8. Landscape Impact Assessment

8.1 Introduction

This chapter of the report outlines the landscape impacts associated with the proposed Installation of Submarine Gas Pipelines from To Kwa Wan to North Point for Former Kai Tak Airport Development in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). Both construction and operation impacts are assessed in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.4.6 of the EIA Study Brief.

The assessment included:

¡ a listing of the relevant environmental legislation 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 resource and character;

¡ identification of the potential landscape impacts and prediction of their magnitude and potential significance, before and after the mitigation measures; and

¡ recommendation of appropriate mitigation measures and associated implementation programmes.

The two pigging stations for pigging operation at To Kwa Wan and North Point respectively are non designated projects under EIA Ordinance. Landscape impact assessment for the pigging stations was incorporated in the approved planning permission applications for the two pigging stations under Section 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance.

8.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards, Guidelines and Criteria

The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to the evaluation of landscape associated with the construction and operation of the proposed project:

¡ Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap 499, section 16) and the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 10, 11, 18, 20 and 21;

¡ EIAO Guidance Note (GN) 8/2002;

¡ Outline Zoning Plan No.S/K9/21, No.S/K22/2, No.S/K10/19 and No. S/H8/21;

¡ Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines;

¡ Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131);

¡ Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap 96) and its subsidiary legislation the Forestry Regulations;

¡ Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586);

¡ WBTC No. 7/2002 – Tree Planting in Public Works

¡ ETWBTC No. 3/2006 - Tree Preservation; and

¡ Land Administration Office Instruction (LAOI) Section D-12 – Tree Preservation.

8.3 Assessment Methodology

8.3.1 Limits of the Assessment Area

The limit of the landscape impact study is 100m beyond the limit of the Works as set forth in Section 3.4.6.2 of the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-171/2007 (Figure 8.1 and 8.2).

8.3.2 Assessment Methodology

Landscape impacts have been assessed for the construction and operational phases.

The assessment of landscape impacts has involved the following procedures.

¡ Identification of the baseline landscape resources (physical and cultural) and landscape character found within the Assessment Area. This is achieved by site visits and desk-top study of topographical maps, information databases and photographs.

¡ Assessment of the degree of sensitivity of the landscape resources. This is influenced by a number of factors including whether the resource/character is common or rare, whether it is considered to be of local, regional, national or global importance, whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations/ requirements relating to the resource, the quality of the resource/character, the maturity of the resource, and the ability of the resource / character to accommodate change. The sensitivity of each landscape feature and character area is classified as follows:

High:	Important landscape or landscape resource of particularly distinctive character or high importance, sensitive to relatively small changes
Medium:	Landscape or landscape resource of moderately valued landscape characteristics reasonably tolerant to change
Low:	Landscape or landscape resource, the nature of which is largely tolerant to change

¡ Identification of potential sources of landscape impacts. These are the various elements of the construction works and operational procedures that will generate landscape impacts.

¡ Identification of the magnitude of landscape impacts. The magnitude of the impact depends on a number of factors including the physical extent of the impact, the landscape context of the impact, the compatibility of the project with the surrounding landscape; and the time-scale of the impact - i.e. whether it is temporary (short, medium or long term), permanent but potentially reversible, or permanent and irreversible. Landscape impacts have been quantified wherever possible. The magnitude of landscape impacts is classified as follows:

Large:	The landscape or landscape resource would suffer a major change
Intermediate:	The landscape or landscape resource would suffer a moderate change
Small:	The landscape or landscape resource would suffer slight or barely perceptible changes
Negligible:	The landscape or landscape resource would suffer no discernible change.

¡ Identification of potential landscape mitigation measures. These may take the form of adopting alternative designs or revisions to the basic engineering and architectural design to prevent and/or minimise negative impacts; remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of 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 negative impacts and to attempt to generate potentially positive long term impacts. The agencies responsible for the implementation, management and maintenance of the mitigation measures are identified.

¡ Prediction of the significance of landscape impacts before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures. By synthesising the magnitude of the various impacts and the sensitivity of the various landscape resources it is possible to categorise impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 8.1 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely insubstantial, slight, moderate, and substantial, depending on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of impact and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of landscape resource/character. The significant thresholds are defined as follows:

Substantial:	Negative / positive impact where the proposal would cause significant deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Moderate:	Negative / positive impact where the proposal would cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Slight:	Negative / positive impact where the proposal would cause a barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality
Insubstantial:	No discernible change in the existing landscape quality

¡ Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts. An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts according to the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM.

Table 8.1: Relationship between Receptor Sensitivity and Impact Magnitude in Defining Impact Significance

	Receptor Sensitivity (of Landscape Resource, Landscape Character Area)
		Low	Medium	High
Magnitude of	Large	Moderate	Moderate / Substantial	Substantial
Impact	Intermediate	Slight / Moderate	Moderate	Moderate / Substantial
	Small	Slight	Slight / Moderate	Moderate
	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial

8.3.3 Planning and Development Control Framework

A review has been undertaken of the current planning goals and objectives, statutory land-use and landscape planning designations for the Assessment Area.

8.3.4 To Kwa Wan Pigging Station / Landing Point

The relevant OZP is the Draft Hung Hom Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K9/23. Under this Plan the site is zoned as “OU” Other Specific Uses (Sewage Treatment Plant). The Explanatory Statement states at Para. 8.7.1 that this zone is intended to provide / reserve land for the provision of sewage treatment plant serving the needs of the general public.

According to the schedule of uses of the OZP, utility installation not ancillary to the specific use is listed in column 2 as an allowed land use which an application to the Town Planning Board is required. Therefore, the proposed works would be compatible with the current zoning within the Assessment Area, assuming that some level of conditions such as localized mitigation measures are incorporated in the project.

8.3.5 North Point Pigging Station / Landing Point

The relevant OZP is the Approved North Point Outline Zoning Plan No. S/H8/22. Under this Plan the site will fall within two zones, “G/IC” Government, Institution or Community and “Road”. The Explanatory Statement states at Para. 8.10.1 that the G/IC zone is intended primarily for the provision of various GIC facilities serving the needs of the local residents in the Area and, where appropriate, residents in the adjoining districts. It is also intended to provide land for uses directly related to or in support of the work of the Government, organisations providing social services to meet community needs, and other institutional establishments. The object of this OZP, as stated in Para 3.2, is “to illustrate only the broad principles of development with the area. As it is a small-scale plan, the road and railway alignments and boundaries between the land use zones may be subject to minor adjustments as detailed planning and development proceed.”

According to the schedule of uses under G/IC zone of the OZP, public utility installation is listed as an always permitted use. While an application to the Town Planning Board is required for the portion located within the “road” zone.

8.4 Baseline Study

8.4.1 Landscape Resources (LRs)

Only two types of landscape resources were identified in the Assessment Areas of the To Kwa Wan Pigging Station and North Point Pigging Station.

The identified baseline landscape resources, together with their sensitivity, are described below. The locations and photo-views of the landscape resources are mapped in Figures 8.3 and 8.4. For ease of reference and co-ordination between text, tables and figures, each landscape resource is given an identity number.

LR1 – Marine Area of To Kwa Wan – This resource refers to the marine area west of the To Kwa Wan port shelter. This resource provides a wide harbour view to the users of the Hoi Sham Park and King Wan Street Playground. It is susceptible to changes and hence the sensitivity of this landscape resource is considered to be High.

LR2 – Marine Area of North Point – This resource refers to the marine area north of the proposed pigging station at North Point. As shown in Figure 8.4, the landscape quality of the seascape is disturbed by the presence of the wholly concrete structure (including the bridge and deck and pillars) of the Island Eastern Corridor. It is reasonably tolerant to changes and hence the sensitivity of this landscape resource is considered Medium.

8.4.2 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)

Totally four LCAs were identified within the Assessment Area of the Project. These areas, and their sensitivity, are described below. The locations of the character areas are indicated in Figure 8.5 and Figure 8.6. Photographs showing the LCAs are provided in Figures 8.7a-b. For ease of reference and co-ordination between text, tables and figures each landscape character area is given an identity number.

8.4.2.1 To Kwa Wan Assessment Area

LCA1 – To Kwa Wan Plain – This character area comprises site offices, open storage areas, construction sites and a car park. The area currently is characterised by the large area of construction sites and open storage areas, giving the landscape a slightly incoherent and degraded quality. It has a low sensitivity.

LCA2 – To Kwa Wan Waterfront Area – This character area is made up of the marine landscape resource LR1. It has a high sensitivity.

8.4.2.2 North Point Assessment Area

LCA3 – North Point Waterfront Area – This character area is made up of the marine landscape resource LR2. As the seascape is disturbed by the presence of the hard concrete structure of the Island Eastern Corridor, it has a medium sensitivity.

LCA4 – North Point Urban Group – This character area comprises the densely distributed commercial and government buildings at North point area and the road networks. As this LCA is developed by these urban land uses, it has a low sensitivity.

8.4.3 Potential Sources of Landscape Impact

The proposed project will involve the following sources of construction impacts:

¡ Site clearance works;

¡ Earth moving;

¡ Construction works on existing roads;

¡ Presence of incomplete structures;

¡ Haulage off-site of excavated materials;

¡ Materials stockpiling;

¡ Importation and storage of construction equipment and plant;

¡ Laying down of utilities;

¡ Construction of temporary on site accommodation and working areas; and

¡ Construction of temporary site hoarding and temporary noise barriers to the boundary of the proposed pigging stations.

The proposed Project will involve dredging of seabed for submarine gas pipelines installation. However as dredging works will not require any operation such as reclamation and building cofferdam which would cause loss of water surface, no impacts are anticipated on the marine area. Therefore seabed dredging is not considered as a source of landscape impact.

Sources of operational phase landscape impact will be:

¡ Presence of new pigging station structures in the landscape;

¡ Presence of associated features in the landscape (e.g. access, etc).

8.5 Landscape Impact Assessment

8.5.1 Nature and Magnitude of Landscape Impacts Before Mitigation in Construction Phase

The magnitude of the key impacts, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the landscape resources and landscape character areas that would occur in the construction phase are described below and tabulated in Table 8.4.

8.5.2 Impacts on Landscape Resources

As shown in Figure 8.3 and 8.4, the To Kwa Wan Pigging Station and North Point pigging station are proposed on the existing concrete bare ground and car park respectively. Therefore all the identified landscape resources will not be impacted by the proposed project during the construction period.

As discussed in Section 8.4.3, the proposed dredging works will not cause any impact on the existing landscape resources.

8.5.3 Impacts on Landscape Character Areas

LCA1 – To Kwa Wan Plain – The proposed pigging station will be located within this LCA. Before implementation of mitigation measures, there could be a temporary and reversible impact on the character of the LCA resulting from the pigging station construction works. Due to the small and simple nature of the installation works, limited size of the affected portion of the LCA and the existing highly urbanised nature of the LCA, the unmitigated magnitude of this impact is negligible. (The magnitude of mitigated impacts is shown in Table 8.4).

LCA4 – North Point Urban Group – The proposed pigging station / landing point will situate on an existing car park of the North Point Police Station within this LCA. Before implementation of mitigation measures, there could be a temporary and reversible impact on the character of the LCA resulting from the construction works. Due to the urbanised nature of the LCA and very small size of the proposed facilities, the unmitigated magnitude of this impact is negligible. (The magnitude of mitigated impacts is shown in Table 8.4).

As discussed in Section 8.4.3, the proposed dredging works will not involve any reclamation or cofferdam building. No impacts will be generated to alter the existing character of the LCAs. Both LCA2 and LCA3 will not be affected by the Project.

8.5.4 Nature and Magnitude of Landscape Impacts Before Mitigation in Operation Phase

The magnitude of the key impacts, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the LCAs that will occur in the operation phase are the same as the impacts described above for the construction phase. They are tabulated in Table 8.4.

8.5.5 Landscape Mitigation Measures in Construction and Operation Phases

Mitigation measures for reducing, offsetting and compensating for impacts have been designed into the project, during construction. These are identified in Table 8.2 below.

Table 8.2: Proposed Construction Phase Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

ID No.	Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measure	Implementation Agency
CM1	Screening of construction works by hoardings/noise barriers around Works area in visually unobtrusive colours, to screen works.	Project Proponent (via Contractor)
CM2	Hydroseeding or sheeting of stockpiles with visually unobtrusive material (in earth tone).	Project Proponent (via Contractor)
CM3	Ensure no run-off into the harbour adjacent to the site.	Project Proponent (via Contractor)

Mitigation measures for the two pigging stations during the operational phase are identified for implementation in the approved planning permission applications for the two pigging stations under Section 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance. A landscape proposal should be submitted and implemented to the satisfaction of Planning Department or of the Town Planning Board under Section 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance to ensure the landscape mitigation measures are properly maintained throughout the operation phase of the Project. Any changes to the proposed landscape mitigation measures will follow the relevant procedures required by relevant authorities.

The operation mitigation measures identified in the approved planning permission applications are summarised in Table 8.3.

Table 8.3: Operation Phase Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

ID No.	Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measure	Implementation Agency	Maintenance Agency
OM1	The design and finish of the gas pigging station will be aesthetically compatible with the surroundings	Project Proponent	Project Proponent
OM2	Trellises will be constructed to screen the exposed pipes inside the proposed pigging stations	Project Proponent	Project Proponent
OM3	A planting strip of 1.5m width will be reserved in front of the boundary wall of the proposed To Kwa Wan pigging station	see note *	see note *
OM4	A 300mm wide planting strip will be provided at the seafront side along the boundary fence within the proposed North Point pigging station	Project Proponent	Project Proponent
OM5	A 300mm wide planting strip together with a 2m high visual barrier inside the existing fence will be provided on the east boundary along Hoi Yu Street at North Point	Project Proponent	Project Proponent

Note:

* According to the approved planning permission application for the To Kwa Wan gas pigging station under Section 16 of the Town Planning Ordinance, a planting strip of 1.5m width will be reserved in front of the boundary wall to further soften the physical appearance of the To Kwa Wan gas pigging station. As the gas pigging station will be located within the future Hoi Sham Park Extension, plant species shall be selected to match the surrounding planting theme. The details of the planting strips and its construction and maintenance arrangement will be liaised and agreed between the Project Proponent and relevant government departments. Parties of the OM3 shall be subject to the conditions under the land grant for the pigging station. The Project Proponent will implement and maintain the approved landscaping and plantations works of the strip until the handover of the works to the management and maintenance authority of the future waterfront promenade.

8.5.6 Programme of Implementation of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

The Construction Phase measures listed above shall be adopted from the commencement of construction and shall be in place throughout the entire construction period. The Operation Phase measures listed above shall be adopted during the detailed design, and be built as part of the construction works so that they are in place at the date of commissioning of the project.

8.5.7 Cumulative Landscape Impacts

Although there will be some concurrent projects identified (in Section 2.11) in the vicinity, no cumulative impacts are anticipated as significance of impacts resulted by the implementation of the Project on either landscape resources or landscape character areas during both construction and operation phases will be insubstantial (Table 8.4).

8.5.8 Prediction of Significance of Residual Landscape Impacts

The potential significance of the landscape impacts during the construction and operation phases, before and after mitigation, are provided below in Table 8.4 and mapped in Figure 8.8 to Figure 8.11. This assessment follows the methodology outlined above and assumes that the appropriate mitigation measures identified in Table 8.2 and Table 8.3 above will be implemented. General landscape plans of the proposed pigging stations are shown in Figures 8.12 and 8.13; while Photomontages are illustrated in Figures 8.14 to 8.20. As required in S 3.3.4 (iii) of the EIA Study Brief, these photomontages have shown the proposed above ground structures with visual mitigation measures which could avoid adverse visual impacts to the surrounding areas.

As discussed in Section 8.5.2 to 8.5.4 and tabulated in Table 8.4, there will be no negative landscape impacts due to the small scale of the works proposed in the Project and also the existing poor quality of the landscape character of the affected areas. Hence there will also be no negative residual landscape impacts during construction and operation phases on the Landscape Resources and Landscape Character Areas. In fact, slight positive landscape impacts due to the introduction of green elements (i.e. screen plantings) through the implementation of operation mitigation measures into the existing urbanised environments are anticipated.

Table 8.4: Significance of Landscape Impacts in Construction and Operation Phases (Negative Impacts unless otherwise stated)

	Landscape Resource / Landscape Character	Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)		Magnitude of Impact before Mitigation (Negligible, Small, Intermediate, Large)			Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate, Substantial)			Recommended Mitigation Measures	Residual Impact Significance AFTER Mitigation (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate, Substantial)
Id. No.											Construction	Operation
		Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation		Construction	Operation				DAY 1	YEAR 10
Part 1 – Landscape Resources
LR1	Marine Area of To Kwa Wan	High	High	Negligible	Negligible		Insubstantial	Insubstantial		None	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR2	Marine Area of North Point	Medium	Medium	Negligible	Negligible		Insubstantial	Insubstantial		None	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
Part 2 – Landscape Character Areas
LCA1	To Kwa Wan Plain	Low	Low	Negligible		Negligible	Insubstantial		Insubstantial	CM1-3 OM1-3	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Slight Positive
LCA2	To Kwa Wan Waterfront Area	High	High	Negligible		Negligible	Insubstantial		Insubstantial	None	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LCA3	North Point Waterfront Area	Medium	Medium	Negligible		Negligible	Insubstantial		Insubstantial	None	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LCA4	North Point Urban Group	Low	Low	Negligible		Negligible	Insubstantial		Insubstantial	CM1-3 OM1-2, OM4-5	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Slight Positive