
|||||||||||||
KLR 11 Urban Development Area |
|||||||||||||
KLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu Correctional Institution |
C2-4(AGR), G1-8(G) |
5.83 |
5.76 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The government's Lo Wu Correctional Institution is
on land designated to remain the same (G1-8) and will not be affected by the
Project. An existing road associated
with the Lo Wu correctional centre runs through Site C2-4 and equally
negligible change to the road is expected.
Overall the Project will cause negligible change to this LR. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-11.2 |
Existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC
Station |
DP6 Proposed Railway Station
and Associated Facilities (under separate study) A1-5 (CDA); A1-6, A2-5 both (R1c); A1-10 (O); A1-11,
A1-12 both (OU-RAF); A2-4(HOS); A2-7(PRH) |
4.14 |
4.14 (<5%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This LR is on land mainly designated for the same
land use (open space at A1-10 and railway associated facilities at A1-11 and
A1-12) but a very small section falls on
land designated for residential use with some commercial use at A1-5, A1-6
and A2-5. Due to impacts during site
formation, the overall magnitude of change must be considered to be small
rather than negligible. |
||||||||||||
KLR 12 Rural Development Area |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area |
C2-2 (AGR), C2-3 (IC); |
18.80 |
18.80 (10%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Although this LR is affected by land designated for various
land uses, most of it appears to be in keeping with the present land use;
most of the area lies within D1-9 which is the Ho Sheung Heung village area
and designated for village type development and the current basketball court
at C2-3 will remain; 'open space' at D1-1 and D1-4, and low density
residential use at D1-5 are also compatible land uses. The land use will change for the small area
that falls within site D1-7 which is designated for denser residential
development and D1-2 designated for 'railway associated facilities'. During construction, site formation will
only be required at D1-7, D1-2, D1-1, D1-4 and D1-5, but the areas of these
sites affecting this LR are relatively small and the magnitude of change at
construction and operation is considered intermediate |
||||||||||||
KLR-12.2 |
Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai |
C1-2 (A); C1-4 (V); C1-5 (GB); C1-6 (AGR); C1-9 (OU) |
23.51 |
15.59 (15%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Much of this LR is outside the RODP boundary and for
that area inside, most of it falls on sites with designations for the same land
use e.g. 'village type development' at C1-4 and ‘agriculture’ at C1-6. A small part is within site C1-9 designated
as ‘nature park’ and land within this site will not be adversely impacted. A very small area borders the site
designated at 'green belt' (C1-5) and this will not be adversely affected by
the Project either. Site formation
works are unlikely to be required at the sites affecting this LR and overall
the magnitude of change is considered to be small since most land use will
remain the same. |
||||||||||||
KLR-12.3 |
Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin |
Outside RODP boundary |
4.07 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This rural development area is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.4 |
Rural Development Area to the East of MTRC East
Railway Line |
Outside RODP boundary |
4.99 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This rural development area is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.5 |
Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong
Golf Club |
Outside RODP boundary |
3.45 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This rural development area is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.6 |
Kam Tsin Rural Development Area |
Outside RODP boundary |
39.49 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This rural development area is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.7 |
Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir |
Outside RODP boundary |
1.71 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This rural development area is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.8 |
Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and
Valais |
Outside RODP boundary |
27.13 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This
rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the
Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.9 |
Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok,
Fung Kong and Tit Hang |
DP1: San Tin Highway and
Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division;DP4
Roads D1 to D5; A1-4(R1c), A1-5(CDA), A1-9(R2), A2-2(PRH), A2-3(O), A2-4(R1c),
A2-5(R1c), A1-10, A2-6, E1-7 all (O), A2-7(PRH), A2-12(E), A2-13(E),
A3-3(PRH), A3-4(E), A3-6(R2), A3-7(RR4); F1-7(O); G1-2(OU-FR); H1-1(GB) |
46.15 |
44.45 (80%) |
Large |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Just under 2 ha of this LR falls outside the RODP boundary
and will not be affected, similarly to the small portion that falls on sites
designated as 'green belt' (E1-8, H1-1) and the very small portion that falls
in G1-2 designated as ‘Lo Wu Firing Range’.
However most of this LR will undergo some change from a rural
development area to a more urban area with increased facilities such as a
swimming pool complex (E1-5), fire station cum ambulance depot (E1-6),
nursery class & kindergartens (within A1-5, A2-2, A2-4, A2-7, A3-3),
primary and secondary schools (within B2-6, B2-7, A2-12, A2-13, A3-4) as well
as more residential development e.g. at A1-4, A1-5, A1-9, A2-4, A2-5, A3-6, A3-7 and some public rental housing e.g. at A2-2,
A2-7, A3-3. During construction, site
formation works at all these sites will mean the magnitude of change is large
and during operation the land use type will have changed for most of this LR,
so overall the magnitude of change is also large. |
||||||||||||
KLR-12.10 |
Lo Wu Rifle Range |
G1-1,G1-2
(both OU-FR), F1-6 (GB) |
4.26 |
4.16 (0%) |
n/a |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The Lo Wu Rifle Range is on land designated to remain
as a firing range (G1-1, G1-2) and ‘green belt’ (F1-6) therefore will not be
affected by the Project. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.11 |
Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung |
F1-3 (OU-R&D); F1-5 (GB) |
14.53 |
1.63 (90%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Only a small area of this LR falls with the RODP boundary
and this area falls mainly on site F1-3 designated for Research and
Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development. This will change the land use for this
small area but the compatibility is considered fair. In addition to this area
being small some of this LR in the NDA boundary also falls on an area
designated as Green Belt (F1-5) and the overall magnitude of change to this
LR is small. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-12.12 |
Fanling Lodge |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.71 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Fanling Lodge is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR 13 Industrial
/ Open Storage |
|||||||||||||
KLR-13.1 |
Sheung Shui Industrial Area |
Outside RODP boundary |
37.08 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The industrial area is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
|||||||||||||
KLR-13.2 |
Industrial / Open Storage Area in Yin Kong |
DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated
new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); B3-13, B3-14 both (A), B3-15
(OU-PFS); |
5.61 |
5.61
(90%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large
(partly beneficial) |
Intermediate
(partly beneficial) |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this LR is located on sites designated for different
land use such as amenities (B3-13, B3-14), Kwu Tung Vegetation Marketing and
Co-operative Society (C1-11), commercial, research & development
buildings (B3-12) and a petrol filling station (B3-15) and during
construction, site formation works will be required with some demolition of
existing structures so the magnitude of change here is considered large but
partly beneficial as the land use will improve. In addition no site formation or
significant change is expected during construction at C1-1 and C1-9 which are
designated for open space and the nature park. At operation
the land uses are fairly compatible with the current land use and
enhance it in places so that overall the magnitude of change is considered
intermediate but partly beneficial |
||||||||||||
KLR-13.3 |
Industrial / Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng
, Tong Kok and Fung Kong |
A1-5 (CDA); A1-6, A1-8 (R1c); A1-7, A1-10, A2-8.
A2-14 all (O); A1-9, A2-9 both (R2), A2-2, A2-7, A3-3 all (PRH); A2-10, A3-5
both (A); A2-13, A3-1, A3-2 all (E); A3-3(PRH); |
56.18 |
56.18
(100%) |
Large |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large (partly beneficial) |
Large (partly beneficial) |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Some of this LR falls on sites designated as 'green
belt' (E1-8, G1-3) and will not be affected.
However most of this LR will undergo some change from an
industrial/open storage area to being part of an urban area with many
facilities such as nursery class & kindergartens (within A1-5, A1-6,
A1-8, A2-7, A3-3), primary and secondary schools (within A2-13, A3-1, A3-2)
as well as more residential developments e.g. at A1-5, A1-6, A1-8, A1-9,
A2-9, D1-7, D1-11, potential activities centre (D1-12 and D1-13), some
public rental housing e.g. at A2-2, A2-7, A3-3 and amenities e.g. at A2-10,
B2-11, D1-6, D1-10, D1-15
etc. Therefore during construction,
site formation works will be required with some demolition of existing
structures and the magnitude of change is considered large, but partly
beneficial as the land use will improve.
At operation, the land use type will have changed for most of this LR,
but will have been enhanced and overall the magnitude of change will remain
large but partly beneficial. |
||||||||||||
KLR-13.4 |
Industrial / Open Storage in Pak Shek Au,
Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan |
DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new
Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement; DP4
Roads D1 and D4; A1-1(A), A1-2(PRH-LR), A1-10(O), B1-1(A), B1-3(GB),
B1-4(A), B1-5(OU), B1-7(OU-DCS), B1-8(A), B1-9(A), B1-10(A), B2-1(A), B2-2(G) |
30.99 |
9.02 (100%) |
Large |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large (partly beneficial) |
Intermediate (partly beneficial) |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Most of this industrial/open storage area falls outside
the RODP boundary and will not be affected by the Project. The area within the RODP will be affected
mainly by sites designated for amenities (A1-1, B1-1, B1-4, B1-8, B1-9,
B1-10, B2-1) and roads,, as well as railway associated facilities (B1-5) and
plant for District Cooling System (B1-7).
Some of the LR also falls on part of a site designated for residential
developments (A1-2). During construction, site formation works will be
required with some demolition of existing structures and the magnitude of
change is considered large, but partly beneficial as the land use will
improve. At operation, although the
Project will affect just over 9 ha of this LR, the land use will be fairly
compatible with existing, partially enhancing it and the magnitude of change
is considered to be intermediate but also partly beneficial. |
||||||||||||
KLR 14 Major Transportation
Corridor |
|||||||||||||
KLR-14.1 |
Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads |
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; DP3: KTN NDA Road P1
and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange
Improvement, B1-2, B1-6, B1-8, B3-10, B3-11 all (A); B1-3(GB), B1-7(OU-DCS); C1-2(A) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 3880 m |
Length of LR within NDA: 2850 m Length of LR affected 2850 m (100%) |
Large |
Good |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Parts of Fanling Highway affected by the Project are
all designated for 'amenity' use and roads and therefore the land use will
not change. A sizeable area is
impacted and some of the roadside planting will be cleared for the road
widening work and noise barriers.
Additionally the associated drainage channels will have to be modified
through diversion to accommodate the new roadworks, but given the new roads
will also need similar associated drainage channel and the land use is the
same the overall compatibility is good.
Largely due to the quantity of roadside planting, the magnitude of
change is considered intermediate during construction and operation. |
||||||||||||
KLR-14.2 |
MTRC East Rail (to/from Lo Wu) |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 2070 m |
Length within the NDA: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This LR is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
*Code Land Use Type
A Amenity
AGR Agriculture
C Commercial
CA Conservation Area
CDA Comprehensive Development Area
E Education
G Government
G-REC Government Recreation
GB Green Belt
HOS Home Ownership Scheme
IC Institution / Community
O Open Space
OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial,
Research & Development
OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District
Cooling System
OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing
Range
OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park
OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol
Filling Station
OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking and Operation Facilities for Environmentally
Friendly Transport System
OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research &
Development
OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway
Associated Facilities
OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Pumping Station
OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Treatment Works
OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor
Centre
PRH Public Rental Housing
PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local
Rehousing
R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest
density
R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest
density - with commercial
R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium
density
R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium
density - with commercial
R3 Residential Zone 3 - low
density
R4 Residential Zone 4 – very
low density
RR4 Rural Residential (lower
density & building height than R) lowest density
V Village Type Development
Table 12.8.2 - Magnitude of change to KTN NDA LCAs
LCA
Code |
Name |
Site
No. (Land Use Type*) Impacting LCA |
Area
of LCA (ha) in Study Area |
Area
of LCA affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Approx. % of this impacted) |
Physical
extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/
Large) |
Compatibility
with Surrounding Landscape |
Duration
of Impact |
Reversibility
of Change |
Magnitude
of Change |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
||||||
KLCA-1 |
Natural Hillside Landscape |
Principally
'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community
Facilities Area but mainly B1-3 (GB);'D sites' for Tranquil Rural
Residential Area but mainly D1-8 (GB); 'E sites' for Recreational Area but
mainly E1-8 (GB); 'G sites' for Government Facility Area and 'H sites' for
Hilly Terrain Area. A very small
peripheral area is affected by 'A sites' for Town Centre & North
Residential Area |
307.43 |
90.66 (<5%) |
Small |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of
this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary but for that falling within, the
majority lies on sites designated as green belt (B1-3, D1-8, E1-8, G1-3,
H1-1) and will not be affected by the Project. Very small areas are affected by sites
designated for other uses which are not compatible with the current
character, such as government use (D1-12, D1-13, E1-2), rural residential development (A3-7), school
buildings (A3-4), amenities (B1-1), railway associated facilities
(B1-5). Some sites designated for
water service reservoirs (G1-4, G1-5) will involve cut/ filled slopes which
increase the magnitude of change for this LCA. Since the majority of this LCA
will remain unaffected by the Project, the magnitude of change during both
construction and operation phase is intermediate. |
|||||||||||
KLCA-2 |
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape |
This
LCA is affected by all sites: 'A sites' for Town Centre & North Residential
Area; 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community
Facilities Area; 'C sites' for Long Valley Ecological Area; 'D sites' for
Tranquil Rural Residential Area; 'E sites' for Recreational Area; 'F sites'
reserved for Research and Development; 'G sites' for Government Facility Area and 'H
sites' for Hilly Terrain Area. |
404.48 |
194.38 (85%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation While a
sizeable area of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary, a large area lies
within it and will be affected by sites designated for land use that is not
compatible with the current LCA e.g. amenities (A1-1, A2-1, B1-1, B1-4, B1-6,
B1-8, B1-9, B2-1, B2-3, C1-2, D1-6, G1-9), railway associated facilities (B1-5),
sewerage pumping station (F1-2), refuse collection point (B2-2, E1-9), fire station cum ambulance depot (E1-6),
district police station (E1-3), recreational activity buildings including
swimming pool complex, sports/leisure centre and potential activities centre
(E1-5, F1-1, D1-13, D1-12), schools (within A2-11, A2-12, A2-13, A3-4, B2-5,
B2-6, B2-7, E1-2, E1-4), public rental housing (A1-2, A2-2, A2-7, A3-3),
high density residential developments, sometime with commercial uses (A1-4, A1-9, A2-4, A2-5, A2-9, A3-6, D1-7, D1-11),
public transport interchange (within A1-5), hospital, polyclinic/specialist
clinic (within B2-2), social and welfare facilities (B2-8), comprehensive development area (A1-5),
research and development in support of the Lok Ma Chau Loop development
(F1-3,) and F1-4 which is a disused school potentially designated for an
Eco-tourism education centre and holiday camping or other recreational uses. There are areas that fall on sites designated for
land use that is compatible with the current LCA, including on G1-1 and G1-2
(Lo Wu Firing Range), F1-8 (for Agriculture), D1-9 (Ho Sheung Heung, Hau Ku
Shek Ancestral Hall, Hung Shing Temple & Pai Fung Temple and Sin Wai
Nunnery in V), E1-7 (green spine, open space and Fung Kong Shan,
cycling park), G1-6, G1-7 (Lo Wu Saddle Club), C1-6, C2-2, C2-4, C2-5
(Agriculture), C1-9 (Nature Park) as well as all the sites designated for
green belt including B1-3, C1-5, D1-8, E1-8, F1-5, F1-6, G1-3, H1-1. Overall although much of this LCA will not be
affected by the Project, a large area (over 100 ha) will be adversely
impacted and undergo land use change and the overall magnitude of change is
large. |
|||||||||||
KLCA-3 |
Urban Development Landscape |
G1-8(G) |
5.98 |
5.84 (0%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Lo Wu Correctional
Institution has been classified as 'urban development' and is the small area
of this LCA within the RODP boundary.
This facility is proposed to remain the same throughout the project
and therefore the impact of the Project on this LCA is considered to be
negligible. |
|||||||||||||
KLCA-4 |
Industrial Landscape |
This
LCA is affected by: 'A sites' for Town
Centre & North Residential Area; 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development
Area/ Community Facilities Area; D sites' for Tranquil Rural Residential
Area; 'E sites' for Recreational Area and slightly by 'C sites' for Long
Valley Ecological Area |
117.76 |
61.53 (100%) |
Large |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate (partly beneficial) |
Small (beneficial) |
|
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The
majority of this LCA falls within the RODP boundary, and will be affected by
sites designated for land use that is fairly compatible with the current LCA
e.g. amenities (A2-10, A3-5, B2-11, B3-13, B3-14, D1-6, D1-10, D1-15), public
transport interchange (within A1-5), railway associated facilities (A1-11,
A1-12), schools (within A1-5, A1-6, A1-8, A2-7, A2-11, A2-12, A2-13, A3-1,
A3-2, A3-3), public rental housing (A2-2, A2-7, A3-3), comprehensive
development area (A1-5, B2-10), recreational activity facilities including a
standard swimming pool, sports centre (E1-5) and potential activities centre
(D1-12, D1-13), residential development areas (A1-6, A1-8, A1-9, A2-4, A2-5, A2-9, A3-6, D1-7, D1-11),
commercial, research & development (B2-12, B3-2, B3-5, B3-12), and government reserve (D1-14). Overall a large area will be impacted by fairly
compatible land uses and the magnitude of change is considered to be
intermediate but partly beneficial during construction and small beneficial
overall by operation. |
|||||||||||
KLCA-5 |
Lowland Agricultural Landscape |
All of 'A
sites' for own Centre & North Residential Area; 'B sites' for Commercial
Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area; 'C sites' for
Long Valley Ecological Area; 'D sites' for Tranquil Rural Residential Area;
'F sites' reserved for Research and Development and ‘H sites’ for Hilly Terrain Area |
85.93 |
74.51 (10%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation While a
large area of this LCA falls within the RODP boundary, a significant portion
of this (over 65 ha of the 74.51 ha total within) is located on sites
designated for the proposed Long Valley Nature Park (C1-9), agriculture
around Long Valley (C1-6) and green belt (C1-5 in Long Valley; H1-1) and will remain unaffected or not adversely
affected by the Project. Under 7.4 ha
is affected by sites designated for uses incompatible with this LCA such as
residential developments (A1-9, A2-9, D1-7), rural residential
(D1-5), sewage pumping station (D1-3), railway associated facilities (D1-2),
sport ground / sport complex (F1-1), commercial, research and development
including a post office, visitor centre of Long Valley Nature
Park (B3-2, B3-5, B3-8, B3-12, B3-16) and Research and Development buildings
in support the Lok Ma Chau Development (F1-3) . Overall the magnitude of
change is considered to be intermediate. |
|||||||||||
KLCA-6 |
Major Transportation Corridor
Landscape |
Principally
'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community
Facilities Area |
Length
of LCA in Study Area: 6100 m |
Length
within NDA: 2860 m Length
affected 2860 m (100%) |
Medium |
Good |
Good |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
Description of Key Impacts
during Construction and Operation All of the LCA affected by the Project falls on land
designated for 'amenities', roads and their associated structures. Almost 3km
of this transportation corridor is affected by the Project and some of the
roadside planting will be cleared for the road modification work so some of
the green aspect of the LCA will be lost.
However since the land use at operation is the same and the Fanling
Highway will continue to dominate the character of the area, the overall
compatibility is good. The magnitude
of change is therefore considered small at construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
KLCA-7 |
Major Water Course Corridor
Landscape |
Both 'B
sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities
Area; and 'C sites' for Long Valley Ecological Area |
Length of LCA in Study Area: 5080 m |
Length
within NDA: 2860 m Length affected: 250 m (10%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority
of this LCA within the RODP will be affected by sites designated for land use
that is compatible with this LCA e.g. 'open space' which covers most of the
river banks (B3-3, B3-4, B3-9, C1-7, C1-8, C2-1) and the proposed Long Valley
Nature Park (C1-9). Small areas of
land associated with or adjacent to the river banks will be affected by sites
with incompatible designations e.g. amenities (B3-10, C1-10) and commercial
research and development (B3-12) , roads and a footbridge but no actual buildings structure are currently proposed to fall on this LCA and the
water course will not change trajectory.
During construction, site formation at B3-10, C1-10 and B3-12 may
partially impact this LCA and cause small magnitude of change and at
operation the magnitude of change is also considered small. |
*Code Land Use Type
A Amenity
*Code Land Use Type
A Amenity
AGR Agriculture
C Commercial
CA Conservation Area
CDA Comprehensive Development Area
E Education
G Government
G-REC Government Recreation
GB Green Belt
HOS Home Ownership Scheme
IC Institution / Community
O Open Space
OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial,
Research & Development
OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District
Cooling System
OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing
Range
OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park
OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol
Filling Station
OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking &
Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System
OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research &
Development
OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway
Associated Facilities
OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Pumping Station
OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Treatment Works
OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor
Centre
PRH Public Rental Housing
PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local
Rehousing
R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest
density
R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest
density - with commercial
R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium
density
R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium
density - with commercial
R3 Residential Zone 3 - low
density
R4 Residential Zone 4 – very
low density
RR4 Rural Residential (lower
density & building height than R) lowest density
V Village Type Development
The magnitude of change to FLN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.8.3 and 12.8.4 respectively.
Figures 12.12.0-12.12.4 and 12.14.0-12.14.4 help to illustrate these landscape impacts on LRs and LCAs respectively. Figure 12.12.5a-d also illustrates the cut/fill contour plan for FLN NDA.
Noting that almost no LRs or LCAs had ‘local, regional, national or global importance’ nor ‘statutory or regulatory limitations / requirements relating to the landscape resources / character areas’, details of these parameters are only given in the descriptive text, where necessary.
Table 12.8.3 - Magnitude of change to FLN NDA LRs
LR
Code |
Name |
DPs
and Site No. (Land Use Type*) Impacting LR |
Approximate
Area of LR (ha) in Study Area |
Area
of LR affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Approx. % of this impacted) |
Physical
extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large) |
Compatibility
with Surrounding Landscape |
Duration
of Impact |
Reversibility
of Change |
Magnitude
of Change |
|||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
|||||||
FLR 1 Channelized Water Course |
||||||||||||||
FLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung
River (Fanling District) |
DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent and DP11
Further Expansion of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works, both at A2-3; DP10
Fanling Bypass Eastern Section where it crosses the Ng Tung River; C2-7, C2-9 both (E); |
Length of LR in Study Area: 6600 m |
Length of LR within NDA: 5000 m Length of LR affected: 290 m (5%) |
Small |
Fair |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Ng Tung River flows through the length of this NDA
and while most of the main channel will not be affected, there are sites
overlapping with this LR along its grasscrete banks or adjacent to the
banks. All of these sites except one
or two, however, have similar land use to the current land use, i.e. open
space (A1-4, B1-1, B1-2, B1-5, B1-10, B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, B3-1, B3-11, C1-3,
C2-1, C2-4, C2-10, D1-2, D1-3, D2-1, D2-7). The open space at C2-8 where a
small nullah of this river lies, is designated a Town Park with facilities
for e.g. football, volleyball, tennis etc.
Unless mitigated, the nullah here (~600 m) may be affected by the
Project. |
||||||||||||||
Overall
although a significant area of this LR lies within the RODP, only a small
length of this will potentially be affected by the Project. Since the main
river channel will hardly be affected, the magnitude of change is small at
construction and operation. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-1.2 |
Shek Sheung River |
DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent and DP11 Further
Expansion of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works, both at A2-3 |
Length of LR in Study Area: 2400 m |
Length of LR within NDA: 380 m Length of LR affected: 150 m (40%) |
Small |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A small area of the Shek Sheung River bank in the
west of the NDA may be affected by site A2-3 designated to contain an
expansion of the existing Sewage Treatment Works and B3-4 and B3-5 for
school. Any impacts
would initially be at site formation but given the small area affected the
magnitude of change would only be small.
At operation, although this is not a compatible land use with the
current LR, the area affected is very small and overall the magnitude of
change is small also. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-1.3 |
Sheung Yue River |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 700 m |
Length within the NDA: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This section of the river is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-1.4 |
Ma Wat River |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section where it runs
adjacent to the River; D1-4, D1-5 both (O), |
Length of LR in Study Area: 3600 m |
Length of LR within NDA: 960 m Length of LR affected: approx. 250 m (25%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary
Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Ma Wat River flows along the north eastern boundary
of the RODP and two sites that affect it, D1-4 and D1-5, are designated for
open space. Part of D1-6 however falls
on this LR and this existing ‘North District Temporary Wholesale Market for
Agricultural Produce’ is part of DP12 to undergo re-provisioning. The very small area of D1-6 that affects
this LR (<0.3 ha) may mean some of the vegetation in the vicinity of the
river banks would be cleared during re-provisioning of the market but at
operation the main market building is not on this LR. However for the construction of the Fanling
Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) most of this stretch of Ma Wat River will have
to be diverted and the impacts of this are fully assessed in the DP
Package 12D. Overall
this LR will mainly be affected by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and the
magnitude of change is considered to be large at construction when the
diversion takes place. The river is already
channelized however and at operation will flow through a similar channelized
section, so the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-1.5 |
Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land |
D2-2(HOS), D2-3(O), D2-4(R2), D3-5(O), D3-6(R1c),
D3-8(PRH), D3-9(A) |
Length of LR in Study Area:
500 m |
Length of LR within NDA:
500 m Length of LR affected: approx. 500 m (100 %) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The whole length of this watercourse falls within
the NDA in areas with incompatible use such as residential use as well as
roads (part of the local distributor road L1). The watercourse will be lost during site
formation, even in land designated as ‘open space’ as this is open space
between new buildings and not passive open space and hence still
incompatible. Overall the magnitude of
change is large during construction and operation. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 2 Water Course |
||||||||||||||
FLR-2.1 |
Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land |
B3-2, B3-3, B3-7 all either PRH or R2, B3-4(E) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 400 m |
Length of LR within NDA: 400 m Length of LR affected: approx. 400 m (100%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This stream in the western area of FLN NDA amongst the agricultural land at
Tin Ping Shan (Sacred Hill), will be impacted by three sites all designated
for high to medium density residential use. A distributor road and the access road to these sites will also affect the
stream and it will be filled during site formation and replaced by a water
drainage system. Overall the magnitude
of change during construction and operation is large. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-2.2 |
Natural Stream at Cham Shan |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 580 m |
Length within the NDA: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This stream is located outside the RODP boundary and
therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-2.3 |
Natural Streams at Lung Shan |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 1150 m |
Length within the NDA: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These streams are located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-2.4 |
Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen |
DP10 Fanling
Bypass Eastern Section; D1-3
(O) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 1500 m |
Length of LR within NDA: 160 m Length of LR affected: approx.100 m (60%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Reversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The
stream at the lowland area of Wa Shan will not be affected as it falls
outside the RODP boundary. Only the downstream area of the stream at Siu Hang
San Tsuen falls within the footprint of RODP and will be affected by the
site designated for the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section but it is unlikely to
be affected by the development which the site is designated as open space (D1-3). A 10m wide vegetated
buffer in the open space will be provided to the stream. Fanling
Bypass will be an elevated viaduct over the section close to the stream and
should avoid directly impacting it and causing any loss of the stream. It is
expected that the intensity of sunlight that can reach the stream area will
be reduce by the viaduct and as a result the growing conditions of riparian
plants and the landscape quality provided by such riparian plants, will be
reduced. Overall, the magnitude of change
during construction and operation is small. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 3 Water Pond |
||||||||||||||
FLR-3.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds |
Outside RODP boundary |
4.54 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These ponds are located outside the FLN RODP
boundary and therefore are not affected by the FLN NDA. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-3.2 |
Water Ponds within the Closed Area |
Outside RODP boundary |
4.98 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-3.3 |
Fu Tei Au
Water Ponds |
A1-3 (AGR); |
2.44 |
2.44
(5%) |
Large |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of
these ponds will be affected by a site designated for Agricultural land
(A1-3) and they will not be adversely affected by the Project. Part of one pond falls on a site designated
for open space (A1-4) which is also scheduled to have a 'Man Ming Temple' on
it but currently the temple does not fall on the pond area and therefore the
pond will be retained. One very small
pond falls within a site for the Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex
(A1-8) and this will be lost during site formation. Since the majority of these ponds in the
NDA will remain unchanged by the Project, the magnitude of change at
construction and operation is small. . |
|||||||||||||
FLR-3.4 |
Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.33 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and
therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-3.5 |
Wai Loi
Tsuen Water Pond |
Outside RODP boundary |
0.37 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 4 Marsh |
||||||||||||||
FLR-4.1 |
Marshes in Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun |
Outside RODP boundary |
1.67 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation These marshes are located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on them. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-4.2 |
Mitigation Wetland |
DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; A1-7(CA), A1-11(G); B1-2, B1-5, B2-8, B2-9, B2-10 all (O); |
5.70 |
5.27
(45%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation There
are six main mitigation wetland areas along Ng Tung River within the RODP.
One of them of approximately 1 ha lies within site A1-7 designated as
Conservation Area and possible site for an egretry relocation, and another
similar sized area of this LR lies wholly within B1-2 which is designated as
open space. It is unlikely that the
wetland in these sites will be affected by the Project. Part of the remaining four wetland areas
are affected both by sites designated as open space which is unlikely to
affect the LR (B1-2, B1-5, B2-8, B2-9, B2-10), and by sites designated for incompatible
uses such as weapons training division, residential, secondary school,
amenities, open space for cycle parking area and education facilities (A1-11,
B1-7, B2-11, B3-9, B3-10, B1-6, B3-8, C2-9).
Part of this LR will also be affected by the Fanling Bypass Western
Section which is at grade at the relevant locations of overlap. For the incompatible uses, the wetland in
these areas will be irreversibly lost during site formation, largely due to
filling. Given the worst case scenario is that over half of this LR will
remain unaffected, however, the magnitude of change is large at construction
and operation. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 5 Plantation |
||||||||||||||
FLR-5.1 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Outside RODP boundary |
3.87 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-5.2 |
Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation |
Outside RODP boundary |
1.10 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-5.3 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and
Noble Hill |
C2-8 (O) |
3.35 |
0.27
(50%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Only a very small area of this LR falls within the
RODP and of this, roughly half will be affected by a site designated for open
space (C2-8) and a distribution road.
Since the open space is intended to be a Town Park with facilities for
e.g. football, volleyball, tennis etc. the worst case scenario is that the
trees in this area will be cleared and lost during construction. Overall given the very small area adversely
affected, the magnitude of change is considered to be small at construction
and operation. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 6 Hillside Woodland |
||||||||||||||
FLR-6.1 |
Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland |
A1-3, A1-9 both (AGR); |
4.82 |
0.64
(60%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A small area of this LR is located within the RODP,
affected by sites A1-3, and A1-9 which are designated as Agricultural land which
is compatible with this LR. Since the
majority of this LR in the Study Area will remain unaffected, the overall
magnitude of change is small. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-6.2 |
Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland |
DP10
Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; B1-7 (R2), B1-8 (R4), B1-9 (R3); |
60.24 |
2.87
(>95%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Although a relatively small area of this LR falls
within the RODP, most of it lies on sites designated for incompatible land
use such as low density residential zones (B1-9), medium residential zone
(B1-7) or rural residential (B1-8). Trees are likely to be removed during site
clearance and formation, having a large impact and at operation land use will
have permanently changed. A small area
of this LR further to the south east of Ng Tung River will be adversely affected
by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section.
Overall, a relatively small area is affected, but in case a large
number of trees are adversely affected, the magnitude of change is considered
large. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-6.3 |
Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland |
Outside RODP boundary |
3.83 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-6.4 |
Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan |
D4-1 (G) |
23.28 |
0.04
(100%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A very small area of this LR is located within the
RODP, in site D4-1 which is the proposed area for the Fanling North Flushing
Water Service Reservoir. The trees in this very small area may be affected
during site clearance and formation for D4-1 and topographical changes by
filling and cutting slope up to 62 m (Figure 12.12.7), although the height of slope
to be expose by completion is 56 m.
However the majority of this LR will remain unaffected by the Project
and the overall magnitude of change is considered to be small. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 7 Lowland Woodland |
||||||||||||||
FLR-7.1 |
Vernon Pass Woodland |
Outside RODP boundary |
1.38 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary
and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-7.2 |
Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works |
A1-3 , A1-9 (AGR); |
4.89 |
3.78
(40%) |
Large |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation About three quarters of this LR falls within the
RODP and just over a third of this is on sites designated for land use that is
incompatible with the current use e.g. a Police Driving and Traffic Complex
(A1-8) and sewage pumping station (A1-6).
During construction, site clearance and site formation will impact
particularly on the trees here. The
other third of the LR falls within sites A1-3 and
A1-9 which are designated as agricultural and the LR may remain unaffected
here. Overall given the small area
affected but taking into account the loss of some trees, the magnitude of
change is considered intermediate. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-7.3 |
Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland |
DP9
Fanling Bypass Western Section; A1-11(G) |
5.20 |
0.31
(100%) |
Small |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Only a very small area of this LR falls within the
RODP, all of which will be affected by elements of the Project that are
incompatible such as roads and interchange and a weapons training division
(A1-11). Woodland here will be cleared
prior to site formation. Since the
area affected is so small, despite the lack of compatibility, the overall
magnitude of change is considered to be small. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-7.4 |
Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland |
B3-9(R2),
B3-10(E), B3-12(E) |
2.22 |
1.36
(100%) |
Small |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A small area of this woodland lies within the RODP,
falling across various sites which are designated for incompatible uses such
as medium density residential area (B3-9), school (B3-10, B3-12) as well as part of the distributor
road. In these sites, site clearance
and formation work will affect the trees which will be lost, and at operation
this LR will have been lost. Overall
the affected area is small, but incase intermediate numbers of trees have to
be removed, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate. |
|||||||||||||
FLR-7.5 |
Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland |
Outside RODP boundary |
6.88 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation |
||||||||||||||
FLR 8 Shrubland / Grassland
Mosaic |
||||||||||||||
FLR-8.1 |
Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic West and along Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River |
Outside RODP boundary |
6.82 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This shrubland/grassland is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-8.2 |
Fu Tei Au
Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic |
Outside RODP boundary |
16.82 |
0.40
(100%) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Only a very small area of this LR falls within the
RODP and of this, it is mainly along existing road. Since the road is unlikely to be affected
by the Project the magnitude of change is considered to be small at worst
during construction and operation. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-8.3 |
Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa
Shan |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; A3-1 (G) |
112.68 |
0.63 (100%) |
Small |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A small area of this LR is located within the RODP
in site A3-1 which is the proposed for the Fanling North Fresh Water Service
Reservoir. The preliminary design of the reservoir and its access road
suggests the site formation work required will affect a small area of this LR
here (<1.0 ha). The highest
proposed cut/ fill slopes will be 24 m with a maximum 40 degree angle
for all slopes. The exposed slope at
completion will be up to 18 m high as some of it will be
underground. There will be some
topography changes in this area as Figures
12.12.6 and 12.12.8 help illustrate.
The existing vegetation in this area will also be lost during
construction. At operation this small area will be incompatible with the
current LR unless mitigation designs such as green roof are implemented. A small (<0.1 ha) part of this LR at the north east of Ng Tung River will also be adversely
affected by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. Another
very small part of this LR (<0.1 ha) near residential zone B1-7
currently lies along the existing road and is unlikely to be affected. A small area of this LR will be affected by the
Project, but given the topographical changes, the overall magnitude of change
is considered to be intermediate. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-8.4 |
Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan |
DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent; D4-1 (G) |
22.12 |
1.44 (100%) |
Small |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary Short Term |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A small area of this LR is located within the RODP,
all in site D4-1 which is the proposed site for the Fanling North Flushing
Water Service Reservoir. The area is
close to the existing Fresh
Water Service Reservoir at north
Tong Hang Tung and adjacent to the existing access road. The preliminary design of the reservoir and
its access road, suggests the site formation work required will affect a
small area of this LR (<1.5 ha).
The highest proposed cut/ fill slopes for the reservoir will be
62 m with a maximum 40 degree angle for all slopes. The exposed slope at completion will be up
to 56 m high as some of the slope will be underground. There will therefore be some topography
changes in this area, but the highest cut slope in this area is located on a slope
with steep existing topography as Figures
12.12.7 and 12.12.9 help illustrate.
The existing shrubland/ grassland in this area will also be lost
during construction although there is potential for landscaping of the
reservoir roofs and cut/ fill slopes and remediation in future. At operation
this small area will be largely incompatible with the current LR and will
have changed land use. Despite the
relatively small size of the area affected, the topographical changes are
considered large, mainly due to their being an up to 62 m cut/fill slope
above the reservoir within the hillside (although the hillside here is
already steep). Overall the worst case
scenario considers the magnitude of change is large during construction and
operation. |
|||||||||||||
FLR 9 Agricultural Land |
||||||||||||||
FLR-9.1 |
Agricultural Lands in Ho Sheung Heung and Long
Valley |
Outside RODP boundary |
12.22 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation |
||||||||||||||
FLR-9.2 |
Fu Tei Au
Agricultural Land |
A1-8(G), A1-9 (AGR); A1-10 (A) |
3.61 |
3.61
(75 %) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this patch of agricultural land around Fu Tei Au
falls within the RODP and will mainly be impacted by sites with incompatible
uses such as a Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8) as well as road
works and amenity use at A1-10. Agricultural land will be impacted here
during site clearance and site formation.
About one fourth of this LR can be preserve as agriculture land (A1-9)
where no adverse impact is expected. During operation, the land use will have
been mainly changed to incompatible uses except the area fall in A1-9. Although the area is not large, since
essentially all this LR will be affected by incompatible elements of the
Project, the magnitude of change is considered to be large. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-9.3 |
Agricultural Land between Ng Tung River and Shek
Sheung River |
Outside RODP boundary |
2.69 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation |
||||||||||||||
FLR-9.4 |
Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land |
B3-6 (R2c) B3-7, B3-9 both (R2) B2-6, B2-11, B2-12,
B3-3, B3-2 all (PRH); |
14.13 |
12.80
(>95%) |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The majority of this LR falls within the RODP
boundary and will be affected by sites with incompatible uses such as
residential zones, one including a public transport interchange (B3-6, B3-7,
B3-9); educational areas including Primary and Secondary Schools as well as
Nursery and Kindergarten (B3-4, B3-5, B3-10, B3-12); public rental housing
area (B2-6, B2-11, B2-12, B3-2, B3-3), the open spaces between these sites
(B2-9, B3-8) and the distributor roads.
At these sites, site clearance and site formation during the
construction period will remove the agricultural land and at operation the
land use will have changed to incompatible uses. |
|||||||||||||
FLR-9.5 |
Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan |
DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; DP13 New SPS at
B1-4 (OU-SPS); B1-2, B1-10 both (O); |
8.47 |
2.48
(100%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Under half of this LR falls within the RODP boundary
but this small area is affected by roads and sites designated for
incompatible land uses such as a Weapon Training Division (A1-11), a residential zone (B1-7) and amenities
(B1-6). The agricultural land will be
lost during site clearance and site formation here, and by operation this
area of LR will be converted to incompatible land uses. Given the relatively small area however and
absence of many trees on agricultural land, overall the magnitude of change
is considered intermediate. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-9.6 |
Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San
Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Shek Wu San Tsuen |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; D2-2, D3-1b all (HOS), D3-1a (R1), D3-4, D3-6, D3-7, D3-3, D3-1c all (R1c), D2-12,D2-4 (R2), D2-9, D2-6, D3-8 (PRH); C2-7, C2-9, D3-11,
D3-12 all (E); |
36.76 |
30.68
(95%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The majority of this LR falls within the RODP
boundary and this is an area generally designated for comprehensive
development. Most sites affecting this
LR are incompatible with agriculture, such as: residential zones (D2-2, D2-4,
D2-6, D2-9, D2-12, D3-1a, D3-1b, D3-1c, D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7, D3-8);
educational areas including Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Nursery
and Kindergartens (within D2-9, D3-4, D3-6, D3-8 which are residential
overall, as well as specifically in C2-7, C2-9, D3-11 and D3-12); Community
facilities including an integrated vocational and rehabilitation service
centre, neighbourhood elderly community centre, residential home for elderly,
post office and public transport interchange (within D3-8, D2-9). A small proportion of the LR falls in sites
designated for open space between buildings in the developed area (D2-3,
D2-5, D2-8, D2-11, D3-5, D3-10) as well as a Town Park at (C2-8) and land use
here will change permanently, although it may be slightly more compatible
with the current LR. A small area of
this LR falls within sites D1-2, D1-3, D1-4, D1-5 and D2-10 which is
designated as open space of no determined use but of these area, those
falling within sites designated as open space near the river may be fairly
compatible at operation. Overall the large area affected by incompatible
elements of the Project will undergo large changes during site clearance and
formation works and the magnitude of change is large. |
|||||||||||||
FLR-9.7 |
Agricultural Land South of Sha Tau Kok Road |
Outside RODP boundary |
8.95 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This agricultural land is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 10 Open Space /
Recreational Area |
||||||||||||||
FLR-10.1 |
North District Sports Ground |
Outside RODP boundary |
6.19 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This LR is located outside the RODP boundary and
therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 11 Urban Development Area |
||||||||||||||
FLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu Correctional Institution |
Outside RODP boundary |
2.91 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This LR is located outside the RODP boundary and
therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-11.2 |
Sheung Shui Urban Development Area |
C2-2, C2-8 both (O) |
48.33 |
0.75
(100%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Very small patches of this LR are located at the
RODP boundary and the sites affecting it are designated for compatible uses
(open space at C2-2, C2-8). During
construction of open space, some site clearance including demolition of
existing structures may be required as well as some site formation and the
magnitude of change is considered small given the area affected. Once operational, the open space is
considered integral to an urban development area and therefore the same land
use as previously and the impact is negligible. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-11.3 |
Fanling Urban Development Area |
D2-13, D3-2 all (A);
D2-14(G) |
41.20 |
1.25
(<5%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A very small area of this LR is located at the RODP
boundary along Ma Sik Road and since this road will remain there will be no
adverse impact here. A little further
east the LR minimally overlaps with D2-13 and D3-2 designated for amenities (road/cycle path) and
D2-14 designated for unspecified government use, both of which are compatible
with the current LR. Overall magnitude
of change is considered small during construction but once operational there
will be no change to the resource use and the impact is negligible. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 12 Rural Development Area |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.1 |
Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin |
Outside RODP boundary |
2.64 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The rural development area is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.2 |
Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au |
A1-3, A1-9 (AGR);A1-5 (A), A1-4 (O); A1-2 (G) |
8.15 |
6.47
(10%) |
Small |
Fair |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The majority of this LR lies within the RODP
boundary and will mainly fall into sites A1-3 and A1-9 designated for
agriculture which will therefore not adversely affect the LR. One small area
will be affected by a proposed WSD facility at A1-2. Site clearance and formation will be
necessary, possibly with some demolition of existing structures and at
operation the new land use would not be compatible with the existing. A smaller area will be affected by a site
designated for an open space (A1-4) and roadside amenity
A1-5, and these land uses are considered to be compatible with the existing
LR. Since in total only about 0.6 ha will be affected by
incompatible elements of the Project, the magnitude of change is small. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.3 |
Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA |
A3-1 (G) |
7.59 |
1.17
(100%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A small area of this LR will be affected by site
A3-1 which is proposed as the Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir and
its access road. The LR here is mainly
composed of the existing Firing Range with Fresh Water Service reservoir
underneath and its access road, and has undergone some site formation already
for the construction of these structures.
The preliminary design of the new reservoir and its access road,
suggests the site formation work required will affect a relatively small area
of this LR here. The proposed highest
cut/ fill slopes will be 24 m with a maximum 40 degree angle for all
slopes and the exposed slope at completion will be up to 18 m high. There will therefore be some topography
changes in this area as Figures 12.12.6 and 12.12.8 help
illustrate. During construction some demolition or removal of
existing structures may be required, along with site formation and despite
the area affected being small, the magnitude of change to this LR type is
considered to be intermediate at construction, mainly due to the
topographical changes. At operation,
the reservoir is fairly compatible with the current LR but the overall
magnitude of change is considered to remain intermediate. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.4 |
Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area |
Road south of B3-10 (E); |
35.70 |
0.13
(100%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Only a
very small area of this LR falls within the RODP and it will be adversely
affected by the road along a secondary school
(B3-10). Since the area going to be
affected by the road is very small and the Project here is fairly compatible,
the magnitude of change is considered to be small during construction and
operation. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.5 |
Wa Shan Rural Development Area |
DP9
Fanling Bypass Western Section; B1-8 (R4) C1-3, D1-3 both (O) |
22.65 |
0.88
(100%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Of the small area of this LR that falls within the
RODP boundary, most lies within sites designated to be Fanling
Bypass Western Section and open space (C1-3, D1-3). During construction at these sites, some
site clearance and formation works may be required but given the relatively
small area of LR affected, the magnitude of change is considered small. About 0.5 ha lies within site B1-7 which is
designated for rural residential development which is fairly compatible
with this LR. The magnitude of change is, at worst, small. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.6 |
Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area |
Outside RODP boundary |
54.07 |
0.00 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The rural development area is located outside the
RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.7 |
Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan |
D4-1 (G) |
30.99 |
0.04
(0%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A very small area of this LR falls in site D4-1,
which is the proposed area for the Fanling North Flushing Water Service
Reservoir. The affected area is
currently a road and is unlikely to change in LR type so the magnitude of
change is considered negligible. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.8 |
Rural Development Area at Ma Shi Po |
DP13 New SPS C2-3(OU-SPS);
D2-9, D3-8 both (PRH); D2-2 (HOS); D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7 all (R1c), D2-4, D2-12(R2), C2-7, D3-11, D3-12 all (E); D2-13, D3-13 both (A); |
12.72 |
12.72
(100%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation All this LR falls within the RODP boundary. Approximately 85% will be affected by sites
designated for uses such as: government uses e.g. Sewage Pumping Station
(C2-3), General Clinic/Health Centre (C2-5), Social Welfare Centre and
Sports/Leisure Centre (C2-6); residential zones, some with commercial uses included (D2-12, D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7); public
rental housing and HOS (D2-9, D3-8, D2-2); and educational developments (C2-7, D3-11, D3-12)
and part of the main distributor road and associated amenity planting (D2-13,
D3-13). Site clearance and formation works at all these sites will be necessary
and impact this LR and during operation the new land use would be
incompatible with the current LR. Overall the compatibility of the Project with this
LR is poor and given the area affected the magnitude of change is large. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-12.9 |
Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural
Development Area |
D3-1a (R1), D2-2, D3-1b both (HOS), D3-1c (R1c); D3-2, D3-9 all (A) |
10.38 |
5.65
(95%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Of all this LR within the Study Area, approximately
half falls within the RODP boundary and will mainly be affected by sites
designated as residential zones
(D3-1a, D2-2, D3-1b, D3-1c) and part of the main distributor
road. D3-1 largely falls on an area
that currently hosts an abandoned development of some flats. These may need to be demolished and removed
prior to site formation during construction phase but at operation the
Project will be compatible here and land use will not change essentially, if
anything improving it. In D2-2 the
Project is less compatible as the existing development is more rural and will
be affected by site formation works and the new built structures. A small area also falls within sites D3-2 and D3-9 which are designated as amenity areas which
will be fairly compatible by operation.
Overall the Project will be fairly compatible and since a medium area
will be affected overall, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate. |
||||||||||||||
FLR 13 Industrial / Open
Storage |
||||||||||||||
FLR-13.1 |
Sheung Shui Industrial / Open Storage Area |
DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent at A2-3; DP9
Fanling Bypass Western Section; DP11 Further Expansion of Shek Wu Hui Sewage
Treatment Works at A2-3 (OU-STW), DP13 New SPS at B2-3 (OU-SPS); A1-8, A1-11, B2-4 all (G); A1-9 (AGR) B2-4(G) |
70.03 |
17.57
(100%) |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large
(partly beneficial) |
Intermediate (partly beneficial) |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The area of this LR that falls within the RODP
boundary is largely open storage, car parks and warehouses. For the affected area north of Ng Tung
River, this lies within sites designated for a Police Driving and Traffic
Complex (A1-8), Fanling Bypass Western Section and a Weapons Training Division
(A1-11).
During construction at these sites, the sites will be cleared of their
existing structures and some site formation work will be necessary. By operation these site will be fairly
compatible with the current LR. For the area south of Ng Tung River, this will
mainly be affected by sites A2-3 (designated for a part of the further
expansion of the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works and Utilization of
Treated Sewage Effluent), B2-2 and B2-4 (potentially designated for Parking
& Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System), B2-4
(a government reserve), B2-6, B2-11, B2-7 and B2-12 (public rental housing
with Nurseries and Kindergarten) and B2-5 (a CLP substation). Again during construction existing
structures will be removed and site formation will be necessary but by
operation the sites are considered fairly compatible with the existing LR. A small part of this LR lies in the sites designated
for open space (B1-2, B2-1, B2-8 and B2-9) as well as agricultural land
(A1-9), where no adverse impact is expected. Overall a reasonable area of this LR is affected by
the Project, and at construction the magnitude of change is large due to site
clearance work etc but the change in land use will partially improve the
LR. At operation, the land uses will
be fairly compatible with the existing, even enhancing it in places, and the
magnitude of change is intermediate (partly beneficial). |
||||||||||||||
FLR-13.2 |
Fanling Industrial Area |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; DP12
Re-provision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6; D2-15, D2-16 both (G); D2-17 (A) |
16.08 |
2.65
(100%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small
(mainly beneficial) |
Small
(beneficial) |
|
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The area of this LR that falls within the RODP
boundary is mainly a covered Temporary Wholesale
Market for Agricultural Products currently.
It falls within two sites which are considered compatible: D1-6
designated for the North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural
Products and Site D2-15 designated as government reserve and re-provisioning of Public Toilet and Government
Refuse Collection Point. Site D2-16 is designated for government reserve which at worst will be fairly compatible. Some of the area will be affected by a new
road connecting to a roundabout on Sha Tau Kok Road and D2-17 is designated as an amenity area; both
these are considered fairly compatible uses with the existing industrial
area. Overall the elements of the Project affecting this
LR are compatible and also given the small area affected, the magnitude of change
is small and mainly beneficial during construction and overall beneficial at
operation. |
|||||||||||||
FLR 14 Major Transportation
Corridor |
||||||||||||||
FLR-14.1 |
MTRC East Rail |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 1700 m |
Length of LR affected: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This section of the MTRC is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-14.2 |
Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau) |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; D2-14, D2-15 all (G) |
Length of LR in Study Area: 1200 m |
Length of LR within NDA 170 m Length affected: 170 m (100%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A very small section of Sha Tau Kok Road lies within
the RODP and is designated to remain as road, so while the magnitude of
change may be small during construction due to modifications to the existing
road, during operation the LR will remain the same and the magnitude of
change will be negligible. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-14.3 |
Fanling Highway |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 990 m |
Length of LR affected: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The Fanling Highway is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
FLR-14.4 |
MTRC near Fanling Highway |
Outside RODP boundary |
Length of LR in Study Area: 950 m |
Length of LR affected: 0 m |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation This section of the MTRC is located outside the RODP
boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it. |
||||||||||||||
*Code Land Use Type
A Amenity
AGR Agriculture
C Commercial
CA Conservation Area
CDA Comprehensive Development Area
E Education
G Government
G-REC Government Recreation
GB Green Belt
HOS Home Ownership Scheme
IC Institution / Community
O Open Space
OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial,
Research & Development
OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District
Cooling System
OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing
Range
OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park
OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol
Filling Station
OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking &
Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System
OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research &
Development
OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway
Associated Facilities
OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Pumping Station
OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Treatment Works
OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor
Centre
PRH Public Rental Housing
PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local
Rehousing
R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest
density
R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest
density - with commercial
R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium
density
R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium
density - with commercial
R3 Residential Zone 3 - low
density
R4 Residential Zone 4 – very
low density
V Village Type Development
Table 12.8.4 -
Magnitude of change to FLN NDA LCAs
LCA
Code |
Name |
Site
No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LCA |
Approximate
Area of LCA (ha) in Study Area |
Approximate
Area of LCA affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Percentage impacted) |
Physical
extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/
Large) |
Compatibility
with Surrounding Landscape |
Duration
of Impact |
Reversibility
of Change |
Magnitude
of Change |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
||||||
FLCA-1 |
Natural Hillside Landscape |
Principally 'A sites' for Government Facilities Zone
including A1-8, D4-1 all(G) A3-1 (G) |
207.41 |
18.03
(100%) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation Most of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary,
but for the small area falling within the majority lies on sites designated
for a Flushing Water Service Reservoir (D4-1) and a Fresh Water
Service Reservoir (A3-1) and their associated access roads. Since this LCA already contains water
reservoirs in both the areas where reservoirs are proposed, this is considered
fairly compatible with the Project during operation, although it will be less
compatible during the cut and fill work (see Figure 12.12.7). Small areas are affected by sites designated
for other uses which are not compatible with the current character, such as
government use for e.g. Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8). Although the majority of this LCA will
remain unaffected by the Project, and where it is affected it is by fairly
compatible elements of the Project, but over 15 ha will suffer some
change and the therefore magnitude of change is considered to be
intermediate. |
|||||||||||||
FLCA-2 |
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape |
Affected by all 'Sites' of the NDA i.e.' A sites'
for Government Facilities Zone, 'B sites' for West Residential Area, 'C
sites' for Civic and Recreation Area and 'D
sites' for the District Centre |
305.25 |
29.98
(65%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation While the majority of this LCA falls outside the
RODP boundary, a large area lies within it and will be affected by sites
designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA e.g.
Sewage Pumping Station (A1-6, B1-4,
C2-3); proposed WSD use such as Pumping Station (A1-1, A1-2); Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8); Weapons Training Division (A1-11) and
roads; medium and low density residential areas with blocks up to 20 stories high (B1-7, B1-8, B1-9); schools at sites C2-6 and C2-7; and
government uses such as Social Welfare Facility and Sports/Leisure Centre
(within C2-6). |
||||||||||||
FLCA-3 |
Urban Development Landscape |
Principally affected by 'D sites' for the District
Centre; small impact by 'B sites' for West Residential
Area |
106.85 |
6.73
(100%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The vast majority of this LCA falls outside the RODP
boundary. For that within the
boundary, it is mainly affected by D3-1 designated as a high density residential zone which is compatible with
this LCA. Other areas affected are
very small and on the edge of the LCA and overall the magnitude of change for
this LCA is small. |
||||||||||||
FLCA-4 |
Industrial Landscape |
|
105.54 |
26.91
(100%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate
(partly beneficial) |
Small
(beneficial) |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation The majority of this LCA falls outside the RODP
boundary. However for the area inside,
it will be affected by sites designated for land use that is fairly
compatible with the current LCA e.g. amenities (A2-1, A2-2, A2-4, D2-17), open space (B1-1, B2-1,B2-8, B2-9; the Parking & Operation Facilities for
Environmental Friendly Transport System and Refuse Collection Point in B2-2,
residential zones including public rental housing with schools and post
office (B2-6, B2-7, B2-11, B2-12), government uses in A1-11, B2-4, D1-6; and
sites that have good compatibility with the LCA such as the further expansion
of the existing Sewage Treatment Plant at A2-3 and the Government Reserves at
D2-15 and D2-16. Overall a medium area will be impacted by sites with
fair to good compatibility and the magnitude of change is considered to be
intermediate but partly beneficial during construction and beneficial overall
by operation. |
||||||||||||
FLCA-5 |
Lowland Agricultural Landscape |
Principally affected by all 'B sites' for West
Residential Area and 'D sites' for the District Centre with small impact by 'C sites' for Civic and Recreation Area |
84.44 |
60.79
(100%) |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Permanent |
Permanent |
Irreversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A large area of this LCA falls within the RODP and
will be affected by sites designated for uses incompatible with this LCA,
such as large residential areas (B2-11, B2-12, B3-2, B3-6, B3-7, B3-9, D2-2, D2-4, D2-6, D2-12, D3-1, D3-3, D3-4,
D3-6, D3-7, D3-8) and residential
housing areas including post offices and public transport interchanges
(B2-12, B3-6, D2-9), and educational facilities (within B3-6, D2-9, D3-4, D3-6, D3-9 and in B3-4, B3-5, B3-10, B3-12, D3-11,
D3-12). Some of the sites affecting
this LCA are designated for open space but while this would appear compatible
with the LCA initially, since they are fragmented by the other developments
that are incompatible (as described); the overall magnitude of change is
considered large. |
||||||||||||
FLCA-6 |
Major Transportation Corridor Landscape |
Principally impact by 'D sites' for the District
Centre |
Length of LCA in Study Area: 3990 m |
Length of LCA within NDA:
200 m Length of LCA affected:
200 m (100%) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
Short Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Negligible |
|
Description of Key Impacts during Construction and
Operation A very small area of this LCA, namely a short
stretch of the Sha Tau Kok Road, falls within the RODP and it is proposed to
be upgraded but not changed. Therefore
during construction the magnitude of change may be small but by operation, it
will be negligible. |
||||||||||||
FLCA-7 |
Major Water Course Corridor Landscape |
Mildly affected by all 'Sites' of the NDA i.e.' A
sites' for Government Facilities Zone Area, 'B sites' for West Residential
Area, 'C sites' for Civic and Recreation Area and 'D
sites' for the District Centre |
Length
of LCA in Study Area: 8650 m |
Length
of LCA within NDA: 4920 m Length
of LCA affected: 790 m (15%) |
Medium |
Fair |
Good |
Temporary
Medium Term |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Small |
|
Description
of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Where
it flows through the RODP, this LCA may be slightly affected along its banks
by the periphery of some incompatible sites, but most of the sites along the
banks are designated as open space and will not affect the LCA. At Ma Wat River in the south east however
approximately 250 m of this channelized river will have to be diverted
for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) and the
impacts of this are fully assessed in the DP Package 12D. Overall
this LCA will mainly be affected by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section in the
south east, but the majority will only be mildly affected by the
Project. The magnitude of change is
considered to be intermediate at construction when the diversion takes
place. The river is already
channelized however and at operation will flow through a similar channelized
section, and the main Ng Tung River will be negligibly affected, so the
overall magnitude of change is considered to be small. |
*Code Land Use Type
A Amenity
AGR Agriculture
C Commercial
CA Conservation Area
CDA Comprehensive Development Area
E Education
G Government
G-REC Government Recreation
GB Green Belt
HOS Home Ownership Scheme
IC Institution / Community
O Open Space
OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial,
Research & Development
OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District
Cooling System
OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing
Range
OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park
OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol
Filling Station
OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking &
Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System
OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research &
Development
OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway
Associated Facilities
OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Pumping Station
OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage
Treatment Works
OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor
Centre
PRH Public Rental Housing
PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local
Rehousing
R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest
density
R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest
density - with commercial
R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium
density
R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium
density - with commercial
R3 Residential Zone 3 - low density
R4 Residential Zone 4 – very
low density
V Village Type Development
12.8.2 Significance of Landscape Impacts before Mitigation
The potential significance of landscape impacts during the construction and operational phases, before mitigation is provided in Tables 12.8.5 (LR) and 12.8.6 (LCA) for KTN and Tables 12.8.7 (LR) and 12.8.8 (LCA) for FLN respectively. The assessment follows the methodology proposed in Section 12.4 and the matrix provided in Table 12.4.1.
The significances of impacts before mitigation on KTN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.8.5 and 12.8.6 below and summaries of the outcome provided after each table.
Table 12.8.5 - Significance of impacts before mitigation on KTN NDA LRs
LR Code |
Name |
LR
Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low) |
Magnitude
of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible |
Impact
Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
|||
KLR 1 |
Channelized Water Course |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung
River (Channelised) |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-1.2 |
Shek
Sheung River (Channelised) |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-1.3 |
Sheung
Yue River (Channelised) |
Medium |
Small |
Negligible |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR-1.4 |
Water
Course Network in Long Valley (Channelised) |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR 2 |
Water Course |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-2.1 |
Streams in Kwu Tung |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-2.2 |
Natural
Streams at Tai Shek Mo |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-2.3 |
Natural
Streams at Ki Lun Shan |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-2.4 |
Natural
Streams at Ma Tso Lung |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR 3 |
Water Pond |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-3.1 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Water Ponds |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-3.2 |
Long
Valley Water Ponds |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.3 |
Fung
Kong Shan Water Ponds |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
KLR-3.4 |
Fu Tei Au
Water Ponds |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.5 |
Water
Ponds beside Kam Hang Road |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.6 |
Water
Ponds at Pak Shek Au |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-3.7 |
Water
Ponds at Tit Hang |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.8 |
Water
Ponds within the Closed Area |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.9 |
Kam
Tsin Tsuen Pond |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.10 |
Wai Loi
Tsuen Water Pond |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 4 |
Marsh |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-4.1 |
Marshes
in Long Valley |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-4.2 |
Mitigation
Wetland |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-4.3 |
Wetland/
Marsh in the Closed Area |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-4.4 |
Marsh
around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 5 |
Plantation |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-5.1 |
Plantation
South of Fanling Highway |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-5.2 |
Plantation
in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-5.3 |
Plantation
in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-5.4 |
OVTs
along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR 6 |
Hillside Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-6.1 |
Ki Lun
Shan Hillside Woodland |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-6.2 |
Tai
Shek Mo Hillside Woodland |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-6.3 |
Hillside
Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
KLR-6.4 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR 7 |
Lowland Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-7.1 |
Kwu
Tung South Road Lowland Woodland |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-7.2 |
Lowland
Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-7.3 |
Lowland
Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
KLR-7.4 |
Sheung
Shui Water Treatment Works Lowland Woodland |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-7.5 |
Vemon Pass
Woodland |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 8 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-8.1 |
Ki Lun
Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-8.2 |
Fung Kong
Shan Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR-8.3 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the
Western Ranges Foothills |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
KLR-8.4 |
Shrubland/Grassland
Mosaic along Sheung Yue River, Ng Tung River and Fanling Highway |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-8.5 |
Fu Tei Au
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 9 |
Agricultural Land |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-9.1 |
Long
Valley Agricultural Land |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-9.2 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Agricultural Land |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR-9.3 |
Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and
Fung Kong |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-9.4 |
Other
Agricultural Lands in KTN |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-9.5 |
Other Orchard
Areas in KTN |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR 10 |
Open Space / Recreational Area |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-10.1 |
Hong
Kong Golf Club |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-10.2 |
Sheung
Shui Community Sports |
Medium |
Large |
Intermediate |
Substantial |
Moderate |
KLR-10.3 |
Lo Wu
Saddle Club |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 11 |
Urban Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu
Correctional Institution |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-11.2 |
Existing
formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station |
Low |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR 12 |
Rural Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-12.1 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-12.2 |
Rural
Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-12.3 |
Rural Development
Area in Ngam Pin |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.4 |
Rural
Development Area to the East of MTRC East Railway Line |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.5 |
Rural
Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.6 |
Kam
Tsin Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.7 |
Kwu Tung
Fresh Water Service Reservoir |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.8 |
Rural
Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.9 |
Rural Development
Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-12.10 |
Lo Wu
Rifle Range |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.11 |
Rural
Development Area in Ma Tso Lung |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR-12.12 |
Fanling
Lodge |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 13 |
Industrial / Open Storage |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-13.1 |
Sheung
Shui Industrial Area |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-13.2 |
Industrial
/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong |
Low |
Large (partly beneficial) |
Intermediate
(partly beneficial) |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
KLR-13.3 |
Industrial/Open
Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong |
Low |
Large (partly beneficial) |
Large (partly
beneficial) |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
KLR-13.4 |
Industrial/Open
Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan |
Low |
Large (partly beneficial) |
Intermediate
(partly beneficial) |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
KLR 14 |
Major Transportation Corridor |
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-14.1 |
Fanling
Highway and nearby associated roads |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-14.2 |
MTRC
East Rail (to/from Lo Wu) |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
In summary, in KTN NDA, substantial
adverse impacts are predicted at construction for the following five LRs: Fung
Kong Shan Water Ponds KLR-3.3, Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and
Fung Kong KLR-6.3, Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok KLR-7.3,
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills
KLR-8.3, and Sheung Shui Community Sports KLR-10.2. These impacts are predicted
to remain substantially adverse at operation prior to mitigation for all these
LRs except Sheung Shui Community Sports KLR-10.2 where the land use at
operation will be compatible for the some of the area with a new Standard
Swimming Pool and Sport Centre (E1-5) such that the impact reduces to moderate
at operation prior to mitigation.
There LRs which are predicted to
experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are:
KLR-1.4 Water Course Network in Long Valley (Channelised), Streams in Kwu Tung
KLR-2.1, Natural
Streams at Ma Tso Lung KLR-2.4, Water
Ponds (Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds KLR-3.1, Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au
KLR-3.6), Mitigation Wetland KLR-4.2, OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road
KLR-5.4, Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland
KLR-6.2, Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland KLR-6.4,
Agricultural land (in Long Valley KLR-9.1, in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung
Kong KLR-9.3 and others in KTN KLR-9.4), Rural
Development Areas (around Ho Sheung Heung KLR-12.1, in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai KLR-12.2 and in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong
Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang KLR-12.9), and Fanling
Highway and nearby associated roads KLR-14.1.
There impacts are predicted to remain moderately adverse at operation
for all these LRs.
The remaining LRs will all experience
slight adverse impacts or insignificant impacts at construction and operation,
with the exception of the Industrial / Open Storage Areas in Yin Kong
(KLR-13.2), Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong (KLR-13.3) and Pak Shek Au,
Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan (KLR-13.4) where the land use will
improve, largely due to residential uses, and the impacts at operation are
considered to be slightly beneficial overall.
Table 12.8.6 - Significance
of impacts before mitigation on KTN NDA LCAs
LCA
Code |
Name |
LCA Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low) |
Magnitude of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/
Negligible |
Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/
Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
|||
KLCA-1 |
Natural
Hillside Landscape |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Substantial |
Substantial |
KLCA-2 |
Rural
and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLCA-3 |
Urban
Development Landscape |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLCA-4 |
Industrial
Landscape |
Low |
Intermediate (partly beneficial) |
Small (beneficial) |
Slight |
Slight
beneficial |
KLCA-5 |
Lowland
Agricultural Landscape |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLCA-6 |
Major
Transportation Corridor Landscape |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLCA-7 |
Major
Water Course Corridor Landscape |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
In summary for the LCAs, substantially
adverse impacts are predicted at construction and operation before mitigation
for Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1) (due to large topographical changes
(See Figures
12.11.5a-d) in constructing the water service reservoirs in G1-4 and
G1-5, even though the impacted area is relatively small) Rural and Urban
Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape (KLCA-5)
will experience moderate adverse impacts during construction and operation, mainly due to large area of land to
be affected by the Project. In addition the Major Transportation Corridor
Landscape (KLCA-6) will experience moderate adverse impacts during construction
and operation prior to mitigation, mainly due to the potential loss of roadside
greening along Fanling Highway.
The remaining LCAs are all expected to
experience slight adverse impacts at construction and operation, except the
Urban Development Landscape (KLCA-3) which is expected to experience
insignificant impacts (as only a small area of within the NDA (the Lo Wu
Correctional Institution) and no changes are expected there) and the Industrial
Landscape KLCA-4 which is expected to
slightly benefit from the Project by operation due to the compatible and
possible enhancement of land uses here e.g. industrial/ open storage areas to
residential areas.
The significance of impacts on FLN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.8.7 and 12.8.8 below and summaries for each provided after the tables.
Table 12.8.7- Significance of impacts before mitigation on FLN NDA LRs
LR Code |
Name |
LR
Sensitivity (High/
Medium/ Low) |
Magnitude
of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible |
Impact
Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
|||
|
|
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
||
FLR 1 |
Channelized Water Course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung
River (Fanling District) (Channelized) |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-1.2 |
Shek
Sheung River (Channelized) |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-1.3 |
Sheung
Yue River (Channelized) |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-1.4 |
Ma Wat
River (Channelized) |
Medium |
Large |
Intermediate |
Substantial |
Moderate |
|
FLR-1.5 |
Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land
(Channelized) |
Low |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR 2 |
Water Course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-2.1 |
Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-2.2 |
Natural Stream at Cham Shan |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-2.3 |
Natural Streams at Lung Shan |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-2.4 |
Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR 3 |
Water
Pond |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-3.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-3.2 |
Water Ponds within the Closed Area |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-3.3 |
Fu Tei Au
Water Ponds |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-3.4 |
Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-3.5 |
Wai Loi
Tsuen Water Pond |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR 4 |
Marsh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-4.1 |
Marshes in Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-4.2 |
Mitigation Wetland |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
|
FLR 5 |
Plantation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-5.1 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-5.2 |
Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-5.3 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and
Noble Hill |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR 6 |
Hillside
Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-6.1 |
Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-6.2 |
Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
|
FLR-6.3 |
Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-6.4 |
Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR 7 |
Lowland
Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-7.1 |
Vernon Pass Woodland |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-7.2 |
Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water
Treatment Works |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-7.3 |
Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-7.4 |
Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-7.5 |
Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR 8 |
Shrubland/Grassland
Mosaic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-8.1 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic West of and along Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-8.2 |
Fu Tei Au
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Low |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-8.3 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan |
Medium |
Intermedate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-8.4 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
|
FLR 9 |
Agricultural Land |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-9.1 |
Agricultural
Land in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley |
High |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-9.2 |
Fu Tei Au
Agricultural Land |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-9.3 |
Agricultural
Land between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-9.4 |
Tin
Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-9.5 |
Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-9.6 |
Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San
Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Shek Wu San Tsuen |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-9.7 |
Agricultural Land in South of Sha Tau Kok Road |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR 10 |
Open
Space / Recreational Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-10.1 |
North District Sports Ground |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR 11 |
Urban
Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu Correctional Institution |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-11.2 |
Sheung Shui Urban Development Area |
Low |
Small |
Negligible |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-11.3 |
Fanling Urban Development Area |
Low |
Small |
Negligible |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|
FLR 12 |
Rural
Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-12.1 |
Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-12.2 |
Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-12.3 |
Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-12.4 |
Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-12.5 |
Wa Shan Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-12.6 |
Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-12.7 |
Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan |
Low |
Small |
Negligible |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-12.8 |
Rural Development Area around Ma Shi Po |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
FLR-12.9 |
Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural
Development Area |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR 13 |
Industrial
/ Open Storage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-13.1 |
Sheung Shui Industrial/Open Storage Area |
Low |
Large
(partly beneficial) |
Intermediate
(partly beneficial) |
Slight |
Slight
beneficial |
|
FLR-13.2 |
Fanling Industrial Area |
Low |
Small
(mainly beneficial) |
Small
(beneficial) |
Slight
beneficial |
Moderate
beneficial |
|
FLR 14 |
Major
Transportation Corridor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FLR-14.1 |
MTRC
East Rail |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-14.2 |
Sha Tau
Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau) |
Medium |
Small |
Negligible |
Slight |
Slight |
|
FLR-14.3 |
Fanling
Highway |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
FLR-14.4 |
MTRC
near Fanling Highway |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|
In summary, in FLN NDA, substantial
adverse impacts are predicted at construction for the following four LRs: Ma Wat River (Channelized) (FLR-1.4),
Mitigation Wetland (FLR-4.2), Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland
(FLR-6.2), and
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan (FLR-8.4). All these will experience
substantial adverse impacts at operation also, except Ma Wat River
(Channelized) (FLR-1.4) which is predicted to have moderate adverse impacts at
operation.
The LRs which are predicted to
experience moderately adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are:
Water Course through Ma Shui Po Agricultural Land (FLR-1.5), Natural Streams in
Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land (FLR-2.1), Natural Streams at Siu Hang San
Tsuen (FLR-2.4),, Hillside Woodland at Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (FLR-6.1) and at
Lunch Shan and Wa Mei Shan (FLR-6.4), Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and
Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (FLR-7.2) and at Sacred Hill
(FLR-7.4), Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at
Cham Shan and Wa Shan (FLR-8.3), Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land (FLR-9.2), Tin Ping Shan
Tsuen Agricultural Land (FLR-9.4), Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan
(FLR-9.5), Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yeung, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang
Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau (FLR-9.6) and Rural Development Areas in the North of
FLN NDA (FLR-12.3) and around Ma Shi Po (FLR-12.8).
The remaining LRs will all experience
slight adverse impacts or insignificant impacts at construction and operation,
with the exception of all the Industrial / Open Storage Areas i.e. those in
Sheung Shui (FLR13.1) and Fanling Industrial Area (FLR13.2), where the land use
will improve, largely due to residential uses, and the impacts at operation are
considered to be slightly and moderately beneficial overall respectively.
Table 12.8.8 - Significance of impacts before mitigation on FLN NDA LCAs
LR/LCA
Code |
Name |
LR
Sensitivity |
Magnitude
of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible |
Impact
Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
|||
FLCA-1 |
Natural Hillside Landscape |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
FLCA-2 |
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
FLCA-3 |
Urban Development Landscape |
Low |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
FLCA-4 |
Industrial Landscape |
Low |
Intermediate (partly
beneficial) |
Small (beneficial) |
Slight |
Slight
beneficial |
FLCA-5 |
Lowland Agricultural Landscape |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
FLCA-6 |
Major Transportation Corridor Landscape |
Low |
Small |
Negligible |
Slight |
Insignificant |
FLCA-7 |
Major Water Course Corridor Landscape |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Small |
Moderate |
Slight |
Natural Hillside Landscape in the FLN area (FLCA-1), Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape (FLCA-5) and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (FLCA-7) are expected to experience moderately adverse impacts during construction and all will remain so at operation except FLCA-7 which will experience slightly adverse impacts at operation before mitigation.
The remaining LCAs are all expected to experience slight adverse impacts at construction and operation, or insignificant impacts, except the Industrial Landscape (FLCA-4) which is expected to slightly benefit from the Project by operation due to the compatible and possible enhancement of land uses here e.g. industrial/ open storage areas to residential areas.
At the Project planning stage, many factors have been
considered to avoid, reduce and/ or help compensate for the potential L&V
impacts of the NDAs, with highest priority given to avoidance. Several alternative layouts/profiles for the
Project have been assessed, taking into account potential L&V impacts, but
also taking account of other considerations such as geotechnical constraints,
existing settlements and infrastructure, as well as other environmental factors
such as cultural heritage, water, noise etc. A summary of the planning context,
framework and concepts that have shaped the revised RODPs, highlighting those
that minimize the negative L&V impacts of each NDA, is provided in Section
12.5.2.
As well as the planning principles and concepts
outlined above and in Section 12.5.2 (considered
as mitigation prior to construction), measures to further avoid, as well as
reduce and/or compensate for particular unavoidable impacts during the
construction and/or operation of the Project have all been considered, with
highest priority given to impact avoidance and reduction.
These proposed mitigation measures should be
implemented as early as possible but those listed here have not been
categorized separately as ‘design’, ‘construction’ or ‘operation’ mitigation
measures due to measures often spanning different phases of the Project. For
example soft landscape mitigation measures will be considered during detailed
design, most likely be implemented during construction, and their full effect
often not appreciated until 10 years on, when the Project is operational.
Equally, detailed design measures such as fine tuning the footprint and design
of a building may reduce construction impacts but will also reduce operation
impacts.
Each NDA has multiple components due to be built in
different phases and includes projects designated for stand-alone EIA under Schedule
2 of the EIAO. For each component or
phase, all of the proposed mitigation measures should be considered and
implemented as appropriate and further details specific to the Schedule 2 DPs
can be found in DP
Packages 12A-D.
The proposed mitigation measures for the Project are
summarized in Table 12.9.1 below
and described in detail following. The same table also lists the agents
responsible for the capital funding, the implementation and the maintenance of
the suggested measures. For the Schedule
2 DPs, these agents may differ and further details of specific mitigation
measures for Schedule 2 DPs are provided in DP
Packages 12A-D.
Table 12.9.1–Summary of Proposed Mitigation
Measures
Mitigation Measure Code |
Summary Description |
Capital Funding Agency ([4]) |
Implementation Agency |
Post-Construction
Maintenance Agency ([5]) |
MM1 |
Minimum Topographical Change |
Government/
Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
n/a |
MM2 |
Detailed Design - Visual |
Government/
Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
Building
proponents/ HyD for noise barriers |
MM3 |
Open Space Provision |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors
of the Government/ Private Sector |
LCSD |
MM4 |
Tree Protection & Preservation |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
n/a |
MM5 |
Tree Transplantation |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
LCSD |
MM6 |
Slope Landscaping |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
HyD/
LCSD |
MM7 |
Compensatory Planting |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
HyD/
LCSD |
MM8 |
Woodland Compensatory Planting |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
AFCD ([6]) |
MM9 |
Vertical Greening |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
Building proponents |
MM10 |
Green Roof |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
Building proponents |
MM11 |
Screen Planting |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
HyD/
LCSD |
MM12 |
Road Greening |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
HyD/
LCSD |
MM13 |
Marsh/Wetland Compensation |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
AFCD ([7]) |
MM14.1 |
Watercourse
Impact Mitigation - Reprovision of Natural Stream |
Government/ Private
Sector |
Contractors of the
Government/ Private Sector |
DSD/
LCSD/ AFCD ([8]) |
MM14.2 |
Watercourse
Impact Mitigation - Stream Buffer Planting |
Government/ Private
Sector |
Contractors of the Government/
Private Sector |
LCSD/ AFCD ([9]) |
MM14.3 |
Watercourse
Impact Mitigation- Enhancement Planting along Embankment |
Government/ Private
Sector |
Contractors of the
Government/ Private Sector |
LCSD/ AFCD/ DSD ([10]) |
MM14.4 |
Watercourse Impact
Mitigation – Avoid Affecting Watercouses |
Government/ Private
Sector |
Contractors of the
Government/ Private Sector |
n/a |
MM15 |
Pond Replacement |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
LCSD |
MM16 |
Screen Hoarding |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
n/a |
MM17 |
Light Control |
Government/ Private Sector |
Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector |
n/a |
·
Minimum Topographical Change (MM1)
To
minimise landscape and visual impacts, the footprint and elevation of such
elements should be optimised to reduce topographical/ landform changes, as well
as reduce land take and interference with natural terrain. Where
there is a need to significantly cut into the existing landform, retaining
walls should be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes
and land resumption, while also considering visual amenity. Earthworks and engineered
slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform,
compatible with the surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain e.g.
introduction and continuation of natural features such as spurs and ridges
where appropriate,
to support assimilation with the hillside setting.
·
Detailed Design (Visual) (MM2)
The planning of the revised RODP has considered reducing visual impacts, enhancing visual amenity and keeping visual corridors, as described in Section 12.5.2.
The footprint and massing of development components and the works area should also be kept to a practical minimum and the detailed design of development components for construction stage should follow the Sustainable Building Design Guidelines.
The form, textures, finishes and colours of the proposed development components should aim to be compatible with the existing surroundings. To improve visual amenity, designs should be aesthetically pleasing and treatment of structures also improve visual amenity. For example natural building materials such as stone and timber, should be considered for architectural features, and light earthy tone colours such as shades of green, shades of grey, shades of brown and off-white should also be considered to reduce the visibility of the development components, including all roadwork, buildings and noise barriers. In addition, the design of structures should consider green roofs where feasible, following guidelines laid out in CIBSE HK Branch’s Technical Guidelines for Green Roof Systems in Hong Kong (2011) and ArchSD/Urbis Study on Green Roof Application in Hong Kong (2007) (Also see MM10).
All barriers, particularly noise barriers but also any barriers proposed for ecological impact mitigation, should be kept to a practical minimum, be designed to integrate as well as possible into the surrounding visual context and be as low as practical to minimise blocking views. Noise barrier design, including vertical, cantilever or curved, and noise enclosures including semi-enclosure and full enclosure, at grade and/ or elevated, should follow the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section (GLTM) of the Development Bureau’s Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barriers (April 2012).
Construction time frame should also be considered and designs seek to keep it to a practical minimum.
·
Open Space Provision (MM3)
In planning the revised RODP, impacts to most open space/ recreational areas have been avoided. To help alleviate loss of open space unavoidably affected by the Project, the principles adopted in the RODP planning ensure that public open space systems are incorporated and also improve landscape and visual amenity. In KTN NDA, the key open spaces are the east-west running Town Park in the town centre and the Fung Kong Shan Park in the northern part of the NDA as well as a riverside promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River. In FLN NDA, Site C2-8 is proposed as a Central Park and areas along the northern and southern banks of Ng Tung River will be developed into continuous promenades with some Riverside Parks at a number of Sites (e.g. B1-2, B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, D1-2 and D1-3). The public open space within the RODPs will enhance the visual amenity of the area and improve the overall landscape character as well as ensuring no overall loss of open space/ recreational LR.
·
Tree Protection & Preservation (MM4)
Exiting trees to be retained within the Project Site should be carefully protected during construction. In particular OVTs will be preserved according to ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 29/2004. Detailed Tree Protection Specification shall be provided in the Contract Specification. Under this specification, the Contractor shall be required to submit, for approval, a detailed working method statement for the protection of trees prior to undertaking any works adjacent to all retained trees, including trees in contractor’s works areas.
A detailed tree survey will be carried out for the Tree Removal Application (TRA) process which will be carried out at the later detailed design stage of the Project. The detailed tree survey will propose which trees should be retained, transplanted or felled and will include details of tree protection measures for those trees to be retained.
·
Tree Transplantation (MM5)
Trees unavoidably affected by the Project works should be transplanted where practical. Trees should be transplanted straight to their final receptor site and not held in a temporary nursery as far as possible. A detailed Tree Transplanting Specification shall be provided in the Contract Specification, where applicable. Sufficient time for necessary tree root and crown preparation periods shall be allowed in the project programme.
A detailed transplanting proposal will be submitted to relevant government departments for approval in accordance with ETWBTC 2/2004 and 3/2006 and final locations of transplanted trees should be agreed prior to commencement of the work.
For trees associated with highways e.g. roadside planting along highways, that are unavoidably affected and should be transplanted, HyD HQ/GN/13 ‘Interim Guidelines for Tree Transplanting Works under Highways Department's Vegetation Maintenance Ambit’ should be referred to.
·
Slope Landscaping (MM6)
As mentioned in Section 12.5.2.1, site formation has been reduced as far as possible to avoid substantial slope cutting (also see MM1).
Hydroseeding of modified slopes should be done as soon as grading works are completed to prevent erosion and subsequent loss of landscape resources and characters. Woodland tree seedlings and/ or shrubs should be planted where the slope gradient and site conditions allow. In addition, landscape planting should be provided for the retaining structures associated with modified slopes, where conditions allow. All slope landscaping works should comply with GEO Publication No. 1/2011-Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment for Slopes.
· Compensatory Planting (MM7) (For specific woodland compensatory planting, see MM8)
Compensatory tree planting for felled trees shall be provided to the satisfaction of relevant Government departments. Required numbers and locations of compensatory trees shall be determined and agreed separately with Government during the Tree Removal Application process under ETWBTC 3/2006. Based on a very broad brush estimate, 17,000 trees will be affected by the Project of which 30% will be retained/ transplanted. Those unavoidably lost will be compensated for by planting within KTN NDA and FLN NDA to the satisfaction of relevant Government departments as outlined above.
In addition, compensatory planting for shrubs should be considered in suitable locations. Native
species such as Melastoma malabathricum, Diospyros vaccinioides, Gardenia jasminoides,
Ixora chinensis, Ligustrum sinense, Litsea rotundifolia, Melastoma dodecandrum,
Atalantia buxifolia, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Rhaphiolepis indica, and
Rhododendron simsii are suggested.
The location of compensatory planting is proposed at the potential open areas such as open spaces, amenity areas, open areas of the streetscapes including roadside planting, as well as the open areas within development lots. Should space allow, the woodland compensatory planting areas (see MM8) may also be able to accommodate some standard tree and shrub compensation.
·
Woodland Compensatory Planting (MM8)
Specific woodland compensatory planting is proposed for any areas of quality woodland that are unavoidably affected by the Project.([11]) The compensatory woodland planting will principally be within habitats of lower value such as upland grassland. The proposed locations are identified, for example, on the foothills of Tai Shek Mo, and on the higher ground of Fung Kong Shan in KTN NDA; along Fanling Bypass; and a small area in the northern FLN NDA, as indicated on the Landscape Mitigation Plans in Figures 12.15.0-6 for KTN NDA and 12.16.0-5 for FLN NDA (further detailed zoom in Landscape Mitigation Plans are provided in DP Packages 12A-D).
The total area allocated for compensatory woodland planting is more than 16 ha. This provision allows in part for the fact that it will take some time for the compensatory planting to achieve the landscape and ecological function and value of the area to be lost. In addition, it allows for the fact that not all of the areas identified for planting will prove to be plantable, by virtue of topography and ground conditions and, especially, because though the areas identified are largely grassland it is inevitable that these areas will already support some patches of trees and shrubs which would be inappropriate for further planting.
The intention of the compensatory woodland will be to recreate areas of quality woodland, not necessarily to compensate for loss of trees on a like for like basis. Native tree species are suggested for planting, including Ailanthus fordii, Bischofia javanica, Castanopsis fissa, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum burmannii, Cinnamomum camphora, Xanthoxlyum avicennae, Liquidambar formosana, Sapium discolor, Schefflera heptaphylla and Ilex rotunda. In addition some understory vegetation may be planted including shrubs such as Atalantia buxifolia, Diospyros vaccinioides, Gardenia jasminoides, Ixora chinensis, Ligustrum sinense, Litsea rotundifolia, Melastoma malabathricum, Melastoma dodecandrum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Rhaphiolepis indica, and Rhododendron simsii.
·
Vertical Greening (MM9)
Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces where appropriate (e.g. building edges, piers), to soften hard structures and facilities.
·
Green Roof (MM10)
Roof greening where appropriate should be established on proposed buildings to reduce exposure to untreated concrete surfaces and particularly mitigate visual impact to VSRs at high levels. Green roofs can also provide attractive landscaping and greening. CIBSE HK Branch’s Technical Guidelines for Green Roof Systems in Hong Kong (2011) and ArchSD/Urbis Study on Green Roof Application in Hong Kong (2007) should be referred to when considering and developing green roofs. These documents provide further details including information regarding structural loading, design, and maintenance etc. considerations as well as providing information on what types of plants might be suitable.
·
Screen Planting (MM11)
Tall screen/buffer trees and shrubs should be planted to screen proposed structures such as roads and buildings. This measure may additionally form part of the compensatory planting and will improve compatibility with the surrounding environment and create a pleasant pedestrian environment.
·
Road Greening (MM12)
For viaducts, soft landscaping should be provided to soften the hard, straight edges (for climbers used to cover the vertical, hard surfaces of the piers – see MM9 Vertical Greening) and shade tolerant plants should be planted, where light is insufficient, to improve aesthetic value of areas under viaducts. Both at grade planting and use of elevated planters should be considered for the soft landscaping of viaducts, taking into account the preference to minimise the overall viaduct bulk and integrate architectural forms and textural finishes which improve aesthetics.
At grade road planting should be considered along central dividers and on road islands e.g. in the middle of roundabouts. HQ/GN/15 - Guidelines for Greening Works along Highways should be referred to for greening of highways specifically and Development Bureau TCW No. 2/2013 – Greening on Footbridges and Flyovers for footbridges and flyovers.
(Roadside planting i.e. at the road edge and not in the central divider or road island, is considered part of MM11 Screen Planting and might also be part of MM7 Compensatory Planting or MM5 Tree Transplanting (where the transplanted tree is planted)
·
Marsh/Wetland Compensation (MM13)
Direct loss of marsh and wetland areas caused by the Project will be mitigated by compensatory habitat and management in the proposed Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP) where there will be some addition of wetland areas.
Also see ‘MM14 Watercourse Impact Mitigation’ as wetland planting should be provided along the embankments and beds of modified watercourses.
·
Watercourse Impact Mitigation (MM14)
Watercourses in the Study Area are broadly categorised into channelized water courses (LR1) and non-channelized or more natural watercourse including natural streams (LR2). During the formulation of the RODP, key features, which include the large channelized rivers of Ng Tung, Shek Sheung, Sheung Yue and Ma Wat channel, as well as areas of natural streams have been actively avoided as far as possible as reported in Section 12.5.2; where they cannot be fully avoided, care has been taken to zone the land appropriately to ensure their protection wherever possible. Inevitably, given the nature of the Project, there will be some impacts on watercourses and MM14.1-4 below describe specific measures that can be applied to help mitigate watercourse impacts.
Reprovision of Natural Stream (MM14.1)
Where natural streams are unavoidabley affected along some of their length, they can be diverted to avoid the proposed new developments and retain the integrity of the whole stream. Detailed design of any stream diversion should follow the Guidelines in ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 (Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works) and appropriate construction methods should be used.
Two short stretches of the Ma Tso Lung Stream will be affected by Project in the KTN NDA; by the LMC Eastern Connection Road on the western border of Site F1-3 and further upstream by Site E-2. At both these locations, the affected stream will be reprovisioned and maintain the flow between unaffected sections of the stream. The reprovisioned stream will be provided with a natural bed and banks, as well as having an area of marsh/ pool next to it and trees and shrubs further from the banks. Full details of this stream mitigation are provided in Chapter 13.
Stream Buffer Planting (MM14.2)
Providing a minimum 10 m buffer with planting (where there is a general presumption against any development taking place) along streams where they flow close to developments, confers a degree of protection to the stream course and its associated vegetation.
For the stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen in FLN NDA, changes to
the proposed NDA boundary during the revised RODP
design have excluded much of this stream from the NDA and within the NDA
boundary much of the stream would be located underneath the viaduct for the
proposed Fanling Bypass. To the south of the viaduct the stream flows through
the area D1-3, zoned as Open Space, prior to joining Ng Tung River. In this
Open Space zone a 10m buffer is proposed
in which natural vegetation will be retained and enhanced and human activities
will be limited in order to avoid direct impacts to the stream bed and to
minimise potential indirect impacts to the stream and riparian corridor.
Enhancement Planting along Embankment (MM14.3)
For channelized watercourses, if these are modified, the Drainage Services Department Practice Note No.1/2005 – Guidelines on Environmental Considerations for River Channel Design, should be considered and appropriate mitigation measures included ensuring the new watercourses match the existing as far as possible. Measures can include enhancement planting to upgrade the channels as appropriate, including consideration of wetland planting along embankments where appropriate; as well as consideration of the best materials for the channel lining (e.g. gabion). All measures must also ensure any necessary maintenance work can be carried out and that the channel meets all its requirements for water flow, etc.
For example, a stretch of the Ma Wat River Channel in the south of FLN NDA will have to be diverted for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. This measure will be particularly relevant in this area.
Avoid affecting Watercourses (MM14.4)
At the planning stage care has been taken to avoid affecting watercourses as far as possible. In the detailed design, consideration should again be made of watercourses, to minimise any impacts e.g. at new bridge crossings, viaducts, road alignment etc. Guidelines for this include ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works as well as Building Department (BD) Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 295: Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works.
For example, the stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen in FLN NDA much of the stream is located underneath the viaduct for the proposed Fanling Bypass. In order to avoid impacts to the stream, the detailed final design of the viaduct should follow guidelines and ensure that no viaduct footings or other structures are places in the stream.
Bridges and box culverts should also be used to minimise the necessity of watercourse modification and protect the watercourses where necessary.
·
Pond Replacement (MM15)
In planning the revised RODP,
impacts to most ponds have been avoided by exclusion from the NDA or suitable
zoning that allow for the ponds to be protected e.g. Agricultural zoning in
A1-3 and A1-9 in the west of
FLN NDA. To help alleviate the
loss of ponds unavoidably affected by the Project, the principles
adopted in the RODP design ensure that new ponds are incorporated and also
improve landscape and visual amenity.
For example the Fung Kong Shan Park in E1-7 of KTN NDA will incorporate a pond and the requirement of such
re-provision has been stipulated in the planning documents for the formulation
of the Preliminary Layout Plan (In addition, the LVNP at C1-9 will ensure the retention and possible provision of ponds as reported in MM13).
·
Screen Hoarding (MM16)
Screen hoarding shall be erected along areas of the
construction works site boundary where the works site borders with public accessible routes and/or is
close to visually sensitive receivers (VSRs), to screen undesirable views of
the works site. It is proposed that the screening be compatible with the
surrounding environment and where possible, non-reflective, recessive colours
be used. Any works areas near the ecological
sensitive areas should erect 2m high dull green site boundary fence. Details can refer to the ecological impact
assessment (Chapter 13 of the EIA
report).
·
Light Control (MM17)
Construction day and night time lighting should be controlled to minimize glare impact to adjacent VSRs during the construction stage. Street and night time lighting shall also be controlled to minimize glare impact to adjacent VSRs during the operation phase. This is considered a general measure for good practice.
·
Other good practise measures.
For areas unavoidably disturbed by the Project on a short term basis e.g. works areas, the general principle to try and restore these to their former state to suit future land use, should be adhered to.
With regard to topsoil, where identified, it should be stripped, treated appropriately, and where suitable and practical stored for re-use in the construction of the soft landscape works such as roadside amenity strips, and open space sites. For the all planting, this should be installed as soon as the areas become available, to achieve early establishment.
Mitigation measures, as described in Section
12.9 above, have been applied to the various impacts and
used to calculate the significance of residual impacts for LRs and LCAs. For LRs and LCAs particularly affected by the
Project (as summarised after Tables 12.8.5 and 12.8.6 for KTN
and Tables 12.8.7 and 12.8.8
for FLN), a brief description of how the measures will mitigate the impacts is
provided.
The potential significance of residual landscape impacts
during the construction and operational phases, after mitigation at day 1 and
year 10, is provided in Tables 12.9.2 and 12.9.3 for KTN
and Tables 12.9.4
and 12.9.5 for FLN respectively.
The assessment follows the methodology proposed in Section
12.4 and assumes that the appropriate mitigation measures
described in Section 12.9,
and listed in the tables according to LRs/LCAs, would be implemented. The assessment also assumes the full effect
of the soft landscape mitigation measures would be fully realized after 10
years.
Figures 12.15.0 (key plan), 12.15.1-6 (zoom ins) and Figures 12.16.0 (key plan), 12.16.1-5 (zoom ins) show
the main Landscape Mitigation Plans for the KTN and FLN NDAs respectively, to
help illustrate some of the mitigation measures proposed.
The significance of residual impacts after mitigation
on KTN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.9.2 and 12.9.3 below. Brief descriptions of how these measures will
mitigate the impacts on the most affected LRs and LCAs is provided after the
tables.
Table 12.9.2 – Significance of Residual Impacts Upon Mitigation on
KTN NDA LRs
LR Code |
Name |
Impact
Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
Recommended
Mitigation Measures |
Residual
Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation
(Day 1) |
Operation
(Year 10) |
||
KLR 1 |
Channelized Water Course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung
River (Channelised) |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-1.2 |
Shek
Sheung River (Channelised) |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-1.3 |
Sheung
Yue River (Channelised) |
Slight |
Insignificant |
MM14.3, MM14.4 |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-1.4 |
Water
Course Network in Long Valley (Channelised) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM14.4 |
MM14.4 |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR 2 |
Water Course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-2.1 |
Streams
in Kwu Tung |
Moderate |
Moderate |
n/a ([12]) |
n/a ([13]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-2.2 |
Natural
Streams at Tai Shek Mo |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-2.3 |
Natural
Streams at Ki Lun Shan |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-2.4 |
Natural
Streams at Ma Tso Lung |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM14.1, MM14.2, MM14.3, MM14.4 |
MM14.1, MM14.2, MM14.3, M14.4 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR 3 |
Water Pond |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-3.1 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Water Ponds |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM15 |
MM13, MM15 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.2 |
Long
Valley Water Ponds |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.3 |
Fung
Kong Shan Water Ponds |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM15 |
MM13, MM15 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
KLR-3.4 |
Fu Tei Au
Water Ponds |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.5 |
Water
Ponds beside Kam Hang Road |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.6 |
Water
Ponds at Pak Shek Au |
Moderate |
Moderate |
M15 |
MM13, MM15 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR-3.7 |
Water
Ponds at Tit Hang |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.8 |
Water
Ponds within the Closed Area |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.9 |
Kam
Tsin Tsuen Pond |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-3.10 |
Wai Loi
Tsuen Water Pond |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 4 |
Marsh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-4.1 |
Marshes
in Long Valley |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-4.2 |
Mitigation
Wetland |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM13 |
MM13 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR-4.3 |
Wetland/
Marsh in the Closed Area |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-4.4 |
Marsh
around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 5 |
Plantation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-5.1 |
Plantation
South of Fanling Highway |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-5.2 |
Plantation
in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-5.3 |
Plantation
in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-5.4 |
OVTs
along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4 |
MM4 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR 6 |
Hillside Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-6.1 |
Ki Lun
Shan Hillside Woodland |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-6.2 |
Tai
Shek Mo Hillside Woodland |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR-6.3 |
Hillside
Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
KLR-6.4 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR 7 |
Lowland Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-7.1 |
Kwu
Tung South Road Lowland Woodland |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-7.2 |
Lowland
Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-7.3 |
Lowland
Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7,
MM8, MM12 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8,
MM12 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
KLR-7.4 |
Sheung
Shui Water Treatment Works Lowland Woodland |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-7.5 |
Vemon Pass
Woodland |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 8 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-8.1 |
Ki Lun
Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-8.2 |
Fung Kong
Shan Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Slight |
Slight |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-8.3 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the
Western Range Foothills |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
KLR-8.4 |
Shrubland/Grassland
Mosaic along Sheung Yue River, Ng Tung River and Fanling Highway |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-8.5 |
Fu Tei Au
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 9 |
Agricultural Land |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-9.1 |
Long
Valley Agricultural Land |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, ([14]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
KLR-9.2 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Agricultural Land |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, (1) |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR-9.3 |
Agricultural
Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, (1) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-9.4 |
Other
Agricultural Lands in KTN |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, (1) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-9.5 |
Other
Orchard Area in KTN |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, (1) |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR 10 |
Open Space / Recreational Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-10.1 |
Hong
Kong Golf Club |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-10.2 |
Sheung
Shui Community Sports |
Substantial |
Moderate |
MM3, MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM3, MM4, MM5, MM7 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR-10.3 |
Lo Wu
Saddle Club |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 11 |
Urban Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu
Correctional Institution |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-11.2 |
Existing
formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station |
Slight |
Slight |
n/a |
n/a |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR 12 |
Rural Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-12.1 |
Ho
Sheung Heung Rural Development Area |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
KLR-12.2 |
Rural
Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong Tsung Pak Long and
Hakka Wai |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.3 |
Rural
Development Area in Ngam Pin |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.4 |
Rural
Development Area to the East of MTRC East Railway Line |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.5 |
Rural
Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.6 |
Kam
Tsin Rural Development Area |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.7 |
Kwu
Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.8 |
Rural
Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.9 |
Rural
Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLR-12.10 |
Lo Wu
Rifle Range |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.11 |
Rural
Development Area in Ma Tso Lung |
Slight |
Slight |
MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-12.12 |
Fanling
Lodge |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR 13 |
Industrial / Open Storage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-13.1 |
Sheung
Shui Industrial Area |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLR-13.2 |
Industrial
/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
Slight beneficial |
KLR-13.3 |
Industrial/Open
Storage in Shek Tsai Leng , Tong Kok and Fung Kong |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
Slight beneficial |
KLR-13.4 |
Industrial/Open
Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
Slight beneficial |
KLR 14 |
Major Transportation Corridor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KLR-14.1 |
Fanling
Highway and nearby associated roads |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12, MM14.5 |
MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12, MM14.5 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLR-14.2 |
MTRC East
Rail (to Lo Wu) |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
As previously stated, LRs particularly
affected by the Project at construction before mitigation in KTN NDA, which
experience substantial adverse impacts, include four LRs and the mitigation
measures for these and their residual impact significances are detailed below.
The residual impact for the LRs that are predicted to experience moderate
adverse impacts at construction and operation before mitigation are also
discussed.
12.9.1.1.1 Substantially Affected LRs Prior to Mitigation
Although the planning of the revised RODP has avoided a number of water ponds, the Fung
Kong Shan Water Ponds (KLR-3.3) comprising a relatively large pond area of
approximately 1.12 ha and with medium sensitivity will be unavoidably filled
during construction of the NDA and remain so at operation and the significance
before mitigation is considered to be substantial since all these ponds are
lost. Although these ponds are lost, the conservation and enhancement of the
LVNP will ensure the retention and provision of
some ponds in this area. In addition one
principle of planning for the NDA is to incorporate some new ponds, for example
there will be a new pond in Fung Kong Shan Park, near their original pond
locations. Although this will not
directly compensate for the lost ponds, it will alleviate the impact. The requirements of such re-provision have
been stipulated in the planning documents for the formulation of the
Preliminary Layout Plan. Therefore
although these particular ponds at Fung Kong Shan are irreversibly lost, at
construction and operation day 1, the residual impact significance is
considered to reduce to moderate, and by year 10 when the nearby Fung Kong Shan
pond is established and the ponds in the LVNP have had time to confer a
positive effect, the residual impact is considered to drop to slight.
Although much of the Hillside Woodland
in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong (KLR-6.3) is on land zoned green belt so
it will not be affected, some will be affected by land designated for
incompatible uses such as for research and development in
support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development, a fire station cum ambulance depot, a
standard swimming pool, residential housing and roads.
Woodland in these areas is likely to be adversely impacted with trees being
cleared during site clearance and site formation in the construction
phase. Measures to protect and preserve
trees as well as transplant and actively compensate with woodland plantation,
will reduce this impact from substantial to moderate. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to
landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. During operation, the land use in these sites
will have changed completely and the effect of the same mitigation measures
will ensure the impact remains moderate at day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory
woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and the
residual impact will reduce to slight.
About 2 ha of the 13.63 ha of
Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok (KLR-7.3) that falls within the
RODP boundary is on land zoned for compatible uses (e.g. Green Belt) so it will
not be affected. The majority of this
LR, however, will be affected by such developments as the potential District
Cooling System (DCS), roads and their associated amenity areas, part of a
hospital, a public transport interchange, as well as residential and school
developments which are all incompatible with the current landscape resources.
While parts of the residential development complexes include open spaces
between buildings, some trees in this LR will be lost during site clearance and
formation works and the DCS construction will require significant landform
changes as it is currently located on a small knoll. This large change to an LR considered to be
highly sensitive means there is a substantial impact prior to mitigation.
Measures to protect and preserve trees, transplant and actively compensate
trees with woodland plantation will reduce this impact. Additionally, for the DCS area, minimization
of topographical changes in the detailed design stage
and landscape treatment of any slopes formed
will also reduce the impact. Therefore
the residual impact upon mitigation for this LR is considered to reduce from
substantial to moderate at day 1 of operation and with the compensatory
woodland planting reaching its full potential, to reduce to slight by year 10
of operation.
Most of the Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic
in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills (KLR-8.3) will not be affected
by the Project as it falls either outside the RODP boundary or on green
belt. Two sites designated for water service reservoirs, however, are located in this LR
and will require considerable site formation with cut/ fill slopes of up to
38 m for the Flushing Water Service Reservoir
and up to 53 m for the Fresh Water Service Reservoir,
all with a maximum 40 degree slope steepness.
The magnitude of change is therefore considered to be large. This LR has medium sensitivity and although
the area affected is relatively small (under 4 ha), the impact is
considered substantial prior to mitigation, largely due to the topographical
changes to two adjacent foothill areas (See Figures 12.11.6-7). Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and
their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and
interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as
well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be
designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding
landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the
surrounding reservoir structures will also mitigate the impact to the
shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof itself) by
creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical
surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as
taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection,
preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact
on this LR is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and operation day
1. With soft landscaping maturing and
conferring greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered
to reduce to slight.
The impact on Sheung Shui Community
Sports recreational area (KLR-10.2) is predicted to be substantial at construction
but to reduce to moderate at operation prior to mitigation. This drop of impact from construction to
operation is due to some of the land use at operation being compatible with the
current LR e.g. a new Standard Swimming Pool and Sports
Centre at E1-5 providing a recreational area and creating similar LR
value to the NDA. Mitigation measures to
protect and preserve the few trees in this LR, as well as transplant any
unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will slightly reduce the
impact. Moreover the planning of the
revised RODP avoids impacts to most open space/ recreational areas and the
principle adopted in the RODP planning ensures that public open space systems
are incorporated. In KTN NDA, the
key open spaces are the east-west running Town Park in the town centre and the
Fung Kong Shan Park in the northern part of the NDA as well as a riverside
promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River.
Sports grounds are designated
at B2-8, E1-5 and F1-1. The public open
space within the RODPs will ensure no overall loss of open space/ recreational
LR and will help to mitigate the impact on KLR-10.2. Therefore the significance of impact is
considered to reduce to moderate at construction and slight at operation day 1,
becoming insignificant by year 10.
12.9.1.1.2 Moderately Affected LRs Prior to Mitigation
The LRs which are predicted to
experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are
elaborated on below.
The Water Course Network in Long Valley
(Channelised) (KLR-1.4) is an integral part of the Long Valley Agricultural
area and hence has high sensitivity. It
is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project. The majority of this LR falls in Site C1-9
designated to become the LVNP and will not be adversely affected by the Project. Where the channels converge and link to an
existing box culvert in the south, however, the water course will be diverted
into box culverts as the land is designated for commercial, research and
development uses. An active management
plan for the LVNP in C1-9 is proposed which will generally enhance and protect
this area and in so doing, it is likely that this LR passing through C1-9 will
be protected. Overall with the diversion
of some sections of this LR into box culverts the significance of impact is
considered to drop to slight at construction and remain slight throughout
operation.
The Streams in Kwu Tung (KLR-2.1) are
predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before mitigation. These streams are located in the central area
of KTN NDA and pass through villages including Fung Kong, Tung Fong, Tong Kok
and Shek Tsai Leng such that while upstream sections are natural and with
seasonal flow, some sections are fortified by concrete banks with grey water
flowing and they are considered of poor quality and to have medium sensitivity
overall. They will be affected by many
different development uses including buildings for residential, public rental
housing, a primary school and commercial, research & development. Site formation works for these developments
means that these streams will be filled and permanently lost at
construction. Given the medium
sensitivity of this LR and the large magnitude of change experienced, the
significance of the impact is considered to be moderate before mitigation. Given the streams are permanently lost the
significance of the impact is considered to remain as moderate, even at year 10
of operation. Nevertheless, in formulating
the revised RODP care has been given to preserving the more natural streams
within the NDA, such as Ma Tso Lung stream (part of KLR2-4), so that within the
whole NDA, key streams are conserved.
For Ma Tso Lung stream in particular, which has high sensitivity and is
of high ecological value in parts, the upper and middle sections and
tributaries have been avoided by zoning the area as Green Belt and a
15-30 m buffer zone (in Site F1-3) to restrict development. The boundary of Site F1-3 has also been
adjusted to protect the stream’s riparian vegetation. The overall significance of the Project’s
impact on KLR-2.4 is considered moderate at construction and operation before
mitigation. Some short meanders of the
stream in Site F1-3 and a section in Site E1-2
will still require diversion to protect the stream during site formation works
and the stream diversion will be carefully designed to retain the natural
stream bank and bed. At Site F1-3, an
area of marsh/ pool is designated next to the stream, with trees and shrubs
further from the bank, overall preserving, if not enhancing, these stream
sections. Consideration will be made to
further reducing any impact on the stream e.g. through fine tuning of the LMC
Eastern Connection road alignment and placement of buildings within F1-3. As such, the residual impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and
operation day 1, and become insignificant by year 10
when the buffer
planting will have matured to its full
potential and the diverted sections of stream be fully established.
Most ponds in
the KTN NDA Study area will not be affected by the Project but there are two
areas where ponds are considered to be moderately affected before mitigation
(i.e. Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds (KLR3.1) and Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au
(KLR-3.6)). The Ho Sheung Heung Water
Ponds (KLR-3.1) are rated highly sensitive and most of them will remain in the
NDA but one reasonably large and one small pond south of Ho Sheung Heung will
be affected by residential and road developments and filled during site
formation. This is considered an
intermediate change leading to moderate significance of impact before
mitigation. The small Water Ponds at Pak
Shek Au (KLR-3.6) are rated as having medium sensitivity and will be lost
during site formation for a hospital and road resulting in large change and
moderate significance of impact before mitigation. Although
some of the ponds are lost, the conservation and enhancement of the LVNP will
ensure the retention and provision of some ponds in this
area. Moreover the layout of the revised
RODP incorporates some new ponds, for example a new pond at Fung Kong Shan Park
in E1-7. Although this will not directly
compensate for the lost ponds, it will alleviate the impact. Therefore although some ponds are
irreversibly lost, at construction and operation day 1 the residual impact
significance is considered to reduce to slight, and
by year 10 when any ponds in the RODP have had time to establish and the
enhanced ponds in the LVNP have had time to confer a positive effect, although
the impact will have reduced further, the residual impact is still rated
slight.
Although most
of Mitigation Wetland (KLR-4.2) will not be affected by the Project, this is
rated a highly sensitive resource and will experience a moderate change as a
small area of it will be irreversibly lost during site formation for amenities
and commercial, research and development uses.
Some of this LR falls within the LVNP and will be conserved and enhanced therefore ensuring the
retention of these mitigation wetland areas and their possible
enhancement. Therefore although a
particular small area of
mitigation wetland is irreversibly lost,
at construction and operation day 1, the residual impact significance is
considered to reduce to slight, and by year 10 when
wetland and some marshes in the LVNP are enhanced and
confer a positive effect, the residual impact will be insignificant.
OVTs along
Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road (KLR-5.4) are a highly sensitive resource
and although all these trees will be retained, given there is a possibility
they may be indirectly affected during construction works along the roads, a
worst case scenario is used to conclude they may experience a small change and
therefore gives
a moderate significance of impact. By ensuring careful tree preservation
measures are put in place to protect these trees, they should not be affected
by the Project and the significance of residual impact is considered to reduce
to slight at construction and operation day 1 and be insignificant by year 10
of operation.
Most of Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland
(KLR-6.2) is outside the RODP boundary and a small section east of Fung Kong
Shan falls within land designated as green belt; woodland here will not be
affected by the Project. However,
roughly 0.5 ha of this LR lies within a site designated as a potential
activities centre where adverse impact by site formation and tree clearance is
expected. Woodland in these areas is
likely to be adversely impacted during site clearance and site formation in the
construction phase. Measures to protect
and preserve trees, as well as transplant and actively compensate them with
woodland plantation, will reduce this impact.
The compensatory woodland planting will principally be within habitats
of lower value such as upland grassland and the proposed locations are identified,
for example, on the foothills of Tai Shek Mo and on the higher ground of Fung
Kong Shan in KTN NDA; along Fanling Bypass; and a small area in the northern
FLN NDA, as indicated on the Landscape Mitigation Plans in Figures 12.15.0-6 for KTN NDA
and 12.16.0-5
for FLN NDA. Since this LR is on
hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help
reduce impacts. The impact is considered
to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, and become
insignificant by year 10 when the compensatory woodland planting will have
matured to its full potential.
The majority
of Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland (KLR-6.4) will not be affected by the
Project as it falls within an area zoned as ‘green belt’. Tiny patches on the border of the woodland
area may be affected by proposed residential development and a road. Measures
to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate
them with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact from moderate to slight at construction and day 1
operation. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to
landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory
woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and the
residual impact will reduce to insignificant.
A number of agricultural land LRs are
predicted to be moderately affected by the
Project, namely Long Valley Agricultural Land (KLR-9.1),
Agricultural
Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong (KLR-9.3) and Other Agricultural Lands
in KTN (KLR-9.4). Careful planning of the revised RODP means that most of the agricultural land in
Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung will not be affected. Large areas of other
agricultural LRs, however, will be affected and permanently lost. There is no direct compensation for the
agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees in such LRs and where
unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting which could
mitigate the impact very slightly. The
loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP and preservation and
even enhancement of agricultural land in that area, as well as zoning of large
sites C2-2 and C1-6 to the north and south of LVNP as agricultural
land, is considered to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land.
In addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9) encompasses both
existing active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site
inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, the
amount of active agricultural land affected by the Project in KTN NDA is
approximately 4 ha. According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, currently, there are 4,071 ha of abandoned agricultural land in
Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and as such, the affected
agricultural land only represents a small percentage of active agriculture land
in Hong Kong. In the surrounding areas
of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially suitable for
agricultural rehabilitation/re-site in the above mentioned site
inspection. The major cluster (34 ha) is
found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is
no direct mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, the significance of
impact on agricultural land in most of these areas will remain the same before
and after mitigation. In Long Valley
however, since this is the area where the LVNP will be actively managed and the
positive effects of this measure conferred best, the impact will reduce to
slight by year 10 of operation.
One large Rural Development Area (in
Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang (KLR-12.9)) and two small
Rural Development Areas (around Ho Sheung Heung KLR-12.1, and in Long Valley,
Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai KLR-12.2), would experience moderately
significant impacts due to the Project.
The Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and
Tit Hang (KLR-12.9), is a core LR at the centre of KTN NDA with medium
sensitivity. The magnitude of change is large due
to the large area affected by the Project. Small areas of this LR and will not be
affected, such as those falling in Sites designated as 'green belt'. Most of the LR, however, will undergo change
to an urban development area with more
facilities than previously, such as a swimming pool complex, fire station cum
ambulance depot, schools and residential developments. During construction site formation works at
all these sites will cause large changes and at operation, when all the new
structures are built, the changes will still be large. At Ho Sheung Heung (KLR-12.1) most of the
village will remain unaffected or with compatible land use (e.g. D1-9 for
village type development and D1-4 for very low density residential), but just a
small area to the south will be developed into part of a denser high rise
residential Site (D1-7). In KLR-12.2 it
is unlikely this are will be affected by the Project as although it falls
within the RODP, land uses are compatible.
The Site C1-4 is designated as village type development and a
precautionary ‘small’ magnitude of change has led to this highly sensitive LR
having a ‘moderate’ significance of impact.
The loss of this LR type is inevitable
given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the
Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the
RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by which this impact
can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green corridors and open space spines. There are
some trees within this LR and therefore measures to protect and preserve these,
as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will
slightly reduce the impact. Equally the
roadside planting, which may form part of the compensatory planting, will also
enhance the greenery of the LR and provide the new landscape corridors. Given all these considerations, for both
KLR12.1 and KLR12.2 (the smaller affected areas) the residual impact upon
mitigation is considered to reduce from moderate to slight at construction and
day 1 of operation. As no land use
change is envisaged for KLR-12.2, the impact is considered to reduce further to
insignificant by year 10 here, whereas at KLR-12.1 it will remain slight. The
residual impact upon mitigation for KLR12.9 is considered to remain at a
moderate rating throughout the Project.
Fanling Highway and nearby associate roads (KLR-14.1) is considered to
undergo intermediate change, largely due to the impacts on its associated
roadside planting and channels.
Implementing measures to protect
and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate them will
reduce this impact. In addition, since
there will be a number of noise barriers along these roads, measures to design
these sensitively and provide vertical greening, as well as provide roadside
greening will also mitigate the impacts to this LR. Therefore the significance
of the impact is considered to drop to slight at construction and operation day
1 and be insignificant by year 10 when soft landscaping measures will have had
time to mature and confer their full effect.
A number of LRs will not be affected by
the Project, and for remaining LRs which are affected, slightly adverse or
insignificant residual impacts are predicted by day 1 of operation (continuing
to be insignificant throughout operation), but with the proper implementation
of the suggested mitigation measures.
The exception to this is for the industrial/ open storage LRs which will
experience benefits due to the Project; many of these areas that are of poor
quality will be transformed into well planned developments of higher quality
with amenity planting e.g. residential areas or potential activity centres.
Impacts on the existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station
(KLR-11.2) are rated slight as magnitude of change is considered small rather
than negligible due to very small parts of the LR at its periphery being
affected by the surrounding new developments.
In reality most of this LR will remain unaffected, and even without
mitigation, the impact will be insignificant by year 10 of operation.
Table 12.9.3 – Significance of Residual Impacts Upon Mitigation on
KTN NDA LCAs
LCA
Code |
Name |
Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation
(Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
Recommended Mitigation Measures |
Residual Impact Significance
UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation (Day 1) |
Operation (Year 10) |
||
KLCA-1 |
Natural Hillside Landscape |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM1,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM12 |
MM1,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM12 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
KLCA-2 |
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1,MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM6, MM8, MM11, MM12 |
MM1,
MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM6, MM8, MM11, MM12 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLCA-3 |
Urban Development Landscape |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
KLCA-4 |
Industrial Landscape |
Slight |
Slight
beneficial |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM10, MM11, MM12 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM10, MM11, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight
beneficial |
Slight
beneficial |
KLCA-5 |
Lowland Agricultural Landscape |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM11, MM13, MM15 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM11, MM13, MM15 ([15]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
KLCA-6 |
Major Transportation Corridor Landscape |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4, MM5,
MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM14.4 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM14.4 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
KLCA-7 |
Major Water Course Corridor Landscape |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4, MM11, MM14.3, MM14.4 |
MM4,
MM11, MM14.3, MM14.4 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
12.9.1.1.3 LCA Impact Ratings Prior to Mitigation
Before the implementation of mitigation
measures, substantially adverse impacts are predicted at
construction and operation for Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1).
Due to large topographical changes (Figure
12.11.5) for the construction of the water service reservoirs in this
Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1), even though the impacted area is
relatively small, the LCA will experience intermediate magnitude of change.
This LCA has high sensitivity and hence the
impact significance is substantial. Design of
the reservoirs is not finalised and their final design should consider
minimizing changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain.
Retaining walls should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize
landform changes. Earthworks and
engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform,
compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and
terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir
roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also mitigate the impact to this LCA by creating a green vegetated area rather than
hardscape surface. Planting of climbers
to grow up vertical surfaces, where appropriate, could also soften any wall
structures. By implementing all these
measures as well as taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and
implement protection, preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting
for trees, the impact on this LCA is considered to reduce to
moderate at construction and slight at day 1 operation when soft landscape is in place. Although the
soft landscaping measures will have matured and the impact be reduced further,
it is not considered sufficient to be rated insignificant by year 10 of
operation and therefore the residual impacts at this time remain slight.
For the Rural and Urban Peripheral
Village Landscape (KLCA-2) over 30 ha of land in this LCA will be affected by
sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA (e.g.
high rise public rental housing, high density residential developments,
comprehensive development areas, and recreational activity buildings including
a swimming pool complex). This changes
the area from a general rural/ urban peripheral village
landscape to an urban landscape giving a large
magnitude of change. This LCA has medium
sensitivity, and the Project avoids
affecting historic buildings and key areas such as Ho Sheung
Heung and Ying Kong, so the impact significance
before mitigation is moderate. The
change to this LCA is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new
town areas. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the
RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by which this impact
can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green corridors,
consideration of green roofs, provision of adequate space for soft landscaping
in developments and alongside roads, careful selection of form, textures and
finish colours. There are some trees
within this LCA and therefore measures to protect and preserve them,
as well as transplant any unavoidably affected trees, or
compensate for them (including in woodland areas), will slightly reduce the
impact. Part of the compensatory
planting and road greening may also serve as screen planting, but any additional
screen planting will also add to the general green nature of the LCA and help
alleviate the impact. Although the
impact is alleviated, the residual impacts are predicted to remain moderate
throughout the construction and operation of the Project.
The Lowland Agricultural Landscape in
this area (KLCA-5) is predicted to be moderately
affected by the Project before any mitigation measures. Careful planning of the revised RODP means much of the agricultural land in this
area, particularly in Long Valley and around Ho Sheung Heung will not be
affected but other areas of agricultural will inevitably be affected and
permanently lost.
There is no
direct compensation for the loss of agricultural land but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees
and where unavoidably affected, transplantation or
compensatory planting, which could mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss of agricultural land has been
carefully studied for this Project. The
setup of the LVNP and preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in
that area, as well as zoning of large sites C2-2 and C1-6 to the north and south
of LVNP as agricultural land, is considered
to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land. By year 10 of operation the actively managed
LVNP will confer some positive impact on this LCA. In addition, this LCA
encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard
areas. According to a further review and
site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from
AFCD, in the
surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found to be
potentially suitable for agricultural
rehabilitation/re-site. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung
South. Since there is no direct
mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, however, the significance of
impact on this LCA will remain the same before and after mitigation and
therefore the impact will remain moderate throughout the construction and
operation of the Project. Despite this, it is notable
that a large area of this LCA in the eastern portions of the NDA, where it is
associated with the Long Valley Ecological Area, will not be changed by the
Project.
Transportation Corridor Landscape
(KLCA-6) is also moderately affected by the Project prior to mitigation,
largely due to impacts on Fanling Highway and nearby
associate roads (KLR-14.1), particularly the potential loss of roadside
planting. Implementing measures to protect and preserve trees as well as
transplant and actively compensate them will reduce this impact. In addition, since there will be a number of
noise barriers along roads, measures to design these sensitively and provide
vertical greening, as well as provide roadside greening will also mitigate the
impacts to this LR. Therefore the significance of the impact is considered to
drop to slight at construction and operation day 1 and be insignificant by year
10 when soft landscaping measures will have had time to mature and confer their
full effect.
Residual impacts at construction and
operation are predicted to be insignificant for the other LCAs in this area,
namely Urban Development Landscape (KLCA-3), and Major Water Course Corridor
Landscape (KLCA-7). The exception is the
Industrial Landscape (KLCA-4) which is considered to experience a slight
beneficial impact through the change from low quality open storage landscape to
higher quality residential and commercial uses.
The significance of residual impacts on FLN NDA LRs
and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.9.4 and 12.9.5 below. Brief descriptions of how these measures will
mitigate the impacts on the most affected LRs and LCAs are provided after the tables.
Table 12.9.4- Significance of Residual Impacts Upon Mitigation on
FLN NDA LRs
LR Code |
Name |
Impact
Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
Recommended
Mitigation Measures |
Residual
Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
|||||||||
|
|
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation
(Day 1) |
Operation
(Year 10) |
|||||
FLR 1 |
Channelized
Water Course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-1.1 |
Ng Tung River (Fanling District) (Channelized) |
Slight |
Slight |
MM14.3, MM14.4 |
MM14.3 , MM14.4 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-1.2 |
Shek Sheung River (Channelized) |
Slight |
Slight |
MM14.3, MM14.4 |
MM14.3, MM14.4 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-1.3 |
Sheung Yue River (Channelized) |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-1.4 |
Ma Wat River (Channelized) |
Substantial |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM14.3 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM14.3 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
|||||
FLR-1.5 |
Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land
(Channelized) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
n/a ([16]) |
n/a ([17]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR 2 |
Water
Course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-2.1 |
Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land |
Moderate |
Moderate |
n/a ([18]) |
n/a ([19]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR-2.2 |
Natural Stream at Cham Shan and Wa Shan |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-2.3 |
Natural Streams at Lung Shan |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-2.4 |
Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM14.2, MM14.3, MM14.4 |
MM14.2, M14.3, MM14.4 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 3 |
Water
Pond |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-3.1 |
Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-3.2 |
Water Ponds within the Closed Area |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-3.3 |
Fu Tei Au Water Ponds |
Slight |
Slight |
MM13,
MM15 |
MM13,
MM15 |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-3.4 |
Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-3.5 |
Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 4 |
Marsh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-4.1 |
Marshes in Long Valley |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant/ |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-4.2 |
Mitigation Wetland |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM13 |
MM13 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR 5 |
Plantation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-5.1 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-5.2 |
Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-5.3 |
Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and
Noble Hill |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 6 |
Hillside
Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-6.1 |
Sheung Shui Water Treatment
Works Hillside Woodland |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7,
MM8 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7,
MM8 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-6.2 |
Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7,
MM8 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7,
MM8 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
|||||
FLR-6.3 |
Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-6.4 |
Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 7 |
Lowland
Woodland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-7.1 |
Vernon Pass Woodland |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-7.2 |
Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water
Treatment Works |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
MM4,
MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
|||||
FLR-7.3 |
Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM8 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM8 |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-7.4 |
Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM8 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM8 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
|||||
FLR-7.5 |
Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 8 |
Shrubland/Grassland
Mosaic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-8.1 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic along Sheung
Yue River and Ng Tung River |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-8.2 |
Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-8.3 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9,
MM10 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-8.4 |
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM1,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10 |
MM1,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
|||||
FLR 9 |
Agricultural
Land |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-9.1 |
Agricultural Land in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley
|
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-9.2 |
Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, ([20]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR-9.3 |
Agricultural Land between Ng Tung River and Shek
Sheung River |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-9.4 |
Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
MM4, MM5,
MM7, ([21]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR-9.5 |
Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, ([22]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR-9.6 |
Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San
Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, ([23]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR-9.7 |
Agricultural Land in South of Sha Tau Kok Road |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 10 |
Open
Space / Recreational Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-10.1 |
North District Sports Ground |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 11 |
Urban
Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-11.1 |
Lo Wu Correctional Institution |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-11.2 |
Sheung Shui Urban Development Area |
Slight |
Insignificant |
MM2 |
n/a |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-11.3 |
Fanling Urban Development Area |
Slight |
Insignificant |
MM2 |
n/a |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 12 |
Rural
Development Area |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-12.1 |
Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-12.2 |
Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-12.3 |
Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM4,
MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM12 |
MM1,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9,
MM10, MM12 |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
|||||
FLR-12.4 |
Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area |
Slight |
Slight |
MM12 |
MM12 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-12.5 |
Wa Shan Rural Development Area |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-12.6 |
Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-12.7 |
Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan |
Slight |
Insignificant |
MM4,
MM5, MM7 |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-12.8 |
Rural Development Area around Ma Shi Po |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|||||
FLR-12.9 |
Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural
Development Area |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR 13 |
Industrial
/ Open Storage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-13.1 |
Sheung Shui Industrial/Open Storage Area |
Slight |
Slight
beneficial |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5,
MM7, MM12 |
Insignificant |
Slight
beneficial |
Slight
beneficial |
|||||
FLR-13.2 |
Fanling Industrial Area |
Slight
beneficial |
Moderate
beneficial |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Slight
beneficial |
Moderate
beneficial |
Moderate
beneficial |
|||||
FLR 14 |
Major
Transportation Corridor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
FLR-14.1 |
MTRC East Rail |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-14.2 |
Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau) |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4,
MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-14.3 |
Fanling Highway |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
FLR-14.4 |
MTRC near Fanling Highway |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
|||||
LRs particularly affected by the Project
at construction before mitigation in FLN NDA, which experience substantial
adverse impacts, include three LRs and the mitigation measures for these and
their residual impact significances are detailed below. The residual impact for some of the LRs that
are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction and
operation before mitigation are also discussed.
12.9.1.2.1 Substantially Affected LRs Prior to Mitigation
The Ma Wat River (Channelized) (FLR-1.4)
is predicted to be substantially affected by the Project before mitigation
during construction and moderately so during operation, largely due to the fact
that it will be diverted to allow for the construction of the Fanling Bypass
Eastern Section (DP10), but will remain as a channelized river i.e. retain the
same land use. The Drainage Services
Department Practice Note No.1/2005 – Guidelines
on Environmental Considerations for River Channel Design, should be
considered at the detailed design of the new river channel to ensure it matches
the existing as far as possible as well as implementing enhancement planting
along the new channel including the consideration of wetland planting along
embankments where appropriate. The most appropriate materials for the channel
lining should also be considered (e.g. gabion). Given these measures, the
significance of impact is considered to reduce from substantial to moderate at
construction and although the impact will have been partly mitigated at day 1
of operation, it is still considered to be moderate. By year 10 of operation, it will have reduced
to slight. Full details of impact and
mitigation can be found in DP Package 12D.
Planning of
the revised RODP has taken care to place much of the Mitigation Wetland in FLN
NDA (FLR-4.2). Nevertheless, it is
estimated that at worst just under half this LR will be adversely affected by
the Project where the Sites are designated for incompatible uses such as a
police facility or residential uses etc.
Although the absolute area potentially lost is under 3 ha, this is
a highly sensitive resource and not widely common, so this is considered to be
a large change and the significance of the impact on this LR before mitigation
is substantial. Setting up of the LVNP
will help mitigate the impact. This LVNP
will be under management and the land there, including marsh and wetland areas,
will be enhanced, with a slight increase in wetland areas. Therefore
although some mitigation
wetland is irreversibly lost in FLN NDA,
considering the LVNP enhancement, at construction and operation day 1, the
residual impact significance is considered to reduce to moderate. By year
10 when wetland and some marshes in the LVNP confer their
full positive effect, the residual impact will have reduced further, but is
still considered to be moderate.
Although a relatively small area of Cham
Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland (FLR-6.2) is affected by the Project, the
change caused is considered large principally due to the number of trees that
may be adversely affected. Since the
sensitivity of this LR is high, the significance of impact is substantial at
construction and operation prior to mitigation.
Measures to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and
actively compensated trees, including with woodland plantation, will reduce
this impact from substantial to moderate.
Since this LR is on hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are
constructed will also help reduce impacts.
During operation, the land use will have changed but given the area
affected is small and with the implementation of the same mitigation measures
the impact will be slight at day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory
woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and although
the residual impact will have reduced further, it is still considered to be a
slight impact.
A very small area (under 1.5 ha) of
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan (FLR-8.4) will be affected by the
Fanling North Flushing Water Services Reservoir in the southeast of the NDA and
experience site formation changes as a result of the reservoir
construction. Site formation is required
with cut/ fill slopes of up to 62 m for the reservoir, reducing to an
exposed slope of up to 56 m at completion as some of the slope will be covered
by the reservoir. Although the area
affected is relatively small and final land topography similar to existing (See
Figure 12.12.7), the magnitude
of change is considered to be large.
This LR has medium sensitivity and the impact is substantial prior to
mitigation, mainly due to the landform changes (also see Figure 12.12.9). Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and
their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and
interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as
well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be
designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding
landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the
surrounding reservoir structures will also help to mitigate the impact to the
shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof itself) by
creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical
surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as
taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection,
preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact
on this LR is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and slight at operation day 1 (the topography will be similar to the existing as
there is a steep slope in this area already, as shown in Figure 12.12.7). Although soft landscaping will mature and
confer greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered to remain as slight by year 10.
12.9.1.2.2 Moderately Affected LRs Prior to Mitigation
The LRs which are predicted to
experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are
elaborated on below.
The Water Course through Ma Shi Po
Agricultural Land (Channelized) (FLR-1.5) although it is only of medium
sensitivity, will be totally lost prior to mitigation and therefore suffer
moderate impact. Given this watercourse
is permanently lost, and will not be reprovisioned (only a drainage system will
be provided) the significance of the impact is not considered to reduce and
therefore will remain as moderate, even at year 10 of operation.
The Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan
Agricultural Land (FLR-2.1) is predicted to be unavoidably affected by the
Project, filled and permanently lost, hence undergoing large change. This stream, however, largely flows through
developed areas and is near an open storage area. It has become degraded by pollution as well
as having banks in some sections fortified with concrete. Therefore the stream has medium sensitivity
and the significance of impact is considered moderate before mitigation. The residual impact on this particular stream
cannot be directly mitigated and therefore the significance of impact will
remain moderate
The Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen (FLR-2.4) will suffer a small change due to the Project (where it flows under the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section) and given this LR has high sensitivity, this is considered a moderately significant impact. The affected stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen in FLN NDA, has largely been protected by changes to the proposed NDA boundary during the planning of the revised RODP with much of this stream excluded from the NDA. However the stretch of this stream within the NDA boundary would be located underneath the viaduct for the proposed Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. To the south of the viaduct the stream flows through the area D1-3, zoned as Open Space, prior to joining Ng Tung River. In this Open Space Zone a 10m buffer is proposed in which natural vegetation will be retained and enhanced and human activities will be limited in order to avoid direct impacts to the stream bed and to minimise potential indirect impacts to the stream and riparian corridor. At detailed design, in order to avoid impacts to the stream, the detailed final design of the viaduct should follow guidelines such as ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works as well as Building Department (BD) Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 295: Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works. This will ensure that no viaduct footings or other structures are places in the stream and overall the impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, becoming insignificant by year 10 of operation.
Only a very small area (under 0.5ha) of
Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland (FLR-6.1) and even smaller
area of Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan (FLR-6.4) are adversely
affected by the Project and there is potential loss of trees in these areas
leading to a small change to the LRs.
Given these LRs are considered highly sensitive, the significance of the
impact before mitigation is moderate. Woodland in these areas is most likely to
be adversely impacted during site clearance and site formation in the
construction phase and measures to protect and preserve trees, as well as
transplant and actively compensate them with woodland plantation, will reduce
this impact. Since this LR is on
hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help
reduce impacts. The impact is considered
to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, and become
insignificant by year 10 when the compensatory woodland planting will have
matured to its full potential.
Two lowland woodland LRs are considered
the experience moderately significant adverse impacts due to the Project; the
Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (FLR-7.2)
where under 2 ha of the LR is adversely affected, and the Sacred Hill
Lowland Woodland (FLR-7.4), where just over 1 ha is adversely affected,
due to incompatible land uses, including a police driving and traffic complex,
residential and educational developments etc.
Measures to protect and preserve trees, transplant and actively
compensate trees, including with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact
and the residual impact upon mitigation for these LRs is considered to reduce
to slight at day 1 operation. With the
compensatory woodland planting reaching its full potential by year 10 of
operation, the impact will reduce further but the significance is still
considered to be slight.
A very small area (under 1 ha) of
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan (FLR-8.3) will be affected
by part of the Fanling North Fresh Water Services Reservoir in the north of the
NDA and its access road. This LR will
experience site formation changes as a result of the construction of the
reservoir and access road. The reservoir
requires site formation with cut/fill slopes of up to 24 m, reducing to an
exposed slope of up to 18 m at completion.
Although the area affected is relatively very small, the magnitude of
change is considered intermediate given the landform changes (See Figures
12.12.6 and 12.12.8). This LR has medium sensitivity and prior to
mitigation the impact significance is moderate at construction and
operation. Design of the reservoirs is
not finalised and their final design should consider minimizing changes to the
land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be
considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes for the road and
reservoir construction. Earthworks and
engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform,
compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and
terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir
roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also help to mitigate the
impact to the shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof
itself) by creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical
surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as
taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection,
preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact
on this LR is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day
1. With soft landscaping maturing and
conferring greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered
to reduce to insignificant by year 10.
A number of agricultural land LRs are
predicted to be moderately affected by the Project, with large changes in Fu
Tei Au Agricultural Land (FLR-9.2), Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land
(FLR-9.4) and Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yeung, Siu Hang San
Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau (FLR-9.6), and an intermediate change
in Agricultural
Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan (FLR-9.5)
mainly due to the small area affected.
Careful planning of the revised RODP means large areas at Sites
A1-3 and A1-9 to the northwest of
the NDA are designated to remain as agricultural
land but in other areas of this LR in FLR-9.2, FLR-9.4, FLR-9.6 and FLR-9.5,
agricultural land will be irreversibly lost.
There is no
direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees
in such LRs and where unavoidably affected,
transplantation or compensatory planting which will only mitigate the impact
very slightly. The loss of agricultural
land has been carefully studied for this Project. The
setup of the LVNP is a key component of the Project with preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area,
and considered to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land. In
addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9) encompasses both existing
active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site
inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD,
the amount of active agricultural land affected by the Project in FLN NDA is
approximately 24 ha. According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, currently, there are 4,071 ha of
abandoned
agricultural land in Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and
as such, the affected agricultural land represents a small percentage of active
agriculture land in Hong Kong. In the
surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially
suitable for agricultural
rehabilitation/re-site in the above mentioned site inspection. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the
loss of agricultural land, the significance of impact on agricultural land in
these LRs will remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore the
impact will remain moderate throughout.
Rural Development Areas in the North of
FLN NDA (FLR-12.3) and around Ma Shi Po (FLR-12.8) are moderately affected by
the Project prior to mitigation. A small
area of FLR-12.3 will be affected by site A3-1, which is proposed as the
Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir, and its access road. The LR here is mainly composed of the
existing Firing Range with Fresh Water Service reservoir underneath and its
access road, and has undergone some site formation already for the construction
of these structures. The proposed
highest cut/ fill slopes for the new developments will be 24 m with a maximum
40 degree angle for all slopes and the exposed slope at completion will be up
to 18 m high. There will therefore be
some topography changes in this area as Figures 12.12.6 and 12.12.8 help illustrate and
despite the area affected being small, the magnitude of change is considered to
be intermediate at construction and operation prior to mitigation. This LR has medium sensitivity so the impacts
significance is moderate. Design of the
reservoir is not finalised and the final design should consider minimizing
changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls
should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be
designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding
landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof (no trees
will be planted on the roof itself), the surrounding reservoir structures and
the access road will also mitigate the impact thereby creating a green
vegetated area rather than hardscape surface.
Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces where appropriate
could also soften any wall structures.
By implementing all these measures as well as taking care to landscape
any slopes that are formed and implement protection, preservation,
transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact on this LR is
considered to reduce to slight by operation day 1. By year 10 of operation, when all mitigation
measures will have matured and confer their full effect, the impact is
considered to reduce further, but still be rated slight.
All the Rural Development Area around Ma
Shi Po (FLR-12.8) falls within the RODP boundary and will be affected by the Project that are largely incompatible with this LR, such as
buildings for government uses, general clinic/ health centre, residential
developments, schools and road. This LR
has medium sensitivity and the area of this LR lost is approximately
13 ha. Overall the significance of
the impact is considered to be moderate before mitigation. The loss of this LR
is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the
Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the
planning of the revised RODP and the future detailed design of elements are
means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision
of green corridors. There are some trees
within this LR and therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as
transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will slightly
reduce the impact. Equally the roadside
planting, which may form part of the compensatory planting, will also enhance
the greenery of the LR and provide the new landscape corridors. Although the
residual impact upon mitigation for this LR is considered to reduce slightly,
the rating is still considered to remain moderate at all stages of the Project.
A number of LRs will not be affected by
the Project, but for remaining LRs which are affected, slightly adverse or
insignificant residual impacts are predicted by day 1 of operation with the
proper implementation of the suggested mitigation measures, except for the
industrial/ open storage LRs which will experience benefits due to the Project.
Table 12.9.5 – Significance of Residual Impacts Upon Mitigation on
FLN NDA LCAs
LR/LCA
Code |
Name |
Impact Significance BEFORE
Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
Recommended Mitigation Measures |
Residual Impact Significance
UPON Mitigation (Substantial / Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation (Day 1) |
Operation (Year 10) |
||
FLCA-1 |
Natural Hillside Landscape |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7,
MM10, MM12 |
MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7,
MM10, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
FLCA-2 |
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8, MM10, MM12 |
MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7,
MM8, MM10, MM12 |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
FLCA-3 |
Urban Development Landscape |
Slight |
Slight |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
FLCA-4 |
Industrial Landscape |
Slight |
Slight beneficial |
MM4, MM5, MM7 |
MM4, MM5, MM7 |
Slight |
Slight
beneficial |
Slight
beneficial |
FLCA-5 |
Lowland Agricultural Landscape |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 ([24]) |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
FLCA-6 |
Major Transportation Corridor Landscape |
Slight |
Insignificant |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12 |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
FLCA-7 |
Major Water Course Corridor Landscape |
Moderate |
Slight |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8,
MM14.3 |
MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8,
MM14.3 |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
12.9.1.2.3 LCA Impact Ratings Prior to Mitigation
For the LCAs, no substantial impacts are
predicted prior to mitigation at construction or operation. Four LCAs are considered to experience
moderately significant impacts, including Natural Hillside Landscape in this
area (FLCA-1), Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2), Lowland
Agricultural Landscape (FLCA-5), and Major
Water Course Corridor Landscape (LCA-7).
The majority of the FLCA-1 area will
remain unaffected by the Project and where it is affected, the land use is
largely compatible, although given the area affected is over 15 ha and
there will be topographical changes, the magnitude of change is
intermediate. This LCA is highly
sensitive the intermediate magnitude of change confers a moderate impact. Areas where the impacts are more obvious are
in Site A3-1 where the Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir will be
constructed and Site D4-1 where the Fanling North Flushing Water Service
Reservoir will be constructed. In both
these areas there will be some landform changes. By implementing measures to minimise the
topographical changes here and landscape new slopes, as well as generally
implementing tree preservation, protection, transplantation and compensation
where necessary, as well as providing road greening to the affected roads and
considering green roofs, including landscaping of the reservoir roof and
surrounding reservoir structures, the impact is considered to reduce to slight
at construction and remain slight at operation day 1 and year 10.
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village
Landscape (FLCA-2) will experience moderate impact during construction and
operation before mitigation. Approximately 30 ha of this LCA is affected by
sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA e.g.
mainly a Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex, low density residential
sites with buildings up to 15 storeys high, a water service reservoir at Table
Hill, as well as roads etc. and the magnitude of change is large. This LCA has medium sensitivity and the
impact significance before mitigation is moderate. The
change to this LCA from a general rural/ urban peripheral village landscape to
an urban landscape is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new
town areas.
The need of the
Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the
planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by
which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green
corridors, consideration of green roofs, provision of adequate space for soft
landscaping in developments and alongside roads, careful selection of form,
textures and finish colours. There are
some trees within this LCA and therefore measures to protect and preserve
these, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them
(including in woodland areas), will slightly reduce the impact. Part of the compensatory planting and road greening
may also serve as screen planting, but any additional screen planting will also
add to the general green nature of the LCA and help alleviate the impact. Although the impact is alleviated, the
residual impacts are predicted to remain moderate throughout the Projects
construction and operation.
The Lowland Agricultural Landscape in
this area (FLCA-5) is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before
any mitigation measures. Careful
planning of the revised RODP means large areas at Sites
A1-3 and A1-9 to the northwest of
the NDA are designated to remain as agricultural
land but other areas of agricultural land in FLCA-5 will be irreversibly
lost. There is no direct compensation for the
agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees and, where
unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting which will only
mitigate the impact very slightly. The
loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project.
The setup of the LVNP is a key component of the Project with preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area
and considered to go some way to help alleviate impacts on agricultural land.
In addition, this LCA encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land
including orchard areas. According to a
further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with
assistance from AFCD, in the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found
to be potentially suitable for agricultural
rehabilitation/re-site. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung
South. Since there is no direct
mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, however, the significance of
impact on this LCA will remain the same before and after mitigation and
therefore the impact will remain moderate throughout.
The Major Water Course Corridor
Landscape (FLCA-7) is predicted to experience moderate impacts during
construction which drop to slight at operation. This LCA mainly refers to the
Ng Tung River and Ma Wat River Channel and the Ng Tung River will be largely unaffected by the Project, if not enhanced by the
provision of waterside promenade and some parks along its length. The impact is therefore mainly due to the
diversion of the Ma Wat River for the construction of the Fanling Bypass
Eastern Section and the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate at
construction when the diversion takes place but the river is already
channelized and at operation will flow through a similar channelized section. By ensuring measure for careful modification
of the channelized river channel are implemented the impact on this LCA is
considered to reduce to slight at construction and insignificant by day 1 of
operation.
Impacts prior to mitigation are slight for the remaining LCAs in this area, namely Urban Development Landscape (FLCA-3), and Major Transportation Corridor Landscape (FLCA-6), and all drop to insignificant by year 10 of operation with mitigation measures. The exception is Industrial Landscape (FLCA-4) which will experience a slight beneficial impact from the Project by day 1 of operation.
According to the Study Brief (ESB-176/2008) requirement, the area for the visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope from the NDAs and associated infrastructure works. Within the defined visual envelope, key groups of visually sensitive receivers (VSRs) have been identified, with regard to views from ground level and elevated vantage points. The views of these VSRs are described and the sensitivity of each VSR evaluated. The overall visual character of each NDA has also been broadly defined before considering the visual compatibility of the Project within its surroundings and the existing and planned setting as well as the Project’s obstruction and interference with the key views of the adjacent areas. An assessment of the visual impact of the Project on the identified VSRs has then been undertaken within each NDA, for both construction and operational phases of the Project. Further details on the visual impact methodology are found as follows.
12.10.1 Visual Envelope – GIS Analysis
According to EIA requirement, the assessment area for the Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) should extend from the Project Site up to the visual envelope. The area within the visual envelope is considered the area that could potentially see the Project, and defines the limit of its visibility. Defining an appropriate visual envelope is the starting point to understand the visual impacts of the proposed NDAs, and it will vary depending on the nature and scale of the structures within the NDA(s).
An initial visual envelope has been determined for each NDA by using GIS analysis, inputting known data regarding the proposed built structures to model the area that can potentially see the developments. It should be noted that the GIS analysis uses topographic data as a baseline, disregarding existing built forms and vegetation which reduce the actual visual envelope. The GIS generated visual envelopes are shown in Figures 12.18.0 and 12.19.0 but the actual visual envelope will be smaller than that shown when screening from existing built forms and vegetation has been taken into account.
For the NDA visual envelope figures generated by GIS analysis, building data for some land sites have not been finalised; either there are no building heights, or no footprint of the built structures. The GIS analysis considers plots where the heights of built structures are known and in the absence of a final built structure footprint, uses a best approximation; it, excludes land sites with no reliable data regarding built structures. There are data for all the higher rise buildings, which have the potential to cause the most visual impact. Since the land sites with limited data are expected to comprise low rise buildings, they will have limited visual impact by comparison to the high rise facilities included in the analysis and the visual envelope is considered to be comprehensive.
12.10.1.1 Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI)
In addition to the GIS analysis described above, the parameters of human vision must also be considered when determining visual impacts. If the visual envelope defines the limit of visibility, the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) is instead the extent to which the proposed NDAs would exert some visual impact on VSRs. The limit of the ZVI is defined as that point past which the NDAs would have an insignificant effect on the view. The ZVI is explained further below and Figures 12.18.1 and 12.19.1 help illustrate the Primary ZVI.
As VSRs are located further away from the NDA(s), the visual impact of the NDA(s) on the VSRs will decrease, until the NDA is no longer visible. However, before the point of non-visibility is reached, the NDA structures will have reduced in scale such that they no longer exert a significant visual impact and they are essentially indistinguishable within their surroundings. The larger and denser the structures of the NDA, the more extensive the ZVI will be because the structures may be visually apparent from a greater distance away. High rise structures are the main visual influencers, although lower rise ones also exert a degree of influence.
The ZVI is therefore an area that is most likely to be visually impacted by the NDAs although particularly sensitive locations beyond the ZVI may still need to be reviewed. The visual impact of a development can be quantified by reference to the degree of influence on a person’s field of vision referencing the typical parameters of human vision based on anthropometric data([25]). These data provide a basis for assessing and interpreting the impact of a development by comparing the extent to which the development would intrude into the central field of vision (both vertically and horizontally).
12.10.1.2 Vertical Field of View
The typical line of sight for humans is considered horizontal (0°) and a person’s natural line of sight is normally approximately a 10° cone of view below the horizontal if standing, or 15° if sitting. (See Figure 12.17.1)
Figure
12.17.1 - Vertical field of view
Objects which take up 5% of this cone of view (5% of 10° = 0.5°) would only take up a small proportion of the vertical field of view, and are only visible when focused on directly. Objects that take up such a small proportion of the vertical view cone are generally indistinguishable from the existing environment when placed within a disturbed or man-modified landscape.
Given the varying number and heights of built structures in the NDAs, the tallest building in each NDA has been chosen as a reference point for assessing the visual impact based on vertical field of view. The highest structures are approximately 110 m in KTN and FLN NDAs. Table 12.10.1 shows the relationship between the impact of a new structure and the distance of an observer from the structure, considering what proportion of the vertical line of sight it occupies.
Table 12.10.1 - Visual impact based on
vertical field of view
Vertical Line of Sight |
Impact |
Distance from an Observer
to a: a) ~110 m tall structure
in KTN NDA; b) ~110 m tall structure
in FLN NDA |
<
0.5° of vertical angle |
Insignificant A
thin line in the landscape. |
a)
> 12.5 km b)
> 12.5 km |
0.5°
– 2.5° of vertical angle |
Potentially
noticeable The
degree of visual intrusion will depend on the development’s ability to blend
in with the surroundings. |
a)
~0.2 – 12.5 km b)
~0.2 – 12.5,k m |
>
2.5° of vertical angle |
Visually
evident Usually
visible, however the degree of visual intrusion will depend of the width of
the object and its placement within the landscape. |
a)
< 0.2 km b)
< 0.2 km |
These calculations suggest distances at which the magnitude of visual change caused by the NDAs will reduce. As shown in Table 12.10.1 these calculations suggest that the impact of a 110 m tall building in KTN and FLN NDAs would reduce to insignificant at about 12.5 km away, as they would form less than 5% or 0.5° of the vertical field of view.
12.10.1.3 Horizontal Field of View
The central field of vision for most people covers an angle of between 50° and 60°. Within this angle, both eyes observe an object simultaneously. This creates a central field greater than that possible by each eye separately. This central field of vision is termed the 'binocular field' and within this field images are sharp, depth perception occurs and colour discrimination is possible. These physical parameters are illustrated in Figure 12.17.2 below.
Figure
12.17.2 - Horizontal field of view
The visual impact of a development will vary according to the proportion in which a development impacts on the central field of vision. Developments which take up less that 5% of the central binocular field, are usually insignificant in most landscapes (5% of 50° = 2.5°).
Each NDA is comprised of a number of different built structures, with clusters of buildings in each land site and varying separation distances between buildings and land sites. It would not be accurate to examine the entire width of the NDA when reviewing the horizontal field of view. This effect can also be demonstrated by the example of a farm fence that may be many kilometres in width, yet as one moves further away becomes less apparent, until at some distance it is not possible to separate this element from the horizontal plane of the landscape. In assessing the visual impact of the NDAs the widest continuous or near continuous structure of cluster of buildings has been considered. It is therefore assumed that the largest horizontal components are clusters of buildings ~200 m across in KTN and FLN NDAs. Table 12.10.2 shows the relationship between the impact of new structure(s) and the distance of an observer from the structure(s) considering what proportion of the horizontal line of sight it occupies.
Table
12.10.2 - Visual impact based on
horizontal field of view
Horizontal Field of View |
Impact |
Distance from an Observer to ~200 m wide structure(s) in KTN NDA and
FLN NDA |
<2.5° of view |
Insignificant The development will take up less than 5% of the central field of
view. The development, unless
particularly conspicuous against the background, will not intrude
significantly into the view. The
extent of the vertical angle will also affect the visual impact. |
>2.3 km |
2.5° – 30° of view |
Potentially noticeable The development may be noticeable and its degree of visual intrusion
will depend greatly on its ability to blend in with its surroundings. |
~0.1 – 2.3 km |
>30°
of view |
Potentially
visually dominant Developments
that fill more than 50% of the central field of vision will always be
noticed and only sympathetic treatments will mitigate visual effects. |
<
0.1 km |
As shown in Table 12.10.2, these calculations suggest that the impact of proposed new structures would reduce to insignificant at approximately 2.3 km, when they would form less than 5% or 2.5° of the horizontal field of view.
It is stressed that these ranges for both vertical and horizontal fields of view, only provide a guide for the visual impact assessment and other factors must be considered, such as the context of the existing landscape and climatic conditions.
12.10.1.4 Surrounding Landscape
The extent of a ZVI differs in the context of different landscapes. A ZVI in a man-modified landscape is different to a ZVI in a pristine landscape or landscapes where there are no apparent signs of human influence. This is because in landscapes that appear ‘natural’ or pristine, a man made element can visually influence the landscape for as long as a viewer can discern that newly introduced element. A man made element in a pristine landscape irrevocably changes a pristine landscape from natural to man modified. Therefore, ZVIs in pristine areas are extended to the limit of human visibility. However, in man modified landscapes, in which there are other existing built forms or modifications to the landscape, the ZVI extends to that distance at which the new structures become minor elements in the landscape to all but the most sensitive of viewers.
Since landscape surrounding the proposed NDAs has all been modified by man, the new NDA structures will generally integrate with their surrounding and therefore be much less apparent at a distance than if the landscape was pristine.
Climatic conditions that reduce the visibility of the project might also be considered (e.g. cloud cover, rainfall, poor air quality) but for a worse case visual impact scenario, clear viewing conditions have been assumed.
Although analysis from the vertical field of view would suggest the ZVI should extend to approximately 12.5 km in KTN and FLN NDAs, noting observers closer to the NDAs will be more significantly visually affected than those farther away, the man made nature of the surrounding landscape with high numbers of people present, particularly in KTN NDA and FLN NDA, and the screening effect of any local vegetation and planting, it is suggested that the focus of selecting areas of VSRs within the ZVI be on those closer to the NDAs. A ‘Primary Zone of Visual Influence’ has therefore been included in Figures 12.18.0 and 12.19.0 and Figures 12.18.1 and 12.19.1, to help illustrate the areas where VSRs may be most affected.
12.10.2 Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) & Vantage Points (VPs)
Having determined
the assessment area for the Visual Impact Assessment, VSRs have been identified
within the ZVI of the Project. In some circumstances, VSRs have been identified
beyond the ZVI to recognise the visual impact (or lack of) on specific
locations of particular sensitivity.
· Within the ZVI, VSRs have been selected considering locations that are either particularly visually sensitive (see below regarding the ‘Type’ of VSR) or indicative of the visual impact for a number of locations that have been identified as VSRs and selecting the best representative area i.e. one VSR might represent a number of viewers in different high rise flats in a similar area and at a similar distance to the development. Existing vegetation, buildings and housing orientation and any other factors blocking views towards the proposed NDAs have been assessed during site visits and the selected VSRs are considered to represent the full range of viewers within the ZVI and include those that would potentially be worst affected by the Project. The selected VSRs are mapped in Figures 12.18.0 and 12.19.0 for KTN and FLN NDAs respectively, while Figures 12.18.1 and 12.19.1 provide more detail of VSRs and VPs in the Primary ZVI for each NDA. The existing views from the VSRs are described for each VSR in Table 12.11.2 for KTN NDA and Table 12.11.3 for FLN NDA. These tables also report the VSR sensitivity.
Photographic records helping to illustrate the existing views from each VSR are presented in Figures 12.20.1-12.20.24 for KTN NDA, Figures 12.21.1-12.21.30 for FLN NDA. It should be noted for each VSR there are likely to be a number of existing views and the photographic records try to represent views in the general direction of the NDAs. However, access could not be gained to all VSRs, especially for private residential developments, and therefore the representative photographs may have been adjusted if necessary and represent the best alternative e.g. photographs may have been taken from a publically accessible ground level where there was no access to higher levels of a private residential development. The alternative viewing angles for these representative photographs were chosen as they share the most similar view towards the NDA as the inaccessible location, and hence best represent the VSR group. Where no view towards the NDA was evident at ground level, the existing photograph helps illustrate how ground level views are largely blocked e.g. by other structures or vegetation.
·
Vantage
Points or Viewpoints (VPs) were selected from key VSRs within the ZVI,
from which to develop photomontages and help illustrate the visual change that
would be brought about by the proposed development in NDAs. VSRs were grouped
into ‘Strategic’, ‘District’ and ‘Local’ (as explained further in Section 12.11) and VPs selected to
ensure each VSR group is represented and in combination they give a good
overall representation of how the NDAs will appear to viewers both near and far
and of different sensitivities. Photomontages have been prepared from the VPs
to conceptually illustrate the visual impacts, both unmitigated and mitigated
at Day 1 and Year 10 of operation and supplement the visual changes described
in the text. The photomontages are presented in Figures 12.22.1-12.22.14 for
KTN NDA and Figures 12.23.1-12.23.16 for FLN NDA. The
VP photograph illustrating the existing view uses the photographic record from
the corresponding VSR and therefore selection of this best representative view
follows the same criteria as described for VSRs above.
·
Having
selected the VSRs, their sensitivity is quantitatively and qualitatively
assessed, influenced by a number of factors including the following:
- Type of VSR. VSRs are categorized according to whether the viewer is at home, at work or school, at play or leisure, or travelling. (Ranked by the major VSR types, as described below)
Residential VSRs – These VSRs are people living in the area and who view the proposed NDA from their homes. They are considered the most sensitive VSRs due to the character of the view from their homes having a substantial effect on their perception of quality and acceptability of their home environment and general quality of life.
Occupational VSRs – These VSRs are people working or in education in the area, who view the proposed NDA from their workplace or education centre. Visual amenity is in general not considered a top priority within the average workplace and these VSRs are considered to be relatively less sensitive than residential VSRs as their view will have a less important, although still material, effect on their perception of quality of life. The degree to which this applies to workers depends on whether their location is industrial, retail or commercial. The VSRs in industrial areas, such as factories, are generally considered to be the least sensitive, due to the relatively low quality of their existing view in an industrial area.
Recreational VSRs – These VSRs are people engaging in recreational activities such as hikers on established trails and footpaths, people participating in team sports at recreation grounds or at leisure. Sensitivity of these VSRs depends on duration of stay, nature of the activity and how enclosed the location is.
Travelling VSRs – These VSRs are people travelling on public roads and railways, both in public and private vehicles and on foot. They have varying sensitivity depending on the speed, nature and frequency of travel, but are generally considered to be transitory to the area with less regard for the surrounding views and with low sensitivity.
- Number of individuals. (Ranked as very many, many, few or very few)
- Quality of existing view (Ranked as good, fair or poor)
- Availability of alternative views. (Ranked as yes or no)
- Degree of visibility. (Ranked as full, partial or glimpse)
- Duration of view. (Ranked as long, medium or short)
- Frequency of view. (Ranked as frequent, occasional or rare)
· The sensitivity of each VSR is based on the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:
High: The VSR is highly
sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.
Medium: The VSR is moderately sensitive to any change
in their viewing experience.
Low: The VSR is only
slightly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.
12.10.3 Visual Impact Assessment
Visual impacts have been assessed for the construction and operational phases of the Project in each of the NDA Study Areas and associated Schedule 2 DP areas according to the methodology and processes as follows.
· Identification of potential sources of visual impacts. These are the various elements of the construction works and operational procedures that could generate visual impacts.
·
Rating of the magnitude of visual change, which
is quantified as far as possible and depends on a number of factors including
the following.
· Distance between the closest source of impact and the VSR (Given in meters)
· Scale of the development. This is assessed using a number of factors, including: absolute dimensions of new built structures visible to the VSR; relative dimensions of the new built structures compared to other structures visible to the VSRs in their existing view (Ranked as small, medium or large)
· Potential blockage of view. (Ranked as full, partial or nil)
· Duration of the impacts. (Ranked as temporary [short/medium term] or permanent)
· Compatibility of the Project and associated works with the existing and planned landscape in the vicinity. (Ranked as good, fair or poor)
· Reversibility of change (ranked as reversible or irreversible).
·
The
magnitude of change caused by visual impacts on each VSR, is based on the
values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:
Large: The VSRs would suffer a major change in
their viewing experience
Intermediate: The VSRs would suffer a moderate in
their viewing experience
Small: The VSRs would suffer a small change in
their viewing experience
Negligible: The
VSRs would suffer no discernible change in their viewing experience
· Identification of potential visual mitigation measures, to reduce the significance of visual impacts to acceptable levels during design, construction and operation of the Project and its associated works, have been considered. The mitigation measures proposed are not only concerned with damage reduction but will also include consideration of potential enhancement of existing visual (and landscape) quality. Mitigation measure may take the form of
· Adopting alternative designs or revising the basic engineering and / or architectural design, to prevent and / or minimize adverse impacts. Alternative alignment(s), design(s) and construction methods that avoid or reduce the identified landscape impacts have been evaluated for comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts.
· Remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of physical, engineering and building features; and
· Compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape design measures (e.g. tree planting, creation of new open space etc.) to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term impacts.
To ensure their effectiveness throughout the construction and operational phases of the Project and associated works, the relevant responsible parties for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures have been provisionally identified. Approval-in-principle to the initial capital funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures is being sought from the appropriate authorities, according to the principles in ETWB TCW No. 2/2004.
· Prediction of visual impact significance before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures. By understanding the magnitude of visual change caused by the various impacts and the sensitivity of the various VSRs, it is possible to categorize impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 12.10.3 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely insignificant, slight, moderate, and substantial, depending on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of change and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of VSR.
Table
12.10.3 - Relationship between
receptor sensitivity and magnitude of change in defining impact significance
|
|
Receptor Sensitivity (of VSR) |
||
|
|
Low |
Medium |
High |
Magnitude of Change |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Small |
Slight |
Slight/ Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Intermediate |
Slight/Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate/ Substantial |
|
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate/ Substantial |
Substantial |
The four thresholds for the degree of significance are explained below. All impacts are assumed to be adverse in the text of the Report, unless specifically identified otherwise.
Substantial: Adverse / beneficial
impact where the proposed Project will cause significant deterioration or
improvement in existing visual quality
Moderate: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will
cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing visual / beneficial impact
where the proposed Project will cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement
in existing landscape quality
Slight: Adverse / beneficial
impact where the proposed Project will cause a barely perceptible deterioration
or improvement in existing visual quality
Insignificant: The impact will cause no
discernible change in the existing visual
quality
· To help illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed visual mitigation measures, photomontages from selected Vantage Points (VPs) looking towards the Project have been prepared. The photomontages illustrate:
· Existing conditions;
· Day 1 of Operation Phase without Mitigation Measures;
· Day 1 of Operation Phase with Mitigation Measures; and
· Year 10 of Operation Phase with Mitigation Measures.
These photomontages
are presented in Figures 12.22.1-14 for KTN NDA and Figures
12.23.1-16 for FLN NDA.
· Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts. An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts in accordance with the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, namely:
· Beneficial - if the project will complement the landscape and visual character of its setting, will follow the relevant planning objectives and will improve overall and visual quality;
· Acceptable if the assessment indicates that there will be no significant effects on the landscape, no significant visual effects caused by the appearance of the project, or no interference with key views;
· Acceptable with mitigation measures if there will be some adverse effects, but these can be eliminated, reduced or offset to a large extent by specific measures;
· Unacceptable if the adverse effects are considered too excessive and are unable to mitigate practically;
· Undetermined if significant adverse effects are likely, but the extent to which they may occur or may be mitigated cannot be determined from the study. Further detailed study will be required for the specific effects in question.
Both NDAs cover a total area of approximately 614 ha in the north-eastern part of the New Territories. Some Schedule 2 DPs extend outside the NDA boundaries and these are considered in DP Packages 12A-D. All areas are relatively near the border with China and generally have a rural/semi-developed nature in stark contrast to the city of Shenzhen visible across the border. The general visual baseline conditions for each NDA are described in Section 12.11.1 for KTN NDA and Section 12.11.2 for FLN NDA. An overall description of the areas’ visual amenity and character is given first, before detailing the VSRs relevant to the NDA and describing their sensitivity.
VSRs and VPs have been grouped into ‘Strategic’, ‘District’, or ‘Local’ levels as detailed in Table 12.11.1. The groupings are described below.
· Strategic VSRs are those viewers generally at high elevations and far from the NDA areas such that views give a general overview of a large part, if not all, of the NDA and surrounding areas. The Strategic VSRs are mainly recreational viewers. VPs are all on hiking trails, mainly at lookout points or pavilions but also at important peaks and are selected to give a general visible impression of the NDA(s) as a whole.
· District VSRs are generally found at slightly higher elevations, but closer to the NDAs and have a less extensive view or only see part of the NDAs. The District VSRs are both residential and occupational viewers at high levels of buildings, and recreational viewers on hiking trails. The corresponding VPs are from flats, industrial buildings and on hiking trails and have been selected to provide a range of closer views of large sections of the NDAs.
· Local VSRs are found within an NDA boundary or at low levels reasonably close to or within the NDAs. Their views are often restricted to their local area. VSRs are of all types. Corresponding VPs within the NDAs are both at ground level and higher elevations, whereas those outside the NDAs are generally at ground level. These VPs have been selected both to illustrate restrictions in views not apparent from the Visual Envelope, as well as to provide some insight into what changes viewers both within and close to the NDAs might experience.
Table
12.11.1 - Details of local, district and strategic VSRs/VPs in each NDA (Refer to Figures 12.18.0 and 12.18.1 for KTN locations, and Figures 12.19.0 and 12.19.1 for FLN
locations)
|
|
VSR/VP |
|
NDA |
Local |
District |
Strategic |
KTN |
K1; K4; K6a (F26); K6b; K7a (F27); K7b;
K8; K9; K10; K11; K12; K14; K17; K18; K19; K20; K23 |
K3; K5a (to north and to south); K5a/b (to east); K13; K15; K16; K21 |
K2a (to south west); K2b (F30) (to south east); K22 (F28); K24 (just west of F29) |
FLN |
F1; F2; F4; F5; F6; F8; F9; F10; F12; F13; F14; F16; F17; F19; F21; F22; F23; F24; F26 (K6a); F27 (K7a) |
F7; F11; F15; F18; F20; F25 |
F3; F28 (K22); F29 (just east of K24); F30 (K2b) (to south
east) |
Note: VSR shown in bold
indicate a photomontage has been prepared from this location i.e. it is also a
VP
Considering the long time frame over which the NDAs will be implemented, impacts on ‘future’ VSRs, such as those at the proposed Liantang Border Control Point, have not been assessed. Without knowing which ‘future’ VSRs will exist when construction for the NDAs starts and finishes, impacts cannot be assessed.
The area covered by KTN NDA is around 450 ha and is bound by: the Closed Area Boundary to the north; Shek Sheung River to the east; Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road to the south; and Pak Shek Au and Tit Hang villages to the west. The landscape character of the area can be broadly described as a low value, rural lowland area predominantly used for low value open storage and industrial uses, surrounded by higher value, natural landscape features, villages and agricultural land.
This NDA is fairly enclosed by prominent green hill ranges in close proximity on three sides: the ridges of Tai Shek Mo to the north; Lok Ma Chau range to the west (Western ranges); and Ki Lun Shan and Ki Lun Shan Au to the south. The lower lying Ma Tso Lung valley runs between Lok Ma Chau range and Tai Shek Mo while between Lok Ma Chau range and Ki Lun Shan there is lower land containing Pak Shek Au village and the Fanling Highway. To the east of the NDA, the land is generally flatter and more open until past the urban area of Sheung Shui, where the hill range including Cham Shan and Wa Shan is visible. Fung Kong Shan is also a prominent hill in the middle of this NDA, increasing the general green aspect of the area. Hill slopes are undisturbed and mainly vegetated by grass and scrub vegetation with trees found principally in the foothills and major valleys. Villages such as Kam Tsin and Ho Sheung Heung have been established at the base of the foothills with clusters of trees or woodland on the lower slopes.
The central southern and south eastern parts of this NDA are generally flat with the central southern part being more developed and the south eastern part made up of the predominantly agricultural Long Valley. The Long Valley is a significant rural feature of this area with high landscape value, made up of a mix of active and inactive agricultural land, some ponds, small areas of marsh and mitigation wetlands with limited built structures. The central southern part of the NDA is more developed, made up of mixed land uses such as small residential developments, scattered villages, agricultural lands, rural areas and rural industries including vehicle repair, construction material storage and container storage. Villages, such as Yin Kong Village and Ho Sheung Heung are generally made up of traditional houses with no high rise structures, complementing the rural surroundings. Rivers and streams are also important features of this NDA. Sheung Yue River is a channelized river that runs in a southwest to northeast direction along the western side of Long Valley until it joins Shek Sheung River, another channelized river but far wider, and this river binds the NDA.
While this NDA is predominantly rural in nature, the Fanling Highway in the south is a major road with heavy traffic and with Castle Peak Road running parallel; these combined transport routes form a prominent linear, urban feature cutting through the landscape. There are also high voltage power lines running across the western and northern parts of the area, and in between the Fung Kong Shan knolls. In addition, at the visual envelope boundary to the eastern part of the NDA, the low to medium rise industrial area of Sheung Shui is visible as well as some of the high rise development in north Sheung Shui and Fanling. Although the urban sprawl of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is generally not visible from most of this NDA, some high rise structures in the city do protrude into skyline in places.
At lower levels, visual access to the NDA site is severely interrupted by intervening obstacles. This is particularly true of the existing development and vegetation lining the Fanling Highway which screens views from the south and the existing wooded knolls at Pak Shek Au which restricts views from the west of this position. The landform, vegetation and built development of Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen serve to screen low-level views from the north. Whilst low level views from the east are severely interrupted by the development associated with the Yin Kong area and the large scale commercial/industrial and utility development lining the MTRC East Rail to Lo Wu.
In consideration of the whole development in its entirety, it should be noted that the likely visual impacts would be apparent at two levels; firstly, due to the development as a whole, and secondly, due to the individual elements of the project that have been designated within KTN NDA. The visual amenity for each view varies according to a number of factors described in the methodology and the predicted level of visual impact will therefore vary between VSRs.
Table 12.11.2 below details the VSRs in the KTN NDA ZVI and describes their overall
sensitivity. Figures 12.20.1-24 present photographic
records from one location within each VSR, looking towards the relevant
NDA. Since access could not be gained
for all VSRs, especially for private residential developments, the
representative viewing locations may have been adjusted if necessary, as
described in the methodology. Bearing in mind most VSRs will have various views, and considering access was not always
available, the selected photographs are considered the best alternative that
represents the typical view of the VSRs.
Table 12.11.2 - List of the visual sensitive receivers and their
sensitivity- KTN NDA (Refer to Figure
12.18.0 and Figure 12.18.1
for VSR/VP locations and Figures 12.20.1-24 for representative
photographs of the existing view from a location within each VSR/VP towards the
KTN NDA)
Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the
proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest
built structure proposed within the NDA.
VSR Code |
Name |
VSR Category(Strategic/
District/ Local) |
Type of VSR |
Approximate Closest
Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m) |
Number of Individuals
(Very Many / Many / Few / Very Few) |
Quality of Existing View
(Good/Fair / Poor) |
Availability of
Alternative Views (Yes / No) |
Degree of Visibility
(Full / Partial / Glimpse) |
Duration of view (Long,
Medium, Short) |
Frequency of View (Very
Frequent / Frequent / Occasional / Rare) |
Sensitivity (Low,
Medium, High) |
|
Description of Existing View, particularly toward
the Proposed NDA |
||||||||||||
K1 |
Ma Tso Lung San
Tsuen |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
20 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Very Frequent |
High |
|
In the mid-distance, the
high hills of the Western Range (including Ma Tso Lung) to the west, Tai Shek
Mo to the north east and knolls of Fung Kong Shan to the south frame the
views from Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen.
Through one narrow viewpoint to the northwest between the hills, the high
rise buildings of Shenzhen are visible in the background. Generally the view is of a rural landscape,
characterized by hills vegetated with shrubland and grassland and wooded
valleys and knolls, although the existing high voltage power lines serve as a
visually detracting element in the background. Houses predominantly face
south west with most of their direct view encompassing the proposed NDA,
although low level views (as shown in Figure 12.20.1)
are largely blocked by vegetation and existing built structures. |
||||||||||||
K2 (F30) |
Tai Shek Mo
Footpath & Lookout |
Strategic |
Recreational |
380 |
Very Few |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Medium |
Occasional |
Low |
|
The main track to the summit of Tai Shek Mo is an old road overgrown
with vegetation. It is located on the
east side of the hill and the high and thick vegetation along it, as well as
the existing topography (Tai Shek Mo spur south), block views to the south
and southwest towards the Kwu Tung Area.
At the summit, there is a panoramic view and in the background to the
southeast the high rise buildings of the Fanling/ Sheung Shui urban area are
visible. The Lo Wu Correctional
Institution can be seen through vegetation at the base of the hill in this
direction, with the Long Valley area agricultural fields clearly visible in
the middle distance. Ng Tung River and
Sheung Yue River are also visible meandering through the landscape. Alternatively facing north, being right on
the Closed Area Boundary and at elevation, there are clear views into China
and the high rise urban area of Shenzhen, contrasting starkly with the small
rural area of HKSAR at the foot of the hill and south of the border. This track is only accessible by foot and
not used frequently. Other trails on
the hillside do not appear to be well used either, suggesting very few
visitors pass this way and is largely why this VSR has low sensitivity. |
||||||||||||
K3 |
Western
Range - Lok Ma Chau Footpath |
District |
Recreational |
550 |
Very Few |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Medium |
Occasional |
Low |
|
The trail to the
ridgeline of Lok Ma Chau is not readily accessible due to overgrown
vegetation at lower levels. Once above
the shrubline however, views are panoramic in all directions. From the high point, views north and west
are characterized by the green, natural landscape of Hong Kong contrasting
with the urban sprawl of Shenzhen and its high rise buildings north of the border. Views east and south, in the direction of
the proposed KTN NDA, take in the grasslands of the Lok Ma Chau ridgeline and
other nearby hills in the foreground.
These hills partially block some views down to the lower ground where
KTN NDA will be. The lowland is
visible and generally has a green aspect, with intermittent buildings. The higher density new low-rise development
areas of Valais and Europa Gardens are also visible. To the east, the high rise buildings of
Sheung Shui and Fanling urban area are prominent in the background. Given this area is so inaccessible and very
few people use the trail, the sensitivity is low. |
||||||||||||
K4 |
Cottage Area
(Western Range) |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
20 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Very Frequent |
High |
|
This VSR is located in a small valley at the eastern foothills of the
Western Range, just north east of Tit Hang and south west of the Lo Wu Rifle
Range. Views are limited to the south
east in the direction of the KTN NDA with the Western Range rising behind,
blocking views to the north west. In
the mid-distance, Tai Shek Mo summit and ridgeline frame the view from north
east to east. To the east, the view is partially blocked by the knolls of
Fung Kong Shan but some of the Kwu Tung Area is visible and in the background
the urban sprawl of Fanling/ Sheung Shui is evident. To the south, the
existing industrial area near Tung Fong is a visually detracting element in
the mid-distance. Generally the
existing view is rural in nature, characterized by mixed-use cottage areas,
interspersed by mature trees and small copses and the wooded foothills of Tai
Shek Mo in the foreground. Residents
in these settlements have their low level views largely blocked by vegetation
(e.g. small copses) and existing built structures. |
||||||||||||
K5a |
Northern
Knoll of Fung Kong Shan |
District |
Recreational
(& some Residential & Occupational) |
Approx. 70m when looking north; 150m when looking southwest |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Medium |
Frequent |
Medium |
|
Elevated views from Fung
Kong Shan northern knoll are framed by hills in most directions including the
Western Range and Tai Shek Mo across the north. Also facing north, some Shenzhen high rise
buildings are visible in the distance.
The high rise buildings of Fanling/ Sheung Shui are evident in the
background to the south east. The
existing electricity pylons nearby and the open industrial area at the
southern base of the knoll are visually detracting elements to the view which
in general is green from the shrubland and grassland of the hills. Facing
south the view is partially blocked by the southern knoll, but Ki Lun Shan
can be seen above this in the distance and Wu Tip Shan to the distant south
east. The low lying ground visible
around the knoll is rural with some evidence of urban development and low
rise residencies. People in the area
will be visitors on the trails but also workers at the industrial areas and
some residents. VSRs at the lower ground
levels will have views towards the KTN NDA partially blocked by existing
vegetation, natural topography and built structures, but at high levels have
full views in many directions. The
ridgeline is not easily accessible however, with no clear path |
||||||||||||
K5b |
Southern
Knoll of Fung Kong Shan |
District |
Recreational
(& some Residential & Occupational) |
Approx.70 m |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Medium |
Frequent |
Medium |
|
Fung Kong Shan ridgeline runs in an inverted C shape from north, via northeast,
to south and the ridgeline is not easily accessible with no clear path and
much vegetation. The elevated view
from the southern knoll is framed by hills in most directions. Although the view north is partially
blocked by the northern ridge, some Shenzhen high rise buildings are still
visible in the background. Ki Lun Shan can be seen in the background facing
south while to the south east high rise buildings of Fanling/ Sheung Shui
urban area are evident with Wu Tip Shan in the far distance. The existing electricity pylons nearby and
open industrial area at the northern base are both visually detracting
elements to the view which in general is green from the shrubby grassland of
the hills. The low lying ground makes
up a large part of the view and is rural with some evidence of urban
development and low rise residencies in places. Fanling Highway can also just be made out in the middle
distance. VSRs at the lower ground
levels will have views towards the KTN NDA partially blocked by existing vegetation,
natural topography and built structures, although at high levels they will
have full views in many directions. |
||||||||||||
K6 (K6a is the same location as F26 but different view) |
Ho Sheung
Heung |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
100 |
Many |
Good |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Occasional |
High |
|
The topography of Tai Shek Mo and a Fung Shui Woodland knoll west of Ho
Sheung Heung block views to the north and west for most of this VSR
group. At ground level most views are blocked
by existing built structures and vegetation, including the landscaped trees
along the trained Sheung Yue River.
Most houses face east, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the
higher levels of the three storey houses and the slightly elevated Chung Kuk
Path, there are some glimpses to the southeast of the Long Valley area with
the open agricultural land and some of the high-rise buildings of Sheung
Shui/Fanling over the trees in the background. KTN NDA mainly lies to the west of this
settlement on the other side of the Tai Shek Mo foothills and the Fung Shui
Woodland knoll, with views blocked by the natural topography, but also some
developments are to the south and east of southern areas of the village. . |
||||||||||||
K7 (K7a is the same location as F27, different view) |
Tsung Yuen |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
300 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
The topography of Tai Shek
Mo and trees lining the road, both to the west of Tsung Yuen, block views to
the north and west of this VSR. At ground level most views east are blocked
by existing tall trees in the foreground.
Most houses face east-west, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the
higher levels of the three storey houses, the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment
Work may be visible to the south east as well as glimpses of the open
agricultural land east of the village and some of the high rise buildings of
Sheung Shui/Fanling in the background.
KTN NDA mainly lies to the west of this settlement and views are
largely blocked by the natural topography, vegetation and existing buildings. |
||||||||||||
K8 |
MTR East
Rail line north of Sheung Shui cycle track |
Local |
Travelling |
750 |
Very Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Short |
Occasional |
Low |
|
Travellers along this
section of the MTR have intermittent views through track side vegetation, of
a rural nature, including Long Valley, to the west and the more urban and industrial
areas of Sheung Shui to the east. They
may intermittently have view to Tai Shek Mo and its foothills above the
vegetation at lower levels. These VSRs
will be travelling at high speed and will generally be commuters with less of
an interest in the view, as well as tourists with more of an interest. Their views will be constantly changing as
they travel along the rail line. |
||||||||||||
K9 |
Long Valley
Villages |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
70 |
Many |
Good |
No |
Full |
Long |
Very Frequent |
High |
|
Views north and west from Yin Kong and other houses in the Long Valley
area are predominantly of the traditional agricultural fields of the Long
Valley with the upland areas of Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range also
visible in the background. Electricity pylons are visible in the middle
distance to the north and the medium rise Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works
is also visible. To the north east,
the high rise buildings of Sheung Shui are visible above the vegetation in
the middle distance, with the green hills of Wa Shan and Tsung Shan behind in
the far distance. |
||||||||||||
K10 |
Cycle track
along riverside near Long Valley |
Local |
Travelling
(& Recreational) |
70 |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Partial |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
This cycle track runs along Sheung Yue River to the west of Long
Valley area and has intermittent vegetation along its embankments which
screens much of the ground level view west towards the KTN NDA. The trained river is visible through the
vegetation screen but only some higher structures are visible above tree
level including the Tai Shek Mo peaks in places. From this track the MTR East Rail control
compound is visible in the middle distance.
There is an easterly view over the agricultural land of Long Valley
and green hills visible to the north west and south east in the far
distance. Electricity pylons and a
small number of Shenzhen high rise buildings over the tops of the hills can
also be made out in the distance. In
general the views for this VSR are rural in nature with urban elements
evident at some points but not that pronounced. VSRs travelling along the track will be
moving relatively slowly so their duration of any particular view is medium. |
||||||||||||
K11 |
Cycle track west
of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works |
Local |
Travelling
(& Recreational) |
500 |
Few |
Fair |
Yes |
Partial |
Medium |
Occasional |
Low |
|
This cycle track runs along Shek Sheung River east of Long
Valley. In the foreground the trained river
is visible, with the intermittent vegetation along the embankment and
blocking much of the ground level view to the west such that Long Valley is
not clearly visible although the green hills of Tai Shek Mo are visible in
the background. The track runs along
an industrial area to its east, with views through the embankment vegetation
including that of the medium rise Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works
and MTRC East Rail line in the foreground, with some of the high rise
buildings of the urban area visible in the background. VSRs travelling along the track will be
moving relatively slowly so their duration of any particular view is medium. |
||||||||||||
K12 |
Tsung Pak
Long |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
570 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Very Frequent |
Medium |
|
Views from Tsung Pak
Long are partially blocked by existing village vegetation lining a
channelized water way to the west and Fanling highway to the south. Various
hills are visible in the background; Ki Lun Shan to the south west, the
Western Range to the west and Tai Shek Mo further north. Houses generally do not face west towards
the KTN NDA and views from ground level are fairly confined by built
structures and vegetation but at elevated levels and facing the right
direction, the rural character of Long Valley may be more evident to the
west. Also at higher levels, the
industrial area is visible to the north, the low rise village of Tai Tau Leng
to the east and glimpses of Hong Kong Golf Course (Fanling) over Fanling
Highway to the south. |
||||||||||||
K13 |
Industrial
Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long |
District |
Occupational |
820 |
Many |
Poor |
Yes |
Full |
Short |
Occasional |
Low |
|
Views from the medium rise industrial buildings north of Choi Yuen
Road have open views at elevated levels of the traditional agricultural
fields of the Long Valley and the low-rise residential development of Tsung
Pak Long and Yin Kong to the west and southwest and this view is
predominantly rural. Workers in these factories will
be concentrating on their work inside the buildings, not the views
outside. They have limited windows
facing out in the direction of the KTN NDA area so will only get glimpse views. |
||||||||||||
K14 |
Tai Tau Leng |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
1000 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Frequent |
Medium |
|
The view west towards
Long Valley from Tai Tau Leng is largely blocked by existing vegetation around
the village, the small, wooded knoll to the west of the village. The traditional village of Tsung Pak Long
is visible in this direction too, blocking low level views beyond. Otherwise the views are similar to those
from Tsung Pak Long; generally of a more rural nature west and urban nature
east but in general houses do not directly face the KTN NDA area. |
||||||||||||
K15 |
Choi Po
Court / Choi Yuen Estate |
District |
Residential
- High Rise |
1050 |
Very Many |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Long |
Very Frequent |
High |
|
The views from these residential buildings including Choi Po Court,
and Choi Yuen Estateare open and panoramic for those flats at higher
levels. Only those apartments facing
north west have full and panoramic views towards KTN NDA with no alternative,
although other residents may face away from the area. For those facing north west, in the
foreground the industrial zone between Choi Yuen Road and the MTR East Rail
line is a prominent feature, continuing north east to include the industrial
zone east of the railway with the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works. The Lo Wu Correctional Institution is also
visible in this direction, at the foot of Tai Shek Mo, and in the far
distance the high rises of Shenzhen are visible. The view spanning west is more rural, with
Tai Tau Leng and Tsung Pak Long in the foreground and the open agricultural
fields of Long Valley behind, with the Western Range in the background. Further west the new developments of Valais
and Europa Garden are just visible around Fanling Highway against the green
backdrop of Ki Lun Shan. |
||||||||||||
K16 |
Tai Ping
Area High Rise Residential Blocks |
District |
Residential
- High Rise |
1000 |
Very Many |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Long |
Very Frequent |
High |
|
Views from the higher
levels of high-rise residential blocks around the area of Tai Ping Estate and
Royal Green, including Ching Ho Estate have panoramic, open views. Some apartments at high levels facing west
and north west look towards the proposed KTN NDA site; for these residents
other high rise blocks or industrial areas and Fanling Highway are prominent
features of the existing view but there are also significant open areas with
low lying woodlands and some low-rise residential areas which are markedly
rural in character. Of all the
residents in these high rise apartments, only about a fifth are at high
enough levels and facing in the right direction have views of the proposed
KTN NDA site. |
||||||||||||
K17 |
Hong Kong
Golf Club, Fanling |
Local |
Recreational |
350 |
Many |
Good |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Medium |
Occasional |
Low |
|
Due to the low lying nature of the golf course, extensive trees within
the golf course, woodland around the village in Kam Tsin and screen planting along
Castle Peak Road and Fanling Highway (all to the north of this VSR), views
north towards the proposed KTN NDA are blocked by trees and vegetation. The golf course is only accessible to
members but many members use the golf course. The views from the golf course are fairly
self-contained characterized by the greens, fairways, bunkers and landscaped
planting including patches of tall woodland.
Since viewers have transient views as they go round the golf course,
are concentrated on landscaped views within the site and are unlikely to be
able to see the KTN NDA, they are considered low sensitivity. |
||||||||||||
K18 |
Ascot Park Area, Kam Tsin |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
225 |
Very Many |
Fair |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
This VSR represents residents in low rise developments around Kam
Tsin, including Kam Tsin Tsuen, Ascot Park, Royal Oaks and La Regent
Park. Views to the north for these viewers are
partially blocked due to a number of factors.
These include low lying topography; many houses in close proximity
shielding each other’s views; landscaping including screen planting along the
roads; and Fanling Highway to the north.
At the elevated levels of the houses, more open views north towards
the KTN NDA may be possible, but will still be partially screened by
vegetation and have Fanling Highway in the foreground. |
||||||||||||
K19 |
Existing
Road Bridge link over Fanling Highway |
Local |
Travelling |
50 |
Very Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Full |
Short |
Occasional |
Low |
|
This VSR represents views travelling along Fanling Highway and Castle
Peak Road, whether by vehicle or on foot.
For vehicles travelling along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road,
the view north is contained by the existing development lining the roads (such
as Dills Corner Garden) and low rise buildings along Castle Peak Road as well
as by tree and shrub planting along the roads. The view is characterized by
these elements and the existing highway structures such as the footbridge
north of Valais housing development.
For pedestrians using the footbridge, the highway and road with their
associated traffic form visually detracting elements in the foreground and
the peaks of the Western Ranges are just visible in the background over the
greenery of the roadside planting. |
||||||||||||
K20 |
Valais &
Europa Garden New Residential Development Area |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
150 |
Many |
Fair |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Frequent |
High |
|
This VSR represents residents in low rise residential development to the
south of Fanling Highway, including Valais and Europa Garden. These viewers have no view north due to the
tall noise barriers erected along the Highway and landscape planting
shielding the view of the barriers themselves. Although access to the
developments is limited to residents only, it is assumed that the top floors
of these low rise developments, if facing the right direction, may see over
the noise barriers to the KTN NDA in the north. This view is dominated by Fanling Highway
in the immediate foreground with the roadside planting and for some the
mature trees and small copses, that are features of the Dills Corner Garden, are
also visible. |
||||||||||||
K21 |
Kwu Tung
Service Reservoir |
District |
Recreational |
300 |
Very Few |
Good |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
There is a panoramic
view from this location that is partially blocked by vegetation along the
path and around the reservoir when facing north. This view includes the Western Range and
Tai Shek Mo in the background, with some of the high rise buildings of
Shenzhen visible in the far distance beyond these hills. From this elevated
location, the foreground view is of the valley floor of Fung Kong, Kwu Tung,
Long Valley, Hang Tau Tai Po, Kam Tsin.
Valais and scattered low rise villages with tree clusters are also
visible from south towards north. |
||||||||||||
K22 (F28) |
Ki Lun Shan
Footpath |
Strategic |
Recreational |
650 |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
The footpath up to the
summit from the south is largely through grassland with the main screen to
the view north being the ridgeline itself.
Power pylons are also visually distracting elements close to the
footpath. The footpaths on the north Ki Lun Shan are restricted by tall
vegetation as they reach lower ground.
From the summit, the views are open and panoramic and generally of a
semi-rural character with evidence of urban developments, particularly the
high rise structures of Shenzhen across the border in the middle and far
distance. Generally facing north,
north east, the rural Kwu Tung District is clearly visible along with the
agricultural land of Long Valley in marked contrast to the Sheung Shui/
Fanling urban area which is evident further east partially blocking the green
hills beyond. Valais housing and
developments around Hang Tau are other man-made elements at the foot of the
hill. The alternative views facing
south, south west is similarly mixed, with river channelization work scaring
the landscape at the foot of the hill, Lok Ma Chau Border Crossing a distinct
complex nearby and a large expanse of open, lowland which stretches to the
Pearl River Estuary and is generally green with some housing developments. |
||||||||||||
K23 |
Chau Tau
Village |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
270 |
Few |
Good |
No |
No view of NDA area |
Long |
Rare |
Low |
|
Views east from Chau Tau
Village are contained by the village structures and vegetation themselves as
well as Lok Ma Chau foothill and Ki Lun Shan.
Electricity pylons are also distinct elements running across the view
nearby. Most houses actually face
south west and many look over a large agricultural plot of land immediately
in front of the village but even at the eastern edge of the village looking
east, views of the KTN NDA area are not possible due to natural topography
and vegetation. These residents are
therefore found to be outside the zone of visual influence of the KTN NDA. |
||||||||||||
K24 (just west of F29) |
Kei Lak Tsai
Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park |
Strategic |
Recreational |
2100 |
Many |
Good |
Yes |
Partial |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
There is an open and
panoramic view of the KTN NDA to the north west from a high point on the
trail along Kei Lak Tsai. Visitors
travelling past Wu Tip Shan Lookout further west along the footpath will
reach this point. From this elevated
location, the northern section of the KTN NDA is screened by the southern
foothills of the Tai Shek Mo mountain range. Views are contained by the
uplands of the Western Range and Ki Lun Shan to the northwest. Within this
view, the open agricultural area of Long Valley and the cottage areas in Kwu
Tung such as Ho Sheung Heung and Tung Fong are just visible, but the high
rises of Sheung Shui urban area, including Ching Ho Estate, are very
prominent to the north of the view.
Fanling Highway and Valais are also visible but blend fairly well with
Hong Kong Golf Club (Fanling) and the general rural landscape due to their
distance from this VSR and landscaping of these built structures. |
The area covered by FLN NDA is around 164 ha and is bound by Fu Tei Au Road to the north, the hill range of Cheung Po Tau, Cham Shan, Wa Shan and Ma Tau Leng to the north-east, Ma Wat River to the east, Sha Tau Kok Road and Ma Sik Road to the south, and Tin Ping Road, Jockey Club Road and Po Wan Road to the south-west with a very small section of the MTRC East Rail line binding it to the west.
The NDA area is bisected by Ng Tung River, which flows along the base of the foothills of the defining hill ranges and is a key characteristic of the FLN NDA. The area is generally of medium landscape value with high value upland areas of Cham Shan and Wa Shan defining one side of the river valley as a green backdrop into which San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range integrates well. The urban areas of Fanling/ Sheung Shui, with a number of high rise structures and new developments as well as industries such as vehicle repair and material storage, define the other side of the river and the low-lying river flood plains in between are predominantly of a rural nature, with small scale agricultural plots (both active and abandoned) and some scattered residential settlements and isolated buildings and some open storage, which contrasts with the more natural character of the area. Sheung Shui Slaughter House and Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works are also located in the western area of this NDA, and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works is located immediately to the north. At the north of Fanling/ Sheung Shui New Town, a number of traditional villages are concentrated, including Sheung Shui Heung, Sheung Shui Wa Shan, Siu Hang Tsuen, Siu Hang San Tsuen and Kan Lung Tsuen, San Wai also lie to the north of the river and are set against the hillside backdrop.
The FLN NDA visual envelope is generally confined to the north and east by the ridgeline formed by the summits of Cheung Po Tau, Cham Shan, Wa Shan and reaching across to the more distant and easterly Tsung Shan and Mau Tau Leng summits. To the south east the foothills of Lung Shan contain the visual envelope while to the southern and western side the visual envelope is contained by the high-rise development of Fanling / Sheung Shui with the mountain range of Tai Shek Mo in the background.
The proposed FLN NDA will be situated in the lowland landscape of the Ng Tung River valley. At lower levels, visual access is severely interrupted by intervening obstacles such as the existing development and vegetation lining the Ma Wat River Channel; that associated with the traditional villages such as Kan Lung Tsuen, Sun Uk Tsuen, Wing Ning Tsuen and Shung Him Tong, and the commercial / industrial development of the On Lok Tsuen area of Fanling. The existing high-rise development of Fanling screens views from the south, whilst views from the west are severely interrupted by the industrial development lining the MTRC East Rail track to Lo Wu and the peripheral development on the fringe of Sheung Shui and Fanling. Low level views from the north are more open, although the existing north of the Ng Tung River floodplain serves to interrupt views of the development area from locations at the base of the northern mountain ranges.
In consideration of the whole development in its entirety, it should be noted that the likely visual impacts would be apparent at two levels. Firstly, due to the development as a whole, and secondly, due to the individual elements of the project that have been designated within FLN NDA. The visual amenity for each view varies according to a number of factors described in the methodology and the predicted level of visual impact will therefore vary between VSRs.
Table 12.11.3 below details the VSRs in the FLN NDA Study Area. Figures 12.21.1-30 present photographic records from one location within each VSR, looking towards the relevant NDA. Since access could not be gained for all VSRs, especially for private residential developments, the representative viewing locations may have been adjusted if necessary. The selected viewing point is considered the best alternative that represents the typical view of the VSRs.
Table 12.11.3 - List of the visual sensitive receivers and their
sensitivity- FLN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.19.0 and Figure 12.19.1 for VSR/VP
locations and Figures 12.21.1-30 for representative photographs of the existing
view from a location within each VSR/ VP towards the FLN NDA)
Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the
proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest
built structure proposed within the NDA.
VSR Code |
Name |
Category of
VSR (Strategic/ District/ Local) |
Type of VSR |
Approximate
Closest Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m) |
Number of
Individuals (Very Many / Many / Few / Very Few) |
Quality of
Existing View (Good / Fair / Poor) |
Availability
of Alternative Views (Yes / No) |
Degree of
Visibility (Full / Partial / Glimpse) |
Duration of
view (Long, Medium, Short) |
Frequency
of View (Very Frequent / Frequent / Occasional / Rare) |
Sensitivity
(Low, Medium, High) |
|
Description
of Existing View, particularly toward the Proposed NDA |
||||||||||||
F1 |
Cottage Area Lining Fu Tei Au Road |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
Within NDA
(approx. 20 m from closest building) |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Partial |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
Many disparate
residencies line Fu Tei Au Road and there are many residencies at Hung Kiu
San Tsuen. This VSR group's ground
level views in most directions are partially blocked by patches of woodland
and planted trees along the Ng Tung River banks to the south. The views are characteristically urban
fringe and over the top of the foreground vegetation, some high rise
buildings of the Sheung Shui /Fanling urban area are visible in the
background and in places, the open storage area just south of Ng Tung River
in the middle distance. |
||||||||||||
F2 |
Existing Settlements around Sheung Shui Wa Shan |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
30 |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Partial |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
There are many scattered
residential buildings around Sheung Shui Wa Shan, east of Ng Tung River and
contained by the green hills of Cheung Po Tau, Cham Shan and Wa Shan rising
up immediately behind the village to the north east. Facing west and south the view is mixed,
with agricultural fields and some open storage. The views are partially shielded by planted
trees along the river bank and also by vegetation between
residential buildings, but the high rise buildings of the Sheung Shui/
Fanling urban area are visible in the distance looking towards the NDA.
Visually detracting elements include the re-trained Ng Tung River and the
existing open storage facilities at the other side of the
river which
serves as port backup and where many containers are kept. |
||||||||||||
F3 |
Tsung Shan, High Hill |
Strategic |
Recreational |
650 |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
View from Tsung Shan ridgeline, including High Hill,
are panoramic with the foothills of Wa Shan partially blocking the views to
the south west. From this elevated location, the firing range at the foothill
of Tsung Shan is clearly visible immediately below in the foreground, with
rural landscape of agricultural fields extending beyond the foothills. In the middle distance the Fanling/ Sheung
Shui urban area is distinct with its high rise buildings and in the far distance,
facing south west, the peaks of Lung Shan and Kei Lak Tsai are visible. Alternative views to the north and east
from this ridgeline are more rural in nature, overlooking Ping Che/Ta Kwu
Ling area including some villages and with some of the Shenzhen high rise
buildings also visible in the far distance. |
||||||||||||
F4 |
Siu Hang San Tsuen |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
200 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
Views to the north of
Siu Hang San Tsuen and Siu Hang Tsuen are contained by the green hills of
Tsung Shan rising up immediately behind the villages. To the west
views are partially blocked by the foothills of Wa Shan but to the south the
view is fairly open. At ground level,
vegetation partially blocks the view but at higher elevations, the existing
rural landscape of agricultural fields on the far side of Ng Tung River and
bisected by Ma Wat River channel characterise the landscape. The high-rise buildings of the Sheung Shui
/ Fanling urban area are clearly visible in the middle distance serving as a
backdrop to this rural area. |
||||||||||||
F5 |
Kan Lung Tsuen Area |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
150 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
Views from Kan Lung
Tsuen and San Uk Tsuen are partially blocked by existing village houses and
structures as well as vegetation including trees along the river channel to
the north. In green hills of Tsung
Shan contain the rest of the view north and Lung Shan contains the view to
the south with some high rise buildings of the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area
are visible above the screening vegetation.
At higher elevations the existing rural landscape of agricultural
fields on the far side of Ma Wat River Channel are more clearly visible
although the Sheung Shui/Fanling high rises are still prominent in the
background. |
||||||||||||
F6 |
Sha Tau Kok Road |
Local |
Travelling |
Within NDA (Road itself affected. Approx.
20 m from closest building) |
Very Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Short |
Occasional |
Low |
|
Travellers moving west
along Sha Tau Kok Road towards the Fanling urban area have their views fairly
contained by the extensive roadside planting.
The road is fairly straight, directing the line of sight to the high
rise Fanling buildings in the distance. Above the roadside vegetation, there
are intermittent views of the roadside development and in the distance the
green Tsung Shan ridgeline is visible to the north, Kei Lak Tsai in Lam Tsuen
Country Park to the south west and Lung Shan in Pat Sin Leng Country Park to
the south east. |
||||||||||||
F7 |
Ma Wat Tsuen Area |
Local & District |
Residential - Low Rise |
100 (50 to Ma
Wat River Channel Diversion) |
Many |
Good |
Yes |
Partial |
Long |
Frequent |
High |
|
There are a number of
villages at the north west base of Lung Shan before Sha Tau Kok Road, such as Ma
Wat Tsuen, Tsz Tong Tsuen, Tung Kok Wai, Ma Wat Wai, Wing Ning Wai and Wing
Ning Tsuen. The green hills of Lung
Shan, rising up to the south of these villages, contains the view and at
ground level the view is partially blocked by other village buildings,
vegetation and small coppices. At
higher elevations, the medium rise commercial / industrial area at On Lok Tsuen
is partially visible to the west with the high rise buildings of the Sheung
Shui / Fanling urban area clearly visible in the middle distance. Most houses face north or north west and in
these directions, the middle distance is characterised by rural village
houses and associated vegetation, while in the background the natural uplands
of the Wa Shan mountain range and Tsung Shan are visible, with a small number
of very high rise structures in Shenzhen in the far distance. |
||||||||||||
F8 |
Shung Him Tong |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
400 (60 to Ma
Wat River Channel Diversion) |
Very Few |
Fair |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Frequent |
High |
|
Views from Shung Him
Tong north west extend over Ma Wat River Channel to the medium rise
commercial / industrial area at On Lok Tsuen.
The view to the FLN NDA is filtered by existing vegetation in the
foreground and certain existing high rise buildings at Fanling are visible
above the vegetation, but the proposed Fanling Highway would pass close to
this VSR. To the north, the uplands of
Wa Shan and Tsung Shan are just visible. |
||||||||||||
F9 |
Heritage Trail (South of Sha Tau Kok Road) |
Local |
Recreational |
150 (100 to Ma
Wat River Channel Diversion) |
Few |
Fair |
Yes |
Partial |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
Views along the Heritage
trail change along the route but generally to the west, in the direction of
the NDA, they extend over a rural landscape of agricultural fields to Ma Wat
River Channel in the foreground. The Lung
Shan mountain range dominates the view south east. Looking north, the natural uplands of Wa
Shan and Tsung Shan are in the background.
The trail is predominantly along low lying ground and at certain
points the large medium-rise commercial/ industrial area near On Lok Tsuen is
visible, as is Sha Tau Kok Road, but these are often blocked by vegetation
and other village structures. The
high-rise buildings of Sheung Shui / Fanling urban area are also visible in
the background at certain points along the route. In general views along this trail are
mixed, being largely rustic at close range and taking in ancient buildings,
but with elements of urban development clearly evident in the middle to far
distance. |
||||||||||||
F10 |
Po Kat Tsai |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
1000 |
Very Few |
Good |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Medium |
Frequent |
Low |
|
Views west to the FLN NDA from Po Kat Tsai are limited; in the foreground
is an area of wetland bordered by tall, mature woodland. In one direction, the high rise buildings
of Belair Monte development are visible.
Alternative surrounding views are agricultural in nature with the
green hillside of Lung Shan extending up behind the village to the south. |
||||||||||||
F11 |
Belair Monte & Regentville |
District |
Residential - High Rise |
70 |
Very Many |
Good |
No |
Full |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
There are a number of high rise residential buildings in
this area including Belair Monte and Regentville. Views at ground level are blocked by
buildings and existing vegetation whereas apartments at elevated levels and
facing north will have a view towards the proposed FLN NDA. Regentville apartments may have their view
partially blocked by other high rise in the vicinity, but Belair Monte
apartments are on the edge of the urban development with clear views. Their current view north is very rural and
green in nature, with agricultural land interspersed with houses and small
village areas and parts of Ng Tung River channel also visible. In the background the green Tsung Shan and
Wa Shan hills are evident with wooded lower slopes and shrubland near the
summits. Some very high rise buildings
in Shenzhen are also visible behind the background hills, in the far
distance. |
||||||||||||
F12 |
Wing Fai Centre & Wing Fok Centre |
Local |
Residential - High Rise |
70 |
Very Many |
Good |
No |
Full |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
There are a number of
high rise residential buildings in this including Wing Fai Centre and Wing Fok
Centre. Views at ground level are blocked
by existing vegetation whereas flats at elevated levels and facing north will
have a view towards the proposed FLN NDA. This view currently is rural and green in
nature, with agricultural land interspersed with houses and small village
areas and parts of Ng Tung River channel also visible. In the background the green Tsung Shan and
Wa Shan hills are evident with wooded lower slopes and shrubland near the
summits. Two very high rise buildings
in Shenzhen are also visible behind the background hills, in the far
distance. |
||||||||||||
F13 |
Fanling Garden |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
200 |
Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Long |
Frequent |
Medium |
|
Only the northern units
of Fanling Garden have northerly views and these are dominated by the Police
Quarters in the foreground and some large trees also partially blocking. This view is contained by the high rise
Wing Fok Centre on the north eastern side and the high rise of Noble Hill on
the north western side. At the higher
elevations, some distant green hills are just seen in the background marked
with electricity pylons. Alternative
views south are also dominated by high rise buildings, although the hill of
Kei Lak Tsai and Lung Shan are just visible from higher elevations. In general the views from Fanling Garden
are fairly contained within the complex with only partial views beyond. |
||||||||||||
F14 |
Good View New Village/ Ling Shan Tsuen |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
120 |
Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Partial |
Long |
Frequent |
Medium |
|
This area is comprised
mainly of 3-storey village houses.
Those facing north east at Good View New Village have their views
partially blocked by tall trees along the Ma Sik Road but otherwise have
partial views of a rural landscape on Ng Tung River floodplain area which is
agricultural and green with few built structures and Wa Shan in the
background. The cement buildings of
the incomplete Wu Nga Lok Yeung development are partially visible among this
rural landscape in the foreground and serve as a visually distracting
element. The blocks of Noble Hill and
Wing Fok Centre can be seen in the background to the north west and north
east respectively. |
||||||||||||
F15 |
Noble Hill |
District |
Residential - High Rise |
100 |
Many |
Good |
No |
Full |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
The lower levels of
Noble Hill have views north partially blocked by existing vegetation. Although access was not granted, it is
expected that residents at higher levels with a north and north west view
have open views to the existing rural landscape of agricultural fields, small
villages and cottage areas and partial views of Ng Tung River and its
associated vegetation. Cham Shan / Wa
Shan would be visible in the background and these hills are characterized by
wooded lower hill slopes with the summits of the mountains being covered in
shrubland. In general the views
towards the NDA area are currently green and rustic. |
||||||||||||
F16 |
Fanling Wai |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
420 |
Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Long |
Frequent |
High |
|
Fanling Wai has a fairly
dense layout of residencies and views are therefore partially blocked by
other village structures and vegetation.
A limited number of houses face the North District Park to the west
and those facing north have their views framed by the high rise blocks of
Noble Hill and Wing Fok Centre to the west and east respectively. Views from
higher floors are also partially blocked to the north by a small patch of
woodland on the other side of the Jockey Club Road to the village. Generally views are limited to within the
village area. |
||||||||||||
F17 |
North District Park |
Local |
Recreational |
420 |
Many |
Good |
Yes |
Partial |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
The North District Park has fairly contained views within
the park itself, with tall trees and other landscaped vegetation. It has partial views to the north of the
high rise Tin Ping Estate and Noble Hill towers are partially visible to the
north west in the background but otherwise not much is currently visible over
the tree line. |
||||||||||||
F18 |
Ka Fuk Estate Area |
District |
Residential - High Rise |
750 |
Very Many |
Fair |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Frequent |
High |
|
Residencies located between Fanling Highway and Pak Wo
Road including the high rise Ka Fuk Estate and medium/high rises of Vienna
Garden, Cheerful Park etc., for north facing flats at higher elevations, the
views are over Sheung Sui/Fanling urban area in the foreground with glimpses
of the Wa Shan and Tsung Shan ranges in the background. The foreground views
have conspicuous numbers of high rise buildings including Noble Hill, Tin
Ping Estate, Wing Fok Centre although the greenery of North District Park and
urban landscaping is also evident. |
||||||||||||
F19 |
On Kwok Villa |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
120 |
Many |
Good |
No |
Partial |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
The ground level views from On Kwok Villa are
largely blocked by existing structures and vegetation. To the north west and south
west, Woodland Crest and Tai Ping Estate high rise blocks dominate the
view. To the east however, at higher
elevations, the views are more open, with glimpses out over the rural
landscape of the Ng Tung River floodplain and beyond to the Cham Shan / Wa
Shan ranges in the background. |
||||||||||||
F20 |
High Rise Residential buildings around Tin Ping
Estate |
District |
Residential - High Rise |
250 |
Very Many |
Good |
No |
Full |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
The Tin Ping Estate
spans a large area with a number of residential blocks and Woodland Crest is
another high rise residential complex nearby.
For those flats in this area facing north east towards the proposed
FLN NDA, at high levels the view is generally open and panoramic. Some blocks will have their views north
east partially blocked by the towers of Noble Hill and high rise developments
are evident in the foreground to middle distance. Ng Tung River and surrounding floodplain
dominates the view however, with a rural landscape of agricultural fields,
small villages and copious patches of woodland. Green hills are clearly visible in the
background, including Tsung Shan range and Lung Shan. |
||||||||||||
F21 |
North District Sports Ground |
Local |
Recreational |
320 |
Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Partial |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
North District Sports Ground has views north east
towards the proposed FLN NDA already containing noticeable high rise
buildings such as Woodland Crest, Tin Ping Estate and Tsui Lai Garden. The existing trees along Tin Ping Road also
interrupt the low-level view to the north of the facility. |
||||||||||||
F22 |
Tsui Lai Garden |
Local |
Residential - High Rise |
140 |
Very Many |
Good |
No |
Full |
Long |
Very
Frequent |
High |
|
For those flats in Tsui
Lai Garden facing north east towards the proposed FLN NDA, at high levels the
view is generally open and panoramic.
The towers of Woodland Crest are evident in the middle distance to the
east but otherwise the view spans out over Ng Tung River and its surrounding
floodplain with a rural landscape of agricultural fields, small villages and
copious patches of woodland. Green
hills are clearly visible in the background, including Wa Shan and Tsung Shan
range. The port backup facilities in
the foreground to the north are visually detracting elements visible from
this location. |
||||||||||||
F23 |
Fung Kai Area |
Local |
Recreational (& Occupational & Travelling) |
170 |
Many |
Fair |
Yes |
Glimpse |
Medium |
Occasional |
Low |
|
There are some glimpse views east from the Fung Kai
area towards the FLN NDA. Users of the
playground, students, workers and pedestrians in this area have glimpse views
towards FLN NDA
to the north and northwest. Currently
these are of the existing agricultural fields in the Ng Tung flood plain area
with its scattered settlements. These
VSRs are generally at ground level and from this level, vegetation screens
most low level views, although Cham Shan / Wa Shan ranges can be seen in the
distance above the trees. |
||||||||||||
F24 |
Sheung Shui Wai Area |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
90 |
Many |
Fair |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Frequent |
Medium |
|
Sheung Shui Wai also known as Sheung Shui Heung comprising Man Kok
Village, Ha Pak Tsuen, Wai Loi Tsuen, Mun Hau Tsuen, Chung Sum Tsuen, Sheung Pak Tsuen, Tai Yuen Tsuen, Po Sheung Tsuen and Hing Yan Tsuen has a
high density of houses as
well as landscaping, meaning most low level views are partially or fully
blocked by other houses or
vegetation. The area is bordered by a
low rise industrial area to the south west but views in this direction are
also blocked by mature trees. To the
north east of the area, in the direction of FLN NDA, glimpses of the medium
rise Fung Kai Secondary School and open storage area are possible from higher
elevations of a small number of houses to the north and east of the
area. Glimpses of agricultural
landscape near Ng Tung River may also be possible, with the continued
greenery of the Cham Shan / Wa Shan ranges in the background. |
||||||||||||
F25 |
Industrial Zone SW of Sheung Shui Wai |
District |
Occupational |
520 |
Very Many |
Fair |
No |
Partial |
Medium |
Frequent |
Low |
|
This industrial zone has a view east of the
traditional village of Sheung Shui Wai in the foreground, partly screened by
existing trees. The high rise
buildings of Sheung Shui/Fanling are visible over the tree line as well and
in the distance the Cham Shan / Wa Shan ranges are visible. |
||||||||||||
F26 (K6a) |
Ho Sheung Heung |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
600 |
Many |
Good |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
The topography of Tai
Shek Mo and Fung Shui Woodland
west of Ho Sheung Heung block views to the north and west of this VSR. At ground level most views are blocked by
existing built structures and vegetation, including the landscaped trees
along the trained Sheung Yue River.
Most houses face east, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the
higher levels of the three storey houses and the slightly elevated Chung Kuk
Path, there are some glimpses through to the FLN NDA area which is relatively
far away. In this view, the high-rise
buildings of Sheung Shui/Fanling can be seen over the trees in the
background. |
||||||||||||
F27 (K7) |
Tsung Yuen |
Local |
Residential - Low Rise |
500 |
Few |
Good |
No |
Glimpse |
Long |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
The topography of Tai Shek Mo and trees lining the
road, both to the west of Tsung Yuen, block views to the north and west of
this VSR. At ground level most views east are blocked by existing tall trees
in the foreground. Most houses face
east-west, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the higher levels of the
three storey houses, views south east, towards the FLN NDA area may include
glimpses of the open agricultural land east of the village as well as the
Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works in the background. This view also already includes the
high-rise buildings of Sheung Shui/ Fanling in the background. |
||||||||||||
F28 (K22) |
Ki Lun Shan Footpath |
Strategic |
Recreational |
2350 |
Few |
Good |
Yes |
Partial |
Medium |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
The footpath up to the summit from the south is
largely through grassland with the main screen to the view north being the
ridgeline itself. Power pylons are
also visually distracting elements close to the footpath. The footpaths on
the north Ki Lun Shan are restricted by tall vegetation as they reach lower
ground. From the summit, the views are
open and panoramic and generally of a semi-rural character with evidence of
urban developments, particularly the high rise structures of Shenzhen across
the border in the middle and far distance.
Generally facing north, north east, the rural Kwu Tung District is
clearly visible along with the agricultural land of Long Valley in marked
contrast to the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area which is evident further east
partially blocking the green hills beyond.
Valais housing and developments around Hang Tau are other man-made
elements at the foot of the hill. The
alternative views facing south, south west is similarly mixed, with river
channelization work scaring the landscape at the foot of the hill, Lok Ma
Chau Border Crossing a distinct complex nearby and a large expanse of open,
lowland which stretches to the Pearl River Estuary and is generally green
with some housing developments. |
||||||||||||
F29 (east of K24) |
Wu Tip Shan Lookout |
Strategic |
Recreational |
1450 |
Many |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Short |
Occasional |
Medium |
|
The path up to Wu Tip
Shan Lookout is lined by high shrubland, screening most views, but at the
lookout itself, there are open and panoramic views to the north and
east. The Sheung Shui / Fanling urban
area, with its many high rise buildings and the MTR East Rail line, is
prominent in the middle distance, split by greener area comprised to the
agricultural land west of Ng Tung River.
From this elevation, the hills of Cham Shan, Wa Shan and Tsung Shan
are visible behind the urban area, and the view extends to Shenzhen beyond,
as well as the NENT landfill and green hills of Wo Keng Shan. The floodplain of Ng Tung River within this
view adds to the natural character of the landscape, even though small
village areas are visible. The Fanling Highway with Fanling Golf Course and
its isolated woodland to the south mark the foreground views. |
||||||||||||
F30 (K2) |
Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout |
Strategic |
Recreational |
1750 |
Very Few |
Good |
Yes |
Full |
Medium |
Occasional |
Low |
|
The main track to the
summit of Tai Shek Mo is an old road overgrown with vegetation. It is located on the east side of the hill
and the high and thick vegetation along it, as well as the existing
topography (Tai Shek Mo spur south), block views to the south and southwest
towards the Kwu Tung Area. At the
summit, there is a panoramic view and in the background to the southeast the
high rise buildings of the Fanling/ Sheung Shui urban area are visible. The Lo Wu Correctional Institution can be
seen through vegetation at the base of the hill in this direction, with the
Long Valley area agricultural fields clearly visible in the middle
distance. Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue
River are also visible meandering through the landscape. Alternatively facing north, being right on
the Closed Area Boundary and at elevation, there are clear views into China
and the high rise urban area of Shenzhen, contrasting starkly with the small
rural area of HKSAR at the foot of the hill and south of the border. This track is only accessible by foot and
not used frequently. Other trails on
the hillside do not appear to be well used either, suggesting very few
visitors pass this way and is largely why this VSR has low sensitivity. |
The potential sources of visual impact due
to the Project are described in Section 12.7. They will create varying levels of visual
impact during the construction and operation phases in each NDA, due to factors
such as full/ partial blockage of views, degradation of the visual quality of
existing views and visual incompatibility with the surrounding visual context. It should be noted that the likely visual
impacts may be apparent on two levels; firstly, due to the development as a
whole, i.e. the two NDAs, and secondly due to the individual NDAs or elements
of the NDAs. The visual impact assessment
will consider the Project as a whole, identifying the key sources of impact
from each NDA separately as appropriate and considering both NDAs for those
VSRs with views to both KTN and FLN NDAs.
Further details of separate visual (and landscape) assessments for the
Schedule 2 DPs within the NDAs can be found in DP Packages A-D.
Magnitude of change and significance of visual impacts are discussed for each NDA in the following Sections 12.12.1 and 12.12.2.
12.12.1 Magnitude of Visual Change
The magnitude of visual change is largely dependent on a number of factors as outlined in the methodology. In general, the magnitude of change will reduce the further a VSR is from the Project.
Detailed architectural design of built
elements in the NDA is ongoing at this stage of the development programme and therefore
the building forms and building mass shown in the photomontages for the NDAs
may change as detailed design is refined.
The photomontages have been used to help assess magnitude of change for
VSRs but it is possible that with further refinement of design (e.g. of
building forms, finishes and colours) the built structures will become more
compatible with their surrounding environment and actual visual impacts prior
to the other suggested mitigation (e.g. soft landscaping), will be reduced.
12.12.1.1 Kwu Tung North NDA
The magnitude of change caused by KTN NDA on
VSRs is described for each VSR in Table 12.12.1. Figures
12.18.0 and 12.18.1 show
the KTN visual envelope and VSRs/VPs locations with the revised
RODP overlaid. They also indicate the suggested noise
barrier locations, although these are subject to final refinement. The revised RODP plans in these
figures provide the land site numbers which are identified under the column
‘Key Designated Projects (DPs)/ Sites with Structures causing Visual Impact
(Land Use Type)*’ in Table
12.12.1.
For clarity, the revised
RODP plans are presented with no background details but
showing the eight key character areas of the NDA in Figure 12.9.0 with
the sites’ key parameters (e.g. land use type, building height etc) summarized
in the tables in Figures 12.9.1-2.
As described in Section 12.5.2, many principles and concepts have guided the RODP design, and in themselves controlled the magnitude of change brought about by the NDAs. Figures 12.9.3-5 highlight some of the design measures already incorporated into the revised RODP, showing the urban design context of the original RODP, as well as the other key design considerations such as ‘Key Natural and Landscape Features’, ‘Comprehensive Green Network, ‘View Corridors and Breezeways’, ‘Open Space Network, and ‘Buffer Areas’.
Photomontages have been developed from
select VPs to help illustrate the visual changes, and these are provided in Figures
12.22.1-14. These photomontages show the existing view, the unmitigated
view which has helped to determine the magnitude of change rankings, as well as
the mitigated views at day 1 and year 10 of operation. The mitigated views help support the findings
in Section 12.12.2.1 which reports
on the significance of both unmitigated and mitigated visual impacts.
Three of the VSRs for the KTN NDA assessment have views that will look over both the KTN NDA and the FLN NDA. These are: K2 (F30) Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout; K22 (F28) Ki Lun Shan Footpath, and K24 (not used for FLN assessment) Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park. K15 Choi Po Court/Choi Yuen Estate might have glimpse views of the FLN NDA and two further VSRs have also been used for the FLN NDA visual impact assessment: K7 (F26) Ho Sheung Heung and K6 (F27) Tsung Yuen. All these VSRs are reviewed further in Section 12.12.1.3.
Table 12.12.1 - Magnitude of visual change for VSRs due to KTN NDA
Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to
the proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest
built structure proposed within the NDA.
VP (Yes [Y]/ blank) |
VSR Code |
Name |
VSR Category
(Strategic/ District/ Local) |
Key Designated Projects
(DPs)/ Sites with Structures causing Visual Impact (Land Use Type)* |
Blockage of View (Full/
Partial/ Nil) |
Approximate Closest
Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m) |
Scale of Development (Large/ Medium/ Small) |
Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good
/Fair /Poor) |
Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/Medium term],
Permanent) |
Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible) |
Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/
Negligible) |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
||||||||
Description of Impacts during Construction and
Operation |
|||||||||||||||
Y |
K1 |
Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen |
Local |
D1-14 (G); F1-3 (OU-R&D); G1-4 (G), G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
20 |
Intermediate |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
[Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
In general, views at low
levels looking south towards KTN NDA are blocked by existing vegetation and
built structures, so no noticeable change in view is expected for ground
level views in this direction. Many of
the sites close to this VSR will experience no change (e.g. Lo Wu Firing
Range at G1-1 and G1-2, and green belt at F1-5 and F1-6). From elevated levels
(e.g. in the 3-storey houses) and those at the periphery of the village, it
is likely that the Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma
Chau Loop Development in F1-3 (which reach up to 10 storeys high) will be
evident over the vegetation and partially block the view. Further south the tops of buildings in the
site reserved for government use (D1-14) may be visible through gaps between buildings
in F1-3 and existing vegetation; the location of building(s) in D1-14 is
currently not available but built structure(s) will be up to 8 storeys high
and may cause small changes in visual amenity from elevated viewpoints in the
village. Similarly the water service
reservoirs in G1-4 and G1-5 may be visible in the background of elevated
viewpoints looking southeast. During
construction, earthworks and construction machinery will largely be blocked
by existing vegetation but scaffolding will become visible above the
vegetation. In addition the earthworks
associated with the construction of the water service reservoirs in G1-4 and
G1-5 may be visible in the distance. Overall, as the existing
vegetation and built structures will generally shield low level views to the
proposed development, it is anticipated that an intermediate change in
view will be experienced during both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K2a |
Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards
KTN NDA) |
Strategic |
A-site high rise buildings in KTN NDA |
Partial |
380 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
[Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
For these sections of the footpath with views
looking towards the KTN NDA, only a small part of the tops of high rise
buildings in KTN
NDA will be visible behind the green knoll of Tai Shek Mo. These will not be dissimilar to existing
views of high rise buildings in Shenzhen in the distance. This VSR is anticipated to have little
discernible change due to KTN NDA during both construction and operation and
therefore, the magnitude of change due to KTN NDA will be small during
both stages. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K2b (F30) |
Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards
KTN & FLN NDA) |
Strategic |
A-Sites and D-Sites high rise buildings in KTN NDA & Entire FLN NDA |
Partial |
380 from KTN NDA & 1750 from FLN NDA |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
For the sections of the
footpath with views both to the KTN and FLN NDA, much of the KTN NDA
will be blocked by the ridges and foothills of Tai Shek Mo itself and only the tops of high rise
buildings in KTN NDA will be visible behind the Tai Shek Mo Ridgeline. Existing views looking down to the Sheung
Shui/ Fanling Urban Area, Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River will remain
unchanged by KTN NDA. Much of the KTN
NDA area visible to this VSR will experience no discernible change (e.g. Lo Wu
Correctional Institution at G1-8; natural vegetation in G1-3; Lo Wu Saddle
Club in G1-6 and G1-7; agricultural land in C1-6, C2-2, C2-4 and C2-5; and
the majority of Long Valley Nature Park at C1-9). Although the closest built structure in the
KTN NDA is approximately 380 m away, this is the service reservoir in G1-4
and is unlikely to be visible immediately below the lookout and blocked by
the higher ridges. Most of the KTN NDA
structures causing visible change, such as higher rise residential buildings
in A-sites and D-sites,
are much further away such that only a small change in view is anticipated due to KTN
NDA. Most
of FLN NDA will be visible to the south east of this VSR in the distance (over 1.7 km away)
(also detailed in Table 12.12.2). It will largely blend with
the existing urban view of the Sheung Shui/Fanling area but there will be
some loss of visual access to greenery and a moderate change in view is
anticipated during both the construction and operation phases due to FLN
NDA. Visual impacts from the
construction phase will generally result from earthworks as well as
scaffolding and construction machinery as they become visible in the distance. Overall the existing green ranges in the
foreground and high rises in Shenzhen looking to the north in the background
will remain unchanged and it is not considered that cumulatively FLN and KTN
NDAs confer more than an intermediate change in view at this VSR during
construction and operation. Visual
impacts from the construction phase will generally result from site formation
works, scaffolding and construction machinery that become visible in the
distance. Overall the magnitude of
change is anticipated to be intermediate during construction and
operation. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K3 |
Western Range -- Lok Ma Chau Footpath |
District |
F1-3 (OU-R&D); A-Sites & E-Sites in southwest NDA; G1-4 (G), G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
550 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
The panoramic view along
the footpath looking down to the existing rural agricultural landscape will
generally become an urbanized area due to the Project. Built structures such as high rise
residential buildings up to 35 storeys at A3-3, A2-2, A1-2 & A2-7 as well
as a lower hospital and polyclinic at B2-2, will largely block the existing
view of the green lowland beyond the ridgeline and integrate the urbanized
view with the small portion of Fanling/Sheung Shui urban area visible on the
skyline behind the proposed KTN NDA.
The Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma
Chau Loop Development within F1-3 (buildings up to 10 storeys high), at the foothill
of Tai Shek Mo, will not be compatible with the existing agricultural view in
that area and also change the view.
Visual changes during construction will be similar to during operation
with a little additional impact expected from earthworks, scaffolding and
installation/operation of construction machinery. Thus the magnitude of change will be intermediate
during both stages for this VSR. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K4 |
Cottage Area (Western Range) |
Local |
DP4 Road D1 to D5; A-Sites & E-Sites in southwest NDA; A2-2 (PRH), A3-3 (PRH), A3-6 (R2); E1-2 (E), E1-3 (G), E1-4 (E),
E1-5 (G-REC), E1-6 (G); F1-3 (OU-R&D),
F1-1 (G-REC) |
Partial |
20 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary
[Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
The cottage area at the
eastern foothill of the Western Range will be situated within the boundary of
KTN NDA area. Some of the houses will
be adjacent to the built structures in the NDA. Houses at the northern part of this VSR
will be close to the Sports Ground/Complex at F1-1 with built structures up
to 3 storeys high, the Research and Development buildings in support of Lok
Ma Chau Loop Development in F1-3 (which reach up to 10 storeys high) as well
as the new distributor road. A major
change in view is predicted for VSRs in this area due to the proximity of
these built structures. For houses at the
southern part of the VSR, E1-2 (Primary school with built structures up to 8
storeys high), E1-3 (proposed for district headquarters, district
headquarters associated married staff quarters, divisional police station and
reprovisioning of Fan Garden Junior Police Officer’s quarters, with built
structures between 5 and 20 storeys high), E1-4 (proposed for secondary
school up to 8 storey tall), E1-5 (proposed swimming pool and sports centre
with built structures up to 5 storey tall), and E1-6 (proposed for fire
station cum ambulance depot with buildings up to 9 storeys high) will be
found to the south eastern side of the area and the high-rise structures of
A3-3 and A2-2 (up to 35 storeys tall), A3-6 (up to 20 storeys high) will also
be prominent in the background. The
existing distant view of the Fanling/Sheung Shui urban area will be blocked
by the new development. Although
residents at this VSR have their low level views largely blocked by
vegetation and existing built structures, a major change in view is still
expected. Overall, it is predicted
that a major change in view will generally be experienced during both the
construction and operation phases.
Visual impact from the construction phase will mainly be caused by
earthworks, particularly cut and fill for the proposed Sports Ground/Complex
at F1-1, filling at E1-2 and cut at E1-6.
Erection of scaffolding and installation/ operation of construction
machinery will also be apparent both at an immediate distance and from far
away. Potential light glare from the
construction site during night time operation may also be a source of impact. It is therefore expected that the magnitude
of change will be large for both stages for this VSR. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K5a |
Northern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan |
District |
DP4 Road D1 to D5; A3-6 (R2), A3-3 (PRH), A2-2 (PRH); E1-3 (G), E1-4(E), E1-6 (G); E1-7(O); D1-12 (G-REC), D1-13 (G-REC), D1-14 (G); F1-1 (G-REC), F1-3 (OU-R&D); G1-4 (G),
G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
Approx. 70m when looking north; 150m when looking southwest |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
VSRs up at the top of the northern knoll of Fung
Kong Shan will generally have all round views with the proposed KTN NDA in
sight. For views looking north,
the site area reserved for government with buildings up to 8 storeys high
(location of buildings yet to be determined) at D-14 is closest, bordering
the proposed new ‘DP4 Road D1 to D5’ at the foot of the knoll and the potential
activity centres (up to 5 storeys high) at D1-12 and D1-13 will also be
evident at the north eastern foot of the knoll. Research and Development buildings in
support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development in F1-3 (up to 10 storeys high) will
be visible and the proposed Sports Ground/Sports Complex (up to 3 storeys
high) at F1-1 will also be partly visible also. Further east across the lowland, the
construction of the service reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 within the green belt
site (G1-3) will cause a change in view, especially during construction since
significant site formation is necessary.
This would involve major earthwork operations to form the level
platform for the reservoir areas and permanent removal of the natural
hillside, replacing it with slopes and level areas of an engineered and
un-natural appearance. Due to the
scale of operations the construction works are likely to be visible together
with the construction movements to handle the large amounts of cut material
taken from the hillside. However views
to these reservoir areas are not visible from the entire northern knoll as
some are partially obscured by vegetation, higher areas of the knoll and the
southern knoll. The tops of built structures at D1-11 (up to 20 storeys high)
may also be visible but much of these buildings will be blocked by the southern knoll. A moderate to large change in view is
generally expected for these viewing directions at this VSR. For views looking south,
the built structures of A3-3 (up to 35 storeys) and A3-6 (up to 20 storeys),
will dominate the view. The existing
industrial area located at the foothill of the knoll will be converted to an
open space and cycle park (E1-7) which is a positive change. The southern knoll of Fung Kong Shan in the
foreground will remain unchanged, and the ridgeline of Ki Lun Shan and Wu Tip
Shan will still be partially visible in the distance. At certain locations on the knolls, views
towards KTN NDA may be partially blocked by the existing vegetation, natural
topography and built structures.
Changes in views for this viewing direction will vary depending on the
viewing location. During construction
visual changes will be evident from large cutting earthworks for site
formation at G1-4 and G1-5 when building the service reservoirs, cut and fill
site formation necessary at F1-1 and at E1-6 as well as D1-12 and D1-13,
where a small hill will be removed.
During operation the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 are expected to cause
less visual impact than during construction, but overall to consider worst
case scenario, the magnitude of change will be large for this VSR at
construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
Y (K5a/b) |
K5b |
Southern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan |
District |
DP4 Road D1 to D5; A2-2 (PRH), A2-4 (HOS), A2-5 (R1c), A2-7 (PRH),
A2-9 (R2), A3-3 (PRH), A3-4 (E) A3-6 (R2),; D1-11 (R3), D1-7 (R2) E1-5 (G-REC), E1-6 (G), E1-7 (O); F1-3 (OU-R&D); G1-4 (G), G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
Approx.70 m |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
VSRs up at the top of the southern knoll of Fung
Kong Shan will generally have all round views that include the proposed KTN
NDA. For views north, a very
small portion of the Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma
Chau Loop Development in F1-6 (up to 10 storeys high) will be visible in some
areas behind the northern knoll of Fung Kong Shan. The existing industrial area located at the
foothill of the knoll will be converted to an open space and cycle park
(E1-7) which is a positive change. The
view of Lo Wu Rifle Range in the middle distance will remain unchanged but
the construction of the service reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 within the green
belt site (G1-3) and below Tai Shek Mo will cause a change in view,
especially during construction since significant site formation is necessary. This would involve major earthwork
operations to form the level platform for the reservoir areas and permanent
removal of the natural hillside, replacing it with slopes and level area of a
engineered and un-natural appearance.
Due to the scale of operations the construction works are likely to be
highly visible together with the construction movements to handle the large
amounts of cut material taken from the hillside. However views to these reservoir areas are
not visible from the entire southern knoll as some are partially obscured by
vegetation, higher areas of the knoll and the northern knoll. Looking further east,
the built structures of D1-11 and D1-7, both for medium density residential
up to 20 and 25 storeys respectively, will be visible just at the foothill of
the knoll. To the west, the most
prominent change will be due to high rise buildings (up to 35 storeys) in to
the north of site A3-3 nearby. The fire station cum ambulance depot at E1-6
(up to 9 storeys high) may be visible in this direction. For viewers on the west of the summit as
they look down to the adjacent lowland, the school buildings up to 8 storeys
high in A3-4 may be visible as well as the swimming pool and sports centre (up to 5
storeys) in E1-5. For views south, the
existing Fung Kong Industrial area will become an urbanized and the built
structures of A3-6 and A2-9 (both up to 20 storeys), A3-3, A2-2 and A2-7 (all
up to 35 storeys), A2-5 and A2-4 (both up to 30 storeys), will dominate the
view, changing it from a largely rural context to high-rise urban
environment. Overall, it is expected that VSRs at this location
will have a large change in view during both the construction and operation
phases. Visual impact from the
construction phase will mainly be caused by earthworks particularly for the
construction of the reservoirs. In
addition scaffolding and installation/operation of other construction
machinery will cause impacts at this stage.
It is therefore expected that at worst the magnitude of change will be
large for both stages for this VSR. |
|||||||||||||
Y (K6b) |
K6 (F26) |
Ho Sheung Heung |
Local |
D1-5 (R4), D1-7 (R2), possibly G1-5 (G) |
Nil |
100 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
In general, views towards KTN NDA at this VSR are
blocked by the natural topography in the area. Most of the adjacent land will remain
unchanged (e.g. D1-8 green belt) and no discernible change in view is
anticipated for the majority of these VSRs.
However, residents at the southern portion of Ho Sheung Heung will be
adjacent to a site (D1-5) proposed for village resite (up to 3 storey
buildings) and will have views above the vegetation of some of the new
buildings (up to 25 storeys) in the adjacent D1-7 which will cause a greater
change in view than experienced by most residents in other areas of the
village. There is a chance that some
VSRs in this area may be able to see the proposed freshwater service
reservoir in G1-5, but the trees lining Chung Kuk Path behind the village
will act as a screen protecting most ground level views up to this. Overall, it is expected
that on average, most VSRs will experience a small change in view during both
the construction and operation. Visual
impact from the construction phase will mainly be caused by scaffolding,
installation/operation of construction machinery, and the potential light
glare from the construction site during night time operation and it is
anticipated that minimal site formation works will be visible. To reflect the worst change in view
experienced by viewers close to the high rise buildings in D1-7 the magnitude
of change is considered to be intermediate for both stages for this
VSR. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K7 |
Tsung Yuen |
Local |
Possibly G1-5 (G) |
Nil |
300 |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary
[Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
(F27) |
(Note K7a is the same
location as F27, but different view) Most views towards the KTN
NDA are blocked by the natural topography in the area, and no discernible
change in view is anticipated during both the construction and operation
stages. However, there is a chance
that some VSRs at the north of the village may be able to see the proposed
freshwater service reservoir in G1-5, but the trees lining Ho Sheung Heung
road behind the village will act as a screen protecting most ground level
views up to this. Therefore, the magnitude
of change is expected to be small at worst and more likely to be
negligible for this VSR. |
|||||||||||||
|
K8 |
MTR East Rail line north of Sheung Shui cycle track |
Local |
Eastern portion of the KTN NDA; Possibly G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
750 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
[Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
Intermittent glimpses of
the proposed KTN NDA may be visible for viewers on the train, through the
track side vegetation. The majority of
the proposed NDA will be screened by the Long Valley which is reserved for a Nature
Park (C1-9) or will be left as agricultural land (C1-6, C2-2, C2-4). The knoll reserved as green belt (D1-8) and
the Tai Shek Mo range will also block views to KTN NDA for this VSR although
the water reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly visible in the distance. As VSRs will be travelling at high speed
and the NDA is located at a distance, it is predicted that only a very small
change in view may be experienced in the operation stage, when some
structures in the NDA may be visible through/above the existing
vegetation. Visual impact from the
construction phase will generally result from the erection of scaffolding and
possibly installation/operation of some construction machinery such as cranes
in the distance. It is therefore
expected that travellers on the MTR will have a small change in view
in the middle distance during both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K9 |
Long Valley Villages |
Local |
DP3 Road P1, P2 and DP5 New sewage pumping stations (SPS) B3-5 (OU-C,R&D), B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); C1-3 (CDA) A1-9 (R2), D1-7 (R2), Possibly G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
70 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary
[Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
In general, VSRs at this location are expected to
have an intermediate change in view when looking west during the operation
stage as the existing rural landscape will become an urbanized town in the
middle distance, but the open panoramic view of the Long Valley agricultural
land in the foreground and view to the Tai Shek Mo range in the background
will remain unchanged although the water reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly
visible in the distance. The
commercial research and development buildings (up to 10 storeys high) of B3-5
and B3-8, and B3-12 will be visible reasonably close by on the other side of
the new DP3 road. Residential blocks
up to 20 storeys high in A1-9 and 25 storeys high in D1-7 may also protrude
into the skyline in the middle distance.
An intermediate level of visual impact is also predicted from the
construction phase, with the erection of scaffolding become visible in the
distance but
no major earthworks visible. The
villagers of Yin Kong in C1-4, may be affected during construction by the
separate project for a commercial development around Enchi Lodge, including
village houses up to 3 storeys and a one storey car park, but this is similar
to the existing village and compatible. Overall the magnitude of
change is predicted to be intermediate during both construction and
operation in this area. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K10 |
Cycle track along riverside near Long Valley |
Local |
DP3 Road P1, P2 and DP5 New SPS B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-2 (OU-C,R&D),
B3-5 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); A1-9 (R2), A2-7 (PRH), A2-9 (R2),
A3-3 (PRH); D1-2 (OU-RAF), D1-5 (R4) D1-7 (R2), Possibly G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
70 |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
Views along the cycle track
will vary from open agricultural landscape further north to the more built
environment at the southern portion of KTN NDA. Hotel and conference facilities and post
office up to 10 storeys tall (B3-8) and other commercial, research &
development buildings up to 10 storeys tall (B3-2, B3-5, B3-12), residential
buildings up to 20 storeys high (A1-9, A2-9), up to 35 storeys high (A2-7,
A3-3) and up to 25 storeys high (D1-7) will dominate the view at the southern
part of Sheung Yue River looking west from the cycle track. The village type development (up to 3
storeys high) at D1-5 may also be visible through breaks in the vegetation
and the water reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly visible in the distance on the
Tai Shek Mo foothill. Although trees
are planted along the embankment and screen most of the views at ground
level, it is expected that a large portion of these built elements will still
become visible above the vegetation line, especially for those that are
adjacent to the cycle track (mainly commercial, research and
development). To the east
of the cycle track however, the Long Valley area will largely be preserved in
C1-9 and C1-6 and no change in view is anticipated. Visual impact from the construction phase
will generally result from some site formation fill work on the other side of
the river channel, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction
machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night
time operation. Therefore, the magnitude of change is expected to be intermediate
during both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K11 |
Cycle track west of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment
Works |
Local |
DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement; D1-5 (R4), D1-7 (R2), A2-9 (R2), A1-9 (R2); B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12(OU-C,R&D); Possibly G1-5 (G) |
Partial |
500 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
Views along the cycle track will vary from open
agricultural landscape to the a more built environment, when travelling from
north to south and vegetation such as trees planted along the embankment of
Shek Sheung River or in
the adjacent land, will partially screen low level views. Higher levels of the
high and medium rise residential blocks in A1-9, A2-9 (up to 20 storeys
high), and D1-7 (up to 25 storeys high) and commercial, research and
development buildings in B3-8 and B3-12 (up to 10 storeys high) are likely to become visible
above the existing vegetation line as viewers head south, but these would be
in the distance as the whole Long Valley ‘Nature Park’ at C1-9 will act as a
buffer between the cycle track and KTN NDA development although the water
reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly visible in the distance. As most views of the proposed KTN NDA at
this VSR will be shielded by vegetation, only a small change is expected in
terms of visual amenity during the construction and operation stages. Visual impacts from the construction phase
will mainly be caused by scaffolding and possibly construction machinery
installation/ operation (such as cranes) in the distance. The magnitude of change will be small
during both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K12 |
Tsung Pak Long |
Local |
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; A1-6(R1c), A1-8 (HOS), A1-9 (R2), A2-7 (PRH), A2-9 (R2); B3-5 (OU-C,R&D),
B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); Possibly G1-5 (G) |
Nil |
570 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
[Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
Views looking towards the proposed KTN NDA are
largely contained by the existing tall trees planted in and around the
village, and most houses to not face in the direction of KTN NDA. At higher levels of the houses, the top
floors of the high rise buildings in the KTN NDA, such as in A1-9, A2-9 (up
to 20 storeys high), A1-6, A1-8 (up to 30 storeys high), A2-7 (up to 35
storeys high) may become visible and possibly the tops of commercial,
research and development buildings (up to 10 storeys) in B3-5, B3-8, B3-12),
but these would be in the distance as the whole Long Valley ‘Nature Park’ at
C1-9 will act as a buffer between this village and KTN NDA development. Also in the far distance the topographical
changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may also be visible to
this VSR. As views of the proposed KTN
NDA at this VSR will be largely shielded by vegetation, only a small level of
change is expected in terms of visual amenity during the construction and
operation stages. Visual impacts from
the construction phase will mainly be caused by scaffolding and possibly
construction machinery installation/ operation (such as cranes) in the
distance. The magnitude of change will
be small during both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K13 |
Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long |
District |
Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs,
particularly DP1 San
Tin Highway and Fanling Highway, and DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement |
Partial |
820 |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary
[Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
The proposed KTN NDA will become visible in the
panoramic view, behind the agricultural fields of the Long Valley, which is
designated to be a Nature Park. The
view is expected to change during both the construction and operation stages,
due to the general mass of built elements becoming visible above the existing
vegetation and changing much of the rural landscape in the Kwu Tung
area. Visual impacts from the
construction phase will mainly be caused by earthworks, as well as
scaffolding and construction machinery installation/ operation in the
distance. In the distance the topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs
at G1-4 and G1-5 may also be visible.
Noting the VSR is of occupational use and the industrial buildings
within this area have limited windows facing the direction towards the KTN
NDA as well as the distance from the NDA, the magnitude of change is
anticipated to be intermediate for both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K14 |
Tai Tau Leng |
Local |
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway and DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement |
Nil |
1000 |
Small |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
|
Views looking towards
the proposed KTN NDA are largely screened by the vegetation around the
village, the wooded knoll to the west (C1-5 designated to remain as green
belt) as well as Tsung Pak Long village.
The village is also at least 1 km from the nearest proposed structures
of KTN NDA and houses do not, in general, directly face the KTN NDA
area. It is anticipated that no
discernible change in views will generally be experienced during both
construction and operation phases due to the KTN NDA although some change is
likely due to DP1 and DP8. The
magnitude of change due to the KTN NDA is anticipated to be negligible
in both stages. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K15 |
Choi Po Court/Choi Yuen Estate |
District |
Entire area of KTN NDA
and associated DPs, particularly DP1 San Tin Highway and
Fanling Highway, and
DP8 Po
Shek Wu Interchange Improvement |
Partial |
1050 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
For elevated views at this VSR, the entire area of
the KTN NDA will be visible in the middle distance but this only affects a moderate
extent of the existing panoramic view. The industrial zone and the MTR East
Rail line will still be the prominent features in the foreground at this VSR,
as well as the view of the rural landscape of Tai Tau Leng and Tsung Pak
Long, and the open agricultural fields of Long Valley which will all remain
unchanged. In the distance, the high
rise structures in Shenzhen will still be visible behind the Tai Shek Mo
range. However the general mass of the
KTN NDA will be visible, especially the higher buildings, and in the distance
the topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may also
be visible, so an intermediate change in view is predicted. For VSRs at lower levels, it is expected
that the change in view will be much smaller as their views to the NDA may be
obstructed by existing vegetation and other built structures in the
neighbourhood. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be
caused by earthworks, scaffolding and construction machinery installation/
operation in the distance. Overall, it
is predicted that an intermediate change will be experienced at this
VSR during both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K16 |
Tai Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks |
District |
Entire area of KTN NDA and
associated DPs, particularly DP1 San Tin Highway and
Fanling Highway, and
DP8 Po
Shek Wu Interchange Improvement |
Partial |
1000 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
Generally, only residents that are at high levels
facing west and north west will have views towards KTN NDA. Where not blocked by Choi Yuen Estate in
front, it is expected that the built elements of the NDA will be visible in
the middle distance, behind the green Long Valley area. Distant views of high-rises buildings in
Shenzhen will still be visible behind the Western Ranges and Tai Shek
Mo. As the proposed NDA is also located
at a distance from this VSR and much of the view falls outside the NDA and will
not be changed by it (e.g. Hong Kong Golf Club), it is anticipated that only
small changes will be experienced during both the construction and operation
phases. In the distance the
topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may be
slightly visible, mostly at construction, and other visual impacts at the construction phase
will be caused by scaffolding and construction machinery operation. Therefore, the magnitude of change will be small
during both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K17 |
Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling |
Local |
None |
Nil |
350 |
Small |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
|
As this VSR is located on low lying ground with extensive
landscaping including trees within and around the area of the golf course,
views to the proposed KTN NDA will be completely shielded by the existing
vegetation. It is therefore anticipated that no discernible change in views
will be experienced during both construction and operation phases. Hence, the magnitude of change will be negligible
in both stages. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K18 |
Ascot Park Area |
Local |
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; B3-2 (OU(C,R&D), B3-12 (OU(C,R&D) |
Nil |
225 |
Small |
Fair |
Good |
Temporary
[Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
This VSR represents residents in low rise
developments around Kam Tsin, including Kam Tsin Tsuen, Ascot Park, Royal
Oaks and La Regent Park. Buildings in this area are located on the low lying ground in clusters
and low level views looking towards the proposed KTN NDA are largely blocked
by existing vegetation, built structures, screen planting along the roads in
the area and the Fanling Highway located just to the north. At elevated levels of most of the 3-storey
houses, views to the proposed KTN NDA may also be screened by the existing
vegetation, other buildings and the highway such that only a few houses may
have a slightly open view looking towards the NDA. It is anticipated that only the tops of
some higher structures in the southern KTN NDA, such as the commercial,
research and development building in B3-2 and B3-12 (up to 10 storeys high)
and residential blocks in D1-7 (up to 25 storeys high) may be visible and at
worst cause a small change in view in anticipated. Change will be the same at construction and
operation and is considered small. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K19 |
Existing Road Bridge Link over Fanling Highway |
Local |
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2 Castle
Peak Road Diversion; Southern A-Sites; B-Sites. |
Full |
50 |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|
This VSR represents views
travelling along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road, whether by vehicle or
on foot. Currently travellers along the Fanling Highway and
Castle Peak Road have their view contained by the roadside vegetation but
noise barriers are proposed along this section within KTN NDA and will change
these views. The noise barriers are at
least 5m vertical, some with additional 3m cantilever and a proposed full
enclosure of approximately 190 m length connecting to a proposed semi
enclosure of approximately 110 m length (all approximately 7.5 m
high) proposed over Fanling Highway just north of the current Europa Garden
Phase 1. Along with the changes caused
by the DPs, the magnitude of change is considered large for these viewers. For the small number of
pedestrians using the footbridge it is anticipated that a large change in
visual amenity will also be experienced.
To the north west, the high rise residential blocks of in A sites
(rising to between 20 and 35 storeys), and the hospital at B2-2 (up
to 10 storeys), schools at B2-5, B2-6 and B2-7 (up to 8 storeys), social
welfare facilities and sports complex at B2-8 (up to 10 storeys), a CDA development at B2-10 (up to 20 storeys), the commercial, research
and development buildings (up to 10 storeys) at B sites, will protrude above
the existing vegetation line of the roadside planting. In addition, the
glimpse views of the Western Range in the background will also be blocked by
the new structures. Some view
corridors along e.g. B2-13 and B2-9 designated for open space. Visual impact from the construction phase
will generally result from any tree removal associated with the works, noise
barrier erection, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction
machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night
time operation. Overall the magnitude of
change is expected to be large for both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
|
K20 |
Valais & Europa Garden New Residential
Development Area |
Local |
DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; Southern A-sites; B-sites. |
Partial |
150 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
[Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
Low level views at this
VSR looking towards the proposed KTN NDA are completely blocked by the existing
planted trees along the road and Fanling Highway as well as some areas where
tall noise barriers already exist along Fanling Highway. The construction of some new noise
barriers, (including the proposed full enclosure of approximately 190 m
length connecting to the proposed semi enclosure of approximately 110 m
length (all approximately 7.5 m high), just north of Europa Garden Phase
I, as well as adjoining proposed single-leaver cantilever noise barriers up
to 5 m high with a 3 m bend), may cause some change in view as they
are constructed. There are some tall
vertical noise barrier walls in front of Europa Garden and Valais already,
protecting these residencies from the traffic noise so at operation the new
noise barriers will be fairly compatible with the existing view. Residents with views
that could look over the existing and proposed noise barriers and vegetation
may have partial views of the proposed KTN NDA. It is generally predicted, however, that a
large amount of the visual impacts caused by the proposed NDA will be
screened from VSRs in this area.
Should the tops of any high rise structures be visible above screening
elements in the foreground for these views (e.g. the residential blocks of A Sites
(rising to between 20 and 35 storeys), and commercial, research and
development buildings at B Sites (all up to 10 storeys), these are not predicted
to cause large changes to the view.
Therefore the magnitude of change is considered to be small for
both construction and operation stages. |
|||||||||||||
|
K21 |
Kwu Tung Service Reservoir |
District |
Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs |
Partial |
300 |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary
[Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|
The entire area of KTN NDA will be partly visible in
the middle distance for this VSR. The
open panoramic view to the east, and distant view of Tai Shek Mo will remain
largely unaffected although in the distance the topographical changes to cut
out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may also be slightly visible. The views down to the residential
developments including Europa Garden and Valais will remain unchanged in the
foreground. Since the path up to the
reservoir is surrounded by quite dense vegetation, only glimpse views through
the vegetation to the overall KTN NDA are predicted. Visual changes during construction will
mainly be caused by the earthworks, scaffolding and installation/ operation
of construction machinery in the distance.
Overall the magnitude of visual change will be small during
both construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K22 |
Ki Lun Shan Footpath |
Strategic |
Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs |
Partial |
650 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary
[Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
The entire area of KTN
NDA will be visible to this VSR at high levels, turning the existing flat
rural landscape currently existing in the KTN area, into an urbanized town
area. The existing open view looking
over the green ranges in the foreground, residential development and Sheung
Shui/ Fanling urban area in the background to the east, and high rise
buildings in Shenzhen in the far distance will remain unchanged. To the north of the NDA and more distance in this view,
the Research and Development structures in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop
Development within F1-3 (up to 10 storeys high) will be visible as the main
higher structures in that area, whereas closer the higher rise blocks of A Sites
(between 20 and 35 storeys) and B Sites (all up to 10 storeys, with one site up to 20
storeys) will form the main bulk of buildings that cause visual change.
Visual impacts from the construction phase will result from general
earthworks throughout the NDA, scaffolding and installation/ operation of
construction machinery in the distance. Overall, the magnitude of change is
anticipated to be intermediate for both stages at this VSR. |
|||||||||||||
|
K23 |
Chau Tau Village |
Local |
None |
Nil |
270 |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
|
As Chau Tau village
residents’ views are blocked by other village structures, vegetation and natural
topography to the east of the village, general views in this VSR are limited
to within the village area and KTN NDA is not predicted to be visible at
all. It is therefore anticipated that
no discernible change will be experienced in terms of view during both
construction and operation stages. The
magnitude of change due to KTN NDA will therefore be negligible during
construction and operation. |
|||||||||||||
Y |
K24 |
Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park |
Strategic |
Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs |
Partial |
2100 |
Medium |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary
[Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|
The entire KTN NDA will be
visible in the distance and given the closest structures are over 2km away,
KTN NDA will not be highly visible and individual buildings may not be
distinguishable. It will however,
differ from the existing largely low-rise and green rural character of the
view in this direction and it is anticipated that an intermediate change in
view will be experienced during both the construction and operation
phases. Visual impacts from the
construction phase will generally result from earthworks, scaffolding and installation/
operation of construction machinery in the distance. Therefore, the magnitude
of change is anticipated to be intermediate for both phases. |
*Code Land
Use Type
A Amenity
AGR Agriculture
C Commercial
CA Conservation
Area
CDA Comprehensive
Development Area
E Education
G Government
G(REC) Government
Recreation
GB Green
Belt
HOS Home
Ownership Scheme
IC Institution
/ Community
O Open Space
OU(C,R&D) Other Specified Uses - Commercial, Research
& Development
OU(DCS) Other
Specified Uses - District Cooling System
OU(FR) Other Specified Uses - Firing Range
OU(NP) Other Specified Uses - Nature Park
OU(PFS) Other Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station
OU(POFEFTS) Other Specified Uses - Parking and Operation Facilities for
Environmentally Friendly Transport System
OU(R&D) Other Specified Uses - Research & Development
OU(RAF) Other Specified Uses - Railway Associated
Facilities
OU(RCP) Other
Specified Usese – Refuse Collection Point
OU(SPS) Other
Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station
OU(STW) Other
Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works
OU(VC) Other
Specified Uses - Visitor Centre
OU(VMCCS) Other
Specified Uses - Vegetable Market and Credit Co-operative Society
PRH Public
Rental Housing
PRH(Local Rehousing) Public Rental Housing (Local Rehousing)
R1 Residential
Zone 1 - highest density
R1(With Commercial) Residential
Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial
R2 Residential
Zone 2 - medium density
R2(With Commercial) Residential
Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial
R3 Residential
Zone 3 - low density
R4 Residential
Zone 4 - very low density
RR4 Rural
Residential (lower density & building height than R) – lowest density
V Village
Type Development
The magnitude of change caused by FLN NDA on
VSRs is summarized in Table
12.12.2. Figures 12.19.0 and 12.19.1 show the FLN visual
envelope and VSRs/VPs locations with the revised RODP overlaid. They also indicate the suggested noise barrier locations, although
these are subject to final refinement. The revised
RODP plans in these figures provide the land site numbers which
are identified under the column ‘Key Designated Projects (DPs)/Sites with
Structures causing Visual Impact (Land Use Type)*’ in Table 12.12.2.
For clarity, the revised
RODP plans are presented with no background details but
showing the four key character areas of the NDA, in Figure 12.10.0.1-2 with the sites’ key
parameters summarized in Figure 12.10.0.1-2.
As described in Section 12.5.2, many principles and concepts have guided the revised RODP design, and in themselves controlled the magnitude of change brought about by the NDAs. Figures 12.10.3-5 highlight some of the design measures already incorporated into the revised RODP, showing the urban design context of the original RODP, as well as the other key design considerations such as ‘Key Natural and Landscape Features’, ‘Comprehensive Green Network, ‘View Corridors and Breezeways’, ‘Open Space Network, and ‘Buffer Areas’.
Photomontages have been developed from
select VPs to help illustrate the visual changes, and these are provided in Figures
12.23.1-16. These photomontages show the existing view,
the unmitigated view which has helped to determine the magnitude of change
rankings, as well as the mitigated views at day 1 and year 10 of
operation. The mitigated views help
support the findings in Section
12.12.2.2 which reports on the significance of both unmitigated and
mitigated visual impacts.
Two of the VSRs for the FLN NDA assessment have views that will not only take in the FLN NDA but also have views of the KTN NDA. These are: F28 (K22) Ki Lun Shan Footpath; and F30 (K2) Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout, and the overall visual change brought about from both FLN and KTN NDAs are further reviewed in Section 12.12.1.3. Two further VSRs have also been used for the KTN NDA visual impact assessment: F26 (K7) Ho Sheung Heung and F27 (K6) Tsung Yuen.
Table 12.12.2 - Magnitude of visual change for VSRs due to
FLN NDA
Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the
proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest
built structure proposed within the NDA.
VP (Yes [Y]/ blank) |
VSR Code |
Name |
VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local) |
Key Designated Projects (DPs)/ Sites with Structures causing Visual
Impact (Land Use Type)* |
Blockage of View (Full/ Partial/ Nil) |
Approximate Closest Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m) |
Scale of Development (Large/ Medium/ Small) |
Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape |
Duration of Impact |
Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible) |
Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible |
|
|||||||||||||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Description of Impacts during Construction and
Operation |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F1 |
Cottage Area Lining Fu Tei
Au Road |
Local |
DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent; DP9 Fanling Bypass Western
Section; DP11 SWHSTW – Further Expansion; DP13 New SPS A1-2(G), A1-5(A), A1-6(OU-SPS), A1-8(G) |
Partial |
Within NDA (approx. 20m from closest new
building) |
Small |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
F1 |
Many of the cottages in
this VSR lie within the NDA and some may be removed e.g. at site A1-8
designated for a Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex where extensive
cut and fill is required for site formation. For those VSRs remaining in this area, many lie in or partly in A1-3
and A1-9, which are designated to remain unchanged as ‘Agricultural’ and the
Man Ming Temple in A1-4 will also remain unaffected. The peripheral cottages
will, however, be adjacent to two small sites proposed for a future pumping
station for Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works(A1-2) (likely to be
approximately 5 m high); and a sewage pumping station up to 5 m
high (A1-6). Eastern cottages will be
adjacent to the Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex with buildings in
A1-8 which will reach up to 7 storeys high and will cause the most change the
current view. On the other side of Ng
Tung River from these cottages, the proposed and upgrading of SWHSTW
expansion at A2-3may be visible to cottages near the river but A1-5 is designated
as ‘Amenity’ and planting along the river cycle path may partially block
these views. Low level views in most directions are generally blocked by existing
patches of woodland and vegetation, and therefore low-level views of the
proposed new developments will be screened.
Given some buildings may rise to seven storeys near some cottages, the
tops of these buildings are likely to be visible close by and there will be
some changes to views from some cottages.
Views to the south of Ng Tung River further away will be shielded by
planted trees along the river banks and the high rise structures of Sheung
Shui/Fanling urban area will remain visible in the background. During construction earthworks,
particularly site formation in A1-8, and construction machinery will largely
be blocked by existing vegetation but scaffolding will become visible above
the vegetation. It is anticipated that on average small changes will be experienced
during both construction and operation and the magnitude of change will be small
for both phases. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F2 |
Existing Settlements around Sheung Shui Wa Shan |
Local |
DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section, D13 New SPS; A1-11(G), A3-1(G); B-Sites |
Partial |
30 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|||||||||||
|
F2 |
These VSRs are likely to see the residential blocks south of Ng Tung
river as the most visible new structures. Those closest to the river and
about 150m across the water from the closest VSR, rise up to 25 storeys (e.g. the first
line of buildings in B2-6, B2-11,
B3-2), and taller buildings reaching up to 35 storeys
will be visible behind these (e.g. in B2-7, B2-12 and B3-3). These new structures will block the
existing view to Tsui Lai Garden which is currently visible in the skyline
and only a small portion of the existing view to the Sheung Shui urban area
will remain visible. Many of the new
buildings lie on the open storage facilities for keeping containers to the
south of Ng Tung River that is currently diminishing the visual amenity in
the area, and could be said to improve this area although the structures will
be higher than currently, and therefore more visible. Part of this open storage area is due to be
rezoned for open space near to the river (B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, B3-1), so visual
quality here is predicted to improve.
Some of these sites will fall partially on land that is currently
agricultural or marsh however, so the land will be irreversibly converted and
any views to these areas are expected to diminish in quality. Additionally residential buildings north of the river on the same side
as these VSR may be visible. New
residential buildings in B1-7 will rise up to 15 storeys and those in B1-9 up
to 12 storeys and are likely to be visible to those settlements facing south
and south east. 3 storey houses in
B1-8 may also be visible to VSRs close to this site. This area is currently agricultural or
wooded so will undergo large change and given the potential proximity of the
closest VSRs, they will likely experience a large change in view. The new Fanling Bypass Western Section (DP9) and
its interchange will also pass by fairly close to some of these
settlements. Much of this land is currently
rural in nature and these viewers will be affected by filling in of a river
meander in A1-11 and the earthworks and construction of the at grade bypass
but at operation since the bypass is at grade the change of view is likely to
diminish as it is screened from lower levels by natural vegetation. Apart from earthworks required to build the Fanling Bypass Western
Section, the cut works required to construct the Fresh Water Service
Reservoir at A3-1 may also be visible in the distance during construction,
but will not be prominent.
Otherwise no significant earthworks will be visible for the main NDA
area during construction and the main impacts at this stage will be from
construction machinery and scaffolding and then the built structures as they
become visible. Given some screening
by existing vegetation among the residential buildings, and some amenity
planting and open space buffering along the river (e.g. in B1-2, B1-5 and
B-10), the key change is likely to be from the high rise structures in B-Sites protruding into the
skyline. It is anticipated that the
magnitude of change will be large during both construction and
operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F3 |
Tsung Shan, High Hill |
Strategic |
DP9&10 Fanling Bypass Western &
Eastern Sections; B-Sites, C-Sites and D-Sites |
Partial |
650 |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F3 |
Part of the existing view to high rise buildings in the Fanling/Sheung
Shui urban area will be blocked in the middle distance for these recreational
VSRs, by the built structures in B and D Sites, mainly for residential buildings up to 12 (e.g. B1-9), 20 (e.g.
B1-7, B3-9, D2-2, D2-4) , 25 (e.g. D2-6) and 30 (e.g. D2-9)
storeys high. Some public housing
reaching up to 35 storeys high may be visible behind in the distance
(e.g.B2-12, B3-3) and some higher residential blocks in D-sites behind lower
buildings near the river (e.g.
D3-1b, D3-3, D3-4. The Fanling Bypass will also become
visible to these recreational VSRs in the middle distance. The peaks of Lung Shan and Kei Lak Tsai
will still be visible in the distance and other existing views looking down
towards the firing range and the rural area around Siu Hang San Tsuen will
also be unaffected by the proposed FLN NDA. As the FLN NDA is located
at a distance from the VSR, it is anticipated that the VSR will only
experience an intermediate change in view in the operation phase. Only an intermediate change in view is also
predicted during the construction phase, when scaffold and construction
machinery may be visible above the ridgeline of Wa Shan. Therefore the magnitude of change will be intermediate
for both construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F4 |
Siu Hang San Tsuen |
Local |
DP10 Fanling Bypass
Eastern Section; D- Sites |
Partial |
200 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F4 |
In general, views at ground level in the
village will be partially shielded by existing vegetation and no major change
in view is expected at this level.
However, for elevated views looking to the south towards the proposed
FLN NDA , the residential buildings in D2-9 (up to 35 storey high), D2-4 (up
to 20 storeys) and D2-6 (up to 25 storeys) and possibly D3-3, D3-4, D3-7 (all
up to 30 storeys), will block the existing view of the high-rise buildings in
the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area and the existing view of agricultural
fields on the far side of Ng Tung River will become urbanized. Some of this agricultural area is designated
for open space use (e.g. D2-8, D2-10) and in conjunction with the agricultural land to the north of
Ng Tung River outside the NDA boundary, will act as a buffer before the high
rise buildings. The Fanling Bypass
Eastern Section (DP10) will also be visible to these VSRs, being elevated in
their view. A view corridor along D2-7and D2-8, and along D2-5 and D3-5, linking
this area to the Sheung Shui/Fanling urbanised area behind, is maintained
with the current NDA design giving some visual relief from the new building
massing. Some relief is also provided
by the stepped building heights and the fact that the agricultural land
immediately to the south will remain unchanged. During construction, earthworks, scaffolding and construction
machinery may be visible in the distance and overall it is anticipated that
the magnitude of change will be intermediate for both construction and
operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F5 |
Kan Lung Tsuen Area |
Local |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6; D- Sites |
Partial |
150 |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|||||||||||
|
F5 |
Views looking at the open agricultural area to
the west of the VSR will be changed by high-rise buildings up to 35 storeys
high (D2-9), medium density residential buildings up to 20 storeys high
(D2-12), as well as the reprovisioning of the existing North District
Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products (DP12 at D1-6). Views looking north to the foothills of Wa
Shan will remain unaffected. Although
bamboo is planted along the south-western boundary of Kan Lung Tsuen as a
visual buffer between FLN NDA, the mass of new buildings in the NDA will
still generally still dominate the view, being fairly close to this VSR. The new elevated Fanling Bypass Eastern
Section and associated noise barriers will also be visible just west of Ma
Wat River Channel. Although the building locations for sites D2-14 and D2-15, reserved
for government uses, are currently not available, it is expected that the
proposed buildings will be up to 10 storeys high and therefore may be visible
to some viewers in the south of this VSR group. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from
earthworks, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery,
and potential light glare from the construction site during night time
operation and from the residential buildings during operation. Overall the proposed FLN NDA involves
significant land use changes in the area and the magnitude of change is
anticipated to be large during both
construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F6 |
Sha Tau Kok Road |
Local |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6 (G); D2-9 (PRH), D2-12 (R2), D2-14 (G),
D2-15 (G) |
Nil |
Within NDA (Road itself affected. Approx. 20 m from closest building) |
Small |
Poor |
Good |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
F6 |
Glimpses of the new high rise residential
buildings in D2-9 and D2-12 (up to 35 and 20 storeys respectively) as well as
buildings of up to 10 storeys in the sites reserved for government uses
(D2-14 and D2-15) may be visible in between gaps of the planted roadside
trees for viewers travelling along this road.
The reprovisioning of the existing North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products at D1-6 (DP12) is also right next to
the road and may be visible. The road
itself will be affected by the new Lung Yeuk Tau interchange with the Fanling
Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) and it is likely that during construction,
impact will be greater than during operation.
Visual impact during construction will largely be due to road works
associated with the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section as well as scaffolding,
installation/operation of construction machinery and potential light glare
from the construction site during night time operation As views along Sha Tau Kok Road are fairly contained by the extensive
roadside planting, only intermittent views of the roadside developments will
be visible above the roadside vegetation line. Noting also most of the VSRs will be at low
levels, highest if travelling on double-decked buses, no elevated views over
the vegetation are expected. Overall,
it is predicted that the magnitude of change will be intermediate
during construction and small during
operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F7 |
Ma Wat Tsuen Area |
Local & District |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6 (G); D2-12(R2), D2-9(PRH) |
Partial |
100 (50 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|||||||||||
|
F7 |
In general, for viewers
at higher levels, the panoramic view looking northeast from this area will
remain open and unaffected by the proposed FLN NDA, with rural village houses
in the fore- and middle-ground, and the natural uplands of the Wa Shan range
and Tsun Shan visible in the background.
Only the built structures of D2-9 and D2-12 (up to 35 and 20 storeys
high respectively) will be visible at a distance parallel to the existing
industrial area at On Lok Tsuen. The
high rise structures in Shenzhen in the background will be blocked for most
viewers at higher levels. For viewers at lower levels, their view towards the FLN NDA will be
largely blocked by existing buildings and vegetation especially that planted
along Sha Tau Kok Road. Sites D2-14
and D2-15, reserved for government uses with buildings up to 10 storeys high,
and the North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products will be reprovisioned at D1-6 are expected to be shielded by
the existing vegetation. Visual impacts from the
construction of FLN NDA itself will mainly be due to scaffolding and
installation/operation of construction machinery but the diversion of the Ma
Wat River Channel, including excavation of the new channel and building of
the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, including site clearance, erection of the
piers and structure are all predicted to cause a large change in view,
particularly for those residencies further north and west of the area,
nearest the new developments. The
magnitude of change due to Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and Ma Wat River
diversion, both associated with the FLN NDA,
is therefore anticipated be large for both construction and operation |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F8 |
Shung Him Tong |
Local |
DP10 Fanling Bypass
Eastern Section; D2-12(R2), D2-9(PRH) |
Partial |
400 (60 to Ma Wat River
Channel Diversion) |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
||||||||||||
|
|
Views from this VSR
towards the main FLN NDA are largely shielded by existing shrubland and trees
in the vicinity, and only a small portion of the higher levels of new
residential buildings in D2-9 and D2-12 (up to 35 and 20 storeys high
respectively) may be visible above the existing vegetation and high rise buildings. Sites D2-14 and D2-15, reserved for
government uses with buildings up to 10 storeys high, and the North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products that will be
reprovisioned at D1-6 are expected to be shielded by the existing
vegetation. This VSR is, however, very
close to the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section
(DP10) and to the Mat Wat River Diversion which will pass close by the
periphery of the residential area. Visual impacts from the
construction of FLN NDA itself will mainly be due to scaffolding and
installation/operation of construction machinery in distance but the
diversion of the Ma Wat River Channel, including excavation of the new
channel and building of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, including site
clearance, erection of the piers and structure are all predicted to cause a
large change in view, particularly for those residencies further west of the
area, nearest these new developments.
The magnitude of change due to Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and Ma
Wat River diversion, both associated with the FLN NDA, is therefore anticipated
be large for both construction and
operation |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F9 |
Heritage Trail (South of Sha Tau Kok Road) |
Local |
DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern
Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6(G); D2-9 (PRH),
D2-12 (R2), D2-14 (G), D2-15 (G), D3-7 (R1c) |
Partial |
150 (100 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion) |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
The existing view looking
at rural village houses in the foreground and the Tsung Shan range in the
background will generally remain unobstructed along the length of this VSR
due to screening by existing vegetation and buildings, however, tops of the
higher rise new buildings at the south-eastern tip of the FLN NDA may become
visible at some points along the route (e.g. D2-9 up to 35 storeys high, D3-7 up to 30 storeys high and D2-12 up to
20 storeys high). In addition,
buildings in D2-14 and D2-15, reserved for government uses with buildings up
to 10 storeys high, and the North
District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products that will be
reprovisioned at D1-6 may be partially visible at some points along the
route. This VSR is, however,
very close to the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) and to the Mat Wat
River Diversion which will pass close by the trail for about 500 m and
will be apparent in their view west.
Most heritage buildings are close to the trail itself however and the
new developments will not block this VSR group’s view of them. Visual impacts from the
construction of FLN NDA itself will mainly be due to scaffolding and
installation/operation of construction machinery in distance but the
diversion of the Ma Wat River Channel, including excavation of the new
channel and building of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, including site
clearance, erection of the piers and structure are all predicted to cause a
large change in view to these viewers as they follow the Heritage Trail. The magnitude of change due to Fanling
Bypass Eastern Section and Ma Wat River diversion, both associated with the FLN NDA is therefore
anticipated be large at both construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F10 |
Po Kat Tsai |
Local |
D- Sites |
Nil |
1000 |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Views to the proposed FLN
NDA are limited from this VSR, since they are screened by the mature
woodland. It is possible that the tops of some high rise residential blocks
in D- Sites may be visible from this VSR and therefore, the magnitude of
change must be considered small for this area rather than negligible. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F11 |
Belair Monte & Regentville |
District |
D-Sites |
Full |
70 |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
The proposed FLN NDA
involves significant changes in terms of land use in this area and a major
change in view is expected during both the construction and operation phases
for this VSR, particularly for residents facing north towards FLN NDA. The existing open, rural land to the north
will become urban with many high rise residential blocks (e.g. D3-6, D3-7,
D2-12 and D2-9, between 20 and 35 storeys high) and supporting facilities
(e.g. schools at D3-11, D3-12 up to 8 storeys high). For residents at elevated levels, their
views to Tsung Shan and Wa Shan will be largely blocked with some partial
views through gaps between the buildings and along the view corridors created
by D2-3, D3-5 and D2-8 for open space use. Visual impact from the
construction phase will generally result from the site formation in the D
Sites, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machineries, and
potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation. The magnitude of change will be large both during
construction and at operation for this VSR. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F12 |
Wing Fai Centre & Wing Fok Centre |
Local |
D- Sites |
Full |
70 |
Large |
Poor |
Poor |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
The proposed FLN NDA
involves significant changes in terms of land use in this area and a major
change in view is expected during both the construction and operation phases
for this VSR, particularly for residents facing north towards FLN NDA. The existing open, rural land to the north
will become urban with many high rise residential blocks (e.g. D3-6, D3-7,
D2-12 and D2-9, between 20 and 35 storeys high) and supporting facilities
(e.g. schools at D3-11, D3-12 up to 8 storeys high. For residents at elevated levels, their
views to Tsung Shan and Wa Shan will be largely blocked with some partial
views through gaps between the buildings and along the view corridors created
by D2-3, D3-5 and D2-6 for open space use. Visual impact from the
construction phase will generally result from the extensive earthworks and
site formation in the D sites, scaffolding, installation/operation of
construction machineries, and potential light glare from the construction
site during night time operation. The magnitude of change will be large both during
construction and at operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F13 |
Fanling Garden |
Local |
D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS),
D3-1c (R1c) |
Partial |
200 |
Small |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Built structures for
residential buildings up to 30 storeys high in D3-1 may be visible above the
Fan Garden Government Police Married Quarters or in the gap between those
buildings and Wing Fok and Wing Fai Centres for viewers on the top floors of
flats in Fanling Garden facing towards FLN NDA. The existing view of the residential
developments in the distance will remain unchanged and views from the lower
levels of this VSR are largely shielded by existing trees and other buildings
nearby, so again will not be affected by the NDA. Therefore only a small change in view for residents
on the higher floors is anticipated during both construction and operation
with visual impacts from the construction phase mainly caused by scaffolding
and installation/operation of construction machinery in the distance. The magnitude of change will be small for
both phases. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F14 |
Good View New Village/ Ling Shan Tsuen |
Local |
D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c)
D3-8 (PRH) |
Full |
120 |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Noting residents in this
area are mainly living in 3-storey village houses, their views are largely
screened by the roadside plantings along Ma Sik Road and only the houses at
the north of the villages will have any view towards the NDA. For residents with a view the scale of the
high rise residential buildings in D3-1 and D3-8 (all up to 30 storeys) will
largely block views north and appear to be large scale compared to houses in the
adjacent neighbourhood. However, the
roadside planting does screen much of these views and sites D3-2 and D3-9 are
designated as amenity areas which will allow for further planting. Visual impact from the construction phase
will generally result from earthworks, any necessary tree removal,
scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery and potential
light glare from the construction site during night time operation. It is therefore anticipated that the magnitude of
change will be intermediate during both the construction and operations. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F15 |
Noble Hill |
District |
DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section, DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern
Section; B1-7 (R2), B1-9 (R3), B3-3 (PRH), B3-6 (R2c),
B3-7 (R2), B3-9 (R2), B3-12 (E); C2-5 (G), C2-6 (G), C2-7(E), C2-9(E), C2-8 (O); D2-2 (HOS),
D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c) |
Full |
100 |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Residents at low levels of this VSR have their views
towards the NDA partially blocked by existing vegetation and some existing
buildings such as Woodland Crest, so many of the proposed new structures are
unlikely be visible. However, for views at higher levels, high rise
structures in B and D Sites will be visible to the north and east as well as
the new Fanling Bypass (both western and eastern sections) across Ng Tung
River. Closer by the lower rise
buildings of the Clinic and Sports Centre in C2-5, C2-6 will also be
visible. Directly to the north and
adjacent to Noble Hill, site C2-8 is designated as a Town Park with multiple
sporting facilities and will be visible in the foreground as residents look
down and this change in view is fairly compatible with the existing green
nature of the view. The Town Park will
also ensure the line of sight between Noble Hill and the ridgeline of Cham
Shan and Wa Shan remains intact. Visual impacts during construction will
mainly be caused by earthworks and site formation including the removal of
trees, but also by scaffolding and installation/operation of construction
machinery. Overall the magnitude of change is predicted to be
intermediate for both construction and operation for this VSR. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F16 |
Fanling Wai |
Local |
D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS),
D3-1c (R1c) D3-8 (PRH) |
Nil |
420 |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
F16 |
As residents’ views in this VSR are largely
blocked by other village structures and vegetation, general views are limited
to within the village area. Jockey
Club Road and many existing structures lie between this VSR and the NDA but
the tops of residential high rise blocks in D3-1 and D3-8 (all up to 30
storeys high) may become visible to viewers at higher levels of a few houses
in the area, especially those facing north. Overall, it is anticipated that at worst the magnitude of change will
be small during both construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F17 |
North District Park |
Local |
D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS),
D3-1c (R1c) D3-8 (PRH) |
Partial |
420 |
Small |
Fair |
Good |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
F17 |
Views for this VSR are contained by tall trees
and landscaped vegetation within the park itself and most views towards the
proposed FLN NDA are predicted to be shielded from sight. The tops of some high rise blocks (e.g. in
D3-1 and D3-8, all up to 30 storeys), may become visible above the existing
vegetation line in some views. It is
predicted that at worst only a small change in view will be experienced
during both construction and operation phases and the magnitude of change
will be small. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F18 |
Ka Fuk Estate Area |
District |
D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c), D3-8 (PRH) |
Partial |
750 |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
F18 |
For residents with views facing towards FLN
NDA, glimpses of the Wa Shan and Tsung Shan ranges in the background will be
partially blocked by the residential blocks in D3-1 and D3-8 (all up to 30 storeys) in the
distance. Existing views of the Sheung
Shui/Fanling urban area in the foreground and other high rise buildings
including Noble Hill, Tin Ping Estate and Wing Fok Centre will remain
unchanged in the middle distance. Only
viewers at higher levels will note any discernible change in view and visual
impacts during construction will mainly be caused by scaffolding and
installation/operation of construction machinery in the distance. It is therefore anticipated that overall the
magnitude of change will be small during both the construction and
operation phases. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F19 |
On Kwok Villa |
Local |
DP13 New SPS in C2-3 (OU-SPS) C2-8 (O),
C2-5 (G), C2-6 (G), C2-7 (E), C2-9 (E); D2-2(HOS), D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS),
D3-1c (R1c). |
Partial |
120 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F19 |
On Kwok Villas are quite low
rise and their views north to the NDA are largely blocked by the higher rise
Woodland Crest buildings. At lower
levels of the villas, views are fairly contained by vegetation also. To the east and adjacent to On Kwok Villa,
site C2-8 is designated as a Town Park with multiple sporting facilities and
will be visible to residents but this change in view is fairly compatible
with the existing green nature of the view.
The Town Park will also ensure the line of sight between this VSR and
the ridgeline of Tsung Shan Range remains intact. Residents facing northeast may see the new SPS
(DP13) in C2-3 (up to 5 m tall), Clinic and Sports Centre buildings in
C2-5 and C2-6 which are up to 5 storeys high and possibly the schools which
will be up to 8 storeys high in C2-7 and C2-9. Those houses facing east may have views of
the higher rise structures in D2-2 and D3-1 (up to 20 and 30 storeys
respectively) at least 400 m away.
Visual impacts during construction will mainly be caused by nearby
earthworks for C2-8 site formation including the removal of trees, but also
by scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery in the
distance. Overall, it is anticipated that the magnitude
of change will be intermediate during both construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F20 |
High Rise Residential Buildings around Tin Ping Estate |
District |
DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section B-sites; C2-5 (G), C2-6 (G); , C2-7 (E),
C2-8 (O) C2-9 (E); D- Sites Possibly A3-1 |
Partial |
250 |
Large |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Large |
Large |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Views for this VSR are assumed to be from higher levels of the high
rise residential blocks, but will vary depending on the orientation of the flats.
For residents with views looking east towards the proposed NDA, their
panoramic view of the agricultural fields, small villages and patches of
woodlands in the middle distance will be changed to new high rise buildings
in D Sites (reaching up to 35 storeys
high) and lower buildings in C2-5 and C2-6 designated for a Clinic and Sports
Centre (up to 5 storey) and schools in C2-7 and C2-9 in the middle
distance. The Town Park to be created
in C2-8 will also be apparent before all these buildings, maintaining a sense
of open space and greening and glimpses of the green hills in the background
will remain visible in the distance although for some flats slightly lower
down, view of distant hills and ridgelines may be blocked. For residents with views facing north towards the proposed NDA, views
are already partially blocked by existing buildings such as Nobel Hill, but the existing landscape behind is largely
rural in nature and visible. This will
become urbanized and majority of the built structures located at the western
portion of the NDA will be visible, especially the high rise blocks such as
in B2-7, B2-12, and B3-3 all which have buildings up to 35 storeys, as well
as 20 storey buildings in e.g. B3-6, B3-9.
Some viewers with view to Table Hill may be able to see the Fresh
Water Service Reservoir in A3-1. Views
in this direction will be less changed than those facing east (described
above) since the NDA is that much further away and there are more existing
buildings in the foreground. Visual impact from the
construction phase will generally result from earthworks and vegetation
clearance, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery, and
potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation,
as well as the site formation works necessary for the service reservoir in
A3-1. Overall, it is anticipated that
the magnitude of change will to be large during construction and
operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F21 |
North District Sports Ground |
Local |
B3-3(PRH),
B3-6(R2c) and B3-9 (R2) |
Partial |
320 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
In general, views at low levels in this area
will be screened by trees planted around the sports ground and other
buildings in the neighbourhood and views to the north and east towards the
proposed FLN NDA are largely already blocked by the existing high rise buildings such as Woodland Crest, and Tin Ping Estate. Only a small change in view may be experienced by
viewers at higher levels of the stand, due to some high rise structures such
as the residential blocks in B3-3, B3-6 and B3-9 being visible in
gaps between the buildings. There are
unlikely to be additional impacts during construction, but scaffolding and
the installation /operation of construction machinery may be visible in the
distance. The magnitude of change is predicted to be small during both
construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F22 |
Tsui Lai Garden |
Local |
DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; B-Sites |
Partial |
140 |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F22 |
Views at lower levels are generally unaffected
by the proposed FLN NDA as they will be screened by existing vegetation and
other built structures, such that no discernible change in their view is anticipated.
However, the open and panoramic views looking at the existing rural landscape
of agricultural fields, small villages and patches of woodland from higher
levels will likely be changed by FLN NDA for residents facing north, north
east as part of this land will change in use to the urban development of the
NDA. The general mass of buildings in
B-Sites will dominate the
view with a number of residential blocks reaching up to 35 storeys high
(B2-7, B2-12, B3-3) but glimpses of the green hills in the background will
still remain visible in the distance through view corridors that are
maintained between the buildings. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally be from site
formation works, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction
machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night
time operation. Overall, it is anticipated that the magnitude of change is
will be intermediate during construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F23 |
Fung Kai Area |
Local |
B- Sites |
Partial |
170 |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F23 |
VSRs in this area are generally at ground level,
with their views to the proposed FLN NDA screened by the existing surrounding
vegetation, such that no discernible change in their view is
anticipated. However, noted that some
of the viewers from the school area along Jockey Club Road and off Fung Nam
Road will likely have elevated views that look over the existing vegetation
and towards the proposed NDA, it is predicted that buildings in many B-Sites, especially the
higher rise structures of which there are many, will likely be visible, and
will cause a moderate change in view. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by
site formation works, scaffolding and installation/operation of construction
machinery. It is expected that the magnitude of change will be intermediate during both construction
and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F24 |
Sheung Shui Wai Area |
Local |
B- Sites |
Partial |
90 |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F24 |
VSRs in this area have fairly contained views and so
for viewers at lower levels, views are either partially or fully blocked by
other buildings or mature vegetation in the area and very little change in view
is predicted. Only the tops of some of
the very high rise structures such as the public housing developments in
B2-7, B2-12 and B3-3 (up to 35 storeys ) and B2-6, B2-11(up to 25 storeys) may be visible above the existing
building/vegetation line, in the distance.
For these higher level VSRs (e.g. at the top of the 3-storey village
houses) that have views looking towards FLN NDA, a moderate change in view is
predicted. Views through to the Cham Shan/Wa Shan ranges in the
background will remain from many angles as view corridors between the
buildings are incorporated into the NDA building placement. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by
some views of site formation works, scaffolding and installation/operation of
construction machinery and overall the magnitude of change is predicted to be
intermediate for construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F25 |
Industrial Zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai |
District |
DP11 SWHSTW – Further Expansion; B- Sites |
Partial |
520 |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F25 |
Low level views at this area are largely screened
by existing trees and other buildings and no change in view at this level is
therefore expected. The majority of the high rise structures in the western
portion of the FLN NDA will likely be visible from this VSR at elevated
levels however. Key built structures
including, B2-7, B2-12, and B3-3 for public rental housing (up to 35 storeys) and medium
density residential (up to 20 storeys), will be visible above the vegetation
line in the distance. Views to the
Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area and the Cham Shan/Wa Shan range will remain
unaffected. A moderate change is
therefore expected. . Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by
some views of site formation works, scaffolding and installation/operation of
construction machinery and overall the magnitude of visual change is
predicted to be intermediate during construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F26 (K6a) |
Ho Sheung Heung |
Local |
B2-7 (PRH),
B2-12 (PRH), B3-3 (PRH) |
Partial |
600 |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
F26 |
These VSRs are far from FLN NDA (although
within the KTN NDA) and views at ground level are largely contained by existing
built structures and vegetation in the area so that no discernible change in
view is expected at this level. A
small portion of the high rise public housing blocks in e.g. B2-7, B2-12 and
B3-3, up to 35 storeys high, may be visible at elevated levels of some houses
facing east, however, above the vegetation line in the distance. At worst, a small change in view is
expected for residents with such views within this VSR. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be from
scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery and overall,
it is predicted that at worst the magnitude of visual change due to the FLN
NDA will be small during construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
F27 (K7a) |
Tsung Yuen |
Local |
B3-3 (PRH), B2-7(PRH), B2-12(PRH) |
Nil |
500 |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
|
|||||||||||
|
F27 |
(Note F27 is the same
location as K7a, but different view) Ground level views at this area are generally
blocked by tall trees surrounding the village, and the proposed FLN NDA is
predicted to be screened from sight by the trees and other buildings such
that no discernible change in view is anticipated at lower levels. For some of the 3-storey village houses
with elevated views looking towards the proposed FLN NDA, the tops of high
rise public housing blocks in B3-3, B2-7 and B2-12 (up to 35 storeys high)
may be visible in places and a small
change in view is expected. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be from
scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery and overall,
it is anticipated that the magnitude of change will be small during
construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F28 (K22) |
Ki Lun Shan Footpath |
Strategic |
Entire Area of
FLN and KTN NDAs |
Nil |
2350 |
Small |
Fair |
Good |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F28 |
Although the mass of new FLN NDA buildings
will be generally visible to this VSR, only a few buildings may be
distinguishable from the existing built up area of Sheung Shui/Fanling. Overall it will be hard to distinguish the
new buildings from existing and it is anticipated that very little if any
discernible change in views will be experienced during both construction and
operation phases due to FLN NDA. The
existing open view looking over the green ranges in the foreground,
residential development and Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area in the middle
ground, and high rises in Shenzhen in the background will remain unchanged
and the key change for these VSRs will come from KTN NDA as described
previously and in Section 12.12.1.3. Thus, the magnitude of change due to just FLN
NDA will be small, but given these VSRs can see KTN closer by, the overall
magnitude of change experienced by these VSRs is predicted to be intermediate. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F29 (East of K24) |
Wu Tip Shan Lookout |
Strategic |
Entire Area of
FLN NDA |
Partial |
1450 |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F29 |
Although the mass of new FLN NDA buildings will
be generally visible to this VSR, only a few buildings will be
distinguishable from the existing built up area of Sheung Shui/Fanling. The high rise buildings in D-Sites in the east of the
NDA will be visible below Wa Shan and further west some high rise buildings
from B-Sites will also be
visible. The current green space and
view to the green foothills between higher rise structures in the north and
south of Sheung Shui and Fanling will however be largely blocked by new built
structures such as the lower rise C-Site buildings. The distant view of high rise buildings in
Shenzhen will remain. Visual impacts from the construction phase
will mainly be caused when scaffolding and construction machinery become
visible in a distance. In terms of
visual amenity there will be some loss of visual access to greenery during
both the construction and operation phases and overall the magnitude of
change is anticipated to be intermediate for both phases. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y |
F30 (K2) |
Tai Shek Mo Footpath
& Lookout (Looking
towards KTN & FLN NDA) |
Strategic |
Entire Area of FLN NDA
& A- Sites high
rise buildings in KTN NDA |
Partial |
1750 from FLN NDA and 380 from KTN NDA |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
|
|||||||||||
|
F30 |
The entire FLN NDA will
be visible in the distance from this VSR, and it will largely blend with the
existing urban view of the Sheung Shui/Fanling area. This VSR is over 1.7 km from the
proposed FLN NDA, but there will be some loss of visual access to greenery
and a moderate change in view is anticipated during both the construction and
operation phases. For the sections of the footpath with views both to
the KTN and FLN NDA, much of the KTN NDA will be blocked by the ridges and
foothills of Tai Shek Mo itself and only the tops of high rise buildings in KTN NDA will be
visible behind the Tai Shek Mo Ridgeline (also detailed in Table
12.12.1). Existing
views looking down to the Sheung Shui/ Fanling Urban Area, Ng Tung River and
Sheung Yue River will remain unchanged by the KTN NDA. Much of the KTN NDA area visible to this
VSR will experience no discernible change (e.g. Lo Wu Correctional Institution at G1-8; natural
vegetation in G1-3; Lo Wu Saddle Club in G1-6 and G1-7; agricultural land in
C2-2, C2-4 and C2-5; and the majority of Long Valley in C1-9 and C-6). Although
the closest built structure in the KTN NDA is approximately 380 m away, this is
the service reservoir in G1-4 and most of the structures causing visible
change, such as higher rise residential buildings in A-sites, are much
further away such that only a small change in view is anticipated due to the KTN NDA Overall the
existing green ranges in the foreground and high rises in Shenzhen looking to
the north in the background will remain unchanged and it is not considered
that cumulatively the FLN and KTN NDAs confer more than an intermediate
change in view at this VSR during construction and operation. Visual impacts from the construction phase
will generally result from site formation works, scaffolding and construction
machinery that become visible in the distance. Overall the magnitude of change
is anticipated to be intermediate during construction and operation. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Code Land
Use Type
A Amenity
AGR Agriculture
C Commercial
CA Conservation
Area
CDA Comprehensive
Development Area
E Education
G Government
G-REC Government
Recreation
GB Green Belt
HOS Home
Ownership Scheme
IC Institution
/ Community
O Open
Space
OU-C,R&D Other
Specified Uses - Commercial, Research & Development
OU-DCS Other
Specified Uses - District Cooling System
OU-FR Other
Specified Uses - Firing Range
OU(NP) Other
Specified Uses - Nature Park
OU-PFS Other
Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station
OU-POFEFTS Other
Specified Uses - Parking & Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly
Transport System
OU-PTD Other
Specified Uses - Parking and Operation
Facilities for Environmentally Friendly Transport System
OU-R&D Other
Specified Uses - Research & Development
OU-RAF Other
Specified Uses - Railway Associated Facilities
OU(RCP) Other
Specified Usese – Refuse Collection Point
OU-SPS Other
Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station
OU-STW Other
Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works
OU(VC) Other
Specified Uses - Visitor Centre
OU(VMCCS) Other
Specified Uses - Vegetable Market and Credit Co-operative Society
PRH Public
Rental Housing
PRH(Local Rehousing) Public
Rental Housing (Local Rehousing)
R1 Residential
Zone 1 - highest density
R1c Residential
Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial
R2 Residential
Zone 2 - medium density
R2c Residential
Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial
R3 Residential
Zone 3 - low density
R4 Residential
Zone 4 - very low density
V Village
Type Development
12.12.1.3 VSRs affected by both KTN and FLN NDAs
In addition to impact assessments on the magnitude of visual change caused by each the individual NDAs as shown in Tables 12.12.1, and 12.12.2, this section also assesses the overall visual changes brought about from the KTN NDA and FLN NDA on those VSRs affected by both.
Three strategic VSRs have panoramic views which take in both the KTN and FLN NDAs. These are: K2/ F30 Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout; K22/ F28 Ki Lun Shan Footpath, and K24 (similar to F29) Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park. Two local VSRs, K6/ F26 Ho Sheung Heung and K7/ F27 Tsung Yeun, also have potential views to both NDAs. Table 12.12.3 details the magnitude of visual change from both NDAs in combination.
K15 Choi Po Court/Choi Yuen Estate, used in the KTN visual impact assessment, might just be able to see FLN NDA but it is not enough to have any additional affect on the magnitude of visual change this VSR experiences from KTN NDA.
Relevant
photomontages are provided in Figures 12.22.2/ 12.23.16 for K2/ F30, Figures 12.22.13/ 12.23.14 for K22/ F28, Figure 12.22.14 for K24 and Figure 12.23. 15 for
F29. These photomontages show the existing view from these select VPs and the
unmitigated view of both NDAs, which helped to determine the magnitude of
change ranking in Table
12.12.3. In addition, these photomontages show
mitigated views at day 1 and year 10 of operation and these help support the
findings in Section 12.12.2.1 which
reports on the significance of both unmitigated and mitigated visual impact.
No
one view in K7/ F26 and K6/ F27 takes in both NDAs at the same time and
therefore no photomontages to show both NDAs can be provided.
Table
12.12.3 - Magnitude of change caused
by KTN and FLN NDAs on identified VSRs with views of both
Remarks: The approximate
closest viewing distance to the proposed NDA is measured from the edge of
the VSR group to the closest built structure proposed within the NDA.
VY (Yes [Y]/ blank) |
VSR Code |
Name |
VSR Category (Strategic/
District/ Local) |
Key Sites/Designated
Projects (DPs)/ Sites with Structures causing Visual Impact (Land Use Type)* |
Blockage of View (Full/
Partial/ Nil) |
Approximate Closest
Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m) |
Scale of Development
(Large/ Medium/ Small) |
Compatibility with
Surrounding Landscape |
Duration of Impact |
Reversibility of Change |
Magnitude of Change
(Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible) |
||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
||||||||
Description of Impacts during Construction and Operation |
|||||||||||||||
Y |
K2 & F30 |
Tai Shek Mo
Footpath & Lookout |
Strategic |
Entire FLN NDA; A-Sites and D-Sites high rise
buildings in KTN NDA |
Partial |
380 (from KTN NDA) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Most of FLN NDA will be
visible to the south east of this VSR and will cause an intermediate
magnitude of visual change in itself, as detailed in Table 12.12.2.
Conversely, much of the KTN NDA will be blocked by
the ridges and foothills of Tai Shek Mo itself and this NDA is thought to
confer a small change in view from this VSR, as detailed in Table 12.12.1. Although the closest built structure in KTN
NDA is approximately 380 m away, this is the service reservoir in G1-4 and
most of the structures causing visible change, such as higher rise
residential buildings in A-Sites and D-Sites, are much further
away. Overall the existing green
ranges in the foreground and high rises in Shenzhen looking to the north in
the background will remain unchanged and it is not considered that
cumulatively FLN and KTN NDAs confer more than an intermediate change in view
at this VSR during construction and operation. Visual impacts from the construction phase
will generally result from site formation works, scaffolding and construction
machinery that become visible in the distance. |
|||||||||||||||
Y Y |
K22 & F28 |
Ki Lun Shan
Footpath |
Strategic |
Entire KTN NDA
area; |
Nil |
650 (from KTN) |
Medium |
Poor |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Views vary depending
where the VSRs are along the footpath and at what elevation. Generally once at the summit of Ki Lun Shan
and along the ridgeline, views north east look over KTN NDA fairly close by,
whereas FLN NDA is much further away, to the east. Many of the higher rise buildings within
the south of KTN will be prominent in the view as described in Table 12.12.1 but much of the
Long Valley area will remain visible.
Individual buildings within FLN NDA will hardly be distinguishable,
but rather the general higher rise building massing will be evident in the B-Sites and D-Sites as described
in Table 12.12.2.
Although the change due to FLN alone is small and the change due to
KTN is intermediate, much of the rural aspect of the area remains and all key
mountains remain visible. Visual
impacts from the construction phase will generally result from site formation
works, scaffolding and construction machinery. |
|||||||||||||||
Y Y |
K24/ F29 |
Kei Lak Tsai
Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park including Wu Tip Shan Lookout |
Strategic |
Entire area of KTN
NDA from certain locations on the path; |
Partial |
1450 (from FLN NDA) |
Medium |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Medium] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Views vary depending
where the VSRs are along the footpath and at what elevation. The entire KTN NDA will generally be
visible in the far distance from certain locations further west, while the
entire FLN NDA will be visible from other locations, such as the Wu Tip Shan
lookout point. Each NDA is thought to
cause an intermediate change if view as described in Tables 12.12.1 and 12.12.2 but as this VSR is
located at a distance from the two proposed NDAs and much of the surrounding
landscape will not change in appearance due to this Project. The combined
effect of the NDA will still cause an intermediate change in view. Visual impacts from the construction phase
will generally be resulted from scaffolding works and construction
machineries that become visible in a distance. |
|||||||||||||||
Y |
K6 & F26 |
Ho Sheung Heung |
Local |
KTN: Possibly G1-5
(G),
D1-7 (R2), possibly G1-5 (G); |
Nil |
100 (from KTN NDA) |
Small |
Fair |
Fair |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Only the southern
residencies of Ho Sheung Heung will have views to KTN NDA and as described in
Table 12.12.1, but to take account of the worst case
scenario here the magnitude of change for these VSRs is considered
intermediate. The tops of some high
rise structures in B-sites in FLN NDA may be visible to some other VSRs here,
as described in Table 12.12.2, but these will be in the far distance and
unlikely to increase the magnitude of visible change any further. Overall, to reflect the worst change in view experienced by viewers close to
the high rise buildings in D1-7 of KTN NDA, the magnitude of change from
both NDAs is anticipated to be intermediate for construction and
operation |
|||||||||||||||
Y |
K7 & F27 |
Tsung Yuen |
Local |
KTN: Possibly G1-5
(G); |
Nil |
300 (from KTN NDA) |
Small |
Good |
Good |
Temporary [Short] |
Permanent |
Reversible |
Irreversible |
Small |
Small |
Only a few VSR in Tsung
Yuen may have views to the Fresh Water Service Reservoir in G1-5 at KTN NDA as described in Table 12.12.1, and this will cause very
little change to their views. The
tops of some high rise structures in B-Sites in FLN NDA may be
visible to some other VSRs here, facing in the opposite direction, as
described in Table 12.12.2, but these will be in the far distance and
cause a small change in view at worst. No KTN NDA and FLN NDA
structure can be seen in the same field of vision and therefore, the overall
the magnitude of change from both NDAs is anticipated to be small for
construction and operation. |
12.12.2 Significance of Visual Impacts
Based on the sensitivity assessment of VSRs as described in Section 12.11 and the magnitude of change described in Section 12.12.1, the potential significance of the unmitigated visual impacts during the construction and operation phases have been calculated using the matrix described in Table 12.10.3 of the methodology.
Residual impact signifiance is also determined in this Section, considering the mitigation measures described in full in Section 12.9. Photomontages and landscape mitigation plans help to support the findings.
For full details of the construction and operation mitigation measures suggested in Table 12.9.1, refer to Section 12.9, but in principle key mitigation measures suggested to alleviate just visual impacts include MM2 Detailed Design – Visual, MM16 Screen Hoarding and MM17 Light Control. Other mitigation measures that allow for soft landscaping of areas and structures to improve visual amenity include MM6 Slope Landscaping, MM9 Vertical Greening, MM10 Green Roof, MM11 Screen Planting and MM12 Road Greening, and all these measures also confer an element of landscape impact mitigation due to their greening nature. Some mitigation measures that may be primarily considered to alleviate landscape impacts, such as MM4 Tree Protection & Preservation, MM5 Tree Transplantation, MM7 Compensatory Planting and MM8 Woodland Compensatory Planting, may also serve to alleviate visual impacts, by retaining or conferring a greening element to the view and therefore improving visual quality. This is particularly true for VSRs with a strategic view of the whole NDA, those near the proposed woodland compensatory planting areas or those near areas of trees that will benefit from protection and preservation. Finally, in helping to preserve and even enhance the riverside promenades and visual amenity, MM14 Watercourse Impact Mitigation is relevant to VSRs who travel along or are very close to the river, even though it is principally a landscape mitigation measure.
Some mitigation measures would be implemented during operation of the development, such as those involving soft landscaping, will actually start to be implemented during the construction stage of the Project, but are generally not considered to alleviate the visual impacts of construction. In some cases however, MM11 Screen Planting is suggested to alleviate construction impacts, where the VSRs are residents relatively near or within the NDA. In general, the significance of mitigated visual impact at construction is predominantly considered to be the same as the unmitigated significance as the mitigation effects are small, and the main effects of mitigation are conferred at the operation stage.
As noted previously, detailed architectural design of built elements in the NDA is ongoing at this stage of the development programme and therefore the building forms and building mass shown in the photomontages for the proposed NDAs may change in detailed design stage and it is possible that with further refinement of design (e.g. of building forms, finishes and colours) visual impacts will be reduced. Similarly this is true of elements still undergoing engineering design refinements, such as for the water reservoirs in KTN and FLN NDAs.
12.12.2.1 Kwu Tung North NDA
Based on the sensitivity assessment of KTN VSRs as described in Section 12.11.1 and the magnitude of change they might experience described in Section 12.12.1.1, the potential significance of the unmitigated visual impacts from KTN NDA during the construction and operation are provided in Table 12.12.4 using the matrix given in the methodology, and taking into account site visits to the area. Table 12.12.4 also provides suggested significance of mitigated impacts during construction and at operation day 1 and year 10. These residual impact significances assume the suggested mitigation measures are fully implemented, and that the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures is realized after ten years
Photomontages demonstrating the potential visual impact of the proposed project before and after mitigation from certain VPs in the KTN NDA are illustrated in Figures 12.22.1-14 for KTN NDA.
Three of the VSRs for the KTN NDA assessement have views that will look over both KTN NDA and FLN NDA. These are: K2 (F30) Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout; K22 (F28) Ki Lun Shan Footpath, and K24 (not used for FLN assessment) Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park and the significances of visual impact from both NDAs on these VSRs are provided in Section 12.12.2.3.
Table 12.12.4 -
Significance of visual impacts for KTN NDA
VSR Code (Code for other NDA) |
Name |
Category of VSR
(Strategic/ District/ Local) |
VSR Type |
VSR Sensitivity (High/
Medium/ Low) |
Magnitude of Change |
Impact Significance
BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
Recommended Mitigation Measures |
Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/
Slight/ Insignificant) |
|||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation Day 1 |
Operation Year 10 |
|||||
K1 |
Ma
Tso Lung San Tsuen |
Local |
Residential |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight/ Moderate |
Slight |
K2a |
Tai
Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards KTN NDA) |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Low |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
K2b
(F30) |
Tai
Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards KTN & FLN NDA) |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K3 |
Western
Range -- Lok Ma Chau Footpath |
District |
Recreational |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K4 |
Cottage
Area (Western Range) |
Local |
Residential |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Substantial |
Moderate |
Moderate |
K5a |
Northern
Knoll of Fung Kong Shan |
District |
Recreational |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate/ Substantial |
Moderate/ Substantial |
MM1, MM2, MM4, |
MM1, MM2, |
Moderate/ Substantial |
Moderate |
Moderate |
K5b |
Southern
Knoll of Fung Kong Shan |
District |
Recreational |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate/ Substantial |
Moderate/ Substantial |
MM1, MM2, MM4, |
MM1, MM2, MM15, MM17 |
Moderate/ Substantial |
Moderate |
Moderate |
K6 |
Ho
Sheung Heung |
Local |
Residential |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate
|
Slight |
Slight |
K7 |
Tsung
Yuen |
Local |
Residential |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
K8 |
MTR
East Rail line north of Sheung Shui cycle track |
Local |
Travelling |
Low |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
K9 |
Long
Valley Villages |
Local |
Residential |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
K10 |
Cycle
track along riverside near Long Valley |
Local |
Travelling/
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
K11 |
Cycle
track west of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works |
Local |
Travelling/
Recreational |
Low |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
K12 |
Tsung
Pak Long |
Local |
Residential |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
K13 |
Industrial
Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long |
District |
Occupational |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
K14 |
Tai
Tau Leng |
Local |
Residential |
Medium |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
K15 |
Choi
Po Court/Choi Yuen Estate |
District |
Residential |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM2, |
MM1, MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K16 |
Tai
Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks |
District |
Residential |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K17 |
Hong
Kong Golf Course, Fanling |
Local |
Recreational |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
K18 |
Ascot
Park Area |
Local |
Residential |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
K19 |
Existing
Road Bridge Link over Fanling Highway |
Local |
Travelling |
Low |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight/ Moderate |
Slight |
K20 |
Valais
& Europa Garden New Residential Development Area |
Local |
Residential |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K21 |
Kwu
Tung Service Reservoir |
District |
Recreational |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
K22
(F28) |
Ki
Lun Shan Footpath |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM1, MM2, |
MM1, MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K23 |
Chau
Tau Village |
Local |
Residential |
Low |
Negligible |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
n/a |
n/a |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
K24 |
Kei
Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
12.12.2.2 Fanling North (FLN) NDA
Based on the sensitivity assessment of FLN VSRs as described in Section 12.11.2 and the magnitude of change they might experience described in Section 12.12.1.2, the potential significance of the unmitigated visual impacts from FLN NDA during the construction and operation are provided in Table 12.12.5 using the matrix given in the methodology, and taking into account site visits to the area. Table 12.12.5 also provides suggested significances of mitigated impacts during construction and at operation day 1 and year 10. These residual impact significances assume the suggested mitigation measures are fully implemented, and that the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures is realized after ten years
Photomontages demonstrating the potential visual impact of the proposed project before and after mitigation from certain VPs in the FLN NDA are illustrated in Figures 12.23.1-16 for FLN NDA.
Two of the VSRs for the FLN NDA assessement have views that will look over both FLN NDA and KTN NDA. These are: F30 (K2) Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout; and F28 (K22) Ki Lun Shan Footpath and the significances of visual impact from both NDAs on these VSRs are provided in Section 12.12.2.3.
Table 12.12.5 -
Significance of visual impacts for FLN NDA
VSR Code |
Name |
VSR Category (Strategic/
District/ Local) |
VSR Type |
VSR Sensitivity (High/
Medium/ Low) |
Magnitude of Change
(Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible) |
Impact Significance
BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
Recommended Mitigation Measures |
Residual Impact
Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
|||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation Day 1 |
Operation Year 10 |
|||||
F1 |
Cottage
Area Lining Fu Tei Au Road |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
F2 |
Existing
Settlements around Sheung Shui Wa Shan |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
F3 |
Tsung
Shan, High Hill |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2,
|
MM2,
|
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
F4 |
Siu
Hang San Tsuen |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
F5 |
Kan
Lung Tsuen Area |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate |
F6 |
Sha
Tau Kok Road |
Local |
Travelling |
Low |
Intermediate |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
F7 |
Ma Wat Tsuen Area |
Local
& District |
Residential
- Low Rise |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Substantial |
Moderate/Substantial |
Moderate |
F8 |
Shung Him Tong |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2,
|
MM2,
|
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate |
F9 |
Heritage Trail (South of Sha Tau Kok Road) |
Local |
Recreational |
Medium |
Large |
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2,
|
MM2,
|
Moderate |
Slight/
Moderate |
Slight |
F10 |
Po Kat Tsai |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
Low |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2,
|
MM2,
|
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
F11 |
Belair Monte & Regentville |
District |
Residential
- High Rise |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2,
|
MM2,
|
Substantial |
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
F12 |
Wing Fai Centre & Wing Fok Centre |
Local |
Residential
- High Rise |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Substantial |
Substantial |
Moderate |
F13 |
Fanling Garden |
Local |
Residential
- Low Rise |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2,
|
MM2,
|
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
F14 |
Good
View New Village/ Ling Shan Tsuen |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight/
Moderate |
F15 |
Noble
Hill |
District |
Residential - High
Rise |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate |
F16 |
Fanling
Wai |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
F17 |
North
District Park |
Local |
Recreational |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
F18 |
Ka
Fuk Estate Area |
District |
Residential - High
Rise |
High |
Small |
Small |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
F19 |
On
Kwok Villa |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
F20 |
High
Rise Residential Buildings around Tin Ping Estate |
District |
Residential - High
Rise |
High |
Large |
Large |
Substantial |
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate |
F21 |
North
District Sports Ground |
Local |
Recreational |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, MM7, |
MM2, MM7, |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
F22 |
Tsui
Lai Garden |
Local |
Residential - High
Rise |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate/
Substantial |
Moderate/
Substantial |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
F23 |
Fung
Kai Area |
Local |
Recreational (&
Occupational & Travelling) |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
F24 |
Sheung
Shui Wai Area |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
F25 |
Industrial
Zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai |
District |
Occupational |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Slight |
Insignificant |
F26
(K6) |
Ho
Sheung Heung |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
F27
(K7) |
Tsung
Yuen |
Local |
Residential - Low
Rise |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
F28
(K22) |
Ki
Lun Shan Footpath |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2,
|
MM2,
|
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
F29 |
Wu
Tip Shan Lookout |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
F30
(K2) |
Tai
Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
12.12.2.3 VSRs affected by both KTN and FLN NDAs
Three strategic VSRs have panoramic views which take in both KTN and FLN NDAs. These are: K2/ F30 Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout; K22/ F28 Ki Lun Shan Footpath, and K24 (similar to F29) Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park. Two local VSRs, K6/ F26 Ho Sheung Heung and K7/ F27 Tsung Yeun, also have potential views to both NDAs. The significance of visual impact resulting from both NDAs is assessed for these VSRs in this section.
K15 Choi Po Court/Choi Yuen Estate, used in the KTN visual impact assessment, might just be able to see the FLN NDA but it is not enough to have any additional effect on the magnitude of visual change this VSR experiences from KTN NDA and therefore it is not included in this combined assessment.
Significance of combined NDA visual impact is based on the sensitivity assessment of the VSRs as described in Section 12.11 and the magnitude of change they might experience described in Section 12.12.1.3. K6/ F26 Ho Sheung Heung is ranked as of high sensitivity for KTN NDA assessement but medium for FLN NDA assessement due to being within KTN NDA and some houses being close to new development, whereas it is far from FLN NDA. For the combined assessement it is ranked as highly sensitive.
The potential significances of the unmitigated visual impacts from both NDAs during the construction and operation are provided in Table 12.12.6 using the matrix given in the methodology, and taking into account site visits to the area. Table 12.12.6 also provides suggested significance of mitigated impacts during construction and at operation day 1 and year 10. These residual impact significances assume the suggested mitigation measures are fully implemented, and that the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures is realized after ten years
Relevant photomontages are provided in Figures
12.22.2/
12.23.16 for K2 & F30, Figures 12.22.13/ 12.23.14 for K22
& F28 and Figures 12.22.14/
12.23.15 for K24/
F29. These photomontages show the
existing view from these select VPs and the unmitigated view of both NDAs,
which helped to determine the magnitude of change rankings in Table 12.12.3. In addition, these photomontages show
mitigated views at day 1 and year 10 of operation and these help support the
findings in Table
12.12.6 below.
No one view in K7/ F26 and K6/ F27 takes in both NDAs at the same time and therefore no photomontages to show both NDAs can be provided.
Table 12.12.6 - Significance of visual impacts for identified VSRs
affected by both KTN NDA and FLN NDA
VSR Code |
Name |
VSR
Category (Strategic/ District/ Local) |
VSR
Type |
VSR
Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low) |
Magnitude
of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible) |
Impact
Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant) |
Recommended
Mitigation Measures |
Residual
Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/
Insignificant) |
|||||
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation |
Construction |
Operation
Day 1 |
Operation
Year 10 |
|||||
K2
& F30 |
Tai
Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Low |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K22 & F28 |
Ki
Lun Shan Footpath |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K24/ F29 |
Kei
Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park including Wu Tip Shan Lookout |
Strategic |
Recreational |
Medium |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Slight |
K6a & F26 |
Ho
Sheung Heung |
Local |
Residential |
High |
Intermediate |
Intermediate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Moderate |
Slight |
Slight |
K7a & F27 |
Tsung
Yuen |
Local |
Residential |
Medium |
Small |
Small |
Slight |
Slight |
MM2, |
MM2, |
Slight |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
There have been many considerations when developing the revised RODP, including the landscape and visual aspects of the Project. Given the generally rural nature of the NENT, development of the NDAs will lead to land use changes which will fundamentally change the landscape and visual character of the area, but right from the planning stage, measures have been taken to mitigate landscape and visual changes.
Each NDA has been carefully planned to achieve the distinct landscape characteristic of a new town and care has been taken to establish a network of linked open spaces, accommodating a number of parks, plazas, squares, green amenity strips and landscape corridors, to create ‘green’ new communities and partly compensate for any loss of such existing open spaces or other relevant landscape resources due to the developments. Figures 12.9.0, 12.9.3-5 and Figures 12.10.0.1-2, 12.10.3-5 help to highlight some planning considerations for KTN and FLN NDAs respectively. Particular care has been taken to minimize site formation and achieve an ultimate cut/ fill balance as far as possible. In addition drainage levels of the ultimate development scenario have been considered and in general, low-lying areas will be filled to an elevation just above the flood levels of the ultimate scenario.
For the VIA in particular, it is relevant to note that detailed architectural designs of all built elements in the NDAs have not been finalised at this stage of the development programme. Therefore the built structure forms and masses (including for buildings, reservoirs etc.) shown in all the photomontages and drawings are illustrating maximum building heights and the currently suggested reservoir designs, which are likely to reflect the worst case scenario. These photomontages and drawings have helped to assess the magnitude visual change and significance of impact for various VSRs and the actual visual impacts are expected to reduce when the design of building and reservoir forms, finishes and colours have been refined at the detailed design stage taking into account that proper design control measures would be imposed where necessary.
Despite this careful initial design of the NDAs, some impact from the Project is inevitable and the potential landscape and visual impacts from the construction phases of the various components of the NDAs generally result from: site clearance including demolition of structures and tree removal/transplantation; site formation works including cutting (e.g. slope formation for reservoir formation) and filling (e.g. of streams and agricultural land); stockpiling of construction and demolition materials; construction of at-grade and above ground built structures including residential blocks, government/ institutional facilities, bridges, viaducts, interchanges, roads, slip roads, noise barriers and faunal barriers; temporary structures within the Project Site including site offices and parking areas; and re-alignment of roads, streams and watercourses. During operation, potential impacts are likely to result from the existence and operation of these built structures including new roads, intersections, viaducts and any associated noise barriers. There will be some residual impacts that occurred during construction, such as the loss of trees and vegetation that will continue to cause impact at operation. Equally, planting carried out during construction of general landscaping works will have an impact during operation as will the implementation of the careful planning measures, such as provision of open spaces, green belt areas, etc.
The sections below summarise the outcomes of the LVIAs for each NDA. Cumulative impacts with other relevant projects are then discussed before reaching an overall conclusion for the Schedule 3 LVIA for this Project. Full details of the LVIAs for Schedule 2 DPs associated with the NDAs are reported in DP Packages 12A-D in Section 12.14 onwards.
KTN NDA is planned with a town centre based around the proposed station and focused on transit oriented development. Figure 12.9.0 illustrates this, with the Town Centre & North Residential Area at the centre around the proposed Kwu Tung station, comprised mainly of higher rise residential blocks. The Commercial, Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area, south of the Town Centre & North Residential Area is conveniently near the main existing transport linkage in the area (Fanling highway). A Research and Development Area at the north of the NDA will provide land for research and development uses in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop and a sports ground/sport complex. This NDA has large areas where little development will take place, specifically the Long Valley Ecological Area which is recognised as a major asset bestowing a unique green, open aspect; the two key green knolls at the centre of the NDA, those of Fung Kong Shan and the knoll to the west of Ho Sheung Heung (comprised mainly of fung shui woodland) which will be entirely preserved; and the Hilly Terrain Area in the west which will all be designated as Green Belt. Tai Shek Mo to the north east of the NDA will also be largely preserved within the Government Facility Area where existing facilities such as the Lo Wu Correctional Institution and Firing Range will remain but two new service reservoirs and their associated access road will be built here, causing some landform changes.
As well as dividing the KTN NDA into specific areas, the layout design uses a stepped building height profile throughout to integrate better into the rural character of the surrounding areas. Therefore the high density developments will be concentrated around the proposed Kwu Tung Railway Station, where residential buildings will reach up to 35 storeys high, and building density and height will drop gradually towards the periphery. Additionally site coverage restrictions have been considered and adopted in the allocation of land uses in order to avoid excessive building bulk, increase visual interest and give a more visually amenable appearance, and generally help integrate the new development with the existing local context and development.
The design of KTN NDA includes a green network centred on the Fung Kong Shan and Cycle Park, which features a pond at the centre of Fung Kong Shan. A wide green corridor also divides the Town Centre & North Residential Area from west to east and links up the Green Belt zone in Pak Shek Au with the Long Valley Nature Park, and the north-south space corridors between buildings link Kwu Tung South with the Fung Kong Shan Park. Once landscaped this green corridor will add to the green network. Additionally Sheung Yue River, flowing across the eastern corner of the NDA, has been maximised as an amenity feature by placing a riverside promenade along its western side which also serves as an important open space with good views to the Long Valley Nature Park on the opposite bank of the river.
Not only does the green network provide green relief to the NDA, but the corridors provide visual relief and by providing visual linkages to e.g. hilly backdrops, the visual corridors provide a sense of space. Similarly the preservation of the open area of Long Valley not only serves to retain its ecological/landscape value but allows distant views out from the NDA. Additionally, the positions of the building blocks have been designed to maintain view corridors and building separation and set back have been incorporated to achieve better visual permeability. There are buffer areas between major roads and proposed developments also, to help mitigate potential visual impacts through the creation of space but also allowing for screen and roadside planting in these areas.
Figures 12.9.3-5 help to highlight these key planning considerations for KTN NDA.
Overall in KTN NDA, with regards to site formation, the eastern portion west of the Sheung Yue River is generally low-lying and subject to residual flood risk and filling is proposed in this area up to the existing river bank level. On the western portion some excavation is required with extensive excavation at the service reservoir sites but in general KTN NDA will require a net general fill import after the refinement.
Landscape
Character Areas and Landscape Resources
In terms of the LCAs in KTN NDA, the main LCA affected by the Project is the Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1) (see Figure 12.13.0). Due to large topographical changes currently necessary to construct the water service reservoirs, even though the impacted area is relatively small, Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1) will experience intermediate magnitude of change. This LCA has high sensitivity and hence the impact significance is substantial. Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also mitigate the impact to this LCA by creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces, where appropriate, could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection, preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact on this LCA is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and slight at day 1 operation when soft landscape is in place. Although the soft landscaping measures will have matured and the impact be reduced further, it is not considered sufficient to be rated insignificant by year 10 of operation and therefore the residual impacts at this time remain slight.
Three other LCAs in this area are
considered to be moderately affected by the Project before mitigation and these
include Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA-2), Lowland
Agricultural Landscape in this area (KLCA-5) and Transportation Corridor
Landscape (KLCA-6).
For the Rural and Urban Peripheral
Village Landscape (KLCA-2) over 30 ha of land in this LCA will be affected by
sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA (e.g.
high rise public rental housing, high density residential developments
sometimes with commercial enterprises, comprehensive development areas, and
recreational activity buildings including a swimming pool complex. This changes
the area from a general rural/ urban peripheral village landscape to an urban
landscape, giving a large magnitude of change.
This LCA has medium sensitivity, and the Project avoids affecting
historic buildings and key areas such as Ho Sheung Heung and Ying Yong, so the
impact significance before mitigation is moderate. The change to this LCA is inevitable given the
nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and
the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means
by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of
green corridors, consideration of green roofs, provision of adequate space for
soft landscaping in developments and alongside roads, careful selection of
form, textures and finish colours. There
are some trees within this LCA and therefore measures to protect and preserve
them, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected trees, or compensate for
them (including in woodland areas), will slightly reduce the impact. Part of the compensatory planting and road
greening may also serve as screen planting, but any additional screen planting
will also add to the general green nature of the LCA and help alleviate the
impact. Although the impact is
alleviated, the residual impacts are predicted to remain moderate throughout
the construction and operation of the Project.
The Lowland Agricultural Landscape in
this area (KLCA-5) is predicted to be moderately
affected by the Project before any mitigation measures. Careful planning of the revised RODP means much of the agricultural land in this
area, particularly in Long Valley and around Ho Sheung Heung will not be
affected but other areas of agricultural will inevitably be affected and
permanently lost.
There is no
direct compensation for the loss of agricultural land but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees
and where unavoidably affected, transplantation or
compensatory planting, which could mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully
studied for this Project. The setup of
the LVNP and preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that
area, as well as zoning of large sites C2-2 and C1-6 to the north and south
of LVNP as agricultural land, is considered
to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land. By year 10 of operation the actively managed
LVNP will confer some positive impact on this LCA. In addition, this LCA
encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard
areas. According to a further review and
site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from
AFCD, in the
surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found to be
potentially suitable for agricultural
rehabilitation/re-site. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung
South. Since there is no direct
mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, however, the significance of
impact on this LCA will remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore
the impact will remain moderate throughout the construction and operation of
the Project. Despite this, it is notable that a large area
of this LCA in the eastern portions of the NDA, where it is associated with the
Long Valley Ecological Area, will not be changed by the Project.
Transportation Corridor Landscape
(KLCA-6) is also moderately affected by the Project prior to mitigation,
largely due to impacts on Fanling Highway and nearby
associate roads (KLR-14.1), particularly the potential loss of roadside
planting. Implementing measures to protect and preserve trees as well as
transplant and actively compensate them will reduce this impact. In addition, since there will be a number of
noise barriers along roads, measures to design these sensitively and provide
vertical greening, as well as provide roadside greening will also mitigate the
impacts to this LR. Therefore the significance of the impact is considered to
drop to slight at construction and operation day 1 and be insignificant by year
10 when soft landscaping measures will have had time to mature and confer their
full effect.
Residual impacts at construction and
operation are predicted to be insignificant for the other LCAs in this area,
namely Urban Development Landscape (KLCA-3), and Major Water Course Corridor
Landscape (KLCA-7). The exception is the
Industrial Landscape (KLCA-4) which is considered to experience a slight
benefit through the removal of low quality open storage landscape to higher
quality residential and commercial uses.
A number of LRs in the KTN NDA will not be affected by the Project, falling in Green Belt zones, sites that will remain the same etc, and no LRs are predicted to be substantially affected once mitigation measures have all been implemented. LRs particularly affected by the Project at construction before mitigation in KTN NDA, which experience substantial adverse impacts, include four LRs detailed below. In addition, the residual impact for some of the LRs that are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction and operation before mitigation are also discussed.
Although the planning of the revised RODP has avoided a number of water ponds, the Fung
Kong Shan Water Ponds (KLR-3.3) comprising a relatively large pond area of
approximately 1.12 ha and with medium sensitivity will be unavoidably filled
during construction of the NDA and remain so at operation and the significance
before mitigation is considered to be substantial since all these ponds are
lost. Although these ponds are lost, the conservation and enhancement of the
LVNP will ensure the retention and provision of some ponds in this area. In addition one principle of planning for the
NDA is to incorporate some new ponds, for example ‘there will be a new pond in
Fung Kong Shan Park, near their original pond locations. Although this will not directly compensate
for the lost ponds, it will alleviate the impact. The requirements of such re-provision have
been stipulated in the planning documents for the formulation of the
Preliminary Layout Plan. Therefore
although these particular ponds at Fung Kong Shan are irreversibly lost, at
construction and operation day 1, the residual impact significance is
considered to reduce to moderate, and by year 10 when the nearby Fung Kong Shan
pond is established and the ponds in the LVNP have had time to confer a
positive effect, the residual impact is considered to drop to slight.
Although much of the Hillside Woodland
in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong (KLR-6.3) is on land zoned green belt so
it will not be affected, some will be affected by land designated for
incompatible uses such as for research and development in
support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development, a fire station cum ambulance depot, a
standard swimming pool, residential housing and roads.
Woodland in these areas is likely to be adversely impacted with trees being
cleared during site clearance and site formation in the construction
phase. Measures to protect and preserve
trees as well as transplant and actively compensate with woodland plantation,
will reduce this impact from substantial to moderate. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to
landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. During operation, the land use in these sites
will have changed completely and the effect of the same mitigation measures
will ensure the impact remains moderate at day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory
woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and the
residual impact will reduce to slight.
About 2 ha of the 13.63 ha of
Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok (KLR-7.3) that falls within the
RODP boundary is on land zoned for compatible uses (e.g. Green Belt) so it will
not be affected. The majority of this
LR, however, will be affected by such developments as the potential District
Cooling System (DCS), roads and their associated amenity areas, part of a
hospital, a public transport interchange, as well as residential and school
developments which are all incompatible with the current landscape resources.
While parts of the residential development complexes include open spaces
between buildings, some trees in this LR will be lost during site clearance and
formation works and the DCS construction will require significant landform
changes as it is currently located on a small knoll. This large change to an LR considered to be
highly sensitive means there is a substantial impact prior to mitigation.
Measures to protect and preserve trees, transplant and actively compensate trees
with woodland plantation will reduce this impact. Additionally, for the DCS area, minimization
of topographical changes in the detailed design stage and landscape
treatment of any slopes formed will also
reduce the impact. Therefore
the residual impact upon mitigation for this LR is considered to reduce from
substantial to moderate at day 1 of operation and with the compensatory
woodland planting reaching its full potential, to reduce to slight by year 10
of operation.
Most of the Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic
in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills (KLR-8.3) will not be affected
by the Project as it falls either outside the RODP boundary or on green
belt. Two sites designated for water ‘service reservoirs’ however are located in this LR,
and will require considerable site formation with cut/ fill slopes of up to
38 m for the Flushing Water Service
Reservoir and up to 53 m for the Fresh Water Service Reservoir, all with maximum 40 degree slope
steepness. The magnitude of change is
therefore considered to be large. This
LR has medium sensitivity and although the area affected is relatively small
(under 4 ha), the impact is considered substantial prior to mitigation,
largely due to the topographical changes to two adjacent foothill areas (See Figures
12.11.6-7). Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and
their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and
interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as
well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be
designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding
landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the
surrounding reservoir structures will also mitigate the impact to the
shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof itself) by
creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical
surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as
taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection,
preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact
on this LR is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and operation
day 1. With soft landscaping maturing
and conferring greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is
considered to reduce to slight.
The impact on Sheung Shui Community
Sports recreational area (KLR-10.2) is predicted to be substantial at
construction but to reduce to moderate at operation prior to mitigation. This drop of impact from construction to
operation is due to some of the land use at operation being compatible with the
current LR e.g. a new Standard Swimming Pool and Sports Centre at E1-5
providing a recreational area and creating similar LR value to the NDA. Mitigation measures to protect and preserve
the few trees in this LR, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or
compensate for them, will slightly reduce the impact. Moreover the planning of the revised RODP
avoids impacts to most open space/ recreational areas and the principle adopted
in the RODP planning ensures that public open space systems are
incorporated. In KTN NDA, the
key open spaces are the east-west running Town Park in the town centre and the
Fung Kong Shan Park in the northern part of the NDA as well as a riverside
promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River. Sports grounds are designated at B2-8, E1-5 and F1-1. The public open space within the RODPs will
ensure no overall loss of open space/ recreational LR and will help to mitigate
the impact on KLR-10.2. Therefore the
significance of impact is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and
slight at operation day 1, becoming insignificant by year 10.
The LRs which are predicted to
experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are
elaborated below.
The Water Course Network in Long Valley
(Channelised) (KLR-1.4) is an integral part of the Long Valley Agricultural
area and hence has high sensitivity. It
is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project. The majority of this LR falls in Site C1-9 designated
to become the LVNP and will not be adversely affected by the Project. Where the channels converge and link to an
existing box culvert in the south, however, the water course will be diverted
into box culverts as the land is designated for commercial, research and
development uses. An active management
plan for the LVNP in C1-9 is proposed which will generally enhance and protect
this area and in so doing, it is likely that this LR passing through C1-9 will
be protected. Overall with the diversion
of some sections of this LR into box culverts the significance of impact is
considered to drop to slight at construction and remain slight throughout
operation.
The Streams in Kwu Tung (KLR-2.1) are
predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before mitigation. These streams are located in the central area
of KTN NDA and pass through villages including Fung Kong, Tung Fong, Tong Kok
and Shek Tsai Leng such that while upstream sections are natural and with seasonal
flow, some sections are fortified by concrete banks with grey water flowing and
they are considered of poor quality and to have medium sensitivity
overall. They will be affected by many
different development uses including buildings for residential, public rental
housing, a primary school and commercial, research & development. Site formation works for these developments
means that these streams will be filled and permanently lost at
construction. Given the medium
sensitivity of this LR and the large magnitude of change experienced, the
significance of the impact is considered to be moderate before mitigation. Given the streams are permanently lost the
significance of the impact is considered to remain as moderate, even at year 10
of operation. Nevertheless, in
formulating the revised RODP care has been given to preserving the more natural
streams within the NDA, such as Ma Tso Lung stream (part of KLR2-4), so that
within the whole NDA, key streams are conserved. For Ma Tso Lung stream in particular, which
has high sensitivity and is of high ecological value in parts, the upper and
middle sections and tributaries have been avoided by zoning the area as Green
Belt and a 15-30 m buffer zone (in Site F1-3) to restrict
development. The boundary of Site F1-3
has also been adjusted to protect the stream’s riparian vegetation. The overall significance of the Project’s
impact on KLR-2.4 is considered moderate at construction and operation before
mitigation. Some short meanders of the
stream in Site F1-3 and a section in Site E1-2
will still require diversion to protect the stream during site formation works
and the stream diversion will be carefully designed to retain the natural
stream bank and bed. At Site F1-3, an
area of marsh/ pool is designated next to the stream, with trees and shrubs
further from the bank, overall preserving, if not enhancing, these stream
sections. Consideration will be made to
further reducing any impact on the stream e.g. through fine tuning of the LMC
Eastern Connection road alignment and placement of buildings within F1-3. As such, the residual impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and
operation day 1, and become insignificant by year 10
when the buffer
planting will have matured to its full
potential and the diverted sections of stream be fully established.
Most ponds in
the KTN NDA Study area will not be affected by the Project but there are two
areas where ponds are considered to be moderately affected before mitigation
(i.e. Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds (KLR3.1) and Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au
(KLR-3.6)). The Ho Sheung Heung Water
Ponds (KLR-3.1) are rated highly sensitive and most of them will remain in the
NDA but one reasonably large and one small pond south of Ho Sheung Heung will
be affected by residential and road developments and filled during site
formation. This is considered an
intermediate change leading to moderate significance of impact before
mitigation. The small Water Ponds at Pak
Shek Au (KLR-3.6) are rated as having medium sensitivity and will be lost
during site formation for a hospital and road resulting in large change and
moderate significance of impact before mitigation. Although
some of the ponds are lost, the conservation and enhancement of the LVNP will
ensure the retention and provision of some ponds in this area. Moreover the layout of the revised RODP
incorporates some new ponds, for example a new pond at Fung Kong Shan Park in
E1-7. Although this will not directly
compensate for the lost ponds, it will alleviate the impact. Therefore although some ponds are irreversibly
lost, at construction and operation day 1 the residual impact significance is
considered to reduce to slight, and by year 10 when any
ponds in the RODP have had time to establish and the enhanced ponds in the LVNP
have had time to confer a positive effect, although the impact will have
reduced further, the residual impact is still rated slight.
Although most
of Mitigation Wetland (KLR-4.2) will not be affected by the Project, this is
rated a highly sensitive resource and will experience a moderate change as a
small area of it will be irreversibly lost during site formation for amenities
and commercial, research and development uses.
Some of this LR falls within the LVNP and will be conserved and enhanced therefore ensuring the
retention of these mitigation wetland areas and their possible
enhancement. Therefore although a
particular small area of
mitigation wetland is irreversibly lost,
at construction and operation day 1, the residual impact significance is
considered to reduce to slight, and by year 10 when
wetland and some marshes in the LVNP are enhanced
and confer a positive effect, the residual impact will be insignificant.
OVTs along
Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road (KLR-5.4) are a highly sensitive resource
and although all these trees will be retained, given there is a possibility
they may be indirectly affected during construction works along the roads, a
worst case scenario is used to conclude they may experience a small change and
therefore gives
a moderate significance of impact. By ensuring careful tree preservation
measures are put in place to protect these trees, they should not be affected
by the Project and the significance of residual impact is considered to reduce
to slight at construction and operation day 1 and be insignificant by year 10
of operation.
Most of Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland
(KLR-6.2) is outside the RODP boundary and a small section east of Fung Kong
Shan falls within land designated as green belt; woodland here will not be
affected by the Project. However, roughly
0.5 ha of this LR lies within a site designated as a potential activities
centre where adverse impact by site formation and tree clearance is
expected. Woodland in these areas is
likely to be adversely impacted during site clearance and site formation in the
construction phase and measures to protect and preserve trees, as well as
transplant and actively compensate them with woodland plantation, will reduce
this impact. The compensatory woodland
planting will principally be within habitats of lower value such as upland
grassland and the proposed locations are identified, for example, on the
foothills of Tai Shek Mo and on the higher ground of Fung Kong Shan in KTN NDA;
along Fanling Bypass; and a small area in the northern FLN NDA, as indicated on
the Landscape Mitigation Plans in Figures 12.15.0-6 for KTN NDA and 12.16.0-5
for FLN NDA. Since this LR is on hillside,
measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce
impacts. The impact is considered to
reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, and become insignificant
by year 10 when the compensatory woodland planting will have matured to its
full potential.
The majority
of Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland (KLR-6.4) will not be affected by the
Project as it falls within an area zoned as ‘green belt’. Tiny patches on the border of the woodland
area may be affected by proposed residential development and a road. Measures
to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate
them with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact from moderate to slight at construction and day 1
operation. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to
landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory
woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and the
residual impact will reduce to insignificant.
A number of agricultural land LRs are
predicted to be moderately affected by the
Project, namely Long Valley Agricultural Land (KLR-9.1),
Agricultural
Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong (KLR-9.3) and Other Agricultural Lands
in KTN (KLR-9.4). Careful planning of the revised RODP means that most of the agricultural land in
Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung will not be affected. Large areas of other
agricultural LRs, however, will be affected and permanently lost. There is no direct compensation for the
agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees in such LRs and where
unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting which could
mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss
of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP and preservation and
even enhancement of agricultural land in that area, as well as zoning of large
sites C2-2 and C1-6 to the north and south of LVNP as agricultural
land, is considered to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land.
In addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9) encompasses both
existing active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site
inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD,
the amount of active agricultural land affected by the Project in KTN NDA is
approximately 4 ha. According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, currently, there are 4,071 ha of abandoned agricultural land in
Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and as such, the affected
agricultural land only represents a small percentage of active agriculture land
in Hong Kong. In the surrounding areas
of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially suitable for
agricultural rehabilitation/re-site in the above mentioned site
inspection. The major cluster (34 ha) is
found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is
no direct mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, the significance of
impact on agricultural land in most of these areas will remain the same before
and after mitigation. In Long Valley
however, since this is the area where the LVNP will be actively managed and the
positive effects of this measure conferred best, the impact will reduce to
slight by year 10 of operation.
One large Rural Development Area (in
Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang (KLR-12.9)) and two small
Rural Development Areas (around Ho Sheung Heung KLR-12.1, and in Long Valley,
Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai KLR-12.2), would experience moderately
significant impacts due to the Project.
The Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and
Tit Hang (KLR-12.9), is a core LR at the centre of KTN NDA with medium
sensitivity. The magnitude of change is large due
to the large area affected by the Project.
Small areas of this LR and will
not be affected, such as those falling in Sites designated as 'green
belt'. Most of the LR, however, will
undergo change to an urban development area with more
facilities than previously, such as a swimming pool complex, fire station cum
ambulance depot, schools and residential developments. During construction site formation works at
all these sites will cause large changes and at operation, when all the new
structures are built, the changes will still be large. At Ho Sheung Heung (KLR-12.1) most of the
village will remain unaffected or with compatible land use (e.g. D1-9 for village
type development and D1-4 for very low density residential), but just a small
area to the south will be developed into part of a denser high rise residential
Site (D1-7). In KLR-12.2 it is unlikely
this are will be affected by the Project as although it falls within the RODP,
land uses are compatible. The Site C1-4
is designated as village type development and a precautionary ‘small’ magnitude
of change has led to this highly sensitive LR having a ‘moderate’ significance
of impact.
The loss of this LR type is inevitable
given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and
the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means
by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of
green corridors and open space spines. There are some trees within this LR and
therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as transplant any
unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will slightly reduce the
impact. Equally the roadside planting,
which may form part of the compensatory planting, will also enhance the
greenery of the LR and provide the new landscape corridors. Given all these considerations, for both
KLR12.1 and KLR12.2 (the smaller affected areas) the residual impact upon
mitigation is considered to reduce from moderate to slight at construction and
day 1 of operation. As no land use
change is envisaged for KLR-12.2, the impact is considered to reduce further to
insignificant by year 10 here, whereas at KLR-12.1 it will remain slight. The
residual impact upon mitigation for KLR12.9 is considered to remain at a
moderate rating throughout the Project.
Fanling Highway and nearby associate roads (KLR-14.1) is considered to
undergo intermediate change, largely due to the impacts on its associated
roadside planting and channels.
Implementing measures to protect
and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate them will
reduce this impact. In addition, since
there will be a number of noise barriers along these roads, measures to design
these sensitively and provide vertical greening, as well as provide roadside
greening will also mitigate the impacts to this LR. Therefore the significance of
the impact is considered to drop to slight at construction and operation day 1
and be insignificant by year 10 when soft landscaping measures will have had
time to mature and confer their full effect.
A number of LRs will not be affected by
the Project, and for remaining LRs which are affected, slightly adverse or
insignificant residual impacts are predicted by day 1 of operation (continuing
to be insignificant throughout operation), but with the proper implementation
of the suggested mitigation measures. The exception to this is for the industrial/
open storage LRs which will experience benefits due to the Project; many of
these areas that are of poor quality will be transformed into well planned
developments of higher quality with amenity planting e.g. residential areas or
potential activity centres.
Visual
Impact
From a visual perspective, three strategic VSRs were selected to assess the overall impact of KTN NDA from sites farther away that would get a good overall view towards the NDA (see Figure 12.18.0). These included the Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout to the north east of the NDA (K2) (Looking both south west towards KTN NDA and south east to take in both the FLN NDA and KTN NDA), Ki Lun Shan Footpath (K22) to the far south west of the visual envelope and Kei Lak Tsai Footpath (K24) far away to the south east in Lam Tsuen Country Park. With all the planning mitigation measures described incorporated into revised KTN RODP (e.g. view corridors, green network, stepped building heights, setbacks from buildings, buffer zones), as well as construction and operation mitigation measures such as appropriate treatment of building façades, light control and general soft landscaping including slope landscaping, green roofs, road greening, screen planting, vertical greening as well as tree protection, transplantation and compensation, KTN NDA is predicted to cause a slight impact at year 10 to these viewers. For those viewers on the Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout, KTN NDA in itself is predicted to cause insignificant visual impact at year 10, but since these VSRs will normally be able to see FLN NDA also, overall the residual visual impact at year 10 will be slight by year 10 of operation.
Seven VSRs in the visual assessment give a district perspective of KTN NDA and none of these will be substantially affected by the new development. One of these, recreational (and some residential and occupational) viewers on the northern and southern knolls of Fung Kong Shan (K5) are predicted to experience moderate to substantial residual visual impacts during construction as the new buildings surrounding, and reasonably close to, Fung Kong Shan will change the outlook for viewers at these locations. Being within the NDA itself, the viewers on the knolls of Fung Kong Shan will still be close to a lot of the new development at operation, but since this area is one of the suggested woodland compensation areas, this should provide some screening for views out to KTN NDA from here. The careful detailed design of the NDA, preserving view corridors to Fung Kong Shan, as well as the development of the Fung Kong Shan and Cycle Park at the low-lying centre of the knolls, enhancing an area currently used for open storage and industrial use, will all help mitigate the visual impact here. Also considering few people actually climb to the top of Fung Kong Shan where these views are best, the significance of the visual impact at this VSR is predicted to drop to moderate at year 10 of operation.
Three district VSRs will experience moderate residual visual impacts during construction despite mitigation measures; the recreational viewers on the footpaths of the Western Range near Lok Ma Chau (K3); residential viewers in high rise blocks such as Choi Po Court and Choi Yuen Estate (K15); and residential viewers in high rise blocks in the Tai Ping Area (K16). Panoramic views from the Western Range of green lowland in the direction of the NDA will be largely blocked by new structures. Residents at higher levels of Choi Po Court and Choi Yuen will be able to see the entire KTN NDA in the middle distance although much of their view, such as of Long Valley, will remain unchanged and viewers at lower levels are unlikely to be able to see the new structures. Views for residents at higher levels of high-rise blocks in the Tai Ping area will have similar views, but given their immediate foreground view takes in the Fanling Highway close by as well as the high rise buildings around Choi Yuen Estate, the change in view cause by KTN NDA will be less evident. Overall these three district VSRs are predicted to see intermediate changes in their views except those in the Tai Ping Area high rise buildings, who are predicted to see small changes in their views. Visual impacts to the VSRs will reduce to slight in operation by implementing mitigation measures to provide visual amenity.
The residents in high rise blocks such as Choi Po Court and Choi Yuen, being that much further from the NDA will also experience a slight visual impact by year 10 of operation (reduced from moderate at day 1) once the soft landscape measures have matured and convey their full mitigation.
The other two district VSRs, being the recreational viewers around Kwu Tung Service Reservoir (K21) and workers in the Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long (K13), will experience slight residual visual impacts from construction onwards. The recreational viewers around Kwu Tung Service Reservoir will experience only small changes in their views, whereas the workers in the Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long will see the general mass of new buildings beyond the Long Valley area and some of their views of rural landscape will possibly be blocked, therefore causing an intermediate change in view. Since these workers have low sensitivity to their viewing experience however, the significance of the impact is still slight.
Fifteen VSRs in the visual assessment give a local perspective of KTN NDA and four of these are predicted experience insignificant impacts due to the Project. Only one group of VSRs will be substantially affected by the new development; residents of the cottage area at the eastern foothill of the Western Range (K4). These residents are within the boundary of KTN NDA area and some of the houses will be adjacent to the built structures in the NDA. Houses at the northern part of this VSR will be next to a site proposed for a sports ground/sports complex with buildings up to 3 storeys and close to the site proposed for Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development which reach up to 10 storeys high, and a major change in view is predicted. Similarly houses at the mid and southern part of this area, will be close to a proposed fire station cum ambulance depot with buildings up to 9 storeys high, the proposed district headquarters and police facilities with buildings between 5 and 20 storeys high, a school up to 8 storeys high and a standard swimming pool & sports centre up to 5 storeys high. Many of them will be near the new distributor road also, as well as being able to see the new higher-rise residential blocks up to 35 storeys tall behind, though the residents can still enjoy some sky view and Ki Lun Shan at the south is visible. Overall the views of these highly sensitive VSRs will be largely blocked, the quality of their views will largely be diminished and they will experience substantial impact during construction. In fact, residents at this VSR have their low level views largely blocked by vegetation and existing built structures. At operation, considering the planning mitigation measures (e.g. set back and buffer zones between the buildings) and with the appropriate construction and operation mitigating measures in place, including appropriate façade treatment of the buildings, screen planting, road greening as well as possibly vertical greening and green roofs, the impact is predicted to drop to moderately significant at day 1 onwards.
Six local VSRs, are predicted to experience moderate residual visual impacts at construction: residents in Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen (K1); residents in Ho Sheung Heung (K6); residents in the Long Valley Villages (K9); residents in Valais and Europa Garden New Residential Development Area (K20); travellers along the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak road and over the existing road bridge link over (K19); and cyclists or pedestrians travelling along the cycle track along the riverside near Long Valley (K10). New noise barriers are proposed along this section of the Fanling Highway and works will be carried out to the expressway. Travellers along the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road are right next to these works. In addition proposed new tall buildings in the Commercial, Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area, Town Centre & North Residential Area will be highly visible (particularly from the footbridge), so these VSRs will experience a large change to their views. The travellers along Fanling Highway, Castle Peak Road and over the existing road bridge link are considered to have low sensitivity and with appropriate treatment of the noise barriers and other mitigation measures mentioned, the significance of residual impacts to this VSR are expected to reduce from moderate (unmitigated) to slight/moderate at operation day 1, and as the soft landscaping mitigation measures mature, drop to slight by year 10. The highly sensitive residents of the Long Valley villages and medium sensitive travellers along the cycle track alongside the riverside are predicted to experience moderately significant visual impacts at day 1 of operation. Their change in view is intermediate due to the commercial, research and development buildings (all up to 10 storeys high) being evident reasonably close by and residential blocks up to 20 storeys high protruding into the skyline in the middle distance. The villagers of Yin Kong may also be affected by the proposed residential development around Enchi Lodge, including village houses up to 3 storeys high and a 1 storey car park, although this is compatible with the village and so impacts will be mainly during construction. Considering the planning mitigation measures (e.g. set back and buffer zones between the buildings) and with the appropriate construction and operation mitigating measures in place, including appropriate façade treatment of the buildings, screen planting, road greening as well as possibly vertical greening, green roofs and slope landscaping, the visual impact will be ameliorated and is predicted to be slightly significant at year 10 of operation. For residents in Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen, Ho Sheung Heung and Valais and Europa Garden New Residential Development Area, the residual visual impacts are considered to drop to slight at day 1 of operation already and remain slightly significant at year 10. The residents of Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen on the northern boundary of the NDA will be affected mainly by the proposed Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development which are up to 10 storeys high and very near the village. However given these viewers are mostly at low levels where existing vegetation and existing structures contain the views, the visual changes are only expected to be intermediate here and the significance of visual impact is expected to be slight by year 10 of operation. For residents of Ho Sheung Heung, those further south in the village will experience changes in view due to some of the new buildings (up to 25 storeys) in the adjacent D1-7. Some residents adjacent to a site (D1-5) proposed for village resite (up to 3 storey buildings) may also experience slight changes in view. Overall a very few residents are expected to experience intermediate changes in view, but given the high sensitivity of this VSR, the impact significance before mitigation is moderate. Since most viewers in this VSR will experience less change and with mitigation such as detailed design considerations as well as soft landscaping to screen views of the new structures, the significance of visual impact is expected to reduce to slight by day 1 of operation.
All ten other VSRs are predicted to experience insignificant residual visual impacts at year 10 of operation.
Overall, the design of the KTN NDA has retained much of the high-quality landscape in the area and minimized impacts on features that provide the valley with strong visual quality (i.e. preservation of all the natural upland areas including Fung Kong Shan and the wooded knoll adjacent to Pak Shek Au as well as conservation of the Long Valley area), to retain much of the existing natural view of the areas. The buildings arrangement and the open space areas will allow for view corridors through to the natural uplands. The location and scale of the proposed development will inevitably result in significant and permanent changes to the existing character of the visual amenity currently enjoyed by the identified VSRs. The majority of these VSRs are villages, many of which will be in close proximity to the NDA. The quality of their views towards the upland areas is high and views towards the rural / industrial development on the lowland areas are generally of a lower quality. The main impacts will arise from the complete change in character from a low-rise rural landscape to high-rise, urban environment and the new development will also be visible from high-rise residential blocks on the northern and western periphery of Sheung Shui and Fanling Area. Given the nature of the Project to create new urban areas, the change is inevitable, but given all the planning considerations and careful implementation of the mitigation measures, most VSRs affected by KTN NDA will experience slight or insignificant residual visual impacts by year 10 of operation.
FLN NDA is designed as a riverside community to maximise the amenity of having a river flowing through it. The revised RODP design divides the NDA into four character areas (See Figure 12.10.0.1-2). There is a Government Facilities Zone in the northwest which has a large area designated to remain untouched as ‘Agricultural’ land use. The Government Facilities Zone adjoins the West Residential Area in the west which is separated from the District Centre in the southeast by a Civic and Recreation Area reserved for a Central Park, clinic, social welfare and recreational facilities.
As well as dividing FLN NDA into specific areas, the buildings are designed such that those with the highest density and heights are concentrated within the West Residential and District Centre areas on the southern banks of Ng Tung River and so that the intensity and building heights drop gradually as they get closer to Ng Tung River and the Civic and Recreation Area.
An open space system has also been incorporated in the NDA planning to provide a continuous green network across the neighbourhood and create convenient accesses to the riverside promenade either from the NDA development or the existing Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town. The riverfront promenade along Ng Tung River has been planned to be an important element of the open space system in FLN NDA and will also be linked all the way to Long Valley in KTN. In addition, green spines are provided to connect the residential areas to the promenade and Central Park, providing not only green linkages to the recreational resources, but also important physical and visual relief to the residential developments in the NDA as well as existing residential neighbourhoods in the Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town.
The riverside location and the linear configuration of the NDA mean that there is a wealth of opportunity for attractive views and breezeways under the prevailing north-easterly wind and the riverside parks along Ng Tung River and in the Central Park provide visual and spatial relief in the NDA, with the low rise Central Park providing a large-scale visual and physical break between the two high rise residential neighbourhoods. The Central Park and the north-south running green spines also serve as major view corridors to protect the long-range views toward the hilly slopes in the north.
Figures 12.10.3-5 help to highlight some of these key planning considerations for FLN NDA.
Overall
in FLN NDA, the whole area along Ng Tung River is generally low-lying and
subject to residual flood level. Filling
is proposed up to the existing river bank level and overall FLN NDA will
require a net general fill import. The reservoirs in this NDA have been
situated to be close to existing reservoirs, where the land has already
undergone some modification and the impacts are not as apparent as in KTN NDA.
Landscape
Character Areas and Landscape Resources
In terms of the LCAs in FLN NDA, no LCAs are considered to be substantially adversely affected by the Project. The main LCAs affected include Natural Hillside Landscape in this area (FLCA-1), Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape (FLCA-5), and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (LCA-7) (see Figure 12.14.0).
The majority of the FLCA-1 area will
remain unaffected by the Project and where it is affected, the land use is
largely compatible, although given the area affected is over 15 ha and
there will be topographical changes, the magnitude of change is
intermediate. This LCA is highly
sensitive the intermediate magnitude of change confers a moderate impact. One area where the impact is more obvious is
in Site D4-1 where the Flushing Water Service Reservoir will be constructed and
there will be some topographical changes.
By implementing measures to minimise the topographical changes here and
landscape new slopes, as well as generally implementing tree preservation,
protection, transplantation and compensation where necessary, as well as
providing road greening to the affected roads and considering green roofs,
including soft landscaping of the reservoir roof, the impact is considered to
reduce to slight at construction and remain slight at operation day 1 and year
10.
Rural and Urban Peripheral Village
Landscape (FLCA-2) will experience moderate impact during construction and
operation before mitigation. Approximately 30 ha of this LCA is affected by
sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA e.g.
mainly a Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex, low density residential
sites with buildings up to 15 storeys high, a water service reservoir at Table
Hill, as well as roads etc. and the magnitude of change is large. This LCA has medium sensitivity and the
impact significance before mitigation is moderate. The
change to this LCA from a general rural/ urban peripheral village landscape to
an urban landscape is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new
town areas.
The necessity of the Project is
explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the RODP and the future detailed
design of elements are means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated
e.g. through provision of green corridors, consideration of green roofs,
provision of adequate space for soft landscaping in developments and alongside
roads, careful selection of form, textures and finish colours. There are some trees within this LCA and
therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as transplant any
unavoidably affected, or compensate for them (including in woodland areas),
will slightly reduce the impact. Part
of the compensatory planting and road greening may also serve as screen
planting, but any additional screen planting will also add to the general green
nature of the LCA and help alleviate the impact. Although the impact is alleviated, the
residual impacts are predicted to remain moderate throughout the Projects
construction and operation.
The Lowland Agricultural Landscape in
this area (FLCA-5) is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before
any mitigation measures. Careful
planning of the revised RODP means large areas at Sites
A1-3 and A1-9 to the northwest of
the NDA are designated to remain as agricultural
land but other areas of agricultural land in FLCA-5 will be irreversibly
lost. There is no direct compensation for the agricultural
land lost but mitigation includes the
possible preservation and protection of any trees and, where
unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting, which will only
mitigate the impact very slightly. The
loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP is a key component of
the Project with preservation and even enhancement of agricultural
land in that area and considered to go some way to help alleviate impacts on
agricultural land. In addition, this LCA encompasses both active and abandoned
agricultural land including orchard areas.
According to a further review and site inspection in December
2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, in the surrounding areas
of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found to be potentially suitable for
agricultural rehabilitation/re-site. The
major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the
loss of agricultural land, however, the significance of impact on this LCA will
remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore the impact will
remain moderate throughout.
The Major Water Course Corridor
Landscape (FLCA-7) is predicted to experience moderate impacts during
construction which drop to slight at operation. This LCA mainly refers to the
Ng Tung River and Ma Wat River Channel and the Ng Tung River will be largely
unaffected by the Project, if not enhanced by the provision of waterside
promenade and some parks along its length.
The impact is therefore mainly due to the diversion of the Ma Wat River
for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and the magnitude of
change is considered to be intermediate at construction when the diversion
takes place but the river is already channelized and at operation will flow
through a similar channelized section.
By ensuring measure for careful modification of the channelized river
channel are implemented the impact on this LCA is considered to reduce to
slight at construction and insignificant by day 1 of operation.
Impacts prior to mitigation are slight
for the remaining LCAs in this area, namely Urban Development Landscape
(FLCA-3), and Major Transportation Corridor Landscape (FLCA-6) and all drop to
insignificant by year 10 of operation with mitigation measures. The exception is Industrial Landscape
(FLCA-4) which will experience a slight benefit from the Project by day 1 of
operation.
A number of LRs in FLN NDA will not be affected by the Project, falling in sites which will remain the same, e.g. Green Belt zones. No LRs are predicted to be substantially affected once all mitigation measures have been implemented. LRs particularly affected by the Project at construction before mitigation in FLN NDA, three LRs detailed below. The residual impact for some of the LRs that are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction and operation before mitigation are also discussed.
The Ma Wat River (Channelized) (FLR-1.4)
is predicted to be substantially affected by the Project before mitigation
during construction and moderately so during operation, largely due to the fact
that it will be diverted to allow for the construction of the Fanling Bypass
Eastern Section (DP10), but will remain as a channelized river i.e. retain the
same land use. The Drainage Services
Department Practice Note No.1/2005 – Guidelines
on Environmental Considerations for River Channel Design, should be
considered at the detailed design of the new river channel to ensure it matches
the existing as far as possible as well as implementing enhancement planting
along the new channel including the consideration of wetland planting along
embankments where appropriate. The most appropriate materials for the channel
lining should also be considered (e.g. gabion). Given these measures, the
significance of impact is considered to reduce from substantial to moderate at
construction and although the impact will have been partly mitigated at day 1
of operation, it is still considered to be moderate. By year 10 of operation, it will have reduced
to slight. Full details of impact and
mitigation can be found in DP Package
12D.
Planning of
the revised RODP has taken care to place much of the Mitigation Wetland in FLN
NDA (FLR-4.2). Nevertheless, it is
estimated that at worst just under half this LR will be adversely affected by
the Project where the Sites are designated for incompatible uses such as a
police facility or residential uses etc.
Although the absolute area potentially lost is under 3 ha, this is
a highly sensitive resource and not widely common, so this is considered to be
a large change and the significance of the impact on this LR before mitigation
is substantial. Setting up of the LVNP
will help mitigate the impact. This LVNP
will be under management and the land there, including marsh and wetland areas,
will be enhanced, with a slight increase in wetland areas. Therefore
although some mitigation
wetland is irreversibly lost in FLN NDA,
considering the LVNP enhancement, at construction and operation day 1, the
residual impact significance is considered to reduce to moderate. By year
10 when wetland and some marshes in the LVNP confer their
full positive effect, the residual impact will have reduced further, but is
still considered to be moderate.
Although a relatively small area of Cham
Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland (FLR-6.2) is affected by the Project, the
change caused is considered large principally due to the number of trees that
may be adversely affected. Since the
sensitivity of this LR is high, the significance of impact is substantial at
construction and operation prior to mitigation.
Measures to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and
actively compensated trees, including with woodland plantation, will reduce
this impact from substantial to moderate.
Since this LR is on hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are
constructed will also help reduce impacts.
During operation, the land use will have changed but given the area
affected is small and with the implementation of the same mitigation measures
the impact will be slight at day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory
woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and although
the residual impact will have reduced further, it is still considered to be a
slight impact.
A very small area (under 1.5 ha)
of Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan (FLR-8.4) will be affected by the
Fanling North Flushing Water Services Reservoir in the southeast of the NDA and
experience site formation changes as a result of the reservoir
construction. Site formation is required
with cut/ fill slopes of up to 62 m for the reservoir, reducing to an
exposed slope of up to 56 m at completion as some of the slope will be covered
by the reservoir. Although the area
affected is relatively small and final land topography similar to existing (See
Figure 12.12.7), the magnitude
of change is considered to be large.
This LR has medium sensitivity and the impact is substantial prior to
mitigation, mainly due to the landform changes (also see Figure 12.12.9). Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and
their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and
interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as
well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be
designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding landscape
and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the
surrounding reservoir structures will also help to mitigate the impact to the
shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof itself) by creating
a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical
surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as
taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection,
preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact
on this LR is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and slight at operation day 1 (the topography will be similar to the existing as
there is a steep slope in this area already, as shown in Figure 12.12.7). Although soft landscaping will mature and
confer greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered to remain as slight by year 10.
The LRs which are predicted to
experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are
elaborated below.
The Water Course through Ma Shi Po
Agricultural Land (Channelized) (FLR-1.5) although it is only of medium sensitivity,
will be totally lost prior to mitigation and therefore suffer moderate
impact. Given this watercourse is
permanently lost, and will not be reprovisioned (only a drainage system will be
provided) the significance of the impact is not considered to reduce and
therefore will remain as moderate, even at year 10 of operation.
The Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan
Agricultural Land (FLR-2.1) is predicted to be unavoidably affected by the
Project, filled and permanently lost, hence undergoing large change. This stream, however, largely flows through
developed areas and is near an open storage area. It has become degraded by pollution as well
as having banks in some sections fortified with concrete. Therefore the stream has medium sensitivity
and the significance of impact is considered moderate before mitigation. The residual impact on this particular stream
cannot be directly mitigated and therefore the significance of impact will
remain moderate since as it will be permanently lost.
The Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen (FLR-2.4) will suffer a small change due to the Project (where it flows under the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section) and given this LR has high sensitivity, this is considered a moderately significant impact. The affected stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen in FLN NDA, has largely been protected by changes to the proposed NDA boundary during the planning of the revised RODP with much of this stream excluded from the NDA. However the stretch of this stream within the NDA boundary would be located underneath the viaduct for the proposed Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. To the south of the viaduct the stream flows through the area D1-3, zoned as Open Space, prior to joining Ng Tung River. In this Open Space Zone a 10m buffer is proposed in which natural vegetation will be retained and enhanced and human activities will be limited in order to avoid direct impacts to the stream bed and to minimise potential indirect impacts to the stream and riparian corridor. At detailed design, in order to avoid impacts to the stream, the detailed final design of the viaduct should follow guidelines such as ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works as well as Building Department (BD) Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 295: Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works. This will ensure that no viaduct footings or other structures are places in the stream and overall the impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, becoming insignificant by year 10 of operation.
Only a very small area (under 0.5ha) of Sheung
Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland (FLR-6.1) and even smaller area of
Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan (FLR-6.4) are adversely affected
by the Project and there is potential loss of trees in these areas leading to a
small change to the LRs. Given these LRs
are considered highly sensitive, the significance of the impact before
mitigation is moderate. Woodland in these areas is most likely to be adversely
impacted during site clearance and site formation in the construction phase and
measures to protect and preserve trees, as well as transplant and actively
compensate them with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to
landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. The impact is considered to reduce to slight
at construction and operation day 1, and become insignificant by year 10 when
the compensatory woodland planting will have matured to its full potential.
Two lowland woodland LRs are considered
the experience moderately significant adverse impacts due to the Project; the
Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (FLR-7.2)
where under 2 ha of the LR is adversely affected, and the Sacred Hill
Lowland Woodland (FLR-7.4), where just over 1 ha is adversely affected,
due to incompatible land uses, including a police driving and traffic complex,
residential and educational developments etc.
Measures to protect and preserve trees, transplant and actively
compensate trees, including with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact
and the residual impact upon mitigation for these LRs is considered to reduce
to slight at day 1 operation. With the
compensatory woodland planting reaching its full potential by year 10 of
operation, the impact will reduce further but the significance is still
considered to be slight.
A very small area (under 1 ha) of
Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan (FLR-8.3) will be affected
by part of the Fanling North Fresh Water Services Reservoir in the north of the
NDA and its access road. This LR will
experience site formation changes as a result of the construction of the
reservoir and access road. The reservoir
requires site formation with cut/fill slopes of up to 24 m, reducing to an
exposed slope of up to 18 m at completion.
Although the area affected is relatively very small, the magnitude of
change is considered intermediate given the landform changes (See Figures
12.12.6 and 12.12.8). This LR has medium sensitivity and prior to
mitigation the impact significance is moderate at construction and
operation. Design of the reservoirs is
not finalised and their final design should consider minimizing changes to the
land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be
considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes for the road and
reservoir construction. Earthworks and
engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform,
compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and
terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir
roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also help to mitigate the
impact to the shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof
itself) by creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical
surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as
taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection,
preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact
on this LR is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day
1. With soft landscaping maturing and
conferring greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered
to reduce to insignificant by year 10.
A number of agricultural land LRs are
predicted to be moderately affected by the Project, with large changes in Fu
Tei Au Agricultural Land (FLR-9.2), Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land
(FLR-9.4) and Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yeung, Siu Hang San
Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau (FLR-9.6), and an intermediate change
in Agricultural Land
at Sheung Shui Wa Shan (FLR-9.5) mainly
due to the small area affected. Careful
planning of the revised RODP means large areas at Sites
A1-3 and A1-9 to the northwest of
the NDA are designated to remain as agricultural
land but in other areas of this LR in FLR-9.2, FLR-9.4, FLR-9.6 and FLR-9.5,
agricultural land will be irreversibly lost.
There is no
direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees
in such LRs and where unavoidably affected,
transplantation or compensatory planting which will only mitigate the impact
very slightly. The loss of agricultural
land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP is a key component of
the Project with preservation and even enhancement of agricultural
land in that area, and considered to go some way to alleviate impacts on
agricultural land. In addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9)
encompasses both existing active and abandoned agricultural land including
orchard areas. According to a further
review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with
assistance from AFCD, the amount of active agricultural land affected by the
Project in FLN NDA is approximately 24 ha.
According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, there are 4,071 ha of abandoned agricultural land in
Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and as such, the affected
agricultural land represents a small percentage of active agriculture land in
Hong Kong. In the surrounding areas of
the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site in the above mentioned site
inspection. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the
loss of agricultural land, the significance of impact on agricultural land in
these LRs will remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore the
impact will remain moderate throughout.
Rural Development Areas in the North of
FLN NDA (FLR-12.3) and around Ma Shi Po (FLR-12.8) are moderately affected by
the Project prior to mitigation. A small
area of FLR-12.3 will be affected by site A3-1, which is proposed as the
Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir, and its access road. The LR here is mainly composed of the
existing Firing Range with Fresh Water Service reservoir underneath and its
access road, and has undergone some site formation already for the construction
of these structures. The proposed
highest cut/ fill slopes for the new developments will be 24 m with a maximum
40 degree angle for all slopes and the exposed slope at completion will be up
to 18 m high. There will therefore be
some topography changes in this area as Figures 12.12.6 and 12.12.8 help illustrate and
despite the area affected being small, the magnitude of change is considered to
be intermediate at construction and operation prior to mitigation. This LR has medium sensitivity so the impacts
significance is moderate. Design of the
reservoir is not finalised and the final design should consider minimizing
changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls
should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform
changes. Earthworks and engineered
slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible
with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and
terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir
roof (no trees will be planted on the roof itself), the surrounding reservoir
structures and the access road will also mitigate the impact thereby creating a
green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical
surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as
taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection,
preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact
on this LR is considered to reduce to slight by operation day 1. By year 10 of operation, when all mitigation
measures will have matured and confer their full effect, the impact is
considered to reduce further, but still be rated slight.
All the Rural Development Area around Ma
Shi Po (FLR-12.8) falls within the RODP boundary and will be affected by the Project that are largely incompatible with this LR, such as
buildings for government uses, general clinic/ health centre, residential
developments, schools and road. This LR
has medium sensitivity and the area of this LR lost is approximately
13 ha. Overall the significance of
the impact is considered to be moderate before mitigation. The loss of this LR
is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and
the planning of the revised RODP and the future detailed design of elements are
means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision
of green corridors. There are some trees
within this LR and therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as
transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will slightly reduce
the impact. Equally the roadside
planting, which may form part of the compensatory planting, will also enhance
the greenery of the LR and provide the new landscape corridors. Although the
residual impact upon mitigation for this LR is considered to reduce slightly,
the rating is still considered to remain moderate at all stages of the Project.
A number of LRs will not be affected by the Project, but for remaining LRs which are affected, slightly adverse or insignificant residual impacts are predicted by day 1 of operation with the proper implementation of the suggested mitigation measures, except for the industrial/ open storage LRs which will experience benefits due to the Project.
Visual Impact
From a visual perspective, four strategic VSRs were selected to assess the overall impact of FLN NDA from sites farther away that would get a good overall view towards the NDA (see Figure 12.19.0). These included the Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (F30) to the north west of the FLN NDA visual envelope (Looking south east to take in both FLN and KTN NDAs), Ki Lun Shan Footpath (F28) far away to the south west of the visual envelope (with KTN also visible closer by), Wu Tip Shan Lookout (F29) to the far south and Tsung Shan, High Hill (F3) closer by to the north east of the visual envelope. All these sites are predicted to have recreational viewers.
With all the planning mitigation measures described incorporated into the revised FLN RODP (e.g. comprehensive green network, visual connections, graduation of building heights, setbacks from buildings, buffer zones) to increase its compatibility with the surrounding environment, as well as general construction and operation mitigation measures such as appropriate treatment of building façades, light control and general soft landscaping including green roofs, road greening, screen planting, vertical greening, tree protection, transplantation and compensation, slope greening, FLN NDA is predicted to cause a slight impact at year 10 to all these viewers. Viewers at Ki Lun Shan footpath are far away and only have a number of places on the footpath where there are views to FLN NDA that are not obstructed by the vegetation. With mitigation at year 10 although FLN NDA is thought to be insignificant to them visually, KTN NDA will be more prominent closer by and the significance of the visual impact experienced is still predicted to be slight.
Five VSRs in the visual assessment give a district perspective of FLN NDA: higher rise Belair Monte & Regentville (F11), Noble Hill (F15), Ka Fuk Estate Area (F18) and around Ting Ping Estate (F20), as well as workers in the industrial zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai (F25).
Two of these VSR groups, ‘Belair Monte & Regentville’ and ‘High Rise Residential Buildings around Tin Ping Estate’, are predicted to experience substantial residual visual impacts at construction and substantial or moderate/substantial residual visual impacts at operation day 1. VSRs in Noble Hill are also predicted to experience moderate/ substantial residual visual impacts at construction and operation day 1, upon implementation of mitigation measures. These three worst affected district VSR groups are all high rise residential blocks relatively close the NDA with high sensitivity. These three VSRs groups generally have open existing views over the green rural area south of Ng Tung River which will undergo significant land use change to become an urban area with many high rise residential blocks and supporting facilities, although preservation of a large woodland area between On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill and the roadside trees along Ting Ping Road help to soften the visual intrusion of the NDA development. Residents of Noble Hill will be relatively less affected as their views towards the Town Park(which is slightly more compatible with the existing view) will be closer in their line of sight. The planning of view corridors to allow views out to the green hills north of the river, setbacks, buffers will all help to mitigate the visual impact. Some of the soft landscaping in the open spaces surrounding the residential blocks, in particular the open space strip at Site D3-5 at the northwest of Belair Monte and Regentville, where extensive soft and hard landscaping will be provided by planting significant trees and vegetation as well as providing a water feature, will also be significant in mitigating the visual impact, Given these considerations, by year 10, when soft landscape measures convey their full mitigation effect and provide visual relief, the significance of impacts will reduce to moderate (F15 and F20) or moderate/substantial (F11).
One other district VSR group is predicted to experience moderately significant impacts still at year 10 of operation; the residents of traditional village houses around Ma Wat Tsuen Area who are also considered highly sensitive to change. They will mainly be affected by changes in their views caused by the high rise residential buildings up to 35 storeys high in the District Centre area at the east of the NDA which will partially block their distant views. Although magnitude of change in view for this VSR group is intermediate, given their highly sensitive nature, the significance of impact is moderate and is not thought to reduce significantly over time.
Residual impacts on the remaining two district VSRs at year 10 of operation are slight after mitigation for residents in the Ka Fuk Estate area who are highly sensitive but experience only a small change in view, and insignificant for workers in the Industrial Zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai who have low sensitivity and experience intermediate change in view which over time will be mitigated by the design and soft landscaping measures described previously.
Twenty VSRs in the visual assessment give a local perspective of FLN NDA and in addition residents in the lower rise Ma Wat Tsuen Area (F7) have a local perspective for those living near the Ma Wat River Channel but a district perspective for those further away, such as the VP selected to give an overview for photomontage. One of these VSRs is predicted to experience almost no change due to the Project (residents around Po Kat Tsai (F10)) and seven in total are predicted to experience insignificant residual impacts by year 10 of operation.
Three groups of local VSRs and the local/district VSR will be substantially affected by the new development at construction, even upon implementation of mitigation measures these are residents in the Kan Lung Tsuen traditional village area (F5), residents in the Wing Fai and Wing Fok Centres (F12) and residents in Shung Him Tong (F8) as well as residents in the lower rise Ma Wat Tsuen Area (F7). All these VSR groups are just outside FLN NDA and are highly sensitive. For F5 and F12, views of open agricultural area will undergo major change to a high rise (up to 35 storeys) urban area for residents in the Kan Lung Tsuen traditional village area. Although views north to the foothills of Wa Shan will remain unaffected, the mass of new high rise buildings in the NDA is nearby and will generally dominate views. The new elevated Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and associated noise barriers will also change their view noticeably. The significance of the residual impacts for these viewers in F5 will remain substantial at day 1 of operation. Residents in the Wing Fai and Wing Fok Centres are also close by the District Centre area where high rise residential buildings up to 35 storeys, and two schools up to 8 storeys, are proposed close-by along Ma Sik Road. These residents of F12, like those of F5, will be affected largely by the change in view from a rural to an urban area, although the proposed lower rise schools would provide a visual break between the high rise residential buildings. The significance of residual impact is predicted remain substantial at operation day 1 after implementing mitigation measures, including, road greening as well as façade treatment, and visual planning measures described previously (e.g. view corridors, green network, etc.). Two view corridors to the green hills at north of Ng Tung River will provide visual relief for the residents. In addition, soft landscaping measures such as screen planting, green roof, vertical greening and compensatory planting will all be fully effective by year 10 of operation providing visual relief and at this point the significance of residual visual impact will reduce to moderate for these two VSRs. Residents in the lower rise Ma Wat Tsuen Area (F7) and in Shung Him Tong (F8), although they will not be affected much by the developments in the FLN NDA itself, will experience large changes in view due to the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and the diversion of the Ma Wat River Channel as these new developments (both associated with FLN NDA) run close to the western edge of this village areas and will be apparent in their view, especially the elevated Fanling Bypass. Mitigation measures to protect and preserve any trees in this area which might block views of the Fanling Highway, as well as any planting to screen views would help mitigation these impacts during construction and additionally any measures directed at alleviating the visual impact of the Fanling Bypass, such as sensitive detailed design of any noise barriers, vertical greening of viaduct piers or other visible structures and roadside greening would all help alleviate the visual impact experienced by these VSR groups. Similarly by sensitive detailed design of the Ma Wat River Channel diversion, to ensure it matches the existing as far as possible and its visual amenity is improved by such means as enhancement planting to upgrade the channels as appropriate, the visual impact of this development will be improved. Therefore significance of the residual impacts for these views is considered to reduce to moderate/ substantial at day 1 of operation, and moderate by year 10 when all soft landscaping measures have had time to mature and confer their full effect.
Ten local VSR groups are predicted to experience moderate residual visual impact during construction, but all of these will reduce to only slightly significant by year 10 of the FLN NDA operation with the exception of VSRs in the Good View New Village and Ling Shan Tsuen (F14) who may still experience slight to moderately significant impacts at year 10.
For all other local VSR groups, the significance of residual visual impact caused by FLN NDA after mitigation during construction is considered to be slight and reduce to insignificant by year 10 of operation.
The existing landscape features and general planning considerations outlined in Section 12.5.2 have guided the location of FLN NDA, however, the development of FLN NDA will lead to a fundamental change in the character and extent of the existing views, and change in visual amenity. Medium and long distance views of a rural landscape characterized by low-lying traditional agricultural fields and village areas will be replaced by a large scale, urban area with a strong vertical habit and views of the uplands to the north of the Fanling / Sheung Shui urban area will also be interrupted by the proposed new structures. Given the nature of the Project to create new urban areas, the change is inevitable, but given all the planning considerations and careful implementation of the mitigation measures, most VSRs affected by FLN NDA will experience slight or insignificant residual visual impacts by year 10 of operation.
The Project is targeted to start advance works and the first stages of construction in 2017 ([26]) and be finalised in 2029 according to the current construction programme (See Chapter 2). Chapter 2 of the EIA Report also evaluates potential concurrent projects, as summarised in Section 2.2, Table 2.12 and concludes that a number of these projects should be assessed for cumulative impacts. The Schedule 2 DPs within, and associated with, the KTN and FLN NDAs might also be considered concurrent projects, but these are fully evaluated in DP Packages 12A-D.
Further review in Section 12.3.2 shows that just two separate projects should be reviewed for cumulative impacts with the Project in the Schedule 3 Impact Assessment, and further analysis on these is provided below.
Agreement
No. CE53/2008(CE) Planning and Engineering Study on Development of Lok Ma Chau
Loop – Investigation
The Development of the Lok Ma Chau (LMC) Loop comprises the buildings, landscape and supporting infrastructure within and adjacent to the site (See Figures 2.21 and 2.22). The LMC Loop project is a joint study between Hong Kong and Shenzhen of an 87 ha site to the northwest of the KTN NDA, bounded by the new and old channel of the Shenzhen River. The focus of the LMC Loop Study is to develop the site for higher education, high tech research & development and the cultural and creative industries. The overall objective is to formulate a comprehensive development plan for the site with a view to creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly, energy efficient and people oriented community.
The LMC Loop Eastern Connection Road (ECR) connects to KTN NDA; where it links with the KTN NDA road R1 south of Ma Tso Lung. The construction programmes of the projects are likely to be run concurrently and therefore the cumulative landscape and visual impact has been assessed for both construction and operational phases below, using the information available regarding the LMC Loop project. Note that the LMC Loop EIA has been formally submitted to EPD and at the time of writing is still under consideration[1] and therefore not final.
In terms of landscape, LRs within the LMC Loop project area with relatively higher sensitivity include mixed woodland, fishponds, natural streams, natural rivers and marsh and the LCAs with relatively higher sensitivity are all lowland rural landscape in various locations. It is predicted that the LMC Loop project will only substantially affect marsh LR in the Loop area and this will be alleviated through appropriate mitigation including the establishment of an Ecological Area and creation of a new marshland area, such that overall the impact will not be significant. Neither the area of marsh affected nor the Ecological Areas fall within the NENT NDA, and no cumulative impact is predicted for this LR. The LRs where the projects connect are principally shrubland and woodland with some lowland areas near the stream in that area being seasonally marsh/wetland. With the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures for each project, the cumulative LR impacts are considered to be acceptable. The key mitigation measure for this area will be the integration, as far as technically feasible, of the new roads with the existing lowland landscape, the preservation of trees and woodland as far as possible given all technical considerations and roadside planting.
In addition both projects, prior to mitigation, have notable impacts on less developed lowland rural LCAs and ‘Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape’ LCA. Although cumulatively a greater area of this LCA type will be affected, both projects will implement relevant mitigation (such as careful detailed design, protecting, preserving, transplanting and compensating for trees; compensating specifically for any areas of woodland unavoidably affected and greening roads) such that overall at year 10 of operation the impacts are acceptable. Since the projects do not overlap, it is considered that cumulative impacts on LCAs are acceptable with the implementation of mitigation measures.
In addition the LMC Loop project will change the visual amenity of the area due to the implementation of the proposed developments and the road connection networks. It is likely that only people at the LMC border control point and residents of Ha Wan Tsuen and LMC village would be significantly affected by the LMC Loop project and none of these VSRs have views to the Project so will not suffer any cumulative impact. In general the LMC Loop project is shielded from view from the Project, with the Western Ranges generally blocking lower level views between the two areas. Only VSRs to the south east of the LMC Loop project and north-west of KTN NDA will have views of both projects, where the topography is flatter. These VSRs include residents of Shun Yee San Tsuen and Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen and the change in view they experience is likely to be slightly larger if considering both projects together. However, relevant mitigation measures such as the responsive design of road connecting the two projects (alignment responding to the lowland context of the area), landscaping measures such as screen planting, vertical greening and green roofs to soften the built and engineering structures as well as tree preservation and roadside planting will all help to alleviate the visual impacts to slight or insignificant levels and overall the cumulative visual impacts from these two projects are considered to be acceptable with mitigation.
These two projects do not overlap in area, but do connect via the ECR. Although no cumulative impacts are predicted with the implementation of relevant mitigation measures, it is advised that a coordinated approach be undertaken between these projects, to reduce potential impacts in terms of both magnitude and the period of disturbance during construction.
Construction
of cycle tracks and the associated supporting facilities from Sha Po Tsuen to
Shek Sheung River (EIA 159/2008)
Figures 2.21 and 2.22show the location of this project in relation to the KTN and FLN NDAs development. Based on current information, the proposed extent of cycle track works within the KTN and FLN NDAs Study Area is limited and the majority of the works area will be reinstated to its original status or new amenity area. The project also proposed measures to minimise potential impacts on landscape resources such as watercourses and existing trees by review the alignment and location of associated facilities, through limiting necessary crossing over the river or drainage channels including Kam Tin River and Sheung Yue River, and preserving wooded knolls including those adjacent to Kwu Tung. Planting of large feature and ornamental trees following the completion of the construction phase of the project, is also proposed to create an instant greening effect and enhance the streetscape of Castle Peak Road, San Tin Tsuen Road, San Tin and Fanling Highways etc.. There is a 5-20m buffer zone between Resting Stations and major roads (such as Castle Peak Road and Fanling Highway) and their scale is minimised, all to provide a better visual integration between proposed facilities and their neighbourhood rural fringe landscape characters.
Therefore it is considered that this project will not lead to further degradation of either the landscape character or visual amenity of the Project.
This Section provides the overall conclusion of the Schedule 3 LVIA for KTN and FLN NDAs.
In general, rural and urban peripheral villages is the major landscape resources and landscape character area which experience substantially significant impacts before the implementation of mitigation measures and agricultural land will generally experience moderate impacts. Most of the high density residential buildings and other associated facilities are proposed on these landscapes and the impact significance is generally predicted to still be moderate there after 10 years of operation.
Other landscape resources which also experience moderate levels of impact even after the implementation of mitigation measures, include streams in Kwu Tung (KLR2.1) and the Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang (KLR-12.9) in KTN NDA, and in FLN NDA include Natural Streams in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land (FLR-2.1) as well as agricultural land in Ting Ping Shan Tsuen (FLR-9.4) and Wu Nga Lok Yeung, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau (FLR-9.6). These streams and the agricultural land will be permanently lost permanently during construction and therefore the impact will stay moderate during operation. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project and the setup of the LVNP and preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area, as well as zoning of large sites to the north and south of LVNP as agricultural land, is considered to go some way to help alleviate impacts on agricultural land. In addition, the LVIA assessment has included both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas in its classification of agricultural land an according to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, the amount of active agricultural land affected by the Project is approximately 28 ha. According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, there are 4,071 ha of abandoned agricultural land in Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and as such, the affected agricultural land only represents a small percentage of active agriculture land in Hong Kong. In the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site, the major cluster (34 ha) being found at Kwu Tung South. Given all these considerations, and understanding the need of the Project, the significance of impacts on agricultural land are thought to be acceptable.
For the rural development area in KTN NDA, over 30 ha will change land use and despite careful planning and implementation of mitigation, the change to an urban landscape is hard to mitigate for. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are key means by which this impact can be alleviated.
Most of the other landscape impacts can be reduced to slight and insignificant after the implementation and full establishment of mitigation measures.
Given the proposed development involves major land use changes for a new town development in an existing rural area, it is inevitable that visual (and some landscape) impacts caused by such major development cannot be fully reduced and remain at a certain level at some locations even after implementation of all possible mitigation measures, including minimizing topographical change, detailed design of the built structures to ensure compatibility of the proposed development with the existing surroundings, tree protection, preservation and transplantation as well as compensatory planting, woodland compensatory planting, screen planting to buffer structures from views, decorative hoarding to screen undesirable views of work sites, light control within construction sites and at operation to reduce light glare that could potentially cause visual disturbance to VSRs at night time, provision for green roofs and vertical greening to soften hard surfaces on built structures in sight. Particular care has been taken to conserve the Long Valley area with its agricultural land and ponds. This will also help mitigate for any marsh and wetland loss due to the Project that will occur under the Long Valley Nature Park Management Plan. Additionally the NDAs have been carefully designed to try and avoid natural watercourses by avoiding development at the most sensitive streams or designating protective zoning to preserve them, and designating buffer areas along key stretches. In view of the nature of the development, it is generally fair to accept that some of the impacts cannot be fully reduced and will only remain at a certain level for some areas. Nevertheless, such residual impacts are predicted to be acceptable with implementation of the proposed mitigation measures as the changes in land uses gradually adapt to the existing rural context. Besides, residual impacts are generally only slight or insignificant for the majority of the other LRs, LCAs and VSRs within the NDAs as a large extent of the impacts caused by the developments will be reduced or eliminated by the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.
It is therefore anticipated that given the need of the Project as explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and assuming the implementation of the measures described, the overall residual landscape and visual impacts from the Project are considered acceptable. Therefore the Project is ‘acceptable with mitigation measures’ in accordance with the EIAO TM Annex 10.
The following sections (12A, 12B, 12C and 12D) identify the potential landscape and visual impacts associated with the Schedule 2 Designated Projects (DPs) forming part of the NDAs within KTN and FLN, in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance. Construction and operation phase impacts have been assessed.
The assessment includes:
· a list of the relevant environmental legislation, standards and guidelines;
· a definition of the scope and contents of the Study including a description of the assessment methodology;
· a review of the relevant planning and development control framework;
· a baseline study providing a comprehensive and accurate description of the baseline landscape and visual character, including sensitivities of potentially sensitive receivers (SRs);
· identification of potential landscape and visual impacts and prediction of their sensitivity, magnitude and potential significance, before mitigation measures;
· identification of the significance of potential residual landscape and visual impacts;
· recommendation of appropriate mitigation measures and associated implementation programmes; and
· an assessment of the acceptability or otherwise of the predicted residual impacts, according to the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, namely beneficial, acceptable, acceptable with mitigation measures, unacceptable or undetermined.
Colour photographs showing baseline conditions are provided along with other illustrative materials and potential impacts are clearly mapped. The mitigation measures proposed for the potential impacts identified are described and illustrated with annotations, with cross referencing between text, tables and illustrations. To help support conclusions, photomontages are provided from selected, representative Vantage Points (VPs), to offer comparison between existing views; proposals on Day 1 of operation without mitigation, on Day 1 of operation with mitigation and at Year 10 of operation with mitigation.
The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to this LVIA associated with the construction and operation of the Schedule 2 DPs:
·
Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499. S16) and the Technical Memorandum on EIA
Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 10 (Criteria for Evaluating Visual and
Landscape Impact, and Impact on Sites of Cultural Heritage) and 18 (Guidelines for
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment);
·
Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note 8/2010
(Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance);
·
Town
Planning Ordinance (Cap131) and Town Planning
(Amendment) Ordinance;
·
Hong
Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) issued by the Planning
Department, in particular Chapters 4, 10, 11 and Section 7 in Chapter 12 (As at
August 2011);
·
Land
Administration Office Instruction (LAOI) Section D-12 Tree Preservation;
·
Development
Bureau TCW No. 2/2012 – Allocation of Space for Quality Greening on Roads;
·
Development
Bureau TCW No. 3/2012 – Site Coverage of Greenery for Government Building
Projects;
·
Development
Bureau TCW No. 2/2013 – Greening on Footbridges and Flyovers;
·
Development
Bureau, Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section (GLTM) April 2012 –
Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barriers;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 2/2004 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 11/2004 – Cyber Manual for Greening;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 29/2004 – Registration of Old and Valuable Trees, and Guidelines for
their Preservation;
· ETWB TCW No. 36/2004 – The Advisory Committee on the Appearance of Bridges and Associated Structures (ACABAS), including Appendix A ‘Guidelines for Submissions to ACABAS;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 5/2005 – Protection of Natural Streams/Rivers from Adverse Impacts
Arising from Construction works;
·
ETWB
TCW No. 3/2006 – Tree Preservation;
·
Urban Design
Guidelines for Hong Kong issued by the Planning Department (2003);
·
Study
on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong([27]);
·
WBTC
No. 25/92 – Allocation of Space for Urban Street Trees;
·
WBTC
No. 7/2002 – Tree Planting in Public Works;
·
GEO
publication (1999) – Use of Vegetation as Surface Protection on Slopes; and
·
GEO 1/2011 – Technical Guidelines on
Landscaping Treatment for Slopes.
·
HyD HQ/GN/13 - Interim Guidelines for Tree
Transplanting Works under Highways Department's Vegetation Maintenance Ambit.
·
HQ/GN/15 - Guidelines for Greening Works along
Highways
The schedule 2 DPs provide the key infrastructure to support the development of the KTN and FLN NDAs. The nature and extent of these projects is described in Section 2.5 of this report. There are numerous different components to the infrastructure works which will be commissioned in phases in line with the construction of the NDAs, a timeline is provided in Table 12.16.1 below.
Table 12.16.1 - Construction Programme
Development Package |
Description |
Work Period |
Description of Work |
Advance Works |
Infrastructure and development of Advance Works at KTN and FLN |
2016 - 2024 |
·
Site formation and infrastructure ·
Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) · Management of
Stockpiling material |
1 |
First stage of infrastructure and development at KTN and FLN |
2016 - 2023 |
·
Site formation and infrastructure ·
Ecological compensation works ·
Sewerage and water supply networks ·
School, hospital, HKPF facilities and housing site ·
Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) ·
STW Extension Phase 1B at FLN ·
Village resite in KTN and FLN ·
Secondary service reservoir · Trunk mains and
distribution mains |
2 |
Infrastructure and development at KTN (South) |
2018 - 2029 |
·
Site formation and infrastructure ·
·
Kwu Tung Interchange ·
Pak Shek Au Interchange |
3 |
Infrastructure and development at KTN (North) |
2020 - 2028 |
·
Site formation and infrastructure |
4 |
Remaining Infrastructure and development at FLN (East) |
2021 – 2029 |
·
Site formation and infrastructure ·
Secondary service reservoir ·
Trunk mains and distribution mains ·
Fanling Bypass (Western Section) ·
|
5 |
Remaining Infrastructure and development at FLN (West) |
2022 - 2028 |
·
Site formation and infrastructure ·
STW Extension Phase 2 |
The schedule 2 DPs have been grouped based
on their category and location (KTN/FLN), a complete list of these projects is
provided in Table
12.16.2 below. A full
description of each of the DPs is provided in Chapter 2 Section 2.4.
Table 12.16.2 Schedule 2 DP Package A, B, C and D
DP |
Work Component |
Schedule 2 DP Category |
|
DP Package A |
|||
1 |
San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section
Widening (between San Tin Interchange). |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road |
2 |
Castle Peak Road Diversion (Major Improvement) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road. |
3 |
KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new
Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement
(Major Improvement) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road. |
4 |
KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road. |
DP Package B |
|||
5 |
New Sewage Pumping Stations (SPS) in KTN NDA |
F3 |
A sewage pumping station---(b) with an installed
capacity of more than 2000 m3 per day
and a boundary of which is less than 150 m from an existing or planned
residential area or educational institution. 2no. SPS are proposed in KTN, these are: SPS south of Ma Tso Lung. SPS south of Ho Sheung Heung. |
DP Package C |
|||
7 |
Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent from Shek Wu
Hui Sewage Treatment Works (SWHSTW) |
F4 |
An activity for the reuse of treated sewage effluent
from a treatment plant. Three facilities are included: Site for utilisation of TSE at Shek Wu Hui STW. KTN Flushing Water Service Reservoir. FLN Flushing Water Service Reservoir. |
11 |
Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works - Further Expansion (SWHSTW) |
F1 |
Sewage treatment works with an installed capacity of
more than 15,000 m3 per day. |
13 |
Construction of new Sewage Pumping Stations (SPSs)
in FLN NDA |
F3 |
A sewage pumping station---(b) with an installed
capacity of more than 2000 m3 per day
and a boundary of which is less than 150 m from an existing or planned
residential area or educational institution. 4no. SPS are included: SPS south of Fu Tei Au SPS off Man Kam To Road. SPS south of Wa Shan. SPS opposite Sacred Hill. |
DP Package D |
|||
8 |
Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement (Major
Improvement) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor
road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions
or improvements to existing road. |
9 |
Fanling Bypass Western Section (New Road) |
A1 |
A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary
distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major
extensions or improvements to existing road. |
12 |
Reprovision of wholesale market in FLN NDA. |
N3 |
A wholesale Market. |
Chapter 2 of the EIA Report evaluates twelve potential concurrent projects, as shown in Table 2.12, with Figures 2.21 and 2.22 illustrating their locations. The evaluation provided in Chapter 2 concludes that five of these projects should be assessed for cumulative impacts, as listed below.
A new Boundary Control Point (BCP) is proposed to be constructed at Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai together with its connecting roads and other associated works. The proposed BCP is located at the boundary with Shenzhen near the existing Chuk Yuen Village. The site will comprise of a main passenger building with passenger and cargo processing facilities and associated customs, transport and ancillary facilities. Connection to Shenzhen side will be via several bridges over the Shenzhen River. The BCP is linked with the Tolo/Fanling Highway – about 5.3km on viaduct or at-grade and 5.7km in tunnels.
The connecting road alignment consists of six main sections:
· Lin Ma Hang to Frontier Closed Area (FCA) Boundary – this section comprises at-grade sections and viaducts and includes the improvement works at Lin Ma Hang Road;
· Ping Yeung to Wo Keng Shan – this section stretches from the Frontier Closed Area Boundary to the tunnel portal at Cheung Shan and comprises at-grade sections and viaducts including an interchange at Ping Yeung;
· North Tunnel – this section comprises the tunnel segment at Cheung Shan and includes a ventilation building at the portals on either end of the tunnel;
· Sha Tau Kok Road – this section stretches from the tunnel portal at Wo Keng Shan to the tunnel portal south of Loi Tung and comprises at-grade sections and viaducts including an interchange at Sha Tau Kok and an administration building;
· South Tunnel – this section comprises a tunnel segment that stretches from Loi Tung to Fanling and includes a ventilation building at the portals on either end of the tunnel as well as a ventilation building in the middle of the tunnel near Lau Shui Heung;
· Fanling – this section comprises the at-grade, viaducts and interchange connection to the existing Fanling Highway.
This road will connect to the Tolo/Fanling Highway at the same point as DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and is within the visual setting of the FLN Flushing Water Service Reservoir (DP7). Adverse landscape impacts may arise in relation to interference with hillside terrain and associated vegetation cover (shrubland and woodland) as a result of tunnel portal construction and road viaducts linking to the Fanling Highway from the mountainside of Lung Shan. In addition, agricultural lands, natural streams, lowland woodland and rural development areas at the base of the mountain would be affected by link road connections. Plantation trees lining the Fanling Highway would also be affected. These works are also likely to influence the ‘Natural Hillside Landscape’ and ‘Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape’ character areas within the context.
Cumulative
adverse impacts are predicted in relation to the loss of landscape resources
and intrusion into Natural Hillside Landscape LCA as identified above. The increased road structure visible within
the valley landscape is also likely to generate negative visual impacts.
The LMC Loop Eastern Connection Road (ECR)
connects to KTN NDA; where it links with the KTN NDA distributor road D1 to D5
south of Ma Tso Lung. The construction programmes of the projects are likely to
be run concurrently and therefore the cumulative landscape and visual impact
has been assessed for both construction and operational phases below, using the
information available regarding the LMC Loop project. Note that the LMC
Loop EIA has been formally submitted to EPD and at the time of writing is still
under consideration and therefore not final.
In terms of landscape, LRs within the LMC
Loop project area with relatively higher sensitivity include mixed woodland,
fishponds, natural streams, natural rivers and marsh and the LCAs with
relatively higher sensitivity are all lowland rural landscape in various
locations. It is predicted that the LMC Loop project will only
substantially affect marsh LR in the Loop area and this will be alleviated
through appropriate mitigation including the establishment of an Ecological
Area and creation of a new marshland area, such that overall the impact will
not be significant. Neither the area of marsh affected nor the Ecological
Areas fall within the NENT NDA, and no cumulative impact is predicted for this
LR. The LRs where the projects connect are principally shrubland and
woodland with some lowland areas near the stream in that area being seasonally
marsh/wetland. With the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures
for each project, the cumulative LR impacts are considered to be
acceptable. The key mitigation measure for this area will be the
integration, as far as technically feasible, of the new roads with the existing
lowland landscape, the preservation of trees and woodland given all technical
considerations and roadside planting.
In addition both projects, prior to
mitigation, have substantial impacts on less developed lowland rural LCAs and
‘Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape’ LCA. Although cumulatively
a greater area of this LCA type will be affected, both projects will implement
relevant mitigation (such as protecting, preserving, transplanting and
compensating for trees; compensating specifically for any areas of woodland
unavoidably affected and greening roads) such that overall at year 10 of
operation the impacts are acceptable. Since the projects do not overlap,
it is considered that cumulative impacts on LCAs are acceptable with the implementation
of mitigation measures.
In addition the LMC Loop project will
change the visual amenity of the area due to the implementation of the proposed
developments and the road connection networks. It is likely that only people at
the LMC border control point and residents of Ha Wan Tsuen and LMC village
would be significantly affected by the LMC Loop project and none of these VSRs
have views to the Project so will not suffer any cumulative impact. In
general the LMC Loop project is shielded from view from the Project, with the
Western Ranges generally blocking lower level views between the two
areas. Only VSRs to the south east of the LMC Loop project and north-west
of KTN NDA will have views of both projects where the topography is flatter.
These VSRs include residents of Shun Yee San Tsuen and Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen
and the change in view they experience is likely to be slightly larger if
considering both projects together. However, relevant mitigation measures
such as the responsive design of road connecting the two projects (alignment
responding to the lowland context of the area), landscaping measures such as
screen planting, vertical greening and green roofs to soften the built and
engineering structures as well as tree preservation and roadside planting will
all help to alleviate the visual impacts to slight or insignificant levels and
overall the cumulative visual impacts from these two projects are considered to
be acceptable with mitigation.
These two projects do not overlap in area,
but do connect via the ECR. Although no cumulative impacts are predicted
with the implementation of relevant mitigation measures, it is advised that a
coordinated approach be undertaken between these projects, to reduce potential
impacts in terms of both magnitude and the period of disturbance during
construction.
12.17.3
Widening
of Tolo Highway/ Fanling Highway between Island House Interchange and Fanling
(Stage 2).
This project
will interface with DP1 Fanling Bypass Eastern section to the south east of
Fanling in addition to the Liantang/Heung Yuen
Wai Cross-boundary Control Point and its Associated Connecting Roads; the project involves:
· Widening of 3km of Fanling Highway between Tai Hang and Wo Hop Shek Interchange from dual three-lane to dual four-lane carriageway;
· Widening of the southbound slip road at Wo Hop Shek Interchange;
· Permanent closure of sections of the existing at-grade carriageways, footpaths and cycle tracks;
· Permanent closure and demolition of the existing footbridges at Kiu Tau and Ho Ka Yuen, the existing pedestrian and cycle bridge at Wo Hop Shek, the existing Kiu Tau Bridge, and sections of the existing footbridges at Tai Hang and Nam Wa Po;
· Ancillary works including drainage, geotechnical and landscaping works;
· Construction of water mains, noise barriers and retaining walls; and
· Installation of fire hydrants, traffic signals, and traffic control and surveillance system.
The tentative completion date of the project is from Yr 2015 to Yr 2018 but is still under review by the Highways Department.
12.17.4
Construction
of cycle tracks and the associated supporting facilities from Sha Po Tsuen to
Shek Sheung River.
This Project will interface with DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion as it passes to the south of the KTN NDA. The route follows the alignment Sheung Yue River which passes one of the sewage pumping stations which falls under DP5.
This project comprises the following primary works elements:
· Construction of a new cycle track (with footpath) linking up local cycle track networks in Yuen Long and Sheung Shui.
· Construction of the associated support facilities which includes 5 Resting Stations (formerly named “places of rest” in the EIA Study Brief) - R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9, and 1 Information Kiosk (formerly named “Education Centre” in the EIA Study Brief) integrated into R9. Also, one small seating area consisting of two benches at Mai Po Village.
· The associated streetscape, landscape, utilities diversions, traffic aids installation, street lighting, water, sewerage and drainage works;
· Provision of environmental mitigation measures.
This Project (the EIAO DP portion) is for the Priority Phase of the proposed Cycle Track Network recommended in the FS. According to the discussion with CEDD, the construction period is Yr 2014 – 2017. Cumulative landscape impacts may result from the loss of small areas of lowland woodland otherwise these impacts are likely to be minimal.
The methodology for the landscape assessment of schedule 2 DP Packages A, B, C and D follows that established for Schedule 3 projects as set out in Section 12.4.
12.18.1
Baseline
Study
The assessment area has been defined in accordance with EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2010. The area should normally include all areas within 500m from the work limit of DP.
Firstly a baseline study has been conducted for each schedule 2 DP, followed by an Impact Assessment, and each step is described below.
1.
Identification of the baseline LRs and LCAs found within the study
area.
LRs and LCAs found within the 500 m Study Area have been identified and mapped by desktop study of topographical maps, information databases, photographs and site verification. LR types are mapped based on their principal physical landscape and visual characteristics which link them together, rather than their habitat function. For example active, abandoned, wet or dry agricultural land is considered as a single LR. In mapping these resources, contiguous areas of the LR types are identified which may not always match ecological habitat maps. LCAs are broader categorisations than LRs and each one encompasses a number of different LRs.
A broad-brush tree survey has been undertaken to identify species1, mix proportions, dominant species as well as maturity and rarity of species (including those of conservation interest) within LRs and LCAs in the Schedule 2 DPs study Areas.
2.
Assessment of the sensitivity of the LRs and LCAs
This is influenced by a number of factors including the following.
· Quality and maturity, condition and value of landscape resources/ character areas, taking into account information from the Broad Brush Tree Survey and general quality, maturity and condition of other types of vegetation (ranked as high, medium or low).
· Important/ rarity of landscape resources/ character areas. (Ranked as high, medium or low)
· Whether a landscape resource / character area is considered to be of local, regional, national or global importance (taken into account and included in the descriptive text where relevant).
· Whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations/ requirements relating to the landscape resources/ character areas (taken into account and included in the descriptive text where relevant) .
· Ability of the landscape resources/ character areas to accommodate change without compromising their essential nature (ranked high, medium or low).
The sensitivity of each LR and LCA is based on the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:
High: Important
landscape or landscape resources of particularly distinctive character of high
importance, sensitive to relatively small changes.
Medium: Landscape or landscape resources
of moderately valued landscape characteristics reasonably to tolerant to
change.
Low: Landscape or landscape resources
of relatively unimportant landscape characteristics largely tolerant to change.
12.18.2
Landscape Impact Assessment
Landscape impacts have been assessed for the construction and operational phases of the DPs within the KTN and FLN NDA Study Areas as follows.
1.
Identification of potential sources of landscape impact
There are various construction works
elements and operational procedures that have the potential to generate
landscape impacts.
2.
Identification of the magnitude of change as a result of landscape impacts
Rating of the magnitude of change caused by landscape impacts. The magnitude of change caused by the landscape impact is quantified as far as possible and depends on a number of factors including the following:
· The physical extent of the impact. This is assessed using a number of factors, including: absolute area/length within the various works areas; relative area/length with the site compared to the wider study area; and the current land use compared to the proposed land use i.e. taking into account some land, even though it is within the works area, will not be directly impacted e.g. land zoned as “Green Belt” will remain unchanged (ranked as small, medium or large)
· Compatibility of the Project and associated works with the existing and planned landscape in the vicinity (ranked as good, fair or poor)
· Duration of impacts i.e. whether it is temporary (short or medium term) or permanent, under construction and operational phases; and
·
Reversibility of change (ranked as reversible or
irreversible).
The magnitude of changes on each LR/LCA is based on the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:
Large: |
The LRs or LCAs would suffer a major change. |
Intermediate: |
The LRs or LCAs would suffer moderate
change. |
Small: |
The LRs or LCAs would suffer slight or
barely perceptible change. |
Negligible: |
The LRs or LCAs would suffer no discernible
change. |
|
|
3. Prediction of the significance of landscape impacts
Through the identification of the sensitivity
of the various landscape resources and character areas, together with the
magnitude of change impact, it is possible to categorise and make a reasoned
prediction on the likely significance of the overall landscape impacts. Table 12.18.1 shows the rationale for
dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds. Where the magnitude
of change is split, i.e. slight/moderate, a judgement will be made on whether
the change is slight or moderate.
Table 12.18.1 - Relationship between receptor sensitivity and magnitude of change in defining impact significance.
|
|
Receptor Sensitivity (of LR/LCA) |
||
|
|
Low |
Medium |
High |
Magnitude of Change |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Small |
Slight |
Slight/ Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Intermediate |
Slight/Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate/ Substantial |
|
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate/ Substantial |
Substantial |
The four thresholds for the degree of significance are explained below. All impacts are assumed to be adverse in the text of the Report, unless specifically identified otherwise.
Substantial: Adverse /
beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause significant
deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Moderate: Adverse /
beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause a noticeable
deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Slight: Adverse /
beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause barely perceptible
deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Insignificant: No discernible change in the existing landscape
quality
4. Identification of potential landscape mitigation measures
Potential landscape mitigation measures have been identified with a view to reduce landscape impacts to acceptable levels during design, construction and operation of the Project and associated works. The proposed mitigation measures are not only concerned with damage reduction but will also include consideration of preservation to avoid disturbance to LRs and LCAs and potential enhancement of existing landscape (and visual) quality. Mitigation measures may take the form of:
· Adopting alternative design or revising the basic engineering and / or architectural design, to prevent and / or minimize adverse impacts. Alternative alignment(s), design(s) and construction methods that avoid or reduce the identified landscape impacts have been evaluated for comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts.
· Remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of physical, engineering and building features and green roofing; and
· Compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape design measures (e.g. tree planting, creation of new open space etc.) to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term impacts.
To ensure their effectiveness throughout the construction and operational phases, the relevant responsible parties for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures have been identified. Approval-in-principle to the funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures is being sought from the appropriate authorities, according to the principles in ETWB TCW No. 2/2004.
1. Residual landscape impacts after implementation of mitigation
Where mitigation cannot fully address the impact of the development, residual impact are identified and discussed in terms of their significance.
2. Prediction on the acceptability of impacts
An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts is stated, according to the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM namely beneficial, acceptable, acceptable with mitigation measures, unacceptable and undetermined.
Visual impacts have been assessed for the construction and operational phases of the schedule 2 DPs with methodology highlighted as follows:
1. Identification and plotting of the visual envelope (VE).
The assessment area for the visual impact assessment is defined by the Visual Envelope (VE) which includes all the points from which the scheme proposals may be visible, comprising the view shed formed by natural / manmade features such as ridgelines, built form or areas of woodland / large trees. This area is identified using a combination of detailed site walkover surveys, desktop study and review of aerial photography.
2. Identification of Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) within the Visual Envelope.
Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) are people who would reside, play, work or travel within the Visual Envelope of the Project. In addition, Vantage Points (VPs) at various VSRs are selected as indicative of the range of views within the Visual Envelope, from which photomontages can be generated to help assess visual impacts.
1.
Assessment of the sensitivity of the VSRs.
The assessment of sensitivity is based on
the quality and extent of the existing view.
The factors affecting the sensitivity of receivers for evaluation of
visual impacts include the following:
· Value and quality of existing views;
· Availability and amenity of alternative views;
· Type and estimated number of receiver population;
· Duration or frequency of view; and
· Degree of visibility.
Assessment of the relative numbers of VSRs
expressed in terms of whether there are very few, few, many or very many VSRs
in any one category of VSR.
For the purposes of this assessment, the sensitivity of different VSRs receptors can be broadly categorised as shown below:
High Sensitivity |
The VSR is
highly sensitive to any changes in the viewing experience - Residential properties
where the principle view is of the development site, formalised public
viewpoints or designed landscape vistas.
|
Medium Sensitivity |
The VSR is moderately sensitive to
any changes to the viewing experience - Outdoor workers, office workers,
recreational users, residential properties where the secondary view is of the
development. |
Low Sensitivity |
The VSR is slightly sensitive to
any changes in the viewing experience - People travelling though the
landscape (by car, bus). |
3. Identification of potential sources of visual impact.
Identification of potential sources of visual impacts. These are the various elements of the construction works and operational procedures that could generate visual impacts.
Ranking of the magnitude of visual change,
which is quantified as far as possible and depends on a number of factors
including the following.
· Distance between the closest source of impact and the VSR (in meters).
· Scale of the development. This is assessed using a number of factors, including: absolute dimensions of new built structures visible to the VSR; relative dimensions of the new built structures compared to other structures visible to the VSRs in their existing view (ranked as small, medium or large).
· Potential blockage of view (ranked as full, partial or nil).
· Duration of the impacts (ranked as temporary [short/medium term] or permanent).
· Compatibility of the Project and associated works with the existing and planned landscape in the vicinity. (Ranked as good, fair or poor)
· Reversibility of change (ranked as reversible or irreversible).
4. Assessment of the potential magnitude of visual impacts
The magnitude
of change caused by visual impacts on each VSR, based on the values of all the
above factors in totality and classified as follows:
Large: |
The VSRs would suffer a major change
in their viewing. |
Intermediate: |
The VSRs would suffer a moderate in
their viewing experience. |
Small: |
The VSRs would suffer a small change
in their viewing experience. |
Negligible: |
The VSRs would suffer no discernible
change in their viewing experience. |
5. Identification of potential visual mitigation measures,
Potential visual mitigation measures designed to reduce the significance of visual impacts to acceptable levels during design, construction and operation of the Project and its associated works, have been considered. The mitigation measures proposed are not only concerned with damage reduction but will also include consideration of potential enhancement of existing visual (and landscape) quality. Mitigation measure may take the form of
· Adopting alternative designs or revising the basic engineering and / or architectural design, to prevent and / or minimize adverse impacts. Alternative alignment(s), design(s) and construction methods that avoid or reduce the identified landscape impacts have been evaluated for comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts.
· Remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of physical, engineering and building features; and
· Compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape works (e.g. tree planting, creation of new open space etc.) to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term impacts.
· To ensure their effectiveness throughout the construction and operational phases of the Project and associated works, the relevant responsible parties for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures have been provisionally identified. Approval-in-principle to the initial capital funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures is being sought from the appropriate authorities, according to the principles in ETWB TCW No. 2/2004.
6. Prediction of visual impact significance before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures.
Through the identification of the sensitivity of the various VSR, their number and magnitude of visual change encountered, it is possible to make a reasoned prediction on the likely significance of the overall visual impact. Table 12.19.1 presents the rationale for dividing the degree of significance. Where the magnitude of change is split, i.e. slight/moderate, a judgement will be made on whether the change is slight or moderate.
Table 12.19.1 - Relationship between receptor sensitivity and magnitude of change in defining impact significance
|
|
Receptor Sensitivity (of VSR) |
||
|
|
Low |
Medium |
High |
Magnitude of change |
Negligible |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Insignificant |
Small |
Slight |
Slight/ Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Intermediate |
Slight/Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate/ Substantial |
|
Large |
Moderate |
Moderate/ Substantial |
Substantial |
The four thresholds for the degree of significance are explained below. All impacts are assumed to be adverse in the text of the report, unless specifically identified otherwise.
Substantial: Adverse / beneficial impact
where the proposed Project will cause significant deterioration or improvement
in existing visual quality
Moderate: Adverse / beneficial
impact where the proposed Project will cause a noticeable deterioration or
improvement in existing landscape quality
Slight: Adverse / beneficial
impact where the proposed Project will cause a barely perceptible deterioration
or improvement in existing landscape quality
Insignificant: The impact will cause no
discernible change in the existing landscape quality
In order to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed visual mitigation measures, photomontages from selected Vantage Points (VPs) looking towards the relevant NDA and the DPs have been prepared to illustrate:
- Existing conditions;
- Day 1 of Operation Phase without Mitigation Measures;
- Day 1 of Operation Phase with Mitigation Measures; and
- Year 10 of Operation Phase with Mitigation Measures.
The development appearance as shown in the operational phases provides an indicative view of how structures may appear within the landscape setting in the future.
The selection of VSRs/VPs for preparation of photomontages has taken into account the following criteria:
· A selection of long, medium and short distance views to provide a perspective on the varying scales and extent of the proposed developments within the existing landscape setting.
· A selection of elevated and ground level views to demonstrate the visual impact of structures and provide comparison between pedestrian and high-rise residential visual experience.
· Views on the periphery of the proposed NDA development where schedule 2 DPs will not be concealed by the new urban form and remain visible.
· Points which provide a representative view from particularly sensitive VSR groups such as residential developments where recording and presenting every possible view would not be practical.
7. Prediction of acceptability of impacts
An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts in accordance with the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, namely:
· Beneficial - if the project will complement the landscape and visual character of its setting, will follow the relevant planning objectives and will improve overall and visual quality;
· Acceptable if the assessment indicates that there will be no significant effects on the landscape, no significant visual effects caused by the appearance of the project, or no interference with key views;
· Acceptable with mitigation measures if there will be some adverse effects, but these can be eliminated, reduced or offset to a large extent by specific measures;
· Unacceptable if the adverse effects are considered too excessive and are unable to mitigate practically;
· Undetermined if significant adverse effects are likely, but the extent to which they may occur or may be mitigated cannot be determined from the study. Further detailed study will be required for the specific effects in question.
[3]
NENT NDAs comprise KTN NDA, FLN NDA and
Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling NDA. The latter will be put aside and re-planned in
the context of the policy initiative announced in the 2013-14 Policy Address to
further explore the development potential in New Territories North in order to optimize the use of valuable
land resources, taking into account the strategic planning considerations.
[25] Human Dimension & Interior Space – A Source Book of Design Reference Standards, Julius Panero and Martin Zelnik, The Architectural Press Ltd. London, 1979
([1])
Available at http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/english/register/index3/all.html.
Accessed 24 May 2013
1 A plant is considered as a tree if its diameter at breast height (DBH) is 95mm or more (or girth [circumference of the trunk] measures 300 mm or more). ‘Breast height’ is standardised at a height of 1300 mm above ground level in Hong Kong according to ETWB TCW No. 3/2006 on Tree Preservation.