5. Landscape and Visual Assessment

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1.1 The EIA Study Brief for the KTE project requires a landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) of the proposed project to be undertaken. This assessment considers any potential conflicts with landscape planning policy, likely impacts to landscape character and resources and identifies visual impacts in the areas surrounding the project during both the construction and operation stages.

5.1.1.2 The assessment area for the landscape impact assessment is 100m from the works limit of the Project boundary as is shown in Figures 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 along with the works sites and works areas including a barging point and a temporary explosives storage magazine. (Works sites are areas where construction activities will be undertaken and works areas are used for construction stage project offices, material storage and the barging point and temporary magazine site.) The assessment area for the visual impact assessment is defined by the visual envelope of the Project shown in Figure 5.4. Recent aerial views are shown in Figure 5.5.

5.2 Relevant Environmental Legislation

5.2.1.1 The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to the evaluation of landscape and visual impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project:

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) (Cap 499) Section 16 and Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 3, 10, 11, 18, 20 and 21;

· EIAO Guidance Note 8/2002;

· Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. Chapter 4:  Recreation, Open Space and Greening and Section 11: Urban Design Guidelines;

· Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131);

· Approved Yau Ma Tei Outline Zoning Plan. S/K2/20;

· Approved Ho Man Tin Outline Zoning Plan (No. S/K7/20);

· Draft Hung Hom OZP (No. S/K9/23);

· Draft Tsim Sha Tsui (KPA 1) Outline Zoning Plan. S/K1/25
(Amendment to approved Plan No. S/K1/22);

· Draft Tseung Kwan O Outline Zoning Plan No. S/TKO/18;

· K.P.A. No. 6 & 7 - Ho Man Tin Outline Development Plan. D/K7/2;

· K.P.A. No. 9 Hung Hom Outline Development Plan. D/K9/1E;

· The Hung Hom District Study;

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

· Planning Department “Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong”

· SILTech Publication (1991) – Tree Planting and Maintenance in Hong Kong (Standing Interdepartmental Landscape Technical Group) [11-23];

· WBTC No. 25/93 – Control of Visual Impact of Slopes;

· WBTC No. 17/2000 – Improvement to the Appearance of slopes in connection with WBTC 25/93;

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

· WBTC No. 19/02 – Mass Transit Railway Protection;

· ETWB TCW No. 2/2004 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;

· ETWB TCW No. 11/2004 – Cyber Manual for Greening;

· ETWB TCW No. 13/2003A – Guidelines and Procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment of Government Projects and Proposals Planning for Provision of Noise Barriers;

· 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);

· ETWB TCW No. 10/2005 – Planting on Footbridges and Flyovers;

· ETWB TCW No. 3/2006 – Tree Preservation;

· HyDTC No. 5/2000 – Control in the Use of Shotcrete (Sprayed Concrete) in Slope Works;

· HyDTC No. 7/2006 – Independent Vetting of Tree Works under the Maintenance of Highways Department;

· GEO Publication (1999) – Use of Vegetation as Surface Protection on Slopes; and

· GEO 1/2000 – Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment and Bio-engineering of Man-made Slopes and Retaining Walls.

5.3 Approach to Assessment

5.3.1.1 Landscape and visual impacts are assessed against four criteria, namely:

· Conflicts with published Landscape Planning Policy;

· Impacts on Landscape Resources (the physical components of the landscape);

· Impacts on Landscape Character (the aggregate impression created by a combination of resources); and

· Impacts on Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) (those people who will see the project).

5.3.1.2 The Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment in this EIA Study follows the following methodology:

· Baseline identification of Landscape Planning Policy and Identification of conflicts with the Project;

· Baseline identification of Project Sensitive Receivers including Landscape Resources, Landscape Character and the Zones of Visual Influence as well as their “Sensitivity to Change”;

· Identification of probable sources of landscape and visual impact resulting from the Project and their “Magnitude”;

· Assessment of resulting Impact Significance Threshold of landscape and visual impacts;

· Identification of landscape and visual mitigation measures; and

· Final assessment of the significance of residual landscape and visual impacts.

5.4 Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

5.4.1 Planning Review

5.4.1.1 The existing and planned development framework for the proposed works and for the surrounding areas has been reviewed to identify potential conflicts with existing resources and sensitive receivers as well as neighbouring planned land uses, as well as to ensure a high compatibility between the proposed works and the surroundings.  Surrounding planning and development control of the proposed work is shown on Figure 5.1.

5.4.1.2 It should be noted that S13A of Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131) states “any scheme authorized under the Railways Ordinance (Cap 519) shall be deemed to be approved under this Ordinance, whether or not those works or that use or that scheme form part of a plan approved by the Chief Executive in Council under section 9.”

5.4.1.3 The following plans have been examined:

Outline Zoning Plans

· Approved Yau Ma Tei Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K2/20;

· Approved Ho Man Tin Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K7/20,

· Hung Hom (KPA 9) Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K9/21 (Amendment to approved Plan No. S/K9/20);

· Draft Tsim Sha Tsui (KPA 1) Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K1/25 (Amendment to approved Plan No. S/K1/22); and

· Draft Tseung Kwan O Outline Zoning Plan No. S/TKO/18.

Outline Development Plans / Studies

· K.P.A. No. 6 & 7 - Ho Man Tin Outline Development Plan No. D/K7/2;

· K.P.A. No. 9 Hung Hom Outline Development Plan No. D/K9/1E; and

· The Hung Hom District Study.

5.4.2 Existing Planning Framework

5.4.2.1 The landscape areas found within the 100m landscape study area for the project are typically zoned “O” (Open Space). This includes Gascoigne Road Rest Garden, the hill slopes north of Chatham Road North, Yang Fung Street Rest Garden, Wuhu Street and Fat Kwong Street Playgrounds, Fat Kwong Street Garden and Hutchison Park. The slopes to the north of Chung Hau Street and Shun Yung Street are zoned as “GB” (Green Belt). The sports pitches north of Gascoigne Road are zoned “OU” (Other Specified Uses).

5.4.2.2 Street planting within Amenity Areas and street planting within the Whampoa Estate are zoned under “CDA” (Comprehensive Development Area). Street tree planting in other project areas remains under areas shown as ‘Road’.

5.4.2.3 The Works Sites and Works Areas are located within various zonings as per the OZP and listed in Table 5.1 below.

Table 5.1 Statutory Designations for Works Sites and Works Areas

No.	Works Item	Location	Zoning
1. YMT Interface
1A	Cable reprovisioning at YMT refuge siding tunnels	WS1 (Gascoigne Road Rest Garden)	Open Space - O
2. Running Tunnel from YMT Station to HOM Station
2A	Slope stabilisation and upgrading works	WS2 (Gascoigne road near Methodist College), WS4a, WS45, WS6a (Gascoigne Road near India Club), WS44 (Wylie Road) and WS47 (Wylie Path)	Government, Institution or Community - G/IC Other Specified Uses - OU
2C	Wylie Road Ancillary Building (WAB) and tunnel spoil mucking out	WS7a1 (Tennis Courts at Club de Recreio)	Other Specified Uses - OU
3. HOM Station
3A	HOM Station, with station entrance, ventilation shaft, cooling tower. Temporary rock crushing equipment	WS15a (former Valley Road Estate)	Residential (Group A) - R(A), Open Space - O
3H	Site office	WA2a (Ko Shan Road Custom and Excise Service Married Quarters), WA15 (Fat Kwong Street Playground)	Green Belt - GB Open Space - O
3I	Slope stabilisation and upgrading works	WS27 (Fat Kwong Street Playground)	Open Space - O
3J	KTE tunnel mucking out	WS26a (Fat Kwong Street Playground)	Open Space - O
3K	HOM Station construction and TTM	WS19 (Yan Fung Street Rest Garden)	Open Space - O
5. WHA Station
5A	WHA Station with mucking out, station entrance, and ventilation shaft	WS30, WS33	Road , Comprehensive Development Area - (CDA)
5C	WHA D&B platform with temporary mucking out	WS31	Comprehensive Development Area - (CDA)
5D	Escape staircase and pressurisation fan room	WS37a	Comprehensive Development Area - (CDA)
5E	Refuge siding tunnel and ventilation shaft	WS36a	Residential Group A – R(A)
5F	Site office	WA6,	Open Space - O
6. Barging Point at Hung Hom Finger Pier
6a	Hung Hom Finger Pier Two Temporary rock crushing facilities	WA14	Other Specified Uses - OU
7. Temporary Magazine Site at TKO Area 137
7a	TKO Area 137	WA12a, WA13	Other Specified Uses (Deep Waterfront Industry) -OU(DWI)

5.4.3 Potential Conflicts with Planning Framework

5.4.3.1 Temporary uses (expected to be 5 years or less) are always permitted under the OZPs, however the duration of occupation of the project may over-run this. As such the uses should strive to conform to the zoned use. MTR Corporation station entrances and MTR Corporation station structures below ground level are always permitted except where specified.

WS1 – Open Space - O

5.4.3.2 Gascoigne Road Rest Garden. - The Yau Ma Tei (KPA 2) Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K2/20 zones the area as “O” (Open Space). MTR Corporation Vent shafts and other above-ground structures other than entrances are permitted subject to approval under Column 2 of the Plan. The site is primarily for tunnel access during the works and no permanent change of use is envisaged, however the duration of occupation may be more than 5 years. The south part of the garden will not be able to be utilised by the public during the works but it is considered that such works are acceptable subject to planning approval.

WS4a, WS45, WS6a, WS7a1 – Other Specified Uses - OU (Sports and Recreation Club)

5.4.3.3 The Yau Ma Tei (KPA 2) Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K2/20 zones the area as “OU” (Other Specified Uses). Primarily intended to provide land for sports and recreational facilities, MTR Corporation Vent shafts and other above-ground structures other than entrances are not permitted under Column 2 of the Plan and are specifically intended for other “OU” sites. Some of the tennis courts at Club de Recreio will be replaced by the new Wylie Road Ancillary Building (WAB) and ventilation building at WS7a1 and this is in conflict with the stated planning policy / OZP. However as stated in section 5.4.1 it is deemed to be approved under S13A of the Town Planning Ordinance (TPO).

WS15a, – Residential (Group A) - R(A) / Open Space - O

5.4.3.4 Chatham Road North. - Works Site WS15a falls under The Ho Man Tin (KPA 6&7) Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K7/19. MTR Corporation Vent shafts and other above-ground structures other than entrances as well as Public Transport Terminus or Station are both permitted subject to approval under Column 2 of the plan. The HOM Station development will be located in this area. It is considered that the development is acceptable subject to planning approval.

WA2a – Green Belt - GB

5.4.3.5 Area opposite Ko Shan Road Custom and Excise Service Married Quarters. - Ho Man Tin Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K7/20 zones the area as “GB” (Green Belt). The primary intention is to protect the slopes from urban encroachment. The site will be used for a temporary site office with no permanent development. It is considered that such works are acceptable subject to planning approval.

WS15, WS26a, WS27 - Open Space - O

5.4.3.6 Fat Kwong Street Playground. - Hung Hom (KPA 9) Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K9/21 zones the area as “O” (Open Space). Both MTR Corporation Vent shafts and other above-ground structures other than entrances as well as Public Transport Terminus or Station are both permitted subject to approval under Column 2 of the Plan. However the site is primarily for tunnel access during the works and no permanent change of use is envisaged however the duration of occupation may be more than 5 years. The playground will not be able to be utilised by the public during the works but it is considered that such works are acceptable subject to planning approval.

WS19 – Open Space -O

5.4.3.7 Yan Fung Street Rest Garden. - Ho Man Tin Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K7/20 zones the area as “O” (Open Space). Both MTR Corporation Vent shafts and other above-ground structures other than entrances as well as Public Transport Terminus or Station are both permitted subject to approval under Column 2 of the Plan. The site is primarily used for TTM during the works as well as the construction area for the HOM Station. The garden will not be able to be utilised by the public during the works but it is considered that such works are acceptable subject to planning approval.

WA6 – Open Space O

5.4.3.8 Works Areas at Hung Luen Road Hung Lok Road and Wa Shun Street. - Hung Hom (KPA 9) Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K9/21 zones the areas as “O” (Open Space). Both MTR Corporation Vent shafts and other above-ground structures other than entrances as well as Public Transport Terminus or Station are both permitted subject to approval under Column 2 of the Plan. However the areas are primarily intended for temporary office areas and storage during the works and no permanent change of use is envisaged. It is considered that such works are acceptable subject to planning approval.

WA14 – Other Specified Uses - OU

5.4.3.9 MTR Corporation Freight Terminal – Both the Draft Tsim Sha Tsui Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K1/25 and the Hung Hom Outline Zoning Plan No. S/K9/21 zone the areas as “OU” (Other Specified Uses). The area is primarily zoned for railway terminus, bus terminus, multi-storey car park, indoor stadium, commercial facilities and the railway pier on the Draft Tsim Sha Tsui Outline Zoning Plan. The site will be used for a temporary barging point. It is considered that there is no conflict with planning policy.

WA12a, WA13 – Other Specified Uses (Deep Waterfront Industry) – OU(DWI)

5.4.3.10 Temporary Magazine Site - Falling within an area zoned “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Deep Waterfront Industry” (“OU(DWI)”) on the draft Tseung Kwan O Outline Zoning Plan No. S/TKO/18. Dangerous Goods Godown is a Column 2 use with the (OU(DWI) on the Plan. The area is primarily zoned for special industries which require marine access.

5.4.4 Project Conflicts with Development Planning Framework

5.4.4.1 It is considered that the Project would be in accordance with the planning goals and objectives for the study areas with the exception of Works Site WS7a1 as set out in the OZPs.

5.5 Landscape Resources Baseline

5.5.1 Physical Components

5.5.1.1 Landscape resources are the physical components of the landscape and include geology, topography, soils, vegetation and hydrological features. Each landscape resource possesses a varying sensitivity to development:

Geology

5.5.1.2 The study area is predominantly underlain by Kowloon Granite, a Cretaceous intrusive rock with an approximate age of 140 million years. This rock dominates the central belt of Kowloon and the Hong Kong Island north shore and is uniform in texture and composition. Kowloon development follows the original shoreline formed by the granite and the rail alignment to Whampoa similarly follows the original shoreline on Wuhu Street.

Soils

5.5.1.3 The hillsides in the area are particularly starved of soil cover of any nature on the predominantly granite based steep slopes and the resultant lack of organic matter to retain water hinders the development of large sized vegetation. Soils that can form locally are typically Red Yellow Podzols formed from the granitic substrate. These soils have acidity and thin organic layers and are prone to drying quickly. Sheet and gulley erosion further depletes the soil profile.

Topographic Features

5.5.1.4 The topography of the study area rises gently from the low lying area of reclamation at the south east end of Whampoa (10mpd) to about 18mpd at Chatham Road North. A small local peak then develops rising to about 60mpd which has been terraced for successive development, with the site formation for HOM Station at approximately 40mpd. The top of the peak is formed at Ho Man Tin East Reservoir (67mpd). The area is characterised by steep cut engineered slopes with shotcrete facing and by a succession of terraces occupied both by buildings and vacant land.

Vegetation

5.5.1.5 Within the dense urban environment any vegetation is a precious resource. The HOM Station project area covers two contrasting vegetation character types north and south of the East Kowloon Corridor (Chatham Road North). The first area covers the steep formation layers of the former Housing Authority Valley Road Estate and will form the proposed HOM Station Development Area. Trees are typically located on shotcrete slopes and have self seeded in gap sites between temporary parking areas and are not easily accessible to the public. The main area of tree planting on the slopes above Chatham Road North consists predominantly of a plantation of Casuarina and Acacia, this gives way to a more varied mix of both native and exotic mature trees on the slopes overlooking Queen Margaret Road Interchange. These serve an important purpose in vertical greening of the slopes in this highly visible area. The second area consists of the urban city grid to the south of the Corridor around Wuhu Street and the Fat Kwong Street Playground. This older neighbourhood has little street tree planting and trees can only be found in the park and planted park areas of Fat Kwong Street Playground and Fat Kwong Street Garden.

5.5.1.6 Surrounding the WHA project area the city grid is centred on the streets surrounding Whampoa Garden and this exhibits typical pocket planting areas and sporadic pavement tree planting. Hutchison Park to the north of Dyer Avenue collects an eclectic mix of native and exotic tree species. Generally trees in the area can be categorised into 3 types :-

· Urban roadside tree planting species including, Aleurities, Bauhinia, Delonix, Cocos, Livistonia, Michelia, Peltophorum, Spathodea, Roystonia;

· Park and planters with varied exotics including, Callistemon, Erythrina, Podocarpos, Ravenala; and

· Structure planting species including, Acacia confusa, Acacia auriculiformis, and Melaleuca leucadendron.

5.5.1.7 There are no “Old and Valuable Trees” (OVTs) within the project Study Area. Fifteen large trees with trunk diameters of more than 1.0m are found, meeting one of the criteria for an Old and Valuable Tree as set out in ETWB TCW no. 29/2004 and in “Registration of Old and Valuable Trees and Guidelines for their Preservation”, Ref: ETWB(W) 517/83/04. Further details of their species, size and location are set out in the following section.

Hydrological Features

5.5.1.8 Seasonal runoff from slopes and roads in the area is quickly collected via storm water discharge systems and feeds into the main sewer systems passing out to sea through the reclamation areas. No natural inland water resources were identified. Victoria Harbour is a sensitive landscape resource and is assessed as being able to accommodate only small changes.

5.5.2 Assessment of Sensitivity of Landscape Resources

5.5.2.1 The factors affecting the sensitivity for evaluation of landscape impact include the following:

· Quality of the landscape resource;

· Importance and rarity of the landscape element;

· Maturity of the resource;

· Ability of the resource to accommodate change;

· Context of the resource in terms of local, regional, national or global Significance; and

· Whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations protecting the resource.

5.5.2.2 The ratings are classified as below:

High:	Important LDR of particularly distinctive characteristics or high importance, and is sensitive to relatively small changes
Medium:	LDR of moderate landscape characteristics and value, and is reasonably tolerant to change
Low:	LDR with low landscape characteristics and value, and is largely tolerant to change

5.5.3 Identified Landscape Resources

5.5.3.1 Landscape resources (LDRs) identified within the project area have been grouped into 9 differing groups as follows:-

· LDR-1 - Public Amenity Area;

· LDR-2 - Open Recreation Space;

· LDR-3 - Stabilised Slopes with Tree Planting;

· LDR-4 - Roadside Amenity Planting;

· LDR-5 - Private Development Landscape Buffer;

· LDR-6 - Stabilised Slopes Without Greening;

· LDR-7 - Undeveloped Site Formation;

· LDR-8 - Man Made Shoreline;

· LDR-9 – Water Bodies; and

· LDR-10 - Country Park.

5.5.3.2 The identified landscape resources in each group are discussed in more detail below and their sensitivity assessed in accordance with the criteria in Section 5.5.2 above. In accordance with the Study Brief, resources have been assessed within a 100m distance limit from the works area boundaries. Photos of the Key Landscape Resources are shown on Figure 5.6.

LDR-1: Maintained Public Access Amenity Area

LDR-1.1: Gascoigne Road Rest Garden (Works Site WS1)

5.5.3.3 This small public garden contains paths and benches and is ringed by a belt of trees of medium to large size and fair to good health and condition which form an important green space within this dense urban area. The park provides a good topsoil resource for the planting with depths of 300mm minimum anticipated in the shrub areas and deeper for the tree planting areas. Forty five trees were surveyed within the site boundary including seven large size Ailanthus fordii which are listed under Cap 96 of the Forest and Countryside Ordinance. Generally many of the trees can be said to have high amenity value in this location. The centre of the garden is relatively clear however consisting of smaller trees and shrubs and because of this the sensitivity is rated as Medium.

LDR-1.2: Yan Fung Street Rest Garden

5.5.3.4 A small raised sitting out space of 2,000m² consisting of approximately 30 well formed mature trees. The trees themselves are not particularly special or of rare species however the compact and collective maturity of the group in this urban setting means that the area is a particularly valuable landscape resource and demonstrates a High sensitivity.

LDR-1.3: Fat Kwong Street Garden

5.5.3.5 This Public Open Space of over 7,000m² is fully covered with an informally laid out series of planters containing a mix of native and exotic trees and shrubs between typical hard surfaced areas with seating. The park is in good condition with healthy vegetation and is well established. The park provides a good topsoil resource for the planting with depths of 300mm minimum anticipated in the shrub areas and deeper for the tree planting areas. The layout of tree planting is proscriptive of change of use and the park forms an important local green space of reasonable size with close proximity to local residents. Sensitivity is considered High.

LDR-1.4: Ping Chi Street Sitting Out Area

5.5.3.6 Loosely connected to the Fat Kwong Street Playground this small sitting out area of 1,500m² utilises the space between local distributor roads and contains a hard surfaced central area. Sensitivity is considered to be Medium.

LDR-1.5: Lee Kung Street Garden

5.5.3.7 A small sitting out area of almost 2,000m² adjacent to the Hung Hong Fire Station. It contains a number of medium sized trees of common species. Sensitivity is considered to be Medium.

LDR-1.6: Ko Shan Road Park

5.5.3.8 Hillside Local Open Space of 32,000m² primarily serving the To Kwa Wan area around Chatham Road North. The park includes sports pitches, children’s playground and the Ko Shan Theatre. Sensitivity is considered to be High.

LDR-1.7: Hutchison Park

5.5.3.9 This Public Open Space includes a wide and eclectic collection of varieties of local and exotic trees, varying in size and condition and well established. The park is the largest green space in the District and forms a valuable local resource. Sensitivity is considered High.

LDR-1.8: The Whampoa Garden

5.5.3.10 The centrepiece of Whampoa Estate this pocket landmark public space of about 4,000m² contains the ship ‘Whampoa’ within an artificial pond and surrounded by small planting beds and containing varied exotic plants and cocoa palms. A single 2m high specimen of the Sphaeropteris lepifera tree fern is protected under both Cap 96 of the Forest and Countryside Ordinance as well as Cap 586 of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance. Despite the presence of this specimen the overall sensitivity of the garden is considered Medium.

LDR-1.9: Whampoa Estate Podium Amenity Areas

5.5.3.11 A number of typical podium style landscape developments between residential blocks over commercial and parking areas in the Whampoa Estate. Trees are restricted to occasional raised planters and valuable resources are at a premium. Sensitivity is deemed Low.

LDR-2 – Open Recreation Space

LDR-2.1: Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road

5.5.3.12 A congregation of sports and members clubs in the area including Club de Recreio, The India Club, The Little Flower Club, YMCA King’s Park Centenary Centre, King’s Park Hockey Ground, Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club, Philipino Club and United Services Recreation Club. The area is dominated by open areas of tennis courts, lawn bowling greens and hockey fields, both grass and synthetic. Within maintained grounds surrounded by landscape buffer planting (LDR-5.1). Sensitivity is considered Low.

LDR-2.2: Wuhu Street Temporary Playground

5.5.3.13 A temporary hardstanding of 1,200m² used as a basketball court and providing access for pedestrians to the Chatham Road North footbridge. Sensitivity is considered Low.

LDR-2.3: Fat Kwong Street Playground

5.5.3.14 An area of approximately 5,000m² hardball court surrounded by high ball fencing and access from Fat Kwong Street. Surrounding the playground the slopes are densely planted with trees (LDR-3.6). The sensitivity for the area inside the fencing is considered to be Low.

LDR-2.4: King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir Playground

5.5.3.15 Artificial surfaced soccer and basketball pitches of about 15,000m² on top of the service reservoir. Sensitivity is rated as Low.

LDR-2.5: Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre

5.5.3.16 Large complex including soccer pitch, basketball, tennis courts and outdoor swimming pools, much of it on car park roof with some buffer tree planting surrounding buildings. Landscape sensitivity is considered Low.

LDR-2.6: Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground

5.5.3.17 40,000m² of grass sports pitch on top of the service reservoir, forming the highest point on the Kowloon Peninsula and commanding fine views across southern Kowloon. Sensitivity is considered Low.

LDR-2.7: Whampoa Garden Podium Recreation Areas

5.5.3.18 A number of sports and games facilities located on typical podium developments between residential blocks over commercial and parking areas in the Whampoa Garden. Trees are restricted to occasional raised planters and valuable resources are at a premium. Sensitivity is deemed Low.

LDR-2.8: Primary School Play Areas on Tak On Street

5.5.3.19 Four primary schools grouped together contain open play areas for children around their buildings. All areas are hard surfaced. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-2.9: Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool

5.5.3.20 An important local resource consisting of a series of open air swimming pools within a boundary wall and fully paved surfaces. Sensitivity is considered Low.

LDR-3: Stabilised Slopes with Tree Planting

LDR-3.1: Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College

5.5.3.21 The large wall above Gascoigne Road retaining the level change is topped with a number of reasonably mature trees within a slope. Fourteen trees were found within the site boundary including large specimens of Acacia confusa, Celtis sinensis and Ficus microcarpa with trunk diameters up to 0.80m, height to 20.0m and crown spread to 15.0m. The slopes themselves are poorly planted at the base and frequently in shade from either the buildings to the east or elevated highway to the west. Sensitivity is considered as High.

LDR-3.2: Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North

5.5.3.22 The steep slopes have been formed with the construction of Chatham Road North, covering an area of approximately 25,000m². There are 2 areas of planting, the first to the east side is predominantly planted with a thick cover of almost 800 well developed plantation trees including Casuarina, Eucalyptus and Acacia confusa, planted as seedlings at slope construction and now matured. Other invasive species have penetrated including Macaranga, Ficus and Leucaena. To the west side the trees number about 300 and are more varied in species type including:- Albizia, Aleurities, Bauhinia, Bombax, Broussonetia, Celtis, Erythrina, Ficus, Litsea, Melia, Peltophorum and various fruit tree species. One particularly large tree is found, Ficus microcarpa (T919) with trunk diameter of 1.11m. The extensive area provides a potential topsoil resource, whilst some slopes are stabilised with chunam others have been cultivated and developed an organic profile in the upper layers. The slopes serve as an important green lung and backdrop next to the highway. Sensitivity is High.

LDR-3.3: Slopes surrounding King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir

5.5.3.23 Well covered with trees, the slopes form the highest point in the vicinity and are visually prominent from many directions. A mixture of plantation and invasive species the trees individually have limited value however on mass form an important landscape resource, linking other local green habitats and providing visual relief from the surrounding urban development of the city. Sensitivity is High.

LDR-3.4: Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir

5.5.3.24 This area is similar in nature to LDR 3.3, the south facing slopes contain large belts of vegetation and trees in shotcrete slopes. The lower slopes are visually contained behind the government buildings on Chatham Road North whilst belts of trees adjacent to the reservoir are patchily distributed. Sensitivity is rated Medium.

LDR-3.5: Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground

5.5.3.25 More than 100 medium sizes trees of reasonable condition can be found surrounding the playground, exhibiting 15 species types with a mixture of native and exotic common Hong Kong species, Albizia lebbeck being the dominant species. Natural soil slopes are found and public access is restricted by fence. Twelve especially large trees are found, Albizia lebbeck (T1125 and T1126) with 1.30m and 1.05 trunk diameter respectively; Leucaena leucocephala (T1136) with 1.15m trunk diameter; Delonix regia (T1150) with 1.00 trunk diameter; Acacia confusa (T1164, T1165 and T1179) with trunk diameter 1.35, 1.80 and 1.22 respectively; Celtis sinensis (T1176 and T1191) with trunk diameters of 1.02m and 1.00 respectively; Melaleuca leucadendron (T1181) with trunk diameter of 1.03m; Melia azedarach (T1190) with trunk diameter of 1.15m; and Ficus variegata var. chlorocarpa (T1197)with trunk diameter of 1.00m. They are all proposed to be retained Sensitivity is considered as High.

LDR-4 – Roadside Amenity Planting

LDR-4.1: Street Planting at Gascoigne Road

5.5.3.26 A row of small Camphor trees are planted in the pavement next to Eaton Hotel. Sensitivity is Medium.

LDR-4.2: Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road

5.5.3.27 Hung Hom Road contains street tree planting of varied age and size. A group of large tree stands is found on the junction of Man Siu Street / Hung Hom Road and these have grown to form an important local landmark having been in position since the development of Whampoa Estate. Individually they are of unremarkable quality however they are the largest trees in the vicinity which is otherwise short of local greening and thereby contribute valuable scale and visual amenity, especially in their prominent junction location. Five trees in particular are well matured for an urban street situation, consisting of four Peltophorum pterocarpum (T001, T003, T004,T039) and one Aleurities moluccana (T002) with heights between 10m and 12m and trunk diameters ranging from 0.26m to 0.46m.. Their prominence and community value creates a strong physical restriction to potential development in the area. Roadside planters provide a good topsoil resource for the planting with depths of 300mm minimum anticipated in the shrub areas and deeper for the tree planting areas. Small Chinese Fan Palms (Livistonia chinensis) are located in the centreline planters. The sensitivity is Medium.

LDR-4.3: Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets

5.5.3.28 Three medium sized Ailanthus fordii are located on the west side of Tak Man Street near the junction of Hung Hom Road plus one small stand recently planted. Two stands are found further up Tak Man Street and a further small stand has been planted on the pavement of Man Tai Street. These trees are protected under Cap 96 of the Forest and Countryside Ordinance. The lines of tall coconut trees, Cocos nucifera, on Tak On Street have developed successfully in the local environment and form a strong landmark. Sensitivity is Medium

LDR-4.4: Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Luen Road

5.5.3.29 Young roadside and central divider tree planting within the newly developed reclamation areas. Sensitivity is Medium.

LDR-4.5: Roadside planting in the Princess Margaret Road Interchange

5.5.3.30 Banks of mixed species tree planting of medium size and condition within the highway reservations. Access to public spaces within the areas is catered to. Sensitivity is considered as Medium.

LDR-5 – Private Development Landscape Buffer

LDR-5.1: Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads

5.5.3.31 Mature roadside trees are found in the grounds of the private clubs along Wylie and Gascoigne Roads. They have had many years to put down wide roots and the surrounding area has not been heavily developed allowing them to reach important size in contributing to city greening. Two very large Ficus microcarpa trees of 10m and 12m height (T158 / T165) are found. Trunk diameters are 1.59m and 2.23m. Sensitivity is High.

LDR-5.2: Edge landscape at Harbourfront Landmark

5.5.3.32 Predominantly shrub planting within edge planters to the development and the promenade walkway. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-5.3: Landscape Gardens at Harbourfront Horizon

5.5.3.33 As for LDR-5.2 this consists predominantly of shrub planting in raised planters fronting the development. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-6 – Stabilised Slopes without Greening

LDR-6.1: Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street

5.5.3.34 Steep shotcrete slopes bordering Yan Fung Street and forming part of the formation platform for the former Valley Road Estate. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-6.2: Slopes surrounding Chung Hau Street

5.5.3.35 Steep shotcrete slopes bordering Chung Hau Street and forming part of the formation platform for the King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-6.3: Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin West Service Reservoir

5.5.3.36 Steep shotcrete slopes forming the formation platform for the Reservoir. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-6.4: Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir

5.5.3.37 Steep shotcrete slopes principally bordering Fat Kwong Street and forming part of the formation platform for the Service Reservoir. The slopes are visually extremely prominent and with occasional tree cover and are rather unsightly forming a poor quality landscape resource with sensitivity is Low.

LDR-7 – Undeveloped Site Formation

LDR-7.1: Site formation levels for use by HOM Station

5.5.3.38 Eroded shotcrete slopes form terraces for the formation platforms of the former Valley Road Estate. A large band of trees at the north of the development site formed on the embankment of the formation layers between 36.8mpd and 44.5mpd make a strong contribution to local greening in an area significantly short of local trees. A considerable number of these trees are self seeded and have grown large together with the remnants of tree planting from the Housing Authority Valley Estate. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-7.2: Planned Dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

5.5.3.39 This area is leased for short term works area the site is terraced and surrounded with steep shotcrete slopes with isolated invasive trees. The site is allocated to PolyU for development as a student dormitory. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-7.3: Residual Valley Road Estate site formations

5.5.3.40 Shotcrete slopes form terraces for the formation platforms of the former Valley Road Estate. Very few invasive trees are found and the site is visually very open. The terraces are used for temporary parking. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-7.4: Formation levels at King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir

5.5.3.41 Unutilized section of roof of the Service Reservoir. Some local gardening is undertaken and invasive trees have spread from the surrounding slopes onto the deck, particularly on the north and east sides. Panoramic views can be obtained from the platform. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-7.5: Open Space sites at Hung Hom Bay (Works Areas)

5.5.3.42 Irregular shaped developed pockets residual from the recently formed local distributor road network principally of Hung Hom Road and Hung Luen Road. The sites are currently used as temporary works areas for other infrastructure projects. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-7.6: Reclaimed land at TKO (Works Areas)

5.5.3.43 A large, flat, coastal reclamation area newly created at TKO Area 137 approximately +6mpd with little cover vegetation. 3 tree species were identified within site boundary, the most abundant being Leucaena leucocephala (16 nos.), which is a weed tree species. One native species, Sterculia lanceolata (1 no.) was found within the site boundary. One exotic species, Acacia confusa (2 nos.), was also identified. The trunk diameter of the surveyed trees ranges from 0.10m to 0.14m with height ranging from 6.5m to 9.5m and crown spread from 2m to 4m. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-8 – Man Made Shoreline

LDR-8.1: Hung Hom Finger Pier

5.5.3.44 Waterfront hardstanding with berthing and handling for barges and containers. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-8.2: Future Promenade at Hung Hom Reclamation Areas

5.5.3.45 Long strip of man-made water frontage on Victoria Harbour forming an important link to adjacent public waterfront promenades. Yet to be developed for public use the sensitivity is currently Low.

LDR-8.3: Promenade at Whampoa Harbourfront

5.5.3.46 Long strip of man-made water frontage on Kowloon Bay. Predominantly paved hard surface promenade with a railing to the sea it includes seating areas incidental small planters. Sensitivity is Low.

LDR-9 – Water Bodies

LDR-9.1: Victoria Harbour

5.5.3.47 With its deep waters and spectacular surrounding views the Harbour is Hong Kong’s most precious resource. The Harbour waters are now subject to close scrutiny in terms of protecting their resources from pollution and reclamation. Sensitivity is High.

LDR-9.2: Joss House Bay

5.5.3.48 A relatively untouched coastal water next to the Clearwater Bay Country Park, with natural rocky shoreline and deep waters, the bay was until recently only accessible by boat and thus remains undeveloped and relatively free of local contaminants. The new reclamation at TKO 137 now abuts the bay. Sensitivity is High.

LDR-10 – Country Park

LDR-10.1: South Peninsula of Clearwater Bay Country Park

5.5.3.49 With southern promontory of the country park is formed by a long high ridgeline with steep vegetated slopes giving way to a rocky shoreline where it meets the sea. The area is relatively inaccessible and untouched but does receive occasional hikers to the top of the ridge. Sensitivity is High.

5.5.4 Summary Schedule of Landscape Resources

5.5.4.1 The Landscape Resources identified within the area of the alignment, as described above, and their sensitivity to change are summarised in Table 5.2 below. Unsurprisingly for a central city location there is a dearth of such resources and specific groups are shown on Figure 5.2. Photos of the Key Landscape Resources can be seen on Figure 5.7.

Table 5.2: Assessment of Sensitivity of Landscape Resources

Ref	Landscape Resource	Quality and Maturity (high / medium / low)	Rarity (high /medium / low)	Local / District / Regional Importance	Statutory Limitations / Requirements	Ability to Accommodate Change (high / medium / low)	Sensitivity (high / medium / low)
LDR-1 –Public Amenity Area
LDR-1.1	Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	high	medium	local	Protected tree species	medium	Medium
LDR-1.2	Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	high	low	local	no	low	High
LDR-1.3	Fat Kwong Street Garden	high	low	local	no	low	High
LDR-1.4	Ping Chi Street Sitting Out Area	medium	low	local	no	medium	Medium
LDR-1.5	Lee Kung Street Garden	medium	low	local	no	medium	Medium
LDR-1.6	Ko Shan Road Park	high	low	local	no	low	High
LDR-1.7	Hutchison Park	high	medium	local	Protected tree species	low	High
LDR-1.8	The Whampoa Garden	medium	medium	local	Protected tree	medium	Medium
LDR-1.9	Whampoa Garden Amenity Areas	medium	low	local	no	high	Low
LDR-2 – Open Recreation Space
LDR-2.1	Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road	medium	low	local	no	high	Low
LDR-2.2	Wuhu Street Temporary Playground	low					Low
LDR-2.3	Fat Kwong Street Playground	medium					Low
LDR-2.4	King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir Playground	medium					Low
LDR-2.5	Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre	high					Low
LDR-2.6	Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground	medium					Low
LDR-2.7	Whampoa Garden Podium Recreation Areas	medium					Low
LDR-2.8	Primary School Play Areas on Tak On Street	low					Low
LDR-2.9	Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool	medium					Low
LDR-3 – Stabilised Slopes with Tree Planting
LDR-3.1	Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College	high	low	local	no	low	High
LDR-3.2	Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North	high			Contains tree with diameter over 1m	low	High
LDR-3.3	Slopes surrounding King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir	high			no	low	High
LDR-3.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir	medium			Green Belt	low	Medium
LDR-3.5	Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground	high			Contains 12 trees with diameter over 1m	low	High
LDR-4 – Roadside Amenity Planting
LDR-4.1	Street Planting at Gascoigne Road	medium	low	local	no	medium	Medium
LDR-4.2	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road	medium	low		no	medium	Medium
LDR-4.3	Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets	medium	medium		Protected tree species	medium	Medium
LDR-4.4	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Luen Road	medium	low		no	medium	Medium
LDR-4.5	Roadside planting in the Princess Margaret Road Interchange	medium	low		no	medium	Medium
LDR-5 – Private Development Landscape Buffer
LDR-5.1	Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads	high	low	local	Contains 2 trees with diameter over 1m	low	High
LDR-5.2	Edge landscape at Harbour Front Landmark	medium			no	high	Low
LDR-5.3	Landscape Gardens at Harbour Front Horizon	medium			no	high	Low
LDR-6 – Stabilised Slopes Without Greening
LDR-6.1	Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street	low	low	local	no	high	Low
LDR-6.2	Slopes surrounding Chung Hau Street						Low
LDR-6.3	Slopes surrounding Ho Man West Service Reservoir						Low
LDR-6.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir						Low
LDR-7 – Undeveloped Site formation
LDR-7.1	Site formation levels for use by HOM Station	low	low	local	no	high	Low
LDR-7.2	Future Poly U site formation area						Low
LDR-7.3	Residual Valley Road Estate site formations						Low
LDR-7.4	Formation levels at King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir						Low
LDR-7.5	Open Space sites at Hung Hom Bay (Works Areas)						Low
LDR-7.6	Reclaimed land at TKO						Low
LDR-8 – Man Made Shoreline
LDR-8.1	Hung Hom Finger Pier	low	low	local	no	high	Low
LDR-8.2	Future Promenade at Hung Hom Reclamation Areas						Low
LDR-8.3	Promenade at Whampoa Harbourfront						Low
LDR-9 – Harbour Waters
LDR-9.1	Victoria Harbour	high	high	regional	Protection of the Harbour Ordinance	low	High
LDR-9.2	Joss House Bay (Tai Miu Wan)	high	high	regional	no	low	High
LDR-10 – Country Park
LDR-10.1	South Peninsula of Clearwater Bay Country Park	high	high	regional	Country Park Ordinance		High

5.6 Landscape Character Baseline

5.6.1 Background

5.6.1.1 In general a landscape is composed of and given its character by a number of natural and man made features. These differing Landscape Character Types (LCTs) can all be described as exhibiting a particular and consistent character or combination of physical features such as land use, terrain, resources or development pattern and as a result exhibit a varied degree of sensitivity to change as brought about by the alignment options. The LCTs have been standardised and mapped for the whole of Hong Kong by Planning Department.

5.6.2 Overview

5.6.2.1 The area of Kowloon under study is particularly inconsistent in its character type and despite the small land area the proposed works sites and works areas impact 11 different LCTs in 14 different Landscape Character Areas (LCA). the majority of Character Areas exhibit Urban or Urban Fringe type Landscape Characteristics. Figure 5.3 indicates the LCAs surrounding the study area. Photos of the Landscape Character Areas are shown on Figure 5.7

5.6.3 Landscape Character Areas (Character Type)

LCA-1 : Area Surrounding Gascoigne Road (Institutional)

5.6.3.1 This area is an Institutional type landscape and includes both low-lying / flat and hillside sites. It is characterised predominantly by its institutional land uses and features and includes hospitals, colleges and universities, barracks and youth facilities. Though covering a variety of different types of institution, the combination of features and components and their distribution in this landscape tends to be very similar. It comprises extensive complexes of buildings (usually low or medium rise) separated by open areas used for circulation or parking, with a high coverage of semi-formal landscape and vegetation. The whole landscape is typically surrounded by a perimeter fence. This results in a landscape which is extensive, reasonably open and semi-formal. The type of landscape can be found north and south of Gascoigne Road and includes Hong Kong Polytechnic University, United Services Recreation Club, Kowloon Cricket Club, Gun Club Hill Barracks, Club de Recreio, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and numerous small private clubs and educational establishments.

LCA-2 : Reclamation Areas at Hung Hom Waterfront (Reclamation/Ongoing Major Development)

5.6.3.2 This area is a transitional landscape which is currently awaiting or undergoing large scale construction or re-development. This type of landscape is found on the coastal land reclaimed for development surrounding Hung Hom Star Ferry. It consists of both land undergoing development and vacated sites which are awaiting re-development. It is characterised by a flat, low-lying topography, lack of significant vegetation or significant built structures and includes temporary uses such as car and bus parking areas and construction works areas. As a result of its indeterminate status the landscape has an incoherent, desolate and transient character.

LCA-3: King’s Park (Residential Urban Fringe)

5.6.3.3 This area is found to the north of Queen Elizabeth Hospital including Wylie Road, King’s Park Rise and the Wah Yan College and lying at the edge of the dense urban area of Mong Kok. This area is on peripheral hillsides and characterised by lower-density residential landscapes in vegetated or wooded settings. This is a ‘prestigious’ area comprising localised clusters of apartments based around narrow winding roads with a backdrop of mature hillside vegetation. Buildings relate predominantly to their adjoining road. The result is a fairly coherent residential landscape with a high coverage of vegetation, which possesses a relatively informal and tranquil character.

LCA-4: West of Ma Tau Wai Road - Ho Man Tin (Residential Urban Fringe)

5.6.3.4 At the periphery of the dense development of To Kwa Wan the hillside west of Ma Tau Wai Road contains a number of clusters of apartments with a vegetated backdrop of the steep Ma Tau Wai hillside. This area follows the characteristics of the King’s Park area with developments follow the hillside road and includes educational institutions and a number of open spaces including Ko Shan Road Park and Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir. The character of the area is of low density vegetated hillside consistent with Residential Urban Fringe

LCA-5: Hung Hom - Cross Harbour Links (Transportation Corridor)

5.6.3.5 The area surrounding the Hung Hom Rail Terminal and Cross Harbour Tunnel demonstrates the character of Transportation Corridor Landscape, where two major highways interchange and the railway is constructed parallel to major distributor roads and in close proximity. This is a linear landscape, whose major features are the highway and railway that defines it, but which also includes flyovers, signage gantries, a clover-leaf interchange, traffic islands, footbridges and a toll plaza as well as associated miscellaneous roadside land uses. Between the roads and railway are landscaped embankments and islands, generally with a semi-mature amenity vegetation of trees and shrubs. The outcome is a particularly linear landscape of rather diverse features. The variety of features of different types, scale, materials and colour, results in a landscape which as well as being diverse, tend also to be slightly incoherent.

LCA-6: Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate (Miscellaneous Urban Fringe)

5.6.3.6 The former Valley Road Estate dominates the landscape character of this area despite the removal of the development itself. This is a residual landscape, characteristic of a landscape in transition out of Residential Urban Fringe. The hillside in this area is less easily developed and is characterised by the roads, highways structures, temporary land uses, slope works with mostly stabilised or vegetated hillsides, scattered development including GIC development of the service reservoirs and kerosene store. The area has low density, a diverse range of features, notable vegetation cover and incoherent structure with features having little formal relationship to each other.

LCA-7: Yau Ma Tei and Jordan (City Grid Mixed Urban)

5.6.3.7 An older reclamation of Kowloon, this area is typical of Hong Kong’s most common and extensive urban landscapes. Developed on a largely orthogonal or regular city grid, it consists of what are mainly retail land uses at street level with high/medium-rise commercial or residential development above. At Nathan road the Street is quite wide however surrounding streets are compact and busy with traffic and the large numbers of people using these areas means that street life is vibrant. Building stock is of mixed age and character, and vegetation is generally limited to occasional street tree and shrub planting in public open spaces such as Gascoigne road rest Garden. It is a landscape which is colourful and diverse in terms of its street life and land use, but which possesses only limited variety in terms of its urban spaces.

LCA-8: Hung Hom around Wuhu Street (City Grid Mixed Urban)

5.6.3.8 On the south side of Chatham Road North the area is similar in pattern to that of Yau Ma Tei, having been formed on the early Whampoa reclamation developed on a tight and regular city grid. A large area of the ground floor shops north of Gillies Avenue are given over to funeral parlours, whilst medium-rise commercial and residential development exists above. Other than Gillies Avenue, streets are narrow and rather dark and sleepy, particularly in the area of the funeral parlours. Building stock is generally aging and new high rise infill redevelopment is becoming common. Sitting out areas, playgrounds and rest gardens are scattered through the area but little street tree planting exists. The landscape is rather sedate, small in scale and frequently of light and shadow.

LCA-9 : Whampoa and Hung Hom Reclamations (Late 20c / Early 21c Commercial /Residential Complex)

5.6.3.9 This type of landscape can be found in the new development clusters east of Hung Hom Station and as far as Whampoa Garden. They lie on various reclaimed areas and the recent developments around Hung Lok Road form some of Hong Kong’s most recent urban landscapes. These areas consist of extensive comprehensive developments with large podiums such as Harbour Place, containing retail uses, parking or a PTI, with commercial or residential towers above. They are also characterised by their new building stock using modern building materials such as glass and steel. Streets in these landscapes are wide with significant roadside landscape provision and tree planting as is found on Hung Lok Road. Footbridges connect developments at first floor or podium level avoiding the need to reach street level. The earlier developments at Whampoa Garden retain emphasis on generating street level life and communication but more recent developments form an intensely exclusive urban landscape of enclosed island developments ringed by roads and shunned by pedestrians. The character is defined to a significant extent by its built form rather than by the spaces between.

LCA-10 : Ho Man Tin Estate (Residential Urban Landscape)

5.6.3.10 This is an urban landscape given over predominantly to residential land use. Developed comprehensively on terraced land the area is characterized by medium and high-rise residential estates, set amongst open space, together with associated highways, footbridges, schools, community facilities and retail facilities. Vegetation includes roadside trees and shrub planting and planting in open spaces around residential estates. The result is a fairly homogenous, ordered landscape comprising largely built elements softened to a certain extent by the effects of surrounding planting and greenery.

LCA-11: Victoria Harbour (Strait)

5.6.3.11 Victoria Harbour is an area of inshore coastal water defined by the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island on each side. The character is formed predominantly by the surrounding land and built form but also includes the passing vessels and marine activities of all kinds, including anchorages, shipping lanes, ferry traffic and waterborne recreational activity. This has produced an intense, marine landscape with a distinct sense of enclosure, characterised by the form and nature of the coastal edges and the colours and activities of the marine traffic.

LCA-12: Reclamation at TKO (Reclamation/Ongoing Major Development)

This area is predominantly a newly formed, uniform, sand plain, reclaimed from the sea and yet to undergo development. It is characterised by the lack of surface cover and the temporary nature of the activities being undertaken there. Much resembling a construction site, it lacks shade elements or focus points and being exposed fill material demonstrates a lack of vegetation other than occasional pioneer trees. Most distinctive is the contrast in scale and form from the surrounding natural vegetated hillside landscape. Due to its desolate nature the landscape lacks reference objects by which to determine scale, as a result it has a character of ongoing desolation.

LCA-13: Clearwater Bay Country Park (Coastal Upland and Hillside)

This is a large-scale upland and hillside landscape lying between around 40 and 300mPD which abuts the sea. It includes the small, rocky, island of Tit Cham Chau at its far end. Consisting of hillsides, knolls, ridges and spurs, it is covered in low scrub and grassland with rocky outcrops and boulder fields. Woodland can be found on the lower slopes and in sheltered gullies and ravines, where permanent or seasonal rocky streams tumble down the hillsides. Due to its coastal location, this landscape contains few human features (other than footpaths or power lines) and possesses a distinctly remote and exposed character. It offers striking views along the surrounding coast and sea where, at the base of the hills, hillsides become rockier and give way to rocky coasts.

LCA-14: Joss House Bay (Inshore Water)

5.6.3.12 This is an area of coastal water lying close to the shore and enclosed to a certain degree by Tung Lung Chau and Hong Kong Island, which creates a limited sense of enclosure or containment. Whilst this landscape is characterized predominantly by the horizontality and muted hues of its coastal waters, it also includes small, isolated islands, outlying rocks and marine activities including commercial shipping lanes, ferry traffic and waterborne recreational activity. The result is a largely open, tranquil and natural landscape which is punctuated by the colours and movement of human features and activities.

5.6.4 Assessment of Sensitivity for Landscape Character Areas

5.6.4.1 Factors affecting the sensitivity for evaluation of landscape impact include:

· Quality of the landscape character;

· Importance and rarity of special landscape elements;

· Maturity of the landscape;

· Ability of the landscape to accommodate change;

· Context of the area in terms of local, regional, national or global Significance; and

· Whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations protecting the area.

5.6.4.2 Ratings are classified as below:

High:	Important LCA of particularly distinctive characteristics or high importance, and is sensitive to relatively small changes
Medium:	LCA of moderate landscape characteristics and value, and is reasonably tolerant to change
Low:	LCA with low landscape characteristics and value, and is largely tolerant to change

5.6.5 Schedule of Landscape Character Areas

5.6.5.1 The LCAs within the project area are listed below and the specific groups are shown on Figure 5.3 with the sensitivity to change summarised in Table 5.3 below. Photos of the Character Areas can be seen on Figure 5.7. In accordance with the Study Brief, resources have been assessed within a 100m distance limit from the works area boundaries.

Table 5.3: Assessment of Sensitivity of Landscape Character Areas

Ref	Landscape Character Type	Location	Quality and Maturity (high / medium / low)	Rarity (high / medium / low)	Local / District / Regional Importance	Statutory Limitations / Requirements	Ability to Accommodate Change (high / medium / low)	Sensitivity (high / medium / Low)
LCA-01	Institutional	Area surrounding Gascoigne Road	medium	low	local	no	medium	Medium
LCA-02	Reclamation / Ongoing Major Development	Reclamation Areas at Hung Hom Waterfront	low				high	Low
LCA-03	Residential Urban Fringe	King’s Park	medium				medium	Medium
LCA-04	Residential Urban Fringe	West of Ma Tau Wai Road - Ho Man Tin	low				high	Low
LCA-05	Transportation Corridor	Hung Hom - Cross Harbour Links	low				high	Low
LCA-06	Miscellaneous Urban Fringe	Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate	low				high	Low
LCA-07	City Grid Mixed Urban	Yau Ma Tei and Jordan	medium				high	Low
LCA-08	City Grid Mixed Urban	Hung Hom around Wuhu Street	medium				high	Low
LCA-09	Late 20c / Early 21c Commercial / Residential Complex	Whampoa and Hung Hom Reclamations	medium				high	Low
LCA-10	Residential Urban	Ho Man Tin Estate	medium				high	Low
LCA-11	Strait	Victoria Harbour	high	high	regional		low	High
LCA-12	Reclamation / Ongoing Major Development	Reclamation at TKO	low	low	local		high	Low
LCA-13	Coastal Upland and Hillside	Clearwater Bay Country Park	high	medium	regional		low	High
LCA-14	Inshore Water	Joss House Bay	high	medium	regional		low	High

5.7 Visually Sensitive Receivers Baseline

5.7.1 Background

5.7.1.1 Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) are those people who will potentially view the construction of the project and/or its operation.

5.7.1.2 The Zone of Visual Influence (Visual Envelope) is that area from which any part of the proposed Project can be seen. VSRs are identified within the Visual Envelope at a distance not more than 3km from the Project. Beyond this, the effects of distance and the extensive visual context tend to render impacts insignificant.

5.7.1.3 Receivers are identified through the definition of the development’s visual envelope (i.e. the area within which views of the development are possible). For the purposes of this study, receivers have been grouped into the following categories:

Residential:	Those people who would view the scheme from their home
Occupational:	Those people who would view the scheme from their work/study place
Leisure:	Those people who would view the scheme whilst engaging in leisure, culture or recreation activities including shopping, walking, hiking, worship or sports
Transportation:	Those people who would view the scheme from vehicles

5.7.1.4 Those who view the scheme from their homes (Residential VSRs) are typically considered to be more highly sensitive to any visual intrusion. This is because the attractiveness, or otherwise, of the view will have a notable effect on a residents’ general quality of life and acceptability of their home environment.

5.7.1.5 Those people who view the scheme from their workplace (Occupational VSRs) are generally considered relatively less sensitive to visual intrusion. This is because they are normally employed in activities where visual outlook plays a less important role in the perception of the quality of the working environment. They are on the whole classified as a medium or low sensitivity group unless their environmental outlook forms a significant element of their work.

5.7.1.6 For those who view the scheme whilst engaging in outdoor leisure pursuits (Recreational VSRs), visual sensitivity varies considerably depending on the type of cultural activity. Those taking a stroll in a park, for example, would be classified as a high sensitivity group compared to football players who would have a low sensitivity rating.

5.7.1.7 For those people who view the scheme from public thoroughfares (Transportation VSRs), the degree of visual intrusion experienced depends on the speed of travel and whether views are continuous or only occasional. Generally, the slower the speed of travel and the more continuous the viewing experience, then the greater the degree of sensitivity.

5.7.2 Assessment of Sensitivity for VSRs

5.7.2.1 Factors affecting the sensitivity of visual receivers include:

· Value and quality of existing views;

· Availability and amenity of alternative views;

· Type and estimated number of receiver population;

· Duration and frequency of view; and

· Degree of visibility.

5.7.3 Description of VSRs

5.7.3.1 Potentially affected residential, leisure, occupational and transportation VSRs include those shown in Figure 5.4 and summarised in Table 5.4 below. Photos of the Key Visual Receivers can be seen on Figure 5.8.

Residential

R1: Residents of towers on the west of Nathan Road

5.7.3.2 This VSR includes the mid rise buildings of approximately 18 floors; Alhambra Building, Honour House and Hang Shing Building. These have west views over Gascoigne Road Rest Garden and the proposed Works Site WS1. Views of Works Site WS2 are largely concealed by the elevated Gascoigne Road. With the visual envelope very contained in this location the garden forms the centrepoint of the view. Being so close to the proposed works site and with no alternative views the receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R2: Residents of Parc Palais

5.7.3.3 Parc Palais has 9 towers each of 28 Floors. Residents of Towers 1 and 2 have south views which can overlook works site WS7a1 and the proposed WAB. Lower floor residents are largely obstructed in their view by the Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology, the Chinese Medicine Research Centre, the new primary school under construction as well as the large trees on Wylie Road. Selected residents of Tower 3 may potentially be able to see the works at an extremely oblique view, forming part of a much wider panorama. The wide view, obstructions and distance from the proposed works restrict receiver sensitivity as Medium.

R3: East facing units of Wylie Court

5.7.3.4 The residents of Wylie Court blocks B, C and D (23 floors) face directly down the visual corridor of Chatham Road North towards the proposed HOM station site. They will be able to see the works at WS15a on the hillside at a distance of about 300 meters at the nearest point. The open space of the works site forms a prominent green focus for their view however wide view, and distance from the proposed works restrict receiver sensitivity as Medium.

R4: Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North

5.7.3.5 The buildings here vary from 8 to 14 floors in an old urban area. Buildings affected include Bulkeley Building, Crayon Building, Go Go Court, Yick Kwan House, Lok Ka House, 226-238 Chatham Road North and Wing Fung Mansion. Residents look north directly onto works Site WS15a across Chatham Road North at a distance of about 30m. The works site forms a significant percentage of their view and with the close proximity to the works receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R5: Residents grouped around Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue

5.7.3.6 This is a large group of receivers within a neighbourhood of about 40,000m2. Older and lower buildings are generally obscured from much of the works however numbers of higher level residents will have restricted views and these buildings define the main zone of visual influence from HOM Station. A number of more recent constructions in the area are also significantly taller and these receivers can extensively view works sites WS15a and WS19 at HOM Station to the north. Receivers include 12 Baker Street, Loong Wah Building, Fok Lin Building, Bakerview, Gillies Mansion, Kar King Mansion, Walker Mansion, Kui Ga Court, Po Yuen Mansion, Grand Blossom House and Chee Shing Building. A group of buildings at Wuhu Street have clear views to works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street playground. These include Yue Sun Mansion, Hing Wah Building, Lok Do Building, Wai Lee Building, Tak On Lau, Chee Shing Building, Hop Yee Building. Palatial Stand at 23 Floors is the tallest construction of the group. The works sites form a significant percentage of their view and with the close proximity to the works receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R6: Residents at Ka Wai Chuen

5.7.3.7 This receiver group includes Ka Bong Lau block 5, Ka Shing Lau block 7, Ka On Lau block 8, Ka Ting Lau block 9, Ka Wing Lau block 10. Receivers can view works sites WS15a and WS19 at HOM Station to the north as well as works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground. The works sites form a significant percentage of their view and with the close proximity to the works receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R7: Residents at Tsing Chau Street and Ma Tau Wai Road

5.7.3.8 This receiver group includes the 2 towers of Tsing Chau Street Customs and Excise Quarters (16 floors), Hung Hom Gardens blocks 1 and 2 Green Land Court, Full Hang Court and the tall structure of Carlton Court (29 floors). Receivers can view works sites WS15a and WS19 at HOM Station to the north as well as works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground. The works sites form a restricted percentage of their view and with alternative views available receiver sensitivity is considered Medium

R8: Residents at Shun Yung Street

5.7.3.9 These VSRs are formed by a group of buildings including Marigold Mansion, Lederle Garden, Kiu Wai Mansion, Immigration Department Officers Quarters, Fuk Sing Mansion and Paramount Building, each approximately 20 floors height. Residents with west views look directly to works sites WS15a and WS20 at HOM Station. Residents with oblique south views are able to view at a distance to works sites WS26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground. With the works sites little more than 60m distant from some of the residents and forming a large percentage of their view, the receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R9: Future residents of Planned Dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

5.7.3.10 The structure and outlook of this receiver is unknown although the programme of construction is planned concurrently with the HOM Station development. Due to the immediate proximity of the works sites WS15a and WS20 at HOM Station it can be safely assumed that the receiver sensitivity be considered High.

R10: Residents with surrounding views at Valley Road

5.7.3.11 These VSRs are formed by 5 towers of approximately 20 floors; Yee Fu Building, Wei King Building Block A-D and Block E-H, Chuen Fat Building and Hung Hing Court as well as the older, lower units of 15-21 Valley Road and 277-283 Chatham Road North. Residents’ oblique views look to works sites WS15a and WS20 at HOM Station as well as works sites WS26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground to the south. With the works sites immediately adjacent, the receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R11: Residents at Ho Man Tin Estate South

5.7.3.12 Kwun Hei Court, Sik Man House, Yat Man House, Yee Man House and Choi Man House are the only units at Ho Man Tin Estate with sufficient height to allow views of the works sites at HOM Station. Views are restricted to upper floor units with south views and the distance of 300metres within an otherwise open view restricts the sensitivity for the proposed works to Low.

R12: Residents at Ko Shan Road

5.7.3.13 Receivers are predominantly restricted to the buildings of Ko Shan Road Customs and Excise Service Married Quarters and Hang Shan Court. Both buildings tower over the proposed works area WA2a to the north west. West facing receivers on the top floors of Shung Fu Building and Li Ko building have restricted views to the works area as well as distant oblique views to the HOM Station site. With the works area immediately adjacent for many residents, the receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R13: Residents of Whampoa Estate and Whampoa Garden

5.7.3.14 This VSR includes units with views onto Tak Man Street, Tak On Street, Shung King Street, Tak Ting Street, Man Tai Street and Hung Hom Road. They include Yuen Kwai Building (block A), On Kwai Building (block C) Wing Wah Building (block F), Yuen Wah Building (block G), On Wah Building (block H), Lok Wah Building (block I), Kai Wing Building (block N ), Ho Wing Building (block Q), Wing Fu Building (block R), On Fu Building (block T), Lok Fu Building (block U) King Fu Building (block W), Ki Fu Building (block Y) , Ka Fu Building (block Z), Tak Man Building, Juniper Mansions Blocks 3 & 5, Willow Mansions Block 8, Palm Mansions Block 1, Cherry Mansions Blocks 1-8,11, 14 & 18, Bauhinia Mansions Blocks 1,5-13, Oak Mansions Blocks 1-7, Cotton Tree Mansions Blocks 3,4 & 5, Lily Mansions Blocks 1 & 4, Banyan Mansions Block 8. All buildings are 17 floors in height and are immediately overlooking the works sites for the construction of WHA Station. With the huge number of receivers in this group and with the works sites immediately adjacent, the receiver sensitivity is considered High.

R14: Residents at Harbourfront Landmark

5.7.3.15 This super-tall building includes residents with panoramic views over Kowloon and Victoria Harbour. At 70 floors the majority of residents have a scale of view little affected by those of close proximity. The lower floors of. Tower 1 has narrow views on the west side along the length of Tak On Street. Towers 2 and 3 residents have increasingly oblique and restricted views. There are a limited numbers of lower floor residents likely to be sensitive within this receiver to the adjacent works and because of this the sensitivity is considered High.

R15: Residents at Hong Kong Polytechnic University Student Dormitory

5.7.3.16 A mid rise building of approximately 12 floors residents with south views look directly onto Harbour Place, whilst some have views of the proposed works area WA6. Residents are of a temporary nature and those with clear views onto the works area are restricted in number. The sensitivity is considered Medium.

R16: Residents of Harbour Place

5.7.3.17 All 7 high Towers of Harbour Place have west views towards the proposed works area WA6. Towers 6 and 7 are immediately adjacent to the works areas and the most sensitive. The sensitivity is considered High.

R17: Residents of Royal Peninsula

5.7.3.18 The 4 connected towers of Royal Peninsula 1-4 at 50/48 Floors are the tallest buildings in the District. Despite being nearly 500 metres from the works at HOM Station the top 25 floors have fairly unrestricted views to the works sites. Due to the wide extent of alternative views the sensitivity is considered Medium.

R18: Future residents of property development above HOM Station

5.7.3.19 The structure and outlook of this receiver is unknown and there is currently no programme for development of the site. However due to the immediate proximity of the works sites WS15a and WS20 at HOM Station it can be assumed that the receiver sensitivity be considered High.

R19: Future residents of Valley Road Estate Development Site

5.7.3.20 The structure and outlook of this receiver is unknown and there is currently no programme for development of the site. However due to the immediate proximity of the works sites WS15a and WS20 at HOM Station it can be assumed that the receiver sensitivity be considered High.

Leisure

L1: Park Users of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden

5.7.3.21 These receivers will be excluded from use of the Garden during the proposed works. They are within the proposed works site WS1 and acute in their appreciation of surroundings, however the number of receivers is limited. As such the receiver sensitivity is considered as Medium.

L2: Pedestrians and Shoppers in the vicinity of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden

5.7.3.22 A large number of receivers in this group are extremely close to the works sites WS1 and WS2. This group includes pedestrians on Nathan and Gascoigne Roads, the garden at Astor Plaza and Public Square Street Children’s Playground. The street level environment will be extremely influential however they are occasional and transient receivers. As such receiver sensitivity is considered as Medium.

L3: Members and Visitors of India Club and YMCA

5.7.3.23 Receivers in this group can be termed as regular in their patronage and sensitive in their awareness of their surroundings. Both facilities are fairly inward looking and unlikely to be affected by the work site WS7a1, however potential works at WS4a, WS6a and WS45 would affect the entrances to these facilities. Receiver sensitivity is considered High.

L4: Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio

5.7.3.24 Receivers in this group can also be thought of as regular in their patronage and sensitive in their awareness of their surroundings. As well as potential slope works at WS6a being at the entrance to the facility the proposed works site for the WAB, WS7a1 is directly within the members recreational facilities and will be prominent visually. The works site forms a significant percentage of their view and may affect the overall character of the facility. With the close proximity to the works receiver sensitivity is considered High.

L5: Visitors of King’s Park Hockey Ground

5.7.3.25 The grandstand at the facility turns its back on Wylie Road and effectively screens most of the potential receivers from the project areas. However visitors immediately outside the entrances may be affected by works site WS7a1. Despite the proximity, the limited number of receivers coupled with the occasional and short duration of their visits suggests receiver sensitivity to be considered Low.

L6: Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club

5.7.3.26 These receivers are immediately across Wylie Road from the proposed works site at WS7a1. As regular visitors they are conscious of their surroundings. The works site forms a significant percentage of their view at arrival and departure and from select positions within their facilities. Potential slopeworks at WS44 and WS47 are immediately within the periphery of the Philipino Club complex and would be visually prominent. With the close proximity to the works receiver sensitivity for this group is considered High.

L7: Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir

5.7.3.27 Receivers in this group are limited in number. Good panoramic views can be obtained from the south edge of the sports field on top of the reservoir and also from the pavilion on the hillside above Chung Hau Street. With the small receiver number and variety of view available receiver sensitivity is considered as Low.

L8: Recreation users of Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre

5.7.3.28 Views to the works site WS15a are restricted to users on rooftops within the facility and to oblique views from the windows and entrance facing east to Fat Kwong Street. Visitors occasional and short usage makes the receiver group sensitivity as Low.

L9: Recreation users of Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground

5.7.3.29 Works site WS15a can be fully viewed to the south from the southern edge of this facility. Receiver numbers are relatively few, short in duration and occasional in habit. Alternative views may be had from the surrounding panorama. The receiver sensitivity is considered Low.

L10: Users of Yan Fung Street Rest Garden

5.7.3.30 These receivers will be excluded from use of the Garden during the proposed works. They are within the intended works site WS19 and acute in their appreciation of surroundings, however the number of receivers is limited and the current surrounding environment poor. As such the receiver sensitivity is considered as Medium.

L11: Pedestrians around Fat Kwong Street Playground and Sitting Out Area

5.7.3.31 This group includes a number of small sitting areas, back roads, paths common areas as well as Wuhu Street Temporary playground, all peripheral to Ping Chi Street. The receivers in this area tend to be local residents of frequent habit and the potential works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 will be visually prominent. The sensitivity is considered Medium.

L12: Recreational users of Fat Kwong Street Playground

5.7.3.32 These receivers will be excluded from use of the Playground during the proposed works. They are within the intended works site WS26a and works area WA15. Primarily involved in sports activities they are generally inattentive to the visual surroundings, occasional is use and short in duration of visit. As such the receiver sensitivity is considered as Medium.

L13: Pedestrians in and around Fat Kwong Street Garden

5.7.3.33 Recreation users of the Garden on the western side are able to view works sites at HOM Station and Fat Kwong Street playground. Serving the local neighbourhood Garden users tend towards regular patronage. A variety of views exist but the works sites may be visually prominent. With a regular number of receivers in this group and with the works sites immediately adjacent, the receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

L14: Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Estate and Garden

5.7.3.34 This group includes receivers on Tak Man Street, Tak On Street, Shung King Street, Tak Ting Street, Man Tai Street and Hung Hom Road. A large number of receivers in this group will have to actively engage with works sites WS30, WS31, WS33, WS36a and WS37a. The street level environment will be extremely influential and many are likely to be regular and localised receivers of habit and daily pattern. As such receiver sensitivity is considered as High

L15: Visitors to Hong Kong Coliseum

5.7.3.35 Pedestrians on the south parapet of the promenade at Hong Kong Coliseum will be able to view temporary barging point WA14. the numbers of receivers is very low, visits infrequent and short in duration and alternative views exist. The sensitivity is considered Low.

L16: Pedestrians on TST East Promenade

5.7.3.36 Pedestrians along the promenade have views across the harbour towards temporary barging point WA14. Occasional receivers may even take the elevated path next to Hung Hom Elevated Road and obtain clear views over the works. However the numbers of receivers is very low close to the site, visits infrequent and short in duration and alternative views exist. The sensitivity is considered Low.

L17: Hikers at Clear Water Bay Country Park

5.7.3.37 The furthest southerly point in the park has ridge views over the proposed temporary magazine site WA12a (site formation) and WA13 (temporary magazine). Receivers are few in number, occasional in visiting habit and short in duration of visit. Alternative views abound. The sensitivity is considered Low.

Occupational

O1: Workers in commercial buildings on Nathan Road

5.7.3.38 This VSR includes the lower floor commercial units of Alhambra Building, Honour House and Hang Shing Building as well as the 18 floor Manulife Provident Funds Place, Kowloon Government Offices, Nathan Commercial Building, Tsang’s Building Sunbeam Commercial Building and Harvest Moon House. These have dominant views over Gascoigne Road Rest Garden and the proposed works site WS1. Views of works site WS2 are largely concealed by Gascoigne Elevated Road. Receivers are numerous and regular daily viewers. With the visual envelope very contained in this location the garden forms the centrepoint of the view. Being so close to the proposed works site the receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O2: Staff and Guests of Eaton Hotel

5.7.3.39 Receivers with north views at Eaton Hotel have dominant views over Gascoigne Road Rest Garden and the proposed works site WS1. Views of works site WS2 are largely concealed by Gascoigne Elevated Road. With the visual envelope very contained in this location the garden forms the centrepoint of the view. Being so close to the proposed works site the receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O3: Staff and Students of Methodist College

5.7.3.40 Views to the proposed works site WS1 are largely concealed by Gascoigne Elevated Road and the row of trees bordering the College. The works site WS2 will be immediately outside the west side windows of the south building and visually prominent. This receiver also includes the Chinese Methodist Church, however views from here are extremely restricted. Being so close to the proposed works site the receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O4: Staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Buildings

5.7.3.41 Receivers are restricted to the east viewers from Queen Elizabeth Hospital General School of Nursing (south block) towards works site WS4a, as well as south viewers from the Ambulatory Care Centre, Chinese Medicine Research & Service Centre and the Institute of Radiotherapy and Oncology overlooking works site WS7a1. Receivers are regular in viewing habit and being so close to the proposed works site the receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O5: Staff of India Club and YMCA

5.7.3.42 Receivers in this group can be termed as regular in their viewing pattern and influenced by the intimate nature of their surroundings. Both facilities are fairly inward looking and unlikely to be affected by the work site WS7a1, however potential works at WS4a, WS6a and WS45 would affect the entrances to these facilities. Receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O6: Staff of Club de Recreio

5.7.3.43 Receivers in this group can also be thought of as regular in their viewing pattern and influenced by the intimate nature of their surroundings. As well as potential slope works at WS6a being at the entrance to the facility the proposed works site for the WAB, WS7a1 is directly within the club facilities and will be prominent visually. The works site forms a significant percentage of their daily view and with such close proximity to the works receiver sensitivity is considered as Medium.

O7: Staff of King’s Park Hockey Ground

5.7.3.44 The staff facilities and entrances are located close to works site WS7a1. Despite the proximity, the limited number of receivers coupled with their activities being inwardly focused suggests receiver sensitivity to be considered Low.

O8: Staff of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club

5.7.3.45 These receivers are immediately across Wylie Road from the proposed works site at WS7a1. As regular viewers they are conscious of their surroundings. The works site forms a significant percentage of their view at arrival and departure and from select positions within their facilities. Potential slopeworks at WS44 and WS47 are immediately within the periphery of the Philipino Club complex and would be visually prominent. Limited numbers of receivers in this group restricts receiver sensitivity to Medium.

O9: Staff and Students of future Primary School (under construction) at Wylie Road

5.7.3.46 These receivers are located across Wylie Road from the proposed works site at WS7a1 and potential slopeworks at WS44. As regular viewers staff are conscious of their surroundings whilst young children less sensitive. The works site forms a significant percentage of their view at arrival and departure as well as from a number of positions within their facilities. Receivers in this group are considered to have a sensitivity of Medium.

O10: Staff at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre

5.7.3.47 Views to the works site WS15a are restricted to receivers on rooftops within the facility and to oblique views from the windows and entrance facing east to Fat Kwong Street. The receiver group sensitivity is considered as Low.

O11: Staff of Small Businesses at Valley Road

5.7.3.48 These VSRs are formed by the lower floor premises of Yee Fu Building, Wei King Building Block A-D and Block E-H, Chuen Fat Building, Hung Hing Court, 15-21 Valley Road and 277-283 Chatham Road North. Staff have oblique views to works sites WS15a and WS20 at HOM Station as well as works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground to the south. With the works sites immediately adjacent, the receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O12: Workers at short term tenancy on Fat Kwong Street (Planned Dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

5.7.3.49 Workers on this site are housed in temporary accommodation und undertake short term construction work. They have direct views to works sites WS15a and WS20 at HOM Station as well as works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground to the south. However with receiver numbers being few, duration short and regularity of visit limited, the receiver sensitivity is considered Low.

O13: Staff at Hung Hom Fire Station

5.7.3.50 Receivers can view works sites WS15a and WS19 at HOM Station to the north as well as works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground. However with receiver numbers being low and viewing opportunities to the north rather limited, the receiver sensitivity is considered Low.

O14: Staff and Students of Hung Hom Government Primary School

5.7.3.51 Upper floor receivers can view works sites WS15a and WS19 at HOM Station to the north as well as works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground adjacent. The works site forms a significant percentage of their view at arrival and departure as well as from a number of positions within their facilities. Receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O15: Staff at Caritas College of Careers and Businesses on Wuhu Street

5.7.3.52 This group of receivers includes all floors of the Caritas Branch College of Careers as well as the lower floors of Yue Sun Mansion, Hing Wah Building and Palatial Stand. Receivers can view works sites WS15a and WS19 at HOM Station to the north as well as works sites Ws26a, WS27 and works area WA15 at Fat Kwong Street playground. The works sites form a significant percentage of their view and with the close proximity to the works receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O16: Staff of Businesses in Whampoa Estate and Whampoa Garden

5.7.3.53 This VSR includes units with views onto Tak Man Street, Tak On Street, Shung King Street, Tak Ting Street, Man Tai Street and Hung Hom Road. Receivers can view works sites WS30, WS31, WS33, WS36a, and WS37a. It includes Whampoa Plaza as well as ground and first floor premises of Yuen Kwai Building (block A), On Kwai Building (block C) Wing Wah Building (block F), Yuen Wah Building (block G), On Wah Building (block H), Lok Wah Building (block I), Kai Wing Building (block N ), Ho Wing Building (block Q), Wing Fu Building (block R), On Fu Building (block T), Lok Fu Building (block U) King Fu Building (block W),Ki Fu Building (block Y) ,Ka Fu Building (block Z), Tak Man Building, Juniper Mansions Blocks 3&5, Cherry Mansions Blocks 1-8,11 , Bauhinia Mansions Blocks 1,5-13, Cotton Tree Mansions Blocks 3,4&5, Banyan Mansions Block 8. All buildings are immediately overlooking the works sites for the construction of WHA Station. With the huge number of receivers in this group and with the works sites immediately adjacent, the receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O17: Staff and Students of S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary Schools

5.7.3.54 Upper floor receivers at the 6 floor S.K.H. Fung Kei Millennium Primary School can view works sites WS33 and WS37a at WHA Station on Tak On Street and Tak Ting Street. Receivers at S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary School are limited to views of works on Tak Ting Street. Views are limited to ground level receivers by a surrounding wall however the works site forms a significant percentage of their view, particularly at arrival and departure on Tak Ting Street as well as from a number of positions within their facilities. Receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O18: GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School

5.7.3.55 Receivers at the 6 floor G.C.E. Past Students Association Whampoa Primary School can view works sites WS33 and WS37a at WHA Station on Tak On Street and Tak Fung Street. Views are limited to ground level receivers by a surrounding wall however the works site WS37a may impact this. The works may form a significant percentage of their view, particularly at arrival and departure on Tak On Street as well as from a number of positions within their facilities. Receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O19: Office workers with north view at Two Harbourfront

5.7.3.56 This 20 floor office development looks onto Tak Fung Street and can view work sites WS33 and WS36a immediately below. Staff on the northern corner can obtain partially longer views up Tak On Street to view works site WS37a. Only the top 2 floors can view over the surrounding development of Whampoa Garden and views are thus typically tightly contained. The works may be most apparent during arrival and departure on Tak Fung Street. Receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O20: Staff and Students at Hong Kong Polytechnic University – Community College Campus

5.7.3.57 The development on Hong Lok Road is immediately adjacent to works area WA6 with the entrance, south and east facades of the building overlooking the potential works area. Receivers are frequent in visiting frequency and the works may be most apparent during arrival and departure. Receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O21: Staff and Guests of Harbour View Horizon Hotel

5.7.3.58 The east wing of the development on Hong Lok Road is immediately adjacent to works area WA6 with the east facade of the building fully overlooking the potential works area within the wide extent of view. Receivers are regular in viewing habit and receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O22: Staff and Guests of Harbour Front Horizon Hotel

5.7.3.59 The north and west wing of the development on Victoria Harbourfront is immediately adjacent to works area WA14 with the west facade of the building fully overlooking the potential works area within the wide extent of view. North and east receivers are able to view works area WA6 over Hung Hom Elevated Road. Receivers are regular in viewing habit and receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O23: Staff and Guests of Harbour Plaza Metropolis

5.7.3.60 The south facing facades of this 15 floor building overlook works area WA14 from a distance of approximately 50 metres. Some of the site is obscured by the Hung Hom Elevated Road. Receivers are regular in viewing habit and receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

O24: Office workers with south views at International Mail Centre

5.7.3.61 The east facades of this low rise building immediately abut works area WA14. The general outlook of the area is poor and views restricted. Alternative fine views over Victoria Harbour exist to the south. Some of the site is obscured by the Hung Hom Elevated Road. Receivers are regular in viewing habit but few in number. Receiver sensitivity is considered Low.

O25: Office / Hotel workers and guests with east views at TST East

5.7.3.62 The buildings on Salisbury Road with east views across Victoria Harbour towards works area WA12 include Hotel Nikko, Intercontinental Grand Stanford, Empire Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, Shangri-la Hotel and Wing On Plaza. Views from low floors are obscured by elevated road sections and footbridges. The general outlook is to the south east and away from the works area at WA14 with the nearest receiver being at a distance of 300 metres. Receiver sensitivity is considered Low.

O26: Office Workers at The Metropolis Tower

5.7.3.63 The upper floors of this 18 floor building have distant views to HOM Station works sites over other city buildings. Receiver sensitivity is considered Low.

O27: Staff and Students at Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Lee Shau Kee Building

5.7.3.64 The north facing aspect of this building looks across the Queen Margaret Road interchange onto the wooded slopes above Chatham Road North and works site WS15a. Receivers are regular in viewing habit and receiver sensitivity is considered Medium.

T1: Circulating Traffic on Nathan and Gascoigne Roads

5.7.3.65 The large number of receivers here are generally moving at slow speeds within the phased traffic flow. They are also required to stop at the junction outside Eaton Hotel, immediately adjacent to works site WS1. Traffic on Gascoigne Road has a narrow view and short interval to view the works at WS2. With the constantly changing and varied viewpoints in the urban environment the receiver sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T2: Fast moving vehicles on Gascoigne Road

5.7.3.66 The large number of receivers here are generally moving at fast speeds under and atop the elevated road. The viewpoint is extremely focused and narrow, with little time to take in lateral views. Despite the proximity to works sites WS4a and WS45 the receiver sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T3: Road users on Wylie Road and Wylie Path

5.7.3.67 Vehicle views are contained within the corridor of Wylie Road, with focused forward views formed by the buildings on the east side and tall trees on the west. Despite the proximity to works sites WS7a1 and WS44 the duration of view is extremely short. Sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T4: Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange

5.7.3.68 The open nature of the urban form in this area allows for longer duration of viewing opportunities. However traffic on Queen Margaret Road is moving away from view of the works areas at HOM Station and circulating traffic obtains only glimpse views at distances between 100 and 300 metres. Sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T5: Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North

5.7.3.69 Vehicles approach the works sites at HOM Station in large numbers, viewing first from a distance and are then able to close on them within the field of view. Despite the speed of travel the view is sustained and reinforced by proximity with the road passing directly adjacent to the sites. The full extent of the works can be absorbed during the length of passing. Sensitivity in this location is considered Medium.

T6: Road users on Chung Hau Street

5.7.3.70 Vehicles pass adjacent to the works site WS15as at HOM Station. However receiver numbers are relatively few and expectation of benefit of view is not high. Sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T7: Temporary parking users on future development site

5.7.3.71 Receivers park vehicles in temporary parking sites adjacent to the works site WS15a at HOM Station. However receiver numbers are relatively few and any expectation or need of benefit of view is not high. Sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T8: Road users on Fat Kwong Street

5.7.3.72 Receivers pass the works site WS15a at HOM Station and WS26a, Ws27 and WA15 at Fat Kwong Street Playground. Receiver numbers are relatively few and the poor local viewing environment contributes to a low expectation of beneficial views. Sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T9: Road users on Yan Fung Street

5.7.3.73 The road will be closed to vehicles during construction. Receivers immediately pass the works site WS15a at HOM Station. Receiver numbers are relatively few and the poor local viewing environment contributes to a low expectation of beneficial views. Sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T10: Road users on Tak Man / Tak On Street

5.7.3.74 The road currently interacts closely with the surrounding intimate environment with high traffic volumes moving at relatively slow speeds and frequently stopping. Existing views are closed on both sides and focused ahead. The road will be at the centre of the proposed works sites WS30, WS31, WS33, WS36a, WS37a and viewing of these works sites will be unavoidable to receivers. Sensitivity in this location is considered Medium.

T11: Road users on Hung Hom Road (east section)

5.7.3.75 The road will be at the centre of the proposed works site WS30. Vehicles are frequently required to stop at the controlled junction at Tak Man Street at the centre of the works site where the narrow field of view will make the works site prominent. However the short duration and the occasional nature of viewing by receivers means that sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T12: Road users on Whampoa Garden Side Streets

5.7.3.76 The receivers include vehicles on Man Tai Street, Shung King Street, Tak Ting Street, Tak Fung Street and Wan Hoi Street. Vehicle speeds are slow and vehicles require to stop and offload frequently. The short duration and the occasional nature of viewing by these receivers mean that sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T13: Road users on Hung Lok Road and Yan Yung Street

5.7.3.77 Vehicles on these roads are generally from light through traffic and vehicle speeds are relatively low. The receivers pass immediately adjacent to works area WA6 however the limited number of receivers, short duration and the occasional nature of viewing means that sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T14: Road users on Hung Hom Road (west section)

5.7.3.78 Much of this section is on high speed multi-lane elevated road passing through works area WA14. The parapet wall limits receiver’s downward views and coupled with the speed of travel that makes distant views more observable than close objects the sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T15: Road users on Salisbury Road

5.7.3.79 This is a multi-lane distributor road with heavy traffic flows. Open views exist to Victoria Harbour on the east, however centerline barriers, southbound traffic and roadside planters interfere with these views to northbound vehicles. Southbound vehicles are viewing away from works area WA14 and cannot be included as receivers. Viewing distances are from 100 to 300m and the sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

T16: Travellers in Victoria Harbour

5.7.3.80 The scale of the view of Victoria Harbour means that views to works area WA 14 form an extremely small percentage of the view. Receivers are occasional and the views of short duration. Sensitivity in this location is considered Medium.

T17: Recreational boat traffic in Joss House Bay (Tai Mui Wan)

5.7.3.81 Close passing boats are able to view the potential temporary magazine site at works areas WA12a and WA13. Tit Cham Chau however restricts the field of view considerably. The scale of the view in Joss House Bay and the Tat Hong Channel means that views to the works areas form an extremely small percentage of the view. Receivers are occasional and the views of short duration. Sensitivity in this location is considered Low.

5.8 Sources and Magnitude of Landscape and Visual Impacts

5.8.1 Background

5.8.1.1 The assessment of landscape impacts will result from:

· Identification of the type and sources of impact and their magnitude that would be generated during construction and operation of the project; and

· Identification of the principal landscape impacts primarily in consideration of the degree of change to the baseline conditions. The impacts are considered systematically in terms of landscape elements, the project and its context.

5.8.1.2 The assessment of potential visual impacts will result from:

· Identification of the type and sources of visual impact and their magnitude that would be generated during construction and operation of the scheme; and

· Identification of the principal visual impacts primarily in consideration of the degree of change to the baseline condition.

5.8.2 Potential Sources of Landscape and Visual Impacts

5.8.2.1 The proposed KTE will comprise an underground railway system over its full length and therefore potential residual landscape and visual impacts will be restricted to above-ground construction works and operational facilities. A schedule of these structures is given in Table 3.3 in Section 3 including their locations, dimensions and footprint area.

Table 5.4: Assessment of Sensitivity of Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs)

VSR	Location	Estimated number of Receivers (Few / Typical / Many)	Value and Quality of Existing view (Good / Fair / Poor)	Availability and Amenity of Alternative views	Duration and Frequency of Existing view (Stationary / Transitory / Glimpse Frequent / Regular / Occasional)	Degree of Visibility (Wide / Restricted / Narrow Distant / Near / Adjacent)	Sensitivity (high / medium / low)
Residential
R1	Residents of towers on the west of Nathan Road	Typical	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	High
R2	Residents of Parc Palais	Typical	Good	Yes / Good alternatives	Stationary / Frequent	Wide / Distant	Medium
R3	East facing units of Wylie Court	Many	Good	Yes / Good alternatives	Stationary / Frequent	Wide / Distant	Medium
R4	Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North	Many	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	High
R5	Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue	Many	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	High
R6	Residents at Ka Wai Chuen	Many	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	High
R7	Residents at Tsing Chau Street	Many	Fair	Yes / Other views are more significant	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Distant	Medium
R8	Residents at Shun Yung Street	Many	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	High
R9	Future residents of HK PolyU planned student dormitory	Typical	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	High
R10	Residents with surrounding views at Valley Road	Many	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	High
R11	Residents at Ho Man Tin Estate South	Typical	Good	Yes / Open Views	Stationary / Frequent	Wide / Distant	Low
R12	Residents at Ko Shan Road	Typical	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	High
R13	Residents of Whampoa Estate and Garden	Many	Poor	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	High
R14	Residents of Harbourfront Landmark	Many	Fair	Yes / Alternative Views from most floors	Stationary / Frequent	Narrow / Adjacent	High
R15	Residents at Poly U Student Dormitory	Typical	Poor	None	Stationary / Frequent but Limited	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
R16	Residents of Harbour Place.	Many	Poor	Yes / Improved oblique south views	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	High
R17	Residents of Royal Peninsula	Many	Good	Yes / Extensive northerly views	Stationary / Frequent	Wide / Distant	Medium
R18	Future residents of property development above HOM Station	Many	N/A	N/A	Stationary / Frequent	unknown	High
R19	Future residents of Valley Road Estate development site	Many	N/A	N/A	Stationary / Frequent	unknown	High
Leisure
L1	Users of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Few	Good	Yes / Views to all directions	Transitory / Occasional	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
L2	Pedestrians and Shoppers in the vicinity of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Many	Fair	Yes / Views to all directions	Transitory / Occasional	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
L3	Members and Visitors of India Club and YMCA	Typical	Fair	None	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Adjacent	High
L4	Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio	Typical	Good	Yes / Varied views from differing viewpoints	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Near	High
L5	Visitors of Kings Park Hockey Ground	Few	Fair	Yes / Reasonable views north and south	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Near	Low
L6	Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	Typical	Good	Yes / Varied views from differing viewpoints	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Near	High
L7	Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Few	Good	Yes / Good panoramic views	Transitory / Occasional	Wide / Distant	Low
L8	Recreation visitors at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre	Typical	Fair	Yes / Varied alternative views	Stationary / Occasional	Restricted / Near	Low
L9	Recreation users at Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground	Few	Good	Yes / Good panoramic views	Transitory / Occasional	Wide / Distant	Low
L10	Users of Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	Few	Fair	None	Transitory / Regular	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
L11	Pedestrians around Fat Kwong Street Playground and Sitting Out Area	Typical	Fair	Yes / Fair views in several directions	Transitory / Regular	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
L12	Recreational users of Fat Kwong Street Playground	Typical	Fair	Yes / Fair views in several directions	Transitory / Occasional	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
L13	Pedestrians in and around Fat Kwong Street Garden	Typical	Fair	Yes / Fair views in several directions	Transitory / Regular	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
L14	Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Estate and Garden.	Many	Poor	Yes / Varied views to several directions	Transitory / Regular	Narrow / Near	High
L15	Pedestrians at Hong Kong Coliseum	Few	Good	Yes / Varied views to several directions	Transitory / Occasional	Wide / Distant	Low
L16	Pedestrians on TST East Promenade	Typical	Good	Yes / Varied views to several directions	Transitory / Occasional	Wide / Distant	Low
L17	Hikers at Clear Water Bay Country Park	Few	Good	Yes / Good views to several directions	Transitory / Occasional	Wide / Distant	Low
Occupational
O1	Workers in commercial buildings on Nathan Road	Many	Fair	Yes / Limited views in other directions	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O2	Staff and Guests of Eaton Hotel	Typical	Fair	Yes / Limited views in other directions	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O3	Staff and students of Methodist College	Typical	Fair	Yes / Limited views in other directions	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O4	Staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Buildings	Typical	Good	Yes / Good views to several directions	Stationary / Regular	Wide / Adjacent	Medium
O5	Staff of India Club and YMCA	Few	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O6	Staff of Club de Recreio	Few	Good	Yes / Varied views from differing viewpoints	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	Medium
O7	Staff of Kings Park Hockey Ground	Few	Fair	Yes / Reasonable views north and south	Stationary / Frequent	Narrow / Near	Low
O8	Staff of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	Few	Good	Yes / Varied views from differing viewpoints	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	Medium
O9	Staff and Students of future Primary School (under construction) at Wylie Road	Typical	Good	Yes / Varied views from differing viewpoints	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	Medium
O10	Staff of Ho Man Tin Leisure Centre	Few	Fair	Yes / Varied alternative views	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Near	Low
O11	Staff of small businesses at Valley Road	Few	Poor	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O12	Workers at short term tenancy on Fat Kwong Street (Planned dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University)	Few	Fair	Yes / Varied alternative views	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Near	Low
O13	Staff at Hung Hom Fire Station	Few	Fair	None	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Near	Low
O14	Staff and Students of Hung Hom Government Primary School	Typical	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	Medium
O15	Staff at Caritas College of Careers and Businesses on Wuhu Street	Typical	Fair	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Near	Medium
O16	Staff of businesses in Whampoa Estate and Garden	Typical	Poor	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O17	Staff and Students of S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary Schools	Typical	Poor	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O18	Staff and Students of GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School	Typical	Poor	None	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O19	Office workers at Two Harbourfront	Typical	Good	Yes / Panoramic surrounding views	Stationary / Frequent	Wide / Distant	Medium
O20	Staff and Students at HK Poly U – Community College Campus	Typical	Poor	Yes / alternative surrounding views	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O21	Staff and Guests at Harbour View Horizon Hotel	Typical	Fair	Yes / Good alternative surrounding views	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
O22	Staff and Guests at Harbour Front Horizon Hotel	Typical	Fair	Yes / Good alternative surrounding views	Stationary / Regular	Restricted / Near	Medium
O23	Staff and Guests of Harbour Plaza Metropolis	Typical	Good	Yes / Good alternative surrounding views	Stationary / Regular	Wide / Distant	Medium
O24	Office workers at International Mail Centre	Few	Poor	Yes / alternative surrounding views	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Adjacent	Low
O25	Office/Hotel workers and guests at TST East	Many	Good	Yes / Panoramic surrounding views	Stationary / Frequent	Wide / Distant	Low
O26	Office workers at The Metropolis Tower	Typical	Good	Yes / alternative surrounding views	Stationary / Frequent	Restricted / Distant	Low
O27	Staff and Students at HK Poly U Lee Shau Kee Building	Typical	Good	Yes / Panoramic surrounding views	Stationary / Frequent	Wide / Near	Medium
Transportation
T1	Circulating Traffic on Nathan and Gascoigne Roads	Many	Fair	None	Transitory / Occasional	Restricted / Adjacent	Low
T2	Fast moving vehicles on Gascoigne Road	Many	Poor	None	Transitory / Glimpse Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T3	Road users on Wylie Road and Wylie Path	Many	Fair	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T4	Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange	Many	Fair	Yes / Limited views in other directions	Transitory / Glimpse Occasional	Wide / Near	Low
T5	Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North	Many	Fair	None	Transitory / Occasional	Restricted / Adjacent	Medium
T6	Road users on Chung Hau Street	Typical	Fair	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T7	Temporary parking users on future development site	Few	Poor	Yes / Limited views in other directions	Stationary / Regular	Wide / Adjacent	Low
T8	Road users on Fat Kwong Street	Many	Poor	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T9	Road users on Yan Fung Street	Typical	Poor	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T10	Road users on Tak Man / Tak On Street	Many	Poor	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Medium
T11	Road users on Hung Hom Road (east section)	Many	Poor	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T12	Road users on Whampoa Estate and Garden side streets	Many	Poor	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T13	Road users on Hung Lok Road and Yan Yung Street	Typical	Poor	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T14	Road users on Hung Hom Road (west section)	Many	Poor	None	Transitory / Occasional	Narrow / Adjacent	Low
T15	Road users on Salisbury Road	Many	Fair	Yes / Limited views in other directions	Glimpse / Occasional	Restricted / Distant	Low
T16	Travellers in Victoria Harbour	Many	Good	Yes / Good expansive views in other directions	Transitory / Occasional	Wide / Distant	Medium
T17	Recreational boat traffic at Tai Mui Wan	Few	Good	Yes / Good expansive views in other directions	Transitory / Occasional	Wide / Distant	Low

5.8.2.2 During the construction stage, potential Landscape and Visual Impacts would arise from:

· Excavation and construction works for the station boxes at HOM;

· Excavation and construction works at WHA station;

· Construction of entrances for HOM and WHA Stations;

· Construction of above-ground structures including vent shafts and chillers;

· Temporary rock crushing facilities at HOM Station and Hung Hom Finger Pier;

· Stockpiling of excavated and building materials, and storage of construction equipment and plant;

· Off-site construction traffic such as haulage of excavated materials;

· Temporary traffic / road diversions;

· Night-time lighting;

· Temporary noise mitigation measures e.g. barriers, enclosures;

· Contractor’s temporary works areas, including site accommodation and parking areas;

· Barging facility; and

· Construction of temporary explosive storage magazine facilities and associated vehicular access at Tseung Kwan O.

5.8.2.3 During the operation stage, potential residual Landscape and Visual Impacts would be related to the permanent loss of landscape resources and visible above-ground structures:

· Entrances and associated facilities;

· Vent shafts for railway tunnel and sub-way;

· Chiller plants; and

· Permanent net loss of recreational facilities, slopes, trees and greening.

5.8.2.4 Detailed information concerning above ground structures is provided in Section 3. Table 3.3 which schedules their size and configuration and Figures 3.25 - 3.32 indicate the preliminary plan and elevations.

5.9 Magnitude of Landscape Impacts without Mitigation during Construction and Operation Phases

5.9.1 Background

5.9.1.1 The factors affecting the magnitude of change for assessing landscape impacts include:

· Compatibility of the project with the surrounding landscape;

· Duration of impacts under construction and operation phases;

· Scale of development; and

· Reversibility of change.

5.9.1.2 The magnitude of change in the landscape will be classified as follows:

Large:	Notable change in the landscape characteristics over an extensive area ranging to very intensive change over a more limited area
Intermediate:	Moderate changes in a local area
Small:	Virtually imperceptible change in any components of the landscape
Negligible:	Indiscernible change to landscape characteristics

5.9.1.3 The magnitude of predicted impacts on both landscape resources and landscape character are detailed below.

5.9.2 Impacts to Landscape Resources

5.9.2.1 The estimated magnitude of impacts, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the landscape resources that would occur during construction and operation phases are quantified and tabulated in Table 5.5. Only those resources which will be affected by the works are discussed in detail below. The precise number of trees to be retained, transplanted, felled and compensated shall be determined and agreed separately with government during the Tree Felling Application process under ETWB TC 3/2006.

Table 5.5: Schedule of Landscape Resources Impacted during Construction and Operation

Ref. Landscape Resource		Works Site / Area	Surveyed # Trees within Project	Estimated # Trees Retained	Estimated # Trees Transplanted	Estimated # Trees Felled	Area of Resources affected (m^2)			Reprovision
							Existing	Construct- ion	Operation
LDR-1.1	Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Cable Reprovisioning (WS1)	45	41	0	4	2,500	600 (including topsoil resources)	0	Reinstated
LDR-1.2	Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	HOM Station (WS19)	40	33	0	7	2,170	500	0	Reinstated
LDR-2.1	Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road	WAB (WS7a1)	0	0	0	0	60,000	4,200	1,400	4 tennis courts reinstated (with 2 permanently lost)
LDR-2.3	Fat Kwong Street Playground	Site Office / Mucking out Point (WA15, WS26a)	0	0	0	0	4,750	4,750	0	Reinstated
LDR-3.1	Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College	Slope Stabilisation (WA2)	15	15	0	0	1,000	500	0	Reinstated
LDR-3.2	Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North	HOM Station excavation (WS15a)	1094	390	0	704 (1 no. tree with diameter over 1m)	25,000	15,000 (including topsoil resources)	2,000	Permanent net loss of landscape resources
LDR-3.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir	Site Office at Ko Shan Road (WA2a)	122	91	0	31	40,000	2,000	0	Reinstated
LDR-3.5	Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground	Slope Stabilisation (WS27)	110	106 (12 no. trees with diameter over 1m)	0	4	3,800	3,800	0	Reinstated
LDR-4.2	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road	WHA Station, Entrance A1 / A2 (WS30)	49	14	20	15	2000	500 (including topsoil resources)	500	Reinstated with compensatory planting of smaller trees. Net loss of landscape resources
LDR-4.3	Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets	(WS31, WS33)	51	41	10	0	2000	2000	2000	Temporary removal of trees with reinstatement
LDR-5.1	Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads	Slope Stabilisation and WAB Access (WS4a, WS6a, WS44, WS45, WS47)	134	127 (2 no. trees with diameter over 1m)	0	7	6,000	2000	100	Reinstated with compensatory planting. No permanent net loss.
LDR-6.1	Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street	HOM Station (WS15a, WS20)	5	0	0	5	5,500	4,000	3,500	Area planted with trees and greened. Net gain in quality of resource
LDR-7.1	Site formation levels for use by HOM Station	HOM Station (WS15a)	138	0	17	121	20,000	20,000	20,000	Replaced with approximately 17,000m^2 of temporary greening around station roof and 6000 m^2 of temporary potted roof planting. Temporary net gain in quality of resource and the duration will depend on the programme for the future development above.
LDR-7.5	Open Space sites at Hung Hom Bay	Site Office (WA6)	0	0	0	0	46,000	18,000	-	Reinstated
LDR-7.6	Reclaimed land at TKO	Temporary Magazine Site at TKO Area 137 (WA12a, WA13)	27	0	0	27	600,000	10,000	-	To be used by other projects
LDR-8.1	Hung Hom Finger Pier	Hung Hom Barging Point (WA14)	41	13	22	6	40,000	13,000	-	Reinstated with compensatory planting.
LDR-9.1	Victoria Harbour	Barging activities	0	0	0	0	-	negligible	-	-
TOTAL			1871	871	69	931

LDR-1.1: Gascoigne Road Rest Garden (WS1)

5.9.2.2 The proposed Cable Tunnel Diversion Works Area requires approximately 600m² in this area. Much or all of the park will need to be closed to the public during the works. The predominant amount of this area is topsoiled specifically for large tree and shrub planting and will be impacted. Most of the larger trees are avoided by the works, however two large trees Aleurities moluccana and Melaleuca leucadendron will need to be carefully placed well outside the works area or properly fenced off and protected. Excavation works in this area may impact their large root systems and so maximum protection should be afforded during the works. 3 small trees are proposed to be felled. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. Following completion of the project the park will be reinstated and no ongoing operation stage impacts are envisaged.

LDR-1.2: Yan Fung Street Rest Garden (WS19)

5.9.2.3 The trees located in Yang Fung Street Rest Garden contain many mature stands. Trees here are not suitable for transplantation and the design works in this area have been carefully planned to minimize impacts. Unfortunately in order to carry out the excavation of the HOM Station box three trees on the margin of Yan Fung Street may be impacted and required to be felled due to their large size (T075-Casuarina equisetifolia, T077-Aleurities moluccana, T078-Ficus microcarpa). These trees are between 10 and 14m tall with trunk diameters between 0.34m and 0.43m. The overall quality of the garden should not be affected however and a Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. Following completion the park shall be reinstated and no ongoing impacts are envisaged from operation of the project.

LDR-2.1: Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road (WS7a1)

5.9.2.4 The temporary site works will see the loss of 6 tennis courts totalling about 4,200m². The final site requirements should not exceed 1,400m² adjacent to Wylie Road for building the proposed tunnel ventilation building with emergency access and escape facility (WAB), with the replacement of 4 of the tennis courts. The operation of the WAB will see the permanent loss of recreation area during operation of the project.

LDR-2.3: Fat Kwong Street Playground (WA15, WS26a)

5.9.2.5 The use of the site for tunnelling during the works will see the loss of approximately 5,000m² of hard sports area from public utilisation. No trees are expected to be impacted and the facilities are able to be re-provisioned following completion of the project. Following completion no ongoing impacts are envisaged from operation of the project.

LDR-3.1: Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College (WS2)

5.9.2.6 Potential slope stabilisation measures may affect the trees in these slopes. Any slope stabilisation works in the area will need to preserve the trees in-situ however and there is currently no intention to fell any trees in this area. Following completion no ongoing impacts are envisaged from operation of the project.

LDR-3.2: Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (WS15a)

5.9.2.7 Potentially significant adverse landscape impacts are anticipated as a result of construction of the HOM Station development including ventilation shafts, works sites and access roads undertaken on the slopes and terraces on the north side of Chatham Road North. About 15,000m² of Open Space on the slopes are impacted which are densely covered by trees and includes topsoil resources. It is estimated that approximately 800 trees will be impacted, predominantly of plantation species. Fruit trees, exotics and also some locally native species including the previously identified large Banyan with trunk diameter over 1.0m will also be affected. Tree sizes impacted typically have trunk diameters of 0.15m – 0.35m and heights of 7-9m although several larger stands are found, particularly within the native trees which are up to 15m tall.

5.9.2.8 Affected trees will be transplanted and a Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. During operation approximately 2000m² shall be permanently utilised for the HOM Station whilst the reinstated slopes shall be replanted with seedling trees.

LDR-3.4: Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir (WA2a)

5.9.2.9 The use of the site to the rear of the Ko Shan Road Customs and Excise Service Married Quarters contains approximately 120 trees growing on the site formation and the slopes around the site. Many are of large size and will be protected and retained. In order to establish the proposed site office around 30 trees will need to be felled, predominantly medium sized pioneer species of Ficus hispida, Macaranga tanarius and Morus alba of between 7m and 9m tall. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. Following completion, the site shall be vacated for other uses. During operation, greening of the slopes is proposed.

LDR-3.5: Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground (WS27)

5.9.2.10 A works site for potential slope stabilisation and upgrading works, the slopes contain about 100 well developed trees up to 12m tall of typical Hong Kong urban species. Any slope stabilisation works in the area will need to preserve trees in-situ but 8 trees may be impacted by the works These include 3 no. Acacia confusa and 5 no. Albizia lebbeck of between 5 and 9m tall. Non of the identified trees with trunk diameter over 1m will be affected. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. During the operational phase, both compensatory planting and slope greening will be undertaken.

LDR-4.2: Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road (WS30)

5.9.2.11 Primary impacts are clearly located at the proposed WHA Station Entrance A1 at Man Siu Street and Hung Hom Road. Ten trees are impacted here including 4 no. Peltophorum pterocarpum and 1 no. Aleurities moluccana between 10 and 12m tall. These five trees stand in the pavement surrounding the footbridge over Hung Hom Road are most important as the largest trees in the district and have a high community amenity value. These are impacted predominantly by the Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) required for station development as well as the construction of Entrance A1 itself. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. The construction of Entrance A1 will see the permanent loss of street space and trees during operation of the project.

5.9.2.12 A number of other groups of trees on Hung Hom Road are also impacted. The centreline planting of 12 no. Livistonia chinensis, 3m - 4m tall and the 8 no. Spathodea campanulata, 8 m tall in the pavement planters around proposed WHA Station Entrance A2 will need to be removed for the traffic diversions. The topsoil resources in these roadside planters shall also be affected and since the centreline planting shall be reinstated at completion it should be retained and reused. However the construction of Entrance A2 will see the permanent loss of street space and trees during operation of the project.

LDR-4.3: Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets (WS31, WS33)

5.9.2.13 Works at Tak Man Street offer up some conflicts due to the Temporary Traffic Management. Four Ailanthus fordii are anticipated to require removal, however these trees are protected under Cap 96 of the Forest and Countryside Ordinance. The large palms of Cocos nucifera and Roystonia regia on Tak On Street are impacted by the cut and cover works on both north and south sides of the street. Eighteen trees are affected in total and will be temporarily removed to be replanted at completion of the works. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. Following completion, compensatory planting will be implemented.

LDR-5.1: Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads (WS4a, WS45, WS6a, WS44, WS47)

5.9.2.14 Large Casuarina trees exist within a plantation border on the boundary with Wylie Road and site access to the proposed WAB has been selected with care to avoid the need to fell any trees unnecessarily. A small number of recently planted trees will need to be removed however. Any slope stabilisation works in the area will need to preserve trees in-situ and no trees are anticipated to be removed. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. During the operational phase, compensatory planting and horizontal greening will be implemented.

LDR-6.1: Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street (WS15a, WS20)

5.9.2.15 A large percentage of the steep shotcrete slopes will be totally removed by excavation for HOM Station. Several isolated small Celtis trees on the south side will require to be felled. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. During the operational phase, both compensatory planting and slope greening will be undertaken.

LDR-7.1: Site formation levels for use by HOM Station (WS15a)

5.9.2.16 The proposed open cut to the station impacts relatively few trees. The major impact is from the excavation to exit E requiring the removal of 27 medium size trees along Fat Kwong Street. Species include Leucaena, Phoenix Macaranga Ficus and Melia, typically 4m -6m height but with some specimens up to 9m tall. A further row of 5 no. 9m high Aleurities of 0.40m trunk diameter and 2 no. Ficus of 7m high, following the run in to the formation layer from Chung Hau Street, are also affected. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. The site will be permanently occupied by HOM station and the impacts remain during operation phase.

5.9.2.17 The large band of more than 100 trees including stands of Acacia, Albizia Celtis, Leucaena, Melia and Macaranga with trunk diameters around of 0.5m and height up to 14m tall are found at the north of the development site formed on the embankment of the formation layers. They do not conflict with the Station Box excavation itself, however they are within the HOM Station construction site so that they will potentially conflict with site activities / facilities. These trees will ultimately need to be removed however and following completion of the project the area will be temporarily greened during Operation Phase until such time as any further site development takes place.

LDR-7.5: Open Space Site at Hung Hom Bay (WA6)

5.9.2.18 There is no change of use. The site is currently utilised as temporary works area and few, if any impacts are envisaged during Construction Phase. No impacts are envisaged during Operation Phase.

LDR-7.6: Reclaimed Land at TKO (WA12a, WA13)

5.9.2.19 The site is intended for temporary use as the explosives storage magazine. There is minimal change to the site condition intended other than the erection of storage units, blast shields and security fencing. The 27 self seeded trees located within the works area will need to be removed. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. Following completion, the TKO site will be subsequently required for use by other proposed projects and, therefore, for the KTE project, no mitigation can be proposed for this site.

LDR-8.1: Hung Hom Finger Pier (WA14)

5.9.2.20 The site will be used as a temporary barging point for the duration of the construction. 41no. trees were identified in the works area. Construction and operation of the barging point may impact approximately 28 trees. A Tree Removal Application will be submitted for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. Following completion, compensatory planting will be implemented.

LDR-9.: Victoria Harbour(WA14)

5.9.2.21 Working practice during the project will need to ensure that construction waste and run-off do not spill into the Harbour. No impacts are envisaged from the construction or operation of the project.

5.9.3 Landscape Character Impacts

5.9.3.1 The details of the predicted impacts to the LCAs are detailed below:

LCA-01: Area Surrounding Gascoigne Road

5.9.3.2 The construction of the WAB at Club de Recreio will be well visually contained within the site and will have little impact on the local land use structure. Negligible change to Landscape Character is anticipated during Construction or Operation Phases.

LCA-02: Reclamation Areas at Hung Hom Bay

5.9.3.3 No project construction or operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-03: King’s Park

5.9.3.4 No project construction or operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-04: West of Ma Tau Wai Road - Ho Man Tin

5.9.3.5 No project construction or operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-05: Hung Hom - Cross Harbour Links

5.9.3.6 No project construction or operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-06: Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate

5.9.3.7 Approximately 25 % of this Landscape Character Type is contained within the scope of the project area and will be occupied both during and following the works. A large magnitude of change to Landscape Character can be anticipated through both Construction and Operation Phases.

LCA-07: Yau Ma Tei and Jordan

5.9.3.8 Negligible change on Landscape Character is anticipated by the limited scale of works at Gascoigne Road Rest Garden during construction. No project operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-08: Hung Hom around Wuhu Street

5.9.3.9 The construction works at Fat Kwong Street Playground are fairly contained and at the margin of the LCA. A negligible magnitude of change is anticipated during the construction. No project operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-09: Hung Hom Reclamation

5.9.3.10 There is no predicted change of use from the baseline condition. No change on Landscape Character is anticipated.

LCA-10: Ho Man Tin Estate

5.9.3.11 No project construction activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-11: Victoria Harbour

5.9.3.12 No change on Landscape Character is anticipated.

LCA-12: Reclamation at TKO

5.9.3.13 No project construction or operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-13: Clearwater Bay Country Park

5.9.3.14 No project construction or operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

LCA-14: Joss House Bay

5.9.3.15 No project construction or operation activities will affect this Landscape Character Area.

5.9.4 Schedule of Impacts to Landscape Resources and Landscape Character

5.9.4.1 The magnitude of the impacts, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the Landscape Resources and Landscape Character Areas that would occur in the construction and operation phases are summarised in Tables 5.6 and 5.7 below. Only those resources and character areas which are affected by the project are listed. All impacts are adverse unless otherwise stated.

5.10 Magnitude of Visual Impact before Mitigation during Construction and Operation Phases

5.10.1 Background

5.10.1.1 The magnitude of visual impact will result from the following:

· The context and proximity of the VSR’s location to the project;

· Other views available from the VSR’s location;

· The number of people normally present at a VSR location;

· The characteristic of the VSR (for example, resident, working, studying, etc);

· The frequency and length of the view of the proposed scheme from the VSR’s location;

· The quality of the existing view from the VSR’s location and its ability to absorb change; and

· The magnitude of change brought about by the project in relation to the overall view from the location of each VSR.

5.10.1.2 Factors affecting the magnitude of change:

· Compatibility of the project with the surrounding landscape;

· Duration of impacts under construction and operation phases;

· Scale of development;

· Reversibility of change;

· Viewing distance; and

· Potential blockage of view.

Table 5.6: Magnitude of Impacts to Landscape Resources before Mitigation

LDR	Description	Source of Impact	Extent of Impact (Full / Part / Slight)		Duration of Impact (Short / Med / Long)		Compatibility of Impact (Good / Fair / Poor)		Reversibility of Change		Magnitude of Change
			Con	Op	Con	Op	Con	Op		Con		Op
LDR-1.1	Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	YMT Refuge access impacts topsoil, small trees, planting and restricts public access during the works – WS1 Slope stabilisation measures - WS2	Part	Slight	Long	Short	Poor	Good	Yes	Intermediate		Small
LDR-1.2	Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	Encroachment of development access road into garden impacts several mature trees – WS19	Part	Slight	Long	Med	Poor	Good	Yes	Intermediate		Small
LDR-1.3	Fat Kwong Street Garden	none								none		none
LDR-1.4	Ping Chi Street Sitting Out Area	none								none		none
LDR-1.5	Lee Kung Street Garden	none								none		none
LDR-1.6	Ko Shan Road Park	none								none		none
LDR-1.7	Hutchison Park	none								none		none
LDR-1.8	The Whampoa Garden	none								none		none
LDR-1.9	Whampoa Estate Podium Amenity Areas	none								none		none
LDR-2.1	Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road	WAB is provisioned in Club de Recreio causing loss of tennis courts - WS7a1	Part	Slight	Long	Long	Poor	Fair	No	Small		Negligible
LDR-2.2	Wuhu Street Temporary Playground	none								none		none
LDR-2.3	Fat Kwong Street Playground	Total area used for works during construction - WA15, WS26a	Full	Slight	Long	Short	Poor	Good	Yes	Large		Small
LDR-2.4	King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir Playground	none								none		none
LDR-2.5	Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre	none								none		none
LDR-2.6	Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground	none								none		none
LDR-2.7	Whampoa Estate Podium Recreation Areas	none								none		none
LDR-2.8	Primary School Play Areas on Tak On Street	none								none		none
LDR-2.9	Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool	none								none		none
LDR-3.1	Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College	Slope stabilisation measures required - WS2	Full	Full	Short	Short	Fair	Good	No	Small		Small
LDR-3.2	Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North	Excavation of HOM station construction will require removal of large areas of slope and terraces including topsoil and tree cover - WS15a	Part	Part	Long	Long	Poor	Poor	No	Large		Large
LDR-3.3	Slopes surrounding King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir	none								none		none
LDR-3.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir	Site office - WA2a	Part	Slight	Long	Long	Fair	Good	Yes	Small		Small
LDR-3.5	Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground	Slope stabilisation measures required - WS27	Part	Slight	Short	Med	Fair	Good	Yes	Small		Small
LDR-4.1	Street Planting at Gascoigne Road	none								none		none
LDR-4.2	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road	Temporary Traffic Management requires the removal of topsoil resources in roadside planters and local street trees including mature trees at proposed WHA station Entrance at Man Siu Street and Hung Hom Road - WS30	Full	Full	Long	Long	Poor	Fair	No	Large		Large
LDR-4.3	Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets	Temporary Traffic Management requires removal of street trees including rows of mature coco palms and Ailanthus trees on Tak Man Street - WS31, WS33	Full	Full	Long	Long	Poor	Poor	Yes	Large		Large
LDR-4.4	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Luen Road	none								none		none
LDR-4.5	Roadside planting in the Princess Margaret Road Interchange	none								none		none
LDR-5.1	Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads	Access point for WAB will impact large trees next to Wylie Road. Potential slope stabilisation measures in the surrounding areas are not anticipated to result in the loss of any trees. - WS4a, WS45, WS6a, WS44, WS47	Part	Slight	Short	Short	Fair	Good	Yes	Small		Negligible
LDR-5.2	Edge landscape at Harbour Front Landmark	none								none		none
LDR-5.3	Landscape Gardens at Harbour Front Horizon	none								none		none
LDR-6.1	Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street	HOM Station excavation requires removal of slopes - WS15a, WS20	Full	Full	Long	Long	Fair	Fair	No	Large		Large
LDR-6.2	Slopes surrounding Chung Hau Street	none								none		none
LDR-6.3	Slopes surrounding Ho Man West Service Reservoir	none								none		none
LDR-6.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir	none								none		none
LDR-7.1	Site formation levels for use by HOM Station	Area totally redeveloped by the project - WS15a	Full	Full	Long	Long	Fair	Fair	No	Large		Large
LDR-7.2	Future PolyU site formation area	none								none		none
LDR-7.3	Residual Valley Road Estate site formations	none								none		none
LDR-7.4	Formation levels at King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir	none								none		none
LDR-7.5	Open Space sites at Hung Hom Bay (Works Area)	Used as works areas during construction - WA6,	Part	-	Long	-	Good	-	Yes	Negligible		-
LDR-7.6	Reclaimed Land at TKO (Works Area)	Used as a temporary magazine site during construction - WA12a, WA13	Part	Slight	Long	Long	Good	Good	No	Small		Small
LDR-8.1	Hung Hom Finger Pier	Site office and used as barging point during construction - WA14	Full	Slight	Long	Long	Good	Good	Yes	Negligible		Negligible
LDR-8.2	Future Promenade at Hung Hom Reclamation Areas	none								none		none
LDR-8.3	Promenade at Whampoa Harbourfront	none								none		none
LDR-9.1	Victoria Harbour	Facilitates barging of waste during construction	Slight	-	Long	-	Good	-	Yes	Negligible		-
LDR-9.2	Joss House Bay	none								none		none
LDR-10.1	Clearwater Bay Country Park	none								none		none

Table 5.7: Magnitude of Impacts to Landscape Character Areas before Mitigation

LCA	Description	Source of Impact	Extent of Impact (Full / Part / Slight)		Duration of Impact (Short / Med / Long)		Compatibility of Change (Good / Fair / Poor)		Reversibility of Change	Magnitude of Change
			Con	Op	Con	Op	Con	Op		Con	Op
LCA-01	Area surrounding Gascoigne Road	WAB and Works Area provisioned in Club de Recreio / Slope Stabilisation measures - WS4a, WS45, WS6a, WS44, WS7a1	Slight	Slight	Long	Long	Good	Good	No	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-02	Reclamation Areas at Hung Hom Waterfront	none								none	none
LCA-03	King’s Park	none								none	none
LCA-04	West of Ma Tau Wai Road - Ho Man Tin	none								none	none
LCA-05	Hung Hom - Cross Harbour Links	none								none	none
LCA-06	Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate	Area significantly occupied by HOM Station development - WS15a,	Part	Part	Long	Long	Fair	Good	No	Large	Large
LCA-07	Yau Ma Tei and Jordan	YMT Refuge access impacts small trees, planting and restricts public access during the works – WS1 Slope stabilisation measures - WS2	Slight	Slight	Long	Long	Fair	Good	No	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-08	Hung Hom around Wuhu Street	Temporary Works Area at Fat Kwong Street Station - WA15, WS26a, WS27	Part	Slight	Long	Long	Fair	Good	No	Small	Negligible
LCA-09	Whampoa and Hung Hom Reclamations	Area utilised for WHA station development – WS30, WS31,WS33, WS36a, WS37a Temporary Works Area to be utilised on future open space package - WA6	Part	Slight	Long	Long	Poor	Good	No	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-10	Ho Man Tin Estate	none								none	none
LCA-11	Victoria Harbour	WA14 Temporary Barging Point at Hung Hom Finger Pier	Slight	-	Long	-	Poor	-	Yes	Negligible	-
LCA-12	Reclamation at TKO	WA12a, Wa13 Temporary Magazine Site	Slight	-	Long	-	Good	-	Yes	Negligible	-
LCA-13	Clearwater Bay Country Park	none								none	none
LCA-14	Joss House Bay	none								none	none

5.10.1.3 The magnitude of change to the receivers will be classified as follows:

Large:	e.g. the majority of viewers affected / major change in view
Intermediate:	e.g. many viewers affected / moderate change in view
Small:	e.g. few viewers affected / minor change in view
Negligible:	e.g. very few viewers affected / no discernible change in view

5.10.2 Visual Impacts

5.10.2.1 The magnitude of the impacts, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the Visually Sensitive Receivers that would occur in the construction and operation phases are tabulated in Table 5.8. All impacts are adverse unless otherwise stated and are discussed below.

Residential

R1: Residents of towers on the west of Nathan Road

5.10.2.2 The temporary works in Gascoigne Road Rest Garden will affect these residents. Impacts are Small in scale during construction and should not be highly prominent, only requiring tunnel access for cabling. Potential cumulative impacts from Central Kowloon Route (CKR) and the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible. Reinstatement of the area following completion means that impacts will be Negligible during Operation Phase.

R2: Residents of Parc Palais

5.10.2.3 The occupation of the tennis court area at Club de Recreio as a works area as well as the construction of the small WAB building will present an Intermediate magnitude of impact during construction. A tower crane on the site is likely to cause the most visual impact. The WAB will remain permanent through operation of the project causing a Small magnitude of change. No potential cumulative impacts are envisaged.

R3: East facing units of Wylie Court

5.10.2.4 Impacts will be generated principally from the excavation, plant and construction works at WS15a for HOM Station. These will be extensive and prominent including rock crushing equipment and tower cranes and the magnitude of impacts during Construction Phase can be considered Large. Further cumulative visual impacts may be generated from construction of the SCL around Princess Margaret Road Interchange. Operation impacts will be generated from the new HOM Station building and the surrounding slope reinstatement works and can be considered Intermediate.

R4: Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North

5.10.2.5 These residents currently view north to the Open Space on the slopes above Chatham Road North. During Construction Phase an area of approximately 15,000m² of these slopes shall be removed, including the trees thereon and deep excavation will take place for the HOM Station. Potential impacts include loss of visual amenity from the removed green space, clear views over the open cut construction site for HOM Station and potential glare from high mast lighting. During Operation potential visual impacts will come from the new HOM Station building itself, the backfill slopes surrounding the new station building as well as traffic to the forecourt on Chatham Road North. Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during both construction and operation phases.

R5: Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Ave

5.10.2.6 These residents also view north to the Open Space on the slopes above Chatham Road North whilst some have east views to the Temporary Works Area at Fat Kwong Street Playground. Potential visual impacts are as for those at VSR-R4 however the viewing distance is increased and more alternative views exist. Other buildings partially block and frame views. During Operation potential visual impacts will come from the new HOM Station. Impacts from Fat Kwong Street will be largely eliminated as it is intended to be reinstated. Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase and Intermediate during Operation Phase.

R6: Residents at Ka Wai Chuen

5.10.2.7 These receivers view directly over the Temporary Works Area at Fat Kwong Street Playground which includes tunnel mucking out area, site offices and slope stabilisation works. Trees around the playground will be predominantly retained and provide visual amelioration. More distant views to the works at HOM Station can be seen although partly obscured by other tall buildings. Construction Phase impacts are considered as Large. Reinstatement of the Temporary Works Area at project completion means that Operation Phase changes are considered Small in magnitude.

R7: Residents at Tsing Chau Street and Ma Tau Wai Road

5.10.2.8 Construction Phase impacts will be generated principally from the Temporary Works Area and Works Sites at Fat Kwong Street Playground in the near distance. These will consist of a site office and mucking out areas and no large scale works are anticipated. Receivers can also view the works at HOM Station at a further distance, in particular the rock crushing equipment, yet views to the excavated slopes above Chatham Road North are restricted. Construction Phase changes are considered Large whilst Operation Phase change is reduced to Small by the reinstatement of Fat Kwong Street Playground and cessation of construction activities at HOM Station.

R8: Residents at Shun Yung Street

5.10.2.9 Similar to VSR-R6 these receivers view both the HOM Station works and the Temporary Works Area at Fat Kwong Street Playground. Whilst they are not quite so proximate to the temporary works site they have more open west views to the large scale construction works at HOM Station. Construction Phase impacts are expected to be Large. Reinstatement of the Temporary Works Area at project completion means that Operation Phase Visual Impacts are considered Intermediate.

R9: Future Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory

5.10.2.10 The dormitory is scheduled to be complete by 2012 and as a result receivers will have immediate views to the construction of HOM Station to the north and the Fat Kwong Street Playground Temporary Works Area to the south. Such close proximity means that Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during both Construction and Operation Phases, with the location of the HOM Station cooling tower on Yan Fung Street largely in view to many lower floor residents

R10: Residents at Valley Road

5.10.2.11 As for VSR-R9 these receivers are immediately adjacent to the HOM Station works and also view the Fat Kwong Street Playground Temporary Works Area to the south. During both Construction and Operation the HOM Station development will form the majority of the view. The scale of construction activities mean that a Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during both Construction and Operation Phases.

R11: Residents at Ho Man Tin Estate South

5.10.2.12 Receivers will have restricted views of the site formation levels at HOM Station and because of the long distance these will not be clear or extensive. The magnitude of change to their view will be Small during construction and Negligible during operation.

R12: Residents of Ko Shan Road

5.10.2.13 These receivers view onto the Temporary Works Area WA2a which will contain the project site office. West facing receivers on the top floors of Shung Fu Building and Li Ko building also have restricted, distant, oblique views to the HOM Station site. Loss of a number of self seeded trees for site establishment in this green belt area will deprive receivers of some green visual amenity during construction and a busy works site will replace their direct view. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase. Removal of the works buildings at project completion will see the site remain empty thereafter and return to its original state. Resulting Operation Phase impacts are considered to be assessed due to the loss of the self seeded trees and their contribution to visual amenity. Based upon the loss of trees in this area and the associated loss of some visual amenity, the magnitude of change is considered to be Intermediate.

R13: Residents of Whampoa Estate and Garden

5.10.2.14 The construction of WHA Station will see large scale excavation of the surrounding street environment. Many residents will have clear views over the excavation and the accompanying traffic diversion works. Removal of street trees in the area will see a loss of visual amenity. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Intermediate Operation Phase impacts resulting from the permanent loss of greening and the incorporation of new above ground entrance and ventilation structures.

R14: Residents at Harbourfront Landmark

5.10.2.15 The predominant number of residents will view well beyond the works due to the height of the building. However lower floor residents will have proximate views of the excavation and construction of WHA Station. Furthermore residents will be impacted directly by the works upon arrival and departure from their building where the small Ventilation and Escape Staircase at Wan Hoi Street will be constructed. Therefore, based upon introduction of this permanent structure, Operation Phase changes are considered Intermediate and operational phase impacts Small.

R15: Residents at Hong Kong Polytechnic University Student Dormitory /

R16: Residents of Harbour Place

5.10.2.16 The Temporary Site Office at Works Area WA6 will form a Small change to the view for these residents during construction. The site is currently being used for similar purposes and shall not be utilised for the works during Operation Phase.

R17: Residents of Royal Peninsula

5.10.2.17 The full scale of the works at WS15a will form significant proportion of the view for many residents. The loss of green visual amenity caused by the excavation of the slopes at HOM Station and adverse impact of construction plant and views into the open cut will be apparent despite the distance. Construction phase changes are considered Intermediate whilst Operation Phase changes are Small following removal of construction activity.

R18: Future residents of property development above HOM Station / R19: Future residents of Valley Road Estate Development Site

5.10.2.18 Whilst no construction changes can be considered the outlook for future residents will have changed considerably following construction of the HOM Station. The loss of local greening on the slopes above Chatham Road North will have been replaced by new planting and the temporary parking areas on the formation areas will have been developed. Whilst the area will have been improved in the quality of the developed outlook, the density of development will have increased and a reduction in open space be noticeable. Cumulative impacts will be particularly felt from the proximity of the HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory which shall have been completed. Operation Phase changes are considered as Intermediate.

Leisure

L1: Users of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden

5.10.2.19 The receivers will not be able to gain access to the Rest Garden during Construction Phase. Operation Phase changes will be Negligible due to re-instatement of the Garden.

L2: Pedestrians and Shoppers in the vicinity of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden

5.10.2.20 Construction Phase impacts will be Small in scale and should not be highly prominent, only requiring tunnel access for cabling. Potential cumulative impacts from Central Kowloon Route (CKR) and the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible. Reinstatement of the area following completion means that impacts will be Negligible during Operation Phase.

L3: Members and Visitors of India Club and YMCA

5.10.2.21 The occupation of the tennis court area at Club de Recreio as a Works Area as well as the construction of the small WAB building and potential temporary slope stabilisation works at the entrances to the properties will present an Intermediate magnitude of impact during construction. The WAB will remain permanent through operation of the project however the removal of the temporary works will result in a Negligible magnitude of change. Potential cumulative impacts from the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible.

L4: Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio

5.10.2.22 The WAB will be constructed in the grounds of Club de Recreio where it will be clearly visible from both building and field areas. Receivers will be directly adjacent to the works, particularly those partaking in sports. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Intermediate Operation Phase impacts resulting from the scale and proximity of the new building.

L5: Visitors of King’s Park Hockey Ground

5.10.2.23 During both Construction and Operation Phases the WAB will be viewed at close quarters. However the existing trees on Wylie Road mean that the Facility shall be well screened after completion and Negligible Operation Phase impacts are anticipated. However the requirement for site establishment and access at such a proximate distance will make the Construction Phase changes Intermediate.

L6: Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club

5.10.2.24 Immediately opposite the site of the WAB on Wylie Road, receivers shall have clear views of the building construction. Some localised tree removal will be most closely felt by these receivers for the loss of visual amenity. The permanent structure will change the outlook of the receivers onto Wylie Road, particularly during arrival and departure. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Small Operation Phase impacts.

L7: Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir

5.10.2.25 Construction Phase impacts from the development of HOM Station will be closely felt as the site is immediately adjacent and will dominate the view to the south. Operation Phase impacts will be reduced due to the removal of construction plant, yet will remain permanently changed by the scale of the HOM Station building, with the Cooling Tower and Entrance B shaft becoming major features. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Intermediate Operation Phase impacts.

L8: Recreation users of Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre

5.10.2.26 Receivers will have close southerly views of the site formation levels at HOM Station, usually on arrival and departure. The northern end of the works will be visible including the site offices and rock crushing equipment. The magnitude of change to their view will be Large during construction and Small during operation. .

L9: Recreation users of Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground

5.10.2.27 Works site WS15a can be fully viewed to the south from the southern edge of this facility. The rock crushing equipment will be at the forefront of the view and most of the other activities of the site, including much of the station box excavation will be open to view. The magnitude of change will be Large during Construction Phase and Intermediate during Operation Phase.

L10: Users of Yan Fung Street Rest Garden

5.10.2.28 The receivers will not be able to gain access to the Rest Garden during Construction Phase. Operation Phase changes will be Intermediate due to the significant changes in view outside of the garden area resulting from the development of HOM Station.

L11: Pedestrians around Fat Kwong Street Playground and Sitting Out Area

5.10.2.29 The use of Fat Kwong Street Playground during the construction works, including potential slope stabilisation measures on the surrounding slopes will be immediately adjacent to receivers. The magnitude of change will be Large during Construction Phase but due to the re-instatement of the Playground and slopes shall be considered Small during Operation Phase.

L12: Recreational users of Fat Kwong Street Playground

5.10.2.30 The receivers will not be able to gain access to the Playground during Construction Phase. Operation Phase changes will be Small due to the re-instatement of the Playground and surrounding slopes. Cumulative impacts will be particularly noticeable from the proximity of the HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory which will have been completed.

L13: Pedestrians in and around Fat Kwong Street Garden

5.10.2.31 The proximity of both HOM Station and Fat Kwong Street Playground during the construction works will have considerable visual intrusion to Park Users. The magnitude of change will be Large during Construction Phase but due to the re-instatement of the Playground as well as the resultant restricted views to the new HOM Station it shall be considered Small during Operation Phase. Cumulative impacts can be expected from the HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory which will have been completed.

L14: Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Estate and Garden

5.10.2.32 The construction of WHA Station will see large scale excavation of the surrounding street environment. Receivers will have continuous views of the works areas, usually in the form of surrounding site hoardings and the accompanying traffic diversion works will be conspicuous and affect pedestrian flows. Removal of street trees in the area will see a loss of visual amenity. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Intermediate Operation Phase impacts resulting from the permanent loss of greening and the incorporation of new above ground entrance and ventilation structures.

L15: Visitors to Hong Kong Coliseum

5.10.2.33 Pedestrians on the south parapet of the promenade at Hong Kong Coliseum will be able to view the Temporary Barging Point WA14 during Construction Phase. The works will be relatively well absorbed into the clutter of surrounding structures and elevated highways, with the rock crushing equipment concealed within an enclosure. Construction Phase impacts are considered Small and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

L16: Pedestrians on TST East Promenade

5.10.2.34 Pedestrians will be able to view the Temporary Barging Point WA14 during Construction Phase. The works will be relatively well absorbed into the clutter of surrounding structures and elevated highways, with the rock crushing equipment concealed within an enclosure. Construction Phase impacts are considered Negligible and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

L17: Hikers at Clear Water Bay Country Park

5.10.2.35 Hikers will be able to view the Temporary Magazine Site WA12a/WA13 during Construction Phase. The works will be very small scale and hard to discern in the wider disrupted. Construction Phase impacts are considered Negligible and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

Occupational

O1: Workers in commercial buildings on Nathan Road /
O2: Staff and Guests of Eaton Hotel

5.10.2.36 Construction Phase impacts will be Small in scale and should not be highly prominent, only requiring tunnel access for cabling. Potential cumulative impacts from Central Kowloon Route and the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible. Reinstatement of the area following completion means that impacts will be Negligible during Operation Phase.

O3: Staff and Students of Methodist College

5.10.2.37 Construction Phase impacts will be Intermediate in scale. The slope stabilisation works proposed at WS2 are immediately adjacent to the College and will form a large part of the view even though they are relatively small in nature. Some of the works at WS1 Gascoigne Road Rest Garden may also be seen with restricted views. Negligible Operation Phase impacts will result however after reinstatement of the Garden and the slopes. Potential cumulative impacts from Central Kowloon Route and the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible.

O4: Staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Buildings

5.10.2.38 The occupation of the tennis court area at Club de Recreio as a works area as well as the construction of the small WAB building will present an Intermediate magnitude of impact during construction. A tower crane on the site is likely to cause the most visual impact. The WAB will remain permanent through operation of the project causing a Small magnitude of change. No potential cumulative impacts are envisaged.

O5: Staff of India Club and YMCA

5.10.2.39 The occupation of the tennis court area at Club de Recreio as a Works Area as well as the construction of the small WAB building and potential temporary slope stabilisation works at the entrances to the properties will present an Intermediate magnitude of impact during construction. The WAB will remain permanent through operation of the project however the removal of the temporary works will result in a Negligible magnitude of change. Potential cumulative impacts from the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible.

O6: Staff of Club de Recreio

5.10.2.40 The WAB will be constructed in the grounds of Club de Recreio where it will be clearly visible from both building and field areas. Receivers will be directly adjacent to the works, particularly those partaking in sports. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Intermediate Operation Phase impacts resulting from the scale and proximity of the new building.

O7: Staff of King’s Park Hockey Ground

5.10.2.41 During both Construction and Operation Phases the WAB will be viewed at close quarters. However the existing trees on Wylie Road mean that the Facility shall be well screened after completion and Negligible Operation Phase impacts are anticipated. However the requirement for site establishment and access at such a proximate distance will make the Construction Phase changes Intermediate.

O8: Staff of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club /
O9: Staff and Students of future Primary School (under construction) at Wylie Road

5.10.2.42 Immediately opposite the site of the WAB on Wylie Road, receivers shall have clear views of the building construction. Some localised tree removal will be most closely felt by these receivers for the loss of visual amenity. The permanent structure will change the outlook of the receivers onto Wylie Road, particularly during arrival and departure. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Small Operation Phase impacts.

O10: Staff at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre

5.10.2.43 Receivers will have close southerly views of the site formation levels at HOM Station, usually on arrival and departure. The northern end of the works will be visible including the site offices and rock crushing equipment. The magnitude of change to their view will be Large during construction and Small during operation.

O11: Staff of Small Businesses at Valley Road

5.10.2.44 These receivers are immediately adjacent to the HOM Station works and also view the Fat Kwong Street Playground Temporary Works Area to the south. During both construction and operation the HOM Station development will form a large extent of the view but it is restricted to the end of the street where the new cooling tower will be dominant, replacing the large shotcrete slopes. The scale of construction activities mean that the Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during construction and is reduced to Small in Operation Phase with the removal of construction activities and reinstatement of Fat Kwong Street Playground.

O12: Workers at short term tenancy on Fat Kwong Street (Planned Dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

5.10.2.45 Construction workers involved in the building of the new Hostel will be immediately next to the works site at HOM Station with full views. The Magnitude of Change during Construction Phase is Large. Programming will mean that no Operational Phase Impacts occur.

O13: Staff at Hung Hom Fire Station /
O14: Staff and Students of Hung Hom Government Primary School

5.10.2.46 These receivers view directly over the Temporary Works Area at Fat Kwong Street Playground which includes tunnel mucking out area, site offices and slope stabilisation works. Trees around the playground will be predominantly retained and provide visual amelioration. More distant views to the works at HOM Station can be seen although partly obscured by other tall buildings. Construction Phase impacts are considered as Large. Reinstatement of the Temporary Works Area at project completion means that Operation Phase changes are considered Small in magnitude.

O15: Staff at Caritas College of Careers and Businesses on Wuhu Street

5.10.2.47 These receivers view to the HOM Station works site next to Chatham Road North and Yan Fung Street as well as views to the Temporary Works Area at Fat Kwong Street Playground. Potential visual impacts are resultant from the Station construction site in particular the works around Entrance C and the excavation of the Station Box Buildings at Valley Road partially block and frame views. During operation potential visual impacts will come from the Station whilst impacts from Fat Kwong Street will be largely eliminated as it is intended to be reinstated. Cumulative impacts are expected from construction of the Footbridge over Chatham Road North (EPIW) including the use of Wuhu Street Temporary Playground as well as the planned PolyU Student Dormitory at Fat Kwong Street. Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase and Intermediate during Operation Phase.

O16: Staff of Businesses in Whampoa Estate and Whampoa Garden

5.10.2.48 The construction of WHA Station will see large scale excavation of the surrounding street environment. Many receivers will have clear views onto the excavation works, site hoardings and the accompanying traffic diversion works. Removal of street trees in the area will see a loss of visual amenity. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Intermediate Operation Phase impacts resulting from the permanent loss of greening and the incorporation of new above ground entrance and ventilation structures.

O17: Staff and Students of S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary Schools

5.10.2.49 The scale of works is limited in the area to street excavation and Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) with construction of the new small vent structure near the school entrances at Tak Ting Street being the most conspicuous. The Magnitude of Change will be Intermediate during Construction Phase and Negligible during Operation Phase.

O18: GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School /
O19: Office workers with north view at Two Harbourfront

5.10.2.50 The scale of works is limited in the area to street excavation and TTM with construction of a new vent and escape stair at Wan Hoi Street being the nearest visible structure. The Magnitude of Change will be Intermediate during Construction Phase and Negligible during Operation Phase.

O20: Staff and Students at Hong Kong Polytechnic University – Community College Campus

5.10.2.51 The Temporary Site Office at Works Area WA6 will form a Small change to the view for these receivers during construction. The site is currently being used for similar purposes and shall not be utilised for the works during Operation Phase.

O21: Staff and Guests of Harbour View Horizon Hotel /
O22: Staff and Guests of Harbour Front Horizon Hotel

5.10.2.52 Both the Temporary Site Office at Works Area WA6 and the Temporary Barging Point at WA14 will provide impacts. In both cases the nature of the impact is small scale without the need for large plant or disruption. Construction Phase impacts are considered Small and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise

O23: Staff and Guests of Harbour Plaza Metropolis /
O24: Office workers with south views at International Mail Centre

5.10.2.53 The Temporary Barging Point works area WA14 will be visible during Construction Phase. The works will be relatively well absorbed into the clutter of surrounding structures and elevated highways, with the rock crushing equipment concealed within an enclosure. Construction Phase impacts are considered Small and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

O25: Office / Hotel workers and guests with east views at TST East

5.10.2.54 Receivers will be able to view the Temporary Barging Point works area WA14 during Construction Phase. The works will be relatively well absorbed into the clutter of surrounding structures and elevated highways, with the rock crushing equipment concealed within an enclosure. Construction Phase impacts are considered Negligible and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

O26: Office Workers at The Metropolis Tower

5.10.2.55 Distant views to works site WS15a at HOM Station as well as the Temporary Barging Point at WS14 will provide some change to view. The full extent of the scale of the works at WS15a will be apparent due to the high elevation of the receivers whilst the low key impacts from the barging point will be fairly concealed. Construction Phase impacts can be considered Intermediate. Operation impacts will be generated from the new HOM Station building and the surrounding slope reinstatement works and can be considered Small. Further cumulative visual impacts may be generated from construction of the SCL including the portals at Hung Hom Station and the works areas around Princess Margaret Road Interchange.

O27: Staff and Students at Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Lee Shau Kee Building

5.10.2.56 Impacts will be generated principally from the excavation, plant and construction works at WS15a for HOM Station. These will be extensive and prominent including rock crushing equipment and tower cranes and the magnitude of impacts during Construction Phase can be considered Intermediate. Further cumulative visual impacts may be generated from construction of the SCL around Princess Margaret Road Interchange. Operation impacts will be generated from the new HOM Station building and the surrounding slope reinstatement works and can be considered Small.

Transportation

T1: Circulating Traffic on Nathan and Gascoigne Roads

5.10.2.57 Construction Phase impacts will be Small in scale and should not be highly prominent, only requiring tunnel access for cabling. Potential cumulative impacts from Central Kowloon Route and the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible. Reinstatement of the area following completion means that impacts will be Negligible during Operation Phase.

T2: Fast moving vehicles on Gascoigne Road

5.10.2.58 Potential temporary slope stabilisation works at the entrances to the India Club and Club de Recreio will present a Small magnitude of impact during construction. No Operation Phase impacts are envisaged. Potential cumulative impacts from the Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover are possible.

T3: Road users on Wylie Road and Wylie Path

5.10.2.59 Potential Impacts are derived from the WAB as well as slope stabilisation measures on Wylie Path. During both Construction and Operation Phases these areas will be passed at close quarters, however the existing trees on Wylie Road mean that the WAB shall be well screened both before and after completion and Negligible Operation Phase impacts are anticipated. However the requirement for site establishment and access at such proximate distances will make the Construction Phase changes Small.

T4: Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange /
T5: Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North /
T6: Road users on Chung Hau Street /
T7: Temporary parking users on future development site /
T8: Road users on Fat Kwong Street

5.10.2.60 During Construction Phase an area of approximately 15,000m² of the Slopes above Chatham Road North including the trees thereon shall be removed and the open cutting of the WHA Station box, with temporary concrete stabilised slopes will be apparent. During Operation potential visual impacts will come from the new HOM Station building itself, entrances, cooling towers and vents as well as the backfill slopes surrounding the new station building. Furthermore traffic will be generated to the Station forecourt on Chatham Road North and Yan Fung Street. Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction and Intermediate during Operation Phases.

T9: Road users on Yan Fung Street

5.10.2.61 Receivers will not be able to gain access to the street during Construction Phase. Operation Phase changes will be Intermediate as for other surrounding streets noted above.

T10: Road users on Tak Man / Tak On Street /
T11: Road users on Hung Hom Road (east section)

5.10.2.62 The construction of WHA Station will see large scale excavation of the surrounding street environment. Receivers will have continuous views of the works areas, usually in the form of surrounding site hoardings and the accompanying traffic diversion works will be conspicuous and affect pedestrian flows. Removal of street trees in the area will see a loss of visual amenity. The Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Large during Construction Phase with Intermediate Operation Phase impacts resulting from the permanent loss of greening and the incorporation of new above ground entrance and ventilation structures.

T12: Road users on Whampoa Garden Side Streets

5.10.2.63 Potential impacts will be received from construction of the new vent structures at Shung King Street, Tak Ting Street, Tak Fung Street and Wan Hoi Street. Disruption to roads and traffic is not as severe as on Tak On Street.. Magnitude of Change is anticipated to be Intermediate during Construction Phase with Small Operation Phase impacts resulting from incorporation of new above ground ventilation structures.

T13: Road users on Hung Lok Road and Yan Yung Street

5.10.2.64 The Temporary Site Office at Works Area WA6 will form a Small change to the view for these receivers during construction. The site is currently being used for similar purposes and shall not be utilised for the works during Operation Phase.

T14: Road users on Hung Hom Road (west section)

5.10.2.65 The Temporary Barging Point at works area WA14 will be visible during Construction Phase but well concealed behind barriers. The works will be relatively well absorbed into the clutter of surrounding structures and elevated highways, with the temporary rock crushing equipment concealed within an enclosure. Construction Phase impacts are considered Small and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

T15: Road users on Salisbury Road /
T16: Travellers in Victoria Harbour

5.10.2.66 Receivers will be able to view the Temporary Barging Point (WA14) during Construction Phase. The works will be relatively well absorbed into the clutter of surrounding structures and elevated highways, with the temporary rock crushing equipment concealed within an enclosure. Construction Phase impacts are considered Negligible and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

T17: Recreational boat traffic in Joss House Bay (Tai Mui Wan)

5.10.2.67 Impacts will derive from the Temporary Magazine Site at works areas WA12a and WA13 which consists of a small storage compound and low structure. Tit Cham Chau and the uneven surrounding bund restrict the potential impacts considerably. Construction Phase impacts are considered Negligible and no ongoing Operation Phase impacts will arise.

5.10.3 Temporary Rock Crushing Equipment

5.10.3.1 Three temporary rock crushing equipment may be required during the construction. One would be located within the works site at HOM Station (WS15a) (See Figure 3.4) and two would be housed together within one structure at Hung Hom Finger Pier (WA14) (See Figure 3.8). A typical layout of the crushing equipment and disposition of these facilities is described in Section 3.6.3 and can be seen on Figure 3.38.

5.10.3.2 The facility at HOM Station would be relatively insignificant in terms of the scale of works being undertaken there and would be unlikely to have any significant visual impact over and above that being assessed within the site, including tower cranes, large plant, excavation equipment, site offices and exposed stabilised slopes. The covering structure would be approximately 10m in height. The materials and colour of the surfacing shall be low key to ensure that no unnecessary glare or reflection results. The crusher is scheduled for use for about 19 months after which it would be removed from the site.

5.10.3.3 At Hung Hom Finger Pier the crushers are housed together under a single structure of approximately 70m x 50m with a height of approximately 10m. It is strategically located within the works area to minimise visual intrusion to the majority of local visual receivers, being placed close under the overhead expressway of Hung Hom Road (west section). The facility is not considered likely to create any significant visual impacts over and above other activities within the temporary works area. The materials and colour of the surfacing shall be low key to ensure that no unnecessary glare or reflection results. The crusher will be used for about 29 months for the KTE project.

Table 5.8: Magnitude of Impacts on Visually Sensitive Receivers before Mitigation

VSR	Location	Source of Impact	Type of Impact	Dist- ance To Source	Compatibility with Surroundings (Good / Fair / Poor)		Scale of Development (Small / Med / Large)		Duration of Impacts (Short / Med / Long)		Reversibility of change (Yes / No)		Potential blockage of view (Full / Part / Nil)		Magnitude of Change (Large / Intermediate / Small / Negligible)
					Con	Op	Con	Op	Con	Op	Con	Op	Con	Op	Con	Op
Residential
R1	Residents on the west of Nathan Road	WS1 WS2	KTL Existing Cable Tunnel Diversion Works, / Potential Slope Stabilisation	30m	Fair	Fair	Small	Small	Long	Long	Yes	Yes	Nil	Nil	Small	Negligible
R2	Residents of Parc Palais	WS7a1 WS47	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	150m	Poor	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Interm’	Small
R3	East facing units of Wylie Court	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	300m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Large	Interm’
R4	Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	30m	Poor	Fair	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Full	Full	Large	Large
R5	Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue	WS15a WS19 WS26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Site Office	15m	Fair	Good	Large	Med	Long	Long	No	Yes	Nil	Nil	Large	Interm’
R6	Residents at Ka Wai Chuen	WS15a, WS19, WS26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Site Office	80m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Small
R7	Residents at Tsing Chau Street	WS15a, WS19, WS20, WS26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works / Site Office	90m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Small
R8	Residents at Shun Yung Street	WS15a WS20, WS26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works / Site Office	60m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
R9	Future residents of HK PolyU planned student dormitory	WS15a WS20,	HOM Station construction	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Med	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Large
R10	Residents with surrounding views at Valley Road	WS20, WS19, WS15a Ws26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works / Site Office	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Full	Large	Large
R11	Residents at Ho Man Tin Estate South	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	340m	Good	Good	Small	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Small	Negligible
R12	Residents at Ko Shan Road	WA2a, WS15a	Temporary Site Office, HOM Station Construction (restricted)	10m	Fair	Fair	Large	Small	Long	Long	Yes	Yes	Nil	Nil	Large	Interm’
R13	Residents of Whampoa Estate and Garden	WS30, WS31, WS33, WS36a, WS37a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / WHA D&B Platform Construction and TTM Implementation / KTE Refuge Siding Tunnel and Ventilation Shaft Construction / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Large	Interm’
R14	Residents of Harbour Front Landmark	WS33 WS36a WS37a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / KTE Refuge Siding Tunnel and Ventilation Shaft Construction / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	15m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Interm’	Small
R15	Residents at Poly U Student Dormitory	WA6	Site Office	20m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
R16	Residents of Harbour Place	WA6,	Site Office	20m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
R17	Residents of Royal Peninsula	WS15a	HOM Station construction / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works	500m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Interm’	Small
R18	Future residents of property development above HOM Station	WS15a WS20, , WS26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station construction / Reprovisioned facilities in Fat Kwong Street Playground	0m	-	Good	-	Large	-	Long	-	No	-	Part	-	Interm’
R19	Future residents of Valley Road Estate development site	WS15a WS20	HOM Station construction	20m	-	Good	-	Large	-	Long	-	No	-	Part	-	Interm’
Leisure
L1	Users of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	WS1, WS2	Reprovisioned Facilities at Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	0m	-	Good	-	Small	-	Short	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Negligible
L2	Pedestrians and Shoppers in the vicinity of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	WS1, WS2	KTL Existing Cable Tunnel Diversion Works, / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Fair	Fair	Small	Small	Long	Long	Yes	Yes	Part	Nil	Small	Negligible
L3	Members and Visitors of India Club and YMCA	WS4A, WS45, WS6a, WS7a1	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	Yes	No	Part	Part	Interm’	Negligible
L4	Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio	WS6a, WS45, WS7a1	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Poor	Good	Large	Med	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
L5	Visitors of Kings Park Hockey Ground	WS7a1 WS44	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	30m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Nil	Interm’	Negligible
L6	Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	WS7a1, WS44, WS47	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Poor	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Small
L7	Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir	WS15a,	HOM Station Construction	60m	Fair	Good	Large	Med	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
L8	Recreation visitors at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	100m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Nil	Large	Small
L9	Recreation users at Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground	WS15a WS20, WS26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works / Site Office	40m	Good	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Large	Interm’
L10	Users of Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	WS15a WS19	HOM Station / Reprovisioned facilities in Yan Fung Street Playground	0m	-	Good	-	Large	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Part	-	Interm’
L11	Pedestrians around Fat Kwong Street Playground and Sitting Out Area	WS25, WS26a, WS27, WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Site Office	10m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Short	No	Yes	Part	Nil	Large	Small
L12	Recreational users of Fat Kwong Street Playground	WS15a WS26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / Reprovisioned facilities in Fat Kwong Street Playground	0m	-	Good	-	Small	-	Short	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small
L13	Pedestrians in and around Fat Kwong Street Garden	WS25, WS26a, WS27, WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Site Office	20m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Short	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Small
L14	Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Estate and Garden	WS30, WS31, WS33, WS36a, WS37a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / WHA D&B Platform Construction and TTM Implementation / KTE Refuge Siding Tunnel and Ventilation Shaft Construction / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
L15	Visitors to Hong Kong Coliseum	WA14	Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	0m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Part	-	Small	-
L16	Pedestrians on TST East Promenade	WA14	Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	0m -300m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Negligible	-
L17	Hikers at Clear Water Bay Country Park	WA12a WA13	Site clearance and establishment, erect temporary magazine structures (anticipated)	200m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Negligible	-
Occupational
O1	Workers in commercial buildings on Nathan Road	WS1, WS2	KTL Existing Cable Tunnel Diversion Works, / Potential Slope Stabilisation	30m	Fair	Fair	Small	Small	Long	Short	Yes	Yes	Nil	Nil	Small	Negligible
O2	Staff and Guests of Eaton Hotel	WS1, WS2	KTL Existing Cable Tunnel Diversion Works, / Potential Slope Stabilisation	50m	Fair	Fair	Small	Small	Long	Short	Yes	Yes	Part	Nil	Small	Negligible
O3	Staff and students of Methodist College	WS1, WS2	KTL Existing Cable Tunnel Diversion Works, / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Fair	Fair	Med	Small	Med	Short	Yes	Yes	Full	Nil	Interm’	Negligible
O4	Staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Buildings	WS4a WS7a1	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	10m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Interm’	Small
O5	Staff of India Club and YMCA	WS4a, WS6a, WS7a1 WS45,	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	Yes	No	Part	Part	Interm’	Negligible
O6	Staff of Club de Recreio	WS6a, WS45, WS7a1	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Poor	Good	Large	Med	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
O7	Staff of Kings Park Hockey Ground	WS7a1 WS44,	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	30m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Nil	Interm’	Negligible
O8	Staff of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	WS7a1, WS44, WS47	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	0m	Poor	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Small
O9	Staff and Students of future Primary School (under construction) at Wylie Road	WS7a1, WS44	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	10m	Poor	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Small
O10	Staff of Ho Man Tin Leisure Centre	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	100m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Nil	Large	Small
O11	Staff of small businesses at Valley Road	WS20, WS19, WS15a Ws26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works / Site Office	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Small
O12	Workers at short term tenancy on Fat Kwong Street (Planned dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University)	WS20, WS15a Ws26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works / Site Office	0m	Fair	-	Large	-	Long	-	No	-	Part	-	Large	-
O13	Staff at Hung Hom Fire Station	WS15a Ws26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / / Site Office	140m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Nil	Large	Small
O14	Staff and Students of Hung Hom Government Primary School	WS15a Ws26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Site Office	50m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Nil	Large	Small
O15	Staff at Caritas College of Careers and Businesses on Wuhu Street	WS15a Ws26a WS27 WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Site Office	15m	Fair	Good	Large	Med	Long	Long	No	Yes	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
O16	Staff of businesses in Whampoa Estate and Garden	WS30, WS31, WS33, WS36a, WS37a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / WHA D&B Platform Construction and TTM Implementation / KTE Refuge Siding Tunnel and Ventilation Shaft Construction / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
O17	Staff and Students of S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary Schools	WS33 WS37a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	0m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Interm’	Negligible
O18	Staff and Students of GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School	WS33, WS37a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	0m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Interm’	Negligible
O19	Office workers at Two Harbour- front	WS33 WS36a, WS37a,	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / KTE Refuge Siding Tunnel and Ventilation Shaft Construction / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	15m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Interm’	Negligible
O20	Staff and Students at HK Poly U – Community College Campus	WA6	Site Office	30m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
O21	Staff and Guests at Harbour View Horizon Hotel	WA6 WA14,	Site Office / Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	30m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
O22	Staff and Guests at Harbour Front Horizon Hotel	WA6 WA14,	Site Office / Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	15m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
O23	Staff and Guests of Harbour Plaza Metropolis	WA14,	Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	10m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
O24	Office workers at International Mail Centre	WA14	Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	0m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Part	-	Small	-
O25	Office/Hotel workers and guests at TST East	WA14	Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	350m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Negligible	-
O26	Office workers at The Metropolis Tower	WS15a WA14	HOM Station construction / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works	525m / 250m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Nil	Nil	Interm’	Small
O27	Staff and Students at HK Poly U Lee Shau Kee Building	WS15a	HOM Station construction / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works	250m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Nil	Interm’	Small
Transportation
T1	Circulating Traffic on Nathan and Gascoigne Roads	WS1, WS2	KTL Existing Cable Tunnel Diversion Works, / Potential Slope Stabilisation	5m	Fair	Fair	Small	Small	Long	Long	Yes	Yes	Part	Part	Small	Negligible
T2	Fast moving vehicles on Gascoigne Road	WS4a, WS45, WS6a,	Potential Slope Stabilisation	5m	Fair	Good	Small	Small	Short	Short	Yes	Yes	Nil	Nil	Small	Negligible
T3	Road users on Wylie Road and Wylie Path	WS7a1, WS44 WS47	WAB Construction and Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation	5m	Fair	Good	Small	Small	Short	Long	Yes	No	Part	Part	Small	Negligible
T4	Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	100m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Nil	Large	Interm’
T5	Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North	WS15a, WS19, Ws27	HOM Station Construction / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Permanent Slope Works	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
T6	Road users on Chung Hau Street	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	5m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Full	Part	Large	Interm’
T7	Temporary parking users on future development site	WS15a	HOM Station Construction	25m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Full	Full	Large	Interm’
T8	Road users on Fat Kwong Street	WS15a, WS27, WS26a, WA15	HOM Station Construction / KTE Tunnel Mucking-out / Potential Slope Stabilisation / Site Office	5m	Fair	Good	Large	Large	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
T9	Road users on Yan Fung Street	WS15a WS19	HOM Station Construction / Reprovisioned Yan Fung Street Park	0m	-	Good	-	Large	-	Long	-	No	-	Part	-	Interm’
T10	Road users on Tak Man / Tak On Street	WS30, WS31, WS33, WS36a, WS37a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / WHA D&B Platform Construction and TTM Implementation / KTE Refuge Siding Tunnel and Ventilation Shaft Construction / Escape Staircase and Staircase Pressurisation Fan Room	0m	Fair	Good	Large	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Nil	Large	Interm’
T11	Road users on Hung Hom Road (east section)	WS30	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation	0m	Fair	Good	Med	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Large	Interm’
T12	Road users on Whampoa Estate and Garden side streets	WS30, WS31, WS33 WS36a	WHA C&C Structure Construction and TTM Implementation / WHA D&B Platform Construction and TTM Implementation / KTE Refuge Siding Tunnel and Ventilation Shaft Construction	0m	Fair	Good	Small	Small	Long	Long	No	No	Part	Part	Interm’	Small
T13	Road users on Hung Lok Road and Yan Yung Street	WA6	Site Office	5m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
T14	Road users on Hung Hom Road (west section)	WA6 WA14,	Site Office / Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	0m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Small	-
T15	Road users on Salisbury Road	WA14,	Site clearance, establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	200m	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Negligible	-
T16	Travellers in Victoria Harbour	WA14,	Site clearance , establishment, erect temporary housing structures / rock crushing equipment	0m-1km	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Negligible	-
T17	Recreational boat traffic at Tai Mui Wan	WA12a, WA13	Temporary Magazine Site	0m-3km	Good	-	Small	-	Long	-	Yes	-	Nil	-	Negligible	-

5.11 Impact Significance Threshold

5.11.1.1 The analysis of the landscape and visual impacts during construction and operation are presented in the following form of matrix to ascertain the Significance Threshold. The impacts may be beneficial or adverse as illustrated in Table 5.9.

Table 5.9: Significance Threshold

Magnitude of Change	Sensitivity
		Low	Medium	High
	Negligible	Negligible Impact	Negligible Impact	Negligible Impact
	Small	Slight Impact	Slight / Moderate Impact	Moderate Impact
	Intermediate	Slight / Moderate Impact	Moderate Impact	Moderate / Significant Impact
	Large	Moderate Impact	Moderate / Significant Impact	Significant Impact

5.11.1.2 The degree of impact or Significance Threshold is considered as follows:

Significant:	adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause significant deterioration or improvement in the existing landscape/visual quality
Moderate:	adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in the existing landscape/visual quality
Slight:	adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in the existing landscape/visual quality
Negligible:	no discernible change in the existing landscape/visual quality

5.11.1.3 The Significance Threshold of those impacts, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the Landscape Resources, Landscape Character Areas and Visually Sensitive Receivers that would occur in the construction and operation phases is summarised in Tables 5.10 - 5.12 below.

Table 5.10:  Significance Threshold of Landscape Resources

Ref (LDR)	Description	Sensitivity	Magnitude of Change		Significance Threshold WITHOUT Mitigation
			Construction	Operation	Construction		Operation
LDR-1 - Public Amenity Area
LDR-1.1	Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate		Slight
LDR-1.2	Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	High	Intermediate	Small	Moderate		Moderate
LDR-1.3	Fat Kwong Street Garden	High	none	none	-		-
LDR-1.4	Ping Chi Street Sitting Out Area	Medium	none	none	-		-
LDR-1.5	Lee Kung Street Garden	Medium	none	none	-		-
LDR-1.6	Ko Shan Road Park	High	none	none	-		-
LDR-1.7	Hutchison Park	High	none	none	-		-
LDR-1.8	The Whampoa Garden	Medium	none	none	-		-
LDR-1.9	Whampoa Estate Podium Amenity Areas	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-2 - Open Recreation Space
LDR-2.1	Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight		Negligible
LDR-2.2	Wuhu Street Temporary Playground	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-2.3	Fat Kwong Street Playground	Low	Large	Small	Moderate		Slight
LDR-2.4	King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir Playground	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-2.5	Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-2.6	Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-2.7	Whampoa Estate Podium Recreation Areas	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-2.8	Primary School Play Areas on Tak On Street	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-2.9	Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-3 - Stabilised Slopes with Tree Planting
LDR-3.1	Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College	High	Small	Small	Moderate		Moderate
LDR-3.2	Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North	High	Large	Large	Significant		Significant
LDR-3.3	Slopes surrounding King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir	High	none	none	-		-
LDR-3.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir	Medium	Small	Small	Slight		Slight
LDR-3.5	Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground	High	Small	Small	Moderate		Slight
LDR-4 -Roadside Amenity Planting
LDR-4.1	Street Planting at Gascoigne Road	Medium	none	none	-		-
LDR-4.2	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate		Moderate
LDR-4.3	Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate		Moderate
LDR-4.4	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Luen Road	Medium	none	none	-		-
LDR-4.5	Roadside planting in the Princess Margaret Road Interchange	Medium	none	none	-		-
LDR-5 – Private Development Landscape Buffer
LDR-5.1	Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads	High	Small	Negligible	Moderate		Negligible
LDR-5.2	Edge landscape at Harbour Front Landmark	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-5.3	Landscape Gardens at Harbour Front Horizon	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-6 - Stabilised Slopes Without Greening
LDR-6.1	Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street	Low	Large	Large	Moderate		Slight Beneficial
LDR-6.2	Slopes surrounding Chung Hau Street	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-6.3	Slopes surrounding Ho Man West Service Reservoir	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-6.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-7- Undeveloped Site formation
LDR-7.1	Site formation levels for use by HOM Station	Low	Large	Large	Moderate		Moderate
LDR-7.2	Future PolyU site formation area	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-7.3	Residual Valley Road Estate site formations	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-7.4	Formation levels at King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-7.5	Open Space sites at Hung Hom Bay (Works Area)	Low	Negligible	none	Negligible		-
LDR-7.6	Reclaimed Land at TKO (Works Area)	Low	Small	Small	Slight		Slight
LDR-8 - Man Made Shoreline
LDR-8.1	Hung Hom Finger Pier	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible
LDR-8.2	Future Promenade at Hung Hom Reclamation Areas	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-8.3	Promenade at Whampoa Harbourfront	Low	none	none	-		-
LDR-9 - Harbour Waters
LDR-9.1	Victoria Harbour	High	Negligible	none	Negligible	-
LDR-9.2	Joss House Bay	High	none	none	-	-
LDR-10 – Country Park
LDR-10.1	Clearwater Bay Country Park	High	none	none	-	-

Table 5.11: Significance Threshold of Landscape Character Units

Ref (LCA)	Description	Sensitivity	Magnitude of Change		Significance Threshold WITHOUT Mitigation
			Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
LCA-01	Area surrounding Gascoigne Road	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-02	Reclamation Areas at Hung Hom Waterfront	Low	none	none	-	-
LCA-03	King’s Park	Medium	none	none	-	-
LCA-04	West of Ma Tau Wai Road - Ho Man Tin	Low	none	none	-	-
LCA-05	Hung Hom - Cross Harbour Links	Low	none	none	-	-
LCA-06	Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate	Low	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
LCA-07	Yau Ma Tei and Jordan	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-08	Hung Hom around Wuhu Street	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible
LCA-09	Whampoa and Hung Hom Reclamations Whampoa and Hung Hom Reclamations	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-10	Ho Man Tin Estate	Low	none	none	-	-
LCA-11	Victoria Harbour	High	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-12	Reclamation at TKO	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA-13	Clearwater Bay Country Park	High	none	none	-	-
LCA-14	Joss House Bay	High	none	none	-	-

Table 5.12:  Significance Threshold of Visually Sensitive Receivers

Ref (VSR)	Description	Sensitivity	Magnitude of Change		Significance Threshold WITHOUT Mitigation
			Construction	Operation	Construction		Operation
Residential VSRs
R1	Residents of towers on the west of Nathan Road	High	Small	Negligible	Moderate		Negligible
R2	Residents of Parc Palais	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate		Slight
R3	East facing units of Wylie Court	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Moderate		Moderate
R4	Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North	High	Large	Large	Significant		Significant
R5	Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant		Moderate
R6	Residents at Ka Wai Chuen	High	Large	Small	Significant		Moderate
R7	Residents at Tsing Chau Street	Medium	Large	Small	Significant		Moderate
R8	Residents at Shun Yung Street	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant		Moderate
R9	Future residents of HK PolyU planned student dormitory	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant		Moderate
R10	Residents with surrounding views at Valley Road	High	Large	Large	Significant		Significant
R11	Residents at Ho Man Tin Estate South	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight		Negligible
R12	Residents at Ko Shan Road	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant		Moderate
R13	Residents of Whampoa Estate and Garden	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant		Moderate
R14	Residents of Harbourfront Landmark	High	Intermediate	Small	Moderate		Negligible
R15	Residents at Poly U Student Dormitory	Medium	Small	-	Slight		-
R16	Residents of Harbour Place.	High	Small	-	Moderate		-
R17	Residents of Royal Peninsula	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate		Slight
R18	Future residents of property development above HOM Station	High	-	Intermediate	-		Moderate
R19	Future residents of Valley Road Estate development site	High	-	Intermediate	-		Moderate
Leisure VSRs
L1	Users of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Medium	-	Negligible	-	Negligible
L2	Pedestrians and Shoppers in the vicinity of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible
L3	Members and Visitors of India Club and YMCA	High	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible
L4	Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate
L5	Visitors of Kings Park Hockey Ground	Low	Intermediate	Negligible	Slight	Negligible
L6	Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	High	Large	Small	Significant	Moderate
L7	Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight
L8	Recreation visitors at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight
L9	Recreation users at Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight
L10	Users of Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	Medium	-	Intermediate	-	Moderate
L11	Pedestrians around Fat Kwong Street Playground and Sitting Out Area	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight
L12	Recreational users of Fat Kwong Street Playground	Medium	-	Small	-	Slight
L13	Pedestrians in and around Fat Kwong Street Garden	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight
L14	Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Estate and Garden.	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate
L15	Pedestrians at Hong Kong Coliseum	Low	Small	-	Slight	-
L16	Pedestrians on TST East Promenade	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-
L17	Hikers at Clear Water Bay Country Park	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-
Occupational VSRs
O1	Workers in commercial buildings on Nathan Road	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible
O2	Staff and Guests of Eaton Hotel	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible
O3	Staff and students of Methodist College	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible
O4	Staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Buildings	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight
O5	Staff of India Club and YMCA	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible
O6	Staff of Club de Recreio	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate
O7	Staff of Kings Park Hockey Ground	Low	Intermediate	Negligible	Slight	Negligible
O8	Staff of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight
O9	Staff and Students of future Primary School (under construction) at Wylie Road	Medium	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight
O10	Staff of Ho Man Tin Leisure Centre	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight
O11	Staff of small businesses at Valley Road	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight
O12	Workers at short term tenancy on Fat Kwong Street (Planned dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University)	Low	Large	-	Moderate	-
O13	Staff at Hung Hom Fire Station	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight
O14	Staff and Students of Hung Hom Government Primary School	Medium	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight
O15	Staff at Caritas College of Careers and Businesses on Wuhu Street	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate
O16	Staff of businesses in Whampoa Estate and Garden	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate
O17	Staff and Students of S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary Schools	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible
O18	Staff and Students of GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible
O19	Office workers at Two Harbourfront	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible
O20	Staff and Students at HK Poly U – Community College Campus	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-
O21	Staff and Guests at Harbour View Horizon Hotel	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-
O22	Staff and Guests at Harbour Front Horizon Hotel	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-
O23	Staff and Guests of Harbour Plaza Metropolis	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-
O24	Office workers at International Mail Centre	Low	Small	-	Slight	-
O25	Office/Hotel workers and guests at TST East	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-
O26	Office workers at The Metropolis Tower	Low	Intermediate	Small	Slight	Slight
O27	Staff and Students at HK Poly U Lee Shau Kee Building	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight
Transportation VSRs
T1	Circulating Traffic on Nathan and Gascoigne Roads	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight			Negligible
T2	Fast moving vehicles on Gascoigne Road	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight			Negligible
T3	Road users on Wylie Road and Wylie Path	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight			Negligible
T4	Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate			Slight
T5	Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant			Moderate
T6	Road users on Chung Hau Street	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate			Slight
T7	Temporary parking users on future development site	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate			Slight
T8	Road users on Fat Kwong Street	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate			Slight
T9	Road users on Yan Fung Street	Low	-	Intermediate	-			Slight Beneficial
T10	Road users on Tak Man / Tak On Street	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant			Moderate
T11	Road users on Hung Hom Road (east section)	Low	Large	Intermediate	Significant			Moderate
T12	Road users on Whampoa Estate side streets	Low	Intermediate	Small	Moderate			Slight
T13	Road users on Hung Lok Road and Yan Yung Street	Low	Small	-	Slight			-
T14	Road users on Hung Hom Road (west section)	Low	Small	-	Slight			-
T15	Road users on Salisbury Road	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible			-
T16	Travellers in Victoria Harbour	Medium	Negligible	-	Negligible			-
T17	Recreational boat traffic at Tai Mui Wan	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible			-

5.12 Key Mitigation Measures

5.12.1 Background

5.12.1.1 Potential landscape and visual impacts have been carefully considered during the development of the project design to (1) avoid impacts on highly sensitive landscape resources including the large trees at Yan Fung Street (LDR1.2), Fat Kwong Street Garden (LDR1.3), and Hutchison Park (LDR1.7), and (2) locate, design and reduce the physical extent of the works as far as possible, as well as to identify mitigation measures, so as to minimize impacts on existing trees and open spaces, and to minimize the degree of visual impact, as proposed below.

5.12.1.2 There are a number of mitigation measures which will be employed to lessen the impact of the various elements of the project upon landscape and visual receivers, both during the construction and operational phases. The recommended landscape and visual mitigation measures are scheduled in Tables 5.13, 5.14 and 5.15 and are conceptually illustrated on a series of photomontages in Figures 5.14 - 5.21.

Table 5.13: Recommended Construction Phase Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

ID No.	Type	Landscape / Visual Mitigation Measure	Funding / Implement -ation	Management / Maintenance
CM1	Site Practice – Landscape	Reuse of Existing Topsoil Existing topsoil shall be re-used for new planting areas within the project. Potential topsoil resources are located at:- a) Gascoigne Road Rest Garden, b) slopes above Chatham Road North, c) roadside planters in Whampoa Garden. The construction program shall consider using the soil removed from one phase for backfilling another. Suitable storage ground, gathering ground and mixing ground shall be set up as necessary.	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation / LandsD, LCSD / HyD
CM2	Design / Planning – Landscape	Tree Transplantation Transplantation is proposed for a number of trees generally able to provide high amenity value and which are likely to survive the transplantation process. All transplantation will be carried out in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006 and undertaken under separate submission process.	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation / LandsD / HyD / LCSD / AFCD
CM3	Site Practice – Visual	Control of night-time lighting glare All security floodlights for construction sites and temporary works areas shall be equipped with adjustable shield, frosted diffusers and reflective covers, and be carefully controlled to minimize light pollution and night-time glare to nearby receivers.	MTR Corporation	Contractor
CM4	Site Practice – Visual	Erection of Decorative Hoardings Temporary decorative screen hoardings shall be designed and erected to be compatible with the existing urban context, either brightly and imaginatively or with visually unobtrusive design and colours where more appropriate. All works sites and works areas shall be surrounded by such hoardings, which shall be removed at project completion.	MTR Corporation	Contractor

Table 5.14: Recommended Operational Phase Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

ID No.	Type	Landscape / Visual Mitigation Measure	Funding / Implement-ation	Management / Maintenance
OM1	Design / Planning – Landscape	Re-provision of Public Open Spaces Every effort should be made to minimise use of public open spaces, however if affected by the Project they shall be re-provisioned to an equal or improved standard at completion of the project.  Sensitive design and reinstatement of the affected Public Open Spaces (Gascoigne Road Rest Garden, Yan Fung Street Rest Garden, Fat Kwong Street Playground) shall be made, incorporating replacement facilities to those currently provided and using materials of quality suitable for long term use and acceptable to the relevant government departments including LCSD and PlanD, who shall be consulted on the design of the reinstated public open spaces at an early stage of the design process.	MTR Corporation	LCSD
OM2	Design / Planning – Landscape / Visual	Compensatory Tree Planting Suitable land pockets within the project area will be used for the implementation of compensatory mitigation to offset the net loss of key landscape resources and improve visual amenity. A compensatory tree planting proposal including locations of tree compensation will be submitted separately to seek relevant government department’s approval, in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006.	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation / LandsD/ HyD/ LCSD/ AFCD
OM3	Design / Planning – Landscape / Visual	Horizontal and Slope Greening Shotcreting of cut rock slopes shall be avoided and greening applications employed throughout the project. At HOM Station the backfill slopes shall be hydroseeded and native seedling trees planted. The station roof shall be temporarily greened should there be no further on-site development within 1 year of the completion of the KTE, until permanent measures are undertaken under the proposed property development stage. Parapets at WAB and HOM Station shall be provided with internal permanent planter boxes. The roof at WAB shall be greened to improve visual amelioration from surrounding high level viewers Station entrances at HOM and WHA shall utilise shrub planting areas to provide localised greening	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation / LandsD
OM4	Landscape / Visual	Vertical Greening Vertical greening / climbers shall be applied to all above ground structures against exposed walls as far as possible subject to technical operational and maintenance constraints. Such planting shall be employed at WAB, HOM Station and WHA Station.	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation
OM5	Design / Planning – Visual	Architectural Design Aesthetics for the WAB at Club de Recreio The emergency access and ventilation building shall be designed in a way so as to ensure the form, material and surface detailing of this structure can fit sympathetically into the local context. The form shall consider the Cultural Heritage of the Club de Recreio site as well as other proximate buildings. The structure shall incorporate vertical greening / climbers where possible subject to technical operational and maintenance constraints. Detail Design Intent for the structures can be noted below.	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation
OM6	Design / Planning – Visual	Architectural Design Aesthetics for Above-Ground Structures at HOM Station All station entrances, vent shafts, chillers and other above-ground structures shall be designed in accordance with the standardised MTR architectural theme for the KTE and other current rail projects. However specific attention shall be undertaken to ensure the form, material and surface detailing of these structures is considered to fit into the local context in terms of the architectural character of the site. Detail Design Intent for the structures can be noted below.	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation
OM7	Design / Planning – Visual	Architectural Design Aesthetics for Above-Ground Structures at WHA Station These shall be designed in accordance with the standardised MTR architectural theme for the KTE and other current rail projects. However specific attention shall be undertaken to ensure the form, material and surface detailing of these structures is considered to fit into the local context in terms of the architectural character of the site. Detail Design Intent for the structures can be noted below.	MTR Corporation	MTR Corporation

⁽¹⁾ Agreement and approval, including precise delineation of boundaries, etc., of the implementation, management and maintenance agencies of the project will be sought from all relevant authorities during the detail design stages of the project.

⁽²⁾ MTR Corporation would be responsible for maintenance and management of trees within the permanent site boundary. The maintenance matrix and responsible parties for trees outside the permanent site boundary are to be confirmed during detailed design stage. To facilitate with the confirmation process, MTR Corporation would be responsible for the maintenance works before any agreement is made.

⁽³⁾ Reinstatement of the Public Open Spaces and other disturbed areas is subject to the land status after project completion. Reinstatement of the land back to the previous state may not be practical and thus the reinstatement may take in other appropriate form.

5.12.2 Design Intent

Urban Integration

5.12.2.1 Stations will form an important urban nucleus and will have a significant impact upon the urban fabric and the communities they serve. Station design will not attempt to dominate in the context of the existing urban setting. The design will however, attempt to pose a positive gesture to integrate with the surrounding urban environs in an elegant manner. All the aboveground elements such as station entrances and vent shafts will have a “line-wide” consistency in architectural articulation and material palette so that they are easily recognizable as part of the MTR Corporation system. Vertical greening / climbers could be applied on the structures in order to soften the appearance of the building and help integrate it into its surroundings. Preliminary landscape designs for the surface areas surrounding the WAB, HOM Station and WHA Station are provided in Figures 5.22 – 5.31. The actual design including architectural finish and greening will be subject to the detailed design stage when more opportunities to minimise any visual impact will be explored.

Station Entrances

5.12.2.2 Station entrances are the public portal to the MTR system and need to be easily recognisable and welcoming. They should also be an architecturally pleasing element within the cityscape. Traditional station entrances for URL underground stations were typically constructed out of concrete and finished with external paint or mosaic tiles. This existing entrance design is to be revitalized in the design of the KTE stations to achieve the following objectives:

· Maintain a visual linkage to the existing KTL station entrances in terms of form and appearance for the line identity;

· Be highly recognisable as part of the MTR system through the use of MTR Corporation branding elements;

· Be highly visible and welcoming in daytime as well as night time.

· Project a contemporary and elegant look through quality modern materials and architectural detailing;

· Integrate the provisions for signage and passenger information; and

· Introduce daylight as deep into the entrance areas as possible.

Vent Shafts / Ancillary Buildings

5.12.2.3 Vent shafts and any ancillary buildings will possess a mild and subdued character along with considered architectural quality such that they do not become distinguished buildings nor urban blemishes. The vent openings will be carefully orientated so to minimize potential impact to the nearby residents. The massing of the vent shafts shall be carefully articulated to minimize visual effects upon the environment. It is envisaged that the same materials used on the vent shafts and any ancillary buildings would relate to the station entrances. Surrounding soft landscape treatments shall be considered where land is available around the vent shafts.

5.12.3 WAB (Wylie Road Ancillary Building)

5.12.3.1 The principle design imperative for this building is to create a building with the smallest practicable building envelope above ground and finished to make the building as unobtrusive as possible within the Wylie Road streetscape. The following points outline the measures that will be adopted in order to achieve this:

· The form and proportions of this building will be complimentary to the Wylie Road streetscape. Proximate buildings (Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants Club and the Philipino Club) are low to medium rise (2-4 storeys). The WAB is a two storey structure (approx. 11m high) and the footprint (approx. 20m x 20m) is smaller than these adjacent buildings, the form and shape will be in keeping with the current streetscape;

· The types of materials and colours of finishes adopted will be complimentary to the adjacent buildings along Wylie Road and the adjacent Club de Recreio. Finishes have been selected to draw references to these buildings finishes. The palette of finishes adopted for such a small building will necessarily need to be from a small palette to avoid overworking the elevations. Finishes adopted include paint finish rough cast render, similar in texture and colour to the Club de Recreio clubhouse building and sandstone cladding reflecting the colour of the Philipino Club building paint finish;

· The comparatively large areas of tunnel ventilation and stair pressurisation louvers, required as the primary function of this building, will be pre-coated in a non-reflective durable coating finish, colour to match adjacent finishes to minimise their visual impact;

· The local environs of the WAB site are of recreational usage and comprise sports grounds and well greened areas. Additionally the site and building are overlooked from distance by high level visually sensitive receivers. In order to blend unobtrusively into this environment, areas of soft landscape will be provided at ground and roof level, Vertical greening / climbers will be provided to appropriate elevations where practical to help the WAB to blend into this environment;

· The areas available for soft landscape at ground level are limited due to operational and firemen’s access for fire fighting and rescue constraints. Trees and high shrubs will be provided that are complimentary to existing trees around the site. Low planters behind the Wylie Road boundary fence will provide screening to the WAB building to integrate the street frontage into adjacent boundary fencing. Vehicular access areas will be paved with grasscrete to visually soften the outlook from overlooking buildings and to create a cooler environment at ground level;

· Where operationally feasible, roofs will be provided with horizontal greening on a thin soil base. Roof planting will provide additional benefit of thermal insulation, helping to reduce the thermal load on the building and as a consequence reduce the need for air conditioning Areas where this is not feasible will be provided with either gravel roofing of mixed colours in simple, subtle pattern or where hard paved areas are required for equipment access these will be finished with hard paving whose appearance will be selected to be compatible with recreational usage of the area;

· Since ducting and cable runs will be installed on the roof areas, a total green roof is not possible for this building. To permit flexibility for system operation and future maintenance, extensive planting provision is proposed along the roof perimeter of the building to soften the building silhouette;

· To couple with the rooftop perimeter planting, trees and shrubs are provided on ground level all round for screening purpose. The combined effect from planting at both high and low levels should substantially reduce visual impact of the building;

· As a further enhancement, more planters for supporting vertical greening are proposed on the main walls without affecting access and regular maintenance of the plant equipment;

· In addition to soft landscaping, careful articulation of building bulk and sympathetic use of materials in the design of this building will make the building a pleasant neighbourhood to its surroundings; and

· Perimeter fencing to the site will be open metal palisade type fencing with soft landscape behind, to compliment similar existing fencing at the Club de Recreio boundary.

5.12.3.2 Vertical greening / climbers have been provided to suitable elevations as follows:

East Elevation (Wylie Road)

5.12.3.3 Fire services inlets, firemen’s access stair, fire control room, doors and tunnel ventilation louvers occupy a major portion of this elevation precluding vertical greening to most of the facade. A planter on the first floor level to the roof platform will provide planting to overhang the parapet facing towards Wylie Road. Vertical greening / climbers will be applied to the fin wall at the northern side of the roof platform.

South Elevation (Club De Recreio Bowling Green)

5.12.3.4 Access door and louver requirements to the transformer rooms, access doors to the water meter room and tunnel ventilation louvers preclude the provision of vertical greening to this elevation. At main roof level a planter will be provided to permit trailing plants to soften the parapet line. The length of the trailing planting is limited by the line of ventilation louvers required for the operation of the electrical switch rooms at first floor level.

West Elevation (Club de Recreio Tennis Courts)

5.12.3.5 There are two major planes to this elevation. The southern portion is very close to the Club de Recreio site boundary due to the re-provisioning of the Tennis Court at this location. Only sufficient space to provide the necessary footpath access exists. Over half of the facade is occupied with intake and exhaust louvers precluding the planting of any vertical greening. However at the main roof level a planter has been provided to permit trailing plants to soften the parapet line.

North Elevation (Club de Recreio Tennis Courts and Queen Elizabeth Hospital)

5.12.3.6 Vertical greening to this elevation is not possible due to the location of the tunnel ventilation louvers and stair pressurization plant room louvers except for a narrow strip between these two.

5.12.4 HOM Station Structure

5.12.4.1 The design approach for the HOM Station has been to meet the study brief in order to attend to both the needs of the existing local residents whilst meeting the requirements of the interchange station of the KTE and SCL – Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section lines. The above-ground structures are designed to maximize the catchment area of the station, i.e. to serve the Hung Hom neighbourhood as well as the Ho Man Tin housing estates. The architecture is aimed to be of minimal bulk and visual impact to the neighbourhood.

5.12.4.2 Materials selected for the external envelope will be complimentary to the area and applied at a suitable scale and consistency. Areas of louver opening are intended to provide articulation and a clear architectural presence.

5.12.4.3 Greening of the development will be provided by edge plantings on the entrances and roof tops within practical limits. The new paved area at level of about +10mPD would be provided with planting areas at the boundaries with Chatham Road and Yan Fung Street. Its extent would be commensurate with the needs of fire engine access to the area. The building façade along Yan Fung Street would be complemented by a green planted buffer strip along the street significantly improving upon the existing experience.

5.12.4.4 The louvers at the top of the station (at the curved slab) are required for technical reasons for the ventilation of the station as well as trackway ventilations. As HOM Station is an interchange station the ventilation and the louvers serve both the KTE and the SCL requirements. The preliminary design identified the extent of louvers for operational needs and they are designed to be located at the top of the station to minimise impact to the ground. Visual impacts of these louvers have been mitigated by designing them at the curved slab which provides a changing view to the viewers due to their changing angles of view. Hence, at most locations the entire length of the louvers would not be visible due to the curved facade. The visual scale of these louvers are further broken down by radial vertical fins at the louvers which would conceal the louvers even more when viewed from an oblique angle.

5.12.4.5 The ventilation louvers would be coated with a durable and non-reflective coating finish with colour to match adjacent finishes to minimize visual impact. Opportunities to minimise the visual impact of the design will be further explored in the detailed design stage.

5.12.4.6 The station has 3 entrances. Entrance A serves the Fat Kwong Street and Yan Fung Street road junction. The above ground structure would include the entrances with integrated ventilation louvers for the tunnel ventilation and building environmental systems. There is an adjoining cooling tower to serve the needs of the station as well as Whampoa Station.

5.12.4.7 Entrance B is located at Chung Hau Street and is linked with the station via lifts and a firemen’s stair. The entrance would be finished with materials complementary to the station and planters would be provided to the bridge that links the entrance with Chung Hau Street.

5.12.4.8 Entrance C faces Chatham Road North and is the main entrance for the Hung Hom neighbourhood. It is an external corridor link split into Entrance C1 on the north side and includes two stairs that provide access to the Yan Fung Street and Chatham Road North junction and Entrance C2 that links with a proposed footbridge across Chatham Road to Wuhu Street.

5.12.4.9 A new station forecourt with public access will be created next to Chatham Road North including the provision of extensive greening. Whilst it is acknowledged that the trees on the slope facing Chatham Road North will be removed due to the construction of the HOM Station, there is currently no public access to this resource as it is on an inaccessible slope. The new HOM Station forecourt provides new lifts leading to Chung Hau Street at high level thus providing a much needed and convenient public route between the high and low levels of Ho Man Tin and combines with a further footbridge connection over Chatham Road North to Wuhu Street. This new station forecourt will also be linked to the existing small public garden at Yan Fung Street forming a larger public amenity area around the HOM Station. The combination of the two spaces will result in a new public open space and pedestrian route which can facilitate public enjoyment.

5.12.4.10 Temporary greening will be undertaken to the roof above HOM Station to improve the visual outlook unless further construction on the roof is to be undertaken within 12 months following completion of the project. The greening may consist of hydroseeding or planting over a thin soil base or importation of temporary pots or planters. All maintenance, both temporary and permanent, will be undertaken by MTR Corporation.

5.12.5 WHA Station

5.12.5.1 WHA Station is located within the developed area of Whampoa Garden. Resumption of public footpath is required for the entrances and aboveground station structures. The general design approach for the aboveground station structures is to minimise land take and combine various station elements together into the minimum number of clusters in order to minimize visual impact.

Entrance A1

5.12.5.2 Entrance A1 is the largest aboveground station element of WHA Station which contains entrance, fireman’s access, and ventilation shafts tightly packed together with the re-provisioned footbridge access (by others) across Hung Hom Road. It is intended to be integrated as a cohesive building form in order to create better visual coherence and has been carefully designed to minimise the vent height. The ventilation shaft towers are arranged at various levels and with an architectural style that is consistent with the station entrance, plus secondary screens of architectural grilles and perforated metal panels are introduced to provide a more visually acceptable interface with pedestrians. A large portion of the entrance A1 structure is glazed which allows natural daylight into the Entrance.

5.12.5.3 Local greening is to be incorporated. The surrounding area affords an opportunity for hard and soft landscape treatments to complement the station entrance structure, planting and the existing urban fabric. The wide pedestrian island at the corner of Hung Hum Road and Tak Man Street provides sufficient space to plant trees and shrubs around the entrance. Additionally, vertical greening will be provided for certain wall elements where it does not interfere with the ventilation openings to maximize greening opportunities.

5.12.5.4 However, rooftop greening is not provided at Entrance A1 because a large portion of the entrance is glazed and of lightweight material as mentioned above. The remaining roofs over the entrance will be formed in different levels and patches in areas of generally less than 20 square meters. The variation in roof level results from the need to have louvers at different levels to avoid short circuiting of intake and exhaust vents. Additionally, there are no suitable access points to the roof for maintenance of the planting, whereby additional space would be required thus conflicting with the design approach to minimize land take.

Entrances A2 and B1

5.12.5.5 The free-standing type generic entrance design is to be adopted for standalone Entrance A2 and Entrance B1. The building envelope of these entrances is basically formed by glass panels to enhance the security and visual surveillance. Vertical greening is therefore not recommended in order to avoid obstruction to the visual surveillance needs.

5.12.5.6 As the pavement width is extremely tight around these two entrances resulting in the minimum clearance between the entrance building and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm) (also considering that the carriageway has been reduced to permit the location of the entrances), there is no space to provide additional greening surrounding the entrances or green wall on the two entrances. A planter box is proposed at the rear of the entrance building as an enhancement.

Air Intake at Tak On Street combined with Entrance B2

5.12.5.7 Modification of the free-standing type generic entrance design is made to incorporate the air intake louver on top of Entrance B2 in order to maintain the level of transparency. The roof and side walls of the station entrances are mostly glazed for natural light penetrating into the station, therefore roof top greening is not proposed.

5.12.5.8 As the pavement width is extremely tight it is necessary to reduce the carriageway to permit the location of the entrances to obtain the minimum clearance between the entrance building and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm). Coupled with the minimized sidewalk width on the opposite side of the entrances additional greening surrounding the structure is thus not proposed.

DEE / Vent Shaft at Shung King Street

5.12.5.9 Similar architectural style and materials to those used for Entrance A1 are introduced for the ventilation shaft at Shung King Street next to the PTI at Whampoa Plaza to achieve a cohesive building and a consistent style or family of above-ground structures. Vertical greening adjacent to the air intake / exhaust of ventilation shafts is not recommended in order to avoid bringing adverse effects to the ventilation system of the station.

5.12.5.10 This structure is located tight against Shung King Street in order to allow significant footpath width between the Whampoa Plaza building. As such, no vertical greening can be provided on the elevation facing Shung King Street. However, a low level planter for supporting vertical greening is proposed to the side wall facing Whampoa Plaza and Tak On Street. Rooftop greening is not provided because the roof area is very small and there is no suitable access to the roof.

Vent Shaft at Tak Ting Street

5.12.5.11 Architectural style and materials are constant with other vents and entrances at Tak Ting Street (nearby to the CLP substation) to achieve a cohesive building and a consistent style or family of above-ground structures. As the pavement width is extremely tight, resulting in the minimum clearance between the vent shaft and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm), the shaft has been designed to be very narrow in width to occupy minimum pavement space. Greening surrounding the vent shaft is thus not proposed.

5.12.5.12 Vent openings will be provided on the majority of the wall surfaces at high levels, vegetation overgrown from any green roof would interfere with the station ventilation system, in turn affecting safe station operations. Regular maintenance for green roof on this structure is also considered extremely difficult.

5.12.5.13 Instead of soft landscape, careful articulation of building bulk and sympathetic use of materials in the design of this building will help to blend with the surroundings and to make it look a natural element of its neighbourhood.

Vent Shaft and Escape Stair at Wan Hoi Street

5.12.5.14 The new ventilation shaft added at Wan Hoi Street near the forecourt of the Harbourfront Landmark is intended to be broken down into two articulated volumes to reduce visual impact on these buildings. Similar materials to those used for Entrance A1 are introduced to achieve a cohesive building and a consistent style or language with other aboveground structures.

5.12.5.15 Roof top greening is proposed to the lower portion of the building to avoid clashing with vent openings above. As the pavement width is tight, resulting in the minimum clearance between this ancillary building and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm), the alignment of Wan Hoi Street needs to be adjusted to suit and additional greening at pavement level surrounding this building is thus not proposed.

5.12.5.16 WHA Station is situated in a congested district. “Vertical panel” greening requires a minimum clearance of approximate 400 mm between the structure and the support trellis for the greening, in order to allow maintenance of the structure and replacement of plants at regular intervals. Due to site constraints and limited pavement width available, “vertical panel” greening cannot be provided.

Table 5.15: Recommended Mitigation Measures to Above-Ground Structures

Structures	Location	Constraints	Mitigation Measures
CDR Vent Building / WAB at Wylie Road	Tennis Courts at Club de Recreio near Wylie Road	· Since duct and cable runs will be installed on the roof areas, a full green roof is not possible for this building as flexibility for system operation and future maintenance it required. · Minimisation of the area required for construction and operation of the facility which is on private land.	· Minimised scale and form of building; · Contextual use of colours, materials and surfaces; and · Extensive use of vertical greening / climbers and roof greening.
HOM Station (Majority of Station Box)	Region bounded by Chung Hau Street, Fat Kwong Street, Yan Fung Street & Chatham Road North	· Potential future development above the Station. Roof treatments need to be flexible for later use.	· Minimised scale and form of building; · Integrated entrance, vents and cooling tower into the station structure; · Architectural scale appropriate to the context; · Co-ordinated and consistent use of colours and materials; · Extensive use of vertical greening / climbers and roof greening; and · Provision of new public spaces
HOM Station Entrance A	At Yan Fung Street	· Reinstatement of Yan Fung Street · Maintenance access and EVA in limited space. · Light penetration at street level and into the station structure · Assimilation of required Intake and Exhaust Vents
HOM Station Entrance B	At Chung Hau Street	· Potential future development above the Station. · Assimilation of required Escape Stair and fire services. · Significant level differences
HOM Station Entrance C (Connected to Chatham Road Footbridge)	At Chatham Road North	· Maintenance access and EVA in limited space. · Light penetration at street level and into the station structure · Assimilation of required Intake and Exhaust Vents	· Minimised scale and form of building; · Integrated entrance, vents and cooling tower into the station structure; · Architectural scale appropriate to the context; · Co-ordinated and consistent use of colours and materials; · Extensive use of vertical greening / climbers and roof greening; and · Provision of new public spaces
Series of louvers along SW & SE elevation of HOM Station	HOM Station on slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North	High level vent openings. Vegetation growing from any roof may interfere with the station ventilation system. Planting in close proximity of vent openings constitutes an operational hazard
HOM Vent Shafts (2 No)	Along Yan Fung Street. Adjacent to Entrance A
HOM Station Fresh Air Intakes	HOM Station adjacent to Yan Fung Street and Chatham Road North
HOM Cooling Towers	Along Yan Fung Street
Integrated WHA Station Entrance A1 with Ventilation Shafts (Air Intakes / Exchanges and Exhausts at East Concourse Area)	Location 1: At Hung Hom Road	The roof and side walls of the station entrances are mostly glazed for natural light penetrating into the station. The roof is formed at different levels with small areas to avoid short circuiting of intake and exhaust, thus roof greening is not considered feasible due to the following considerations:- · Little noticeable effect or improvement to the environment. · No suitable access to the planting at roofs for maintenance.	· Integrated entrance, vents and footbridge into single structure; · Co-ordinated use of colours and materials; · Incorporation of horizontal and vertical greening.
Stand-alone WHA Station Entrance A2	Location 2: At Hung Hom Road	The building envelope of these entrances is basically formed by glass panels to enhance the security and visual surveillance. Vertical greening is therefore not recommended in order to avoid obstruction to the visual surveillance needs. As the pavement width is extremely tight around these two entrances resulting in the minimum clearance between the entrance building and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm) (also considering that the carriageway has been reduced to permit the location of the entrances), there is no space to provide additional greening surrounding the entrances or green wall on the two entrances.	· A planter box is proposed at the rear of the entrance building as an enhancement. · Consistent materials and style.
Stand-alone WHA Station Entrance B1	Location 3: At Shung King Street
WHA Vent Shafts / Air Intakes at East Concourse Area	Location 4: Fresh air intake shaft at Tak On Street and combined with Entrance B2	Need to incorporate the air intake louver on top of Entrance B2 in order to maintain the level of transparency. The roof and side walls of the station entrances are mostly glazed for natural light penetrating into the station. The pavement width is extremely tight resulting in the minimum clearance between the vent shaft and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm) and the vent shaft has been designed to be very narrow in width to occupy minimum pavement width.	· Consistent materials, finishes and styling.
WHA Vent Shafts / Air Intakes at East Concourse Area	Location 5: Ventilation shaft at Shung King Street and integrated with the Designated Emergency Entrance (DEE). Located next to the PTI at Whampoa Plaza.	The roofs is formed at different levels with small areas, for which roof greening is not considered feasible due to the following considerations:- · Little noticeable effect or improvement to the environment. · No suitable access to the planting at roofs for maintenance operations.	· Consistent materials, finishes and styling. · Low level planter for supporting vertical greening is proposed to the side wall facing Whampoa Plaza. · Vegetation coverage will extend to the side or bottom of vent openings at high level with sufficient separation between vent openings and planting (2 metres nominal) as required for safe station operation.
	Location 6: Ventilation shaft at Tak Ting Street adjacent to CLP substation.	The pavement width is extremely tight resulting in the minimum clearance between the vent shaft and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm) and the vent shaft has been designed to be very narrow in width to occupy minimum pavement width. Vent openings will be provided on the majority of the wall surfaces at high levels. Vegetation growing from any roof may interfere with the station ventilation system. Regular maintenance for the roof on this building is also considered extremely difficult if not impossible.	· Consistent materials, finishes and styling. · Careful articulation of building bulk and sympathetic use of materials in the design to blend with the surroundings and to make it look a natural element of its neighbourhood.
	Location 7: Ventilation shafts at Wan Hoi Street near forecourt of Harbourfront Landmark.	High level vent openings. Planting in close proximity of vent openings constitutes an operational hazard The pavement width is tight resulting in the minimum clearance between this ancillary building and the carriageway (i.e. 500mm). The alignment of Wan Hoi Street has been adjusted to suit.	· Roof top greening is provided to the lower portion of the building. · Articulated into 2 smaller massings; and · Consistent materials and style.
Temporary Explosive Storage Magazine	TKO Area 137	Temporary nature of development and inhospitable site conditions. In addition the site needs to be kept clear for security purposes.	· Security floodlights shall be equipped with adjustable shield, frosted diffusers and reflective covers, and be carefully controlled to minimize light pollution and night-time glare.

5.12.6 Compensatory Tree Planting and Greening

5.12.6.1 Approximately 1,800 existing trees were surveyed and around 1,000 existing trees will be affected by the proposed works, of which 69 nos. are intended to be transplanted and 931 proposed to be felled. Recommendations for tree felling, transplantation and retention are based on the following criteria :-

· the rarity value of the species of trees involved;

· the health, condition, quality and maturity of the tree;

· the site conditions in terms of suitability for transplantation;

· the suitability of the species for successful transplantation; and

· the environmental impact and amenity value of the tree

5.12.6.2 None of these are Registered Old and Valuable Trees and all of the affected trees are of low to medium amenity value according to the tree assessment. Application and approval for removal for all trees (except Whampoa Garden) shall be obtained in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. Application and approval for removal for all trees in Whampoa Garden shall be obtained in accordance with LAO/Lands Practice Note 7/2007 (Tree Preservation and Tree Removal Application for Building Development in Private Projects). The actual numbers will be subject to these processes during the detailed design stage.

5.12.6.3 Compensatory planting shall be made under ETWB TCW No. 3/2006 provided at a ratio of 1:1 in quantity It should be noted that of the 931 trees proposed to be felled under the works, 178 are undesirable Leucaena species for which the compensatory requirement is not applicable under ETWB TCW No. 3/2006 Clause 33 and a further 630 are located on slopes which are exempted from the compensation planting ratio requirement under ETWB TCW No. 3/2006 Clause 27. For the remaining 123 nos. of trees proposed to be felled, on-site compensatory planting of approx. 224 new trees of appropriate size and quality (heavy standard / semi mature) will be undertaken. A further 1,800 nos. seedling tree planting will be provided on the reinstated slopes surrounding HOM Station to replace the loss of greening as is shown in the indicative landscape drawings. It is considered that tree planting within the site project areas alone provides sufficient opportunity to meet the compensatory requirements in both qualitative and quantitative terms, which has also been optimized in consideration of the land constraints in the dense urban setting.

5.12.6.4 The following locations will be used for on-site tree planting and greening. Preliminary design plans for the areas can be seen on Figures 5.22 – 5.34 with proposed tree planting highlighted. The minimum areas of other greening will be subject to variation due to factors such as plant growth etc. and are tabulated below in Table 5.16: The precise no. of trees to be retained, transplanted, felled and compensated shall be determined and agreed separately with government during the Tree Felling Application process under ETWB TC 3/2006.

Table 5.16: Compensatory Tree Planting and Greening

Location	Area of Horizontal Greening (m^2) (Planter / Roof / Slope)	Area of Vertical Greening (m^2)	Compensatory Tree Planting
Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Reinstated as original	-	8
WAB	Approx. 100	Approx. 20	14
Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	Reinstated as original	-	5
HOM Station	Approx. 3,000 (Southern slope of HOM Station)	Approx. 30	150
Fat Kwong Street Playground	Reinstated as original	-	4
WHA Station	Approx. 800 (permanent)	Approx. 5	15
Hung Hom Finger Pier	Reinstated as original	-	28
TOTAL (Approx)	4,000	55	224

5.12.7 Photomontages

5.12.7.1 The photomontages are developed to highlight the key mitigation measures introduced to reduce residual visual impacts of above-ground structures. The locations of the viewpoints for the photomontages can be seen on Figure 5.13. The montages illustrate the project works at four time points:

· Existing View;

· Day 1 of Operation Without Mitigation;

· Day 1 of Operation With Mitigation; and

· Year 10 of Operation With Mitigation.

5.12.7.2 The photomontage locations have been selected with the following main considerations in mind:

· The potential number and type of viewer and distance from the source of impact; and

· The potential to fully display the benefits of the mitigation proposals in the context of the site.

· The potential to show cumulative impacts caused by concurrent and potential projects.

5.12.8 Photomontage 1 – View to WAB from Wylie Road (Figure 5.14)

5.12.8.1 The view from Wylie Road demonstrates the WAB (incorporated into a ventilation building) with its position screened by the large trees on Wylie Road, most of which shall be retained. This view is selected as this is likely to be the most commonly observed situation and affects the most receivers being suggestive for receivers at King’s Park Hockey ground, Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club, Philipino Club and the new primary school under construction on Wylie Road.

5.12.9 Photomontage 2 – View to WAB from Club de Recreio (Figure 5.15)

5.12.9.1 This view demonstrates the contextual fit of the design of the WAB and the greening mitigation measures employed. It is also representative for selective views from India Club, and YMCA Recreation Ground, however they are generally screened off and receivers cannot easily attain such a viewpoint.

5.12.10 Photomontage 3 – View to HOM Station Entrance A from Government Quarters at Shun Yung Street (Figure 5.16)

5.12.10.1 The montage shows the street level access of the new Entrance A, the cooling tower above the station and the roof greening measures. The location of the Planned Dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is indicative as no details are at hand. Similarly the potential size and scale of any property development above HOM Station is shown although once again details are not yet available.

5.12.11 Photomontage 4 – View to HOM Station Entrance B from Chung Hau Street (Figure 5.17)

5.12.11.1 The montage shows the street level view of the new Entrance B, indicating massing, typical finishes and planting measures. Indicative property development above HOM Station is also shown.

5.12.12 Photomontage 5 – View West to HOM Station Entrance C from Chatham Road North (Figure 5.18)

5.12.12.1 The view shows HOM Station Entrance C linking Wuhu Street to a potential new footbridge being designed under EPIW works. The view best indicates the interface with Yan Fung Street and Chatham Road North.

5.12.13 Photomontage 6– View East to HOM Station from Chatham Road North (Figure 5.19)

5.12.13.1 This view focuses on the emergency elevator shaft and ventilation structures above the station at HOM. The view demonstrates the impact to the existing vegetated slopes, the scale and massing of the new structures and the potential for redeveloping green space on the site.

5.12.14 Photomontage 7 – View to WHA Station Entrance A1 (Figure 5.20)

5.12.14.1 This focus site includes the new WHA Station Entrance A1. The image shows the reprovisioned footbridge across Hung Hom Road which will be owned, operated and maintained by Hutchison Whampoa Limited. The scale and massing of the proposed structures is shown as well as proposed greening measures.

5.12.15 Photomontage 8 – View of Vent Shaft at WHA Station at Tak Ting Street (Adjacent to CLP Sub-Station) (Figure 5.21)

5.12.15.1 The exact locations and detailing of all the ventilation structures for WHA Station will be further developed during detail design. However the indicative size and typical finishes of a structure is shown in place at Whampoa Plaza.

5.13 Significance of Residual Impacts

5.13.1 Background

5.13.1.1 The following section examines the significance of impacts on Landscape Resources, Landscape Character and VSRs following both construction and operation stage mitigation measures. The Significance Threshold of those impacts that would occur in the construction and operation phases is summarised in Tables 5.17 and 5.18 below and illustrated on Figures 5.9 - 5.12.

5.13.2 Residual Impacts on Landscape Resources

Construction Phase

5.13.2.1 Construction stage landscape mitigation measures (CM1-3), aimed at limiting landscape impacts, are focused in 2 areas: a) project design to reduce the scope of the impacted areas and b) project programming to limit the duration of such impacts. Unfortunately many of the impacts to vegetation are irreversible and the length of construction programming is therefore academic. Significant impacts during construction, therefore, tend to remain despite mitigation measures.

Significant Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.2 Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (LDR-3.2) - Open cut excavation at HOM Station will create the most significant impacts, most importantly with the loss of the large area of dense afforestation on the hill slopes. The area impacted is further extended by the difficulty in gaining vehicle access roads to the slopes and installing construction platforms. It is recognised that this resource area is valuable and ideally would not be impacted, however suitable alternatives cannot be found and construction of the HOM Station cannot be constructed without some degree of impact. Furthermore much of the tree planting is plantation species within chunam slopes and in need of ongoing management and cropping/replanting in the not too distant future. Mitigation efforts should be focused on protecting the extensive potential topsoil resources here for re-use, whilst transplantation of most of these trees is not feasible on the slopes. Impacts here will remain Significant Adverse through construction and will be mostly Irreversible, with mitigation measures having little bearing on the magnitude of change for the site.

Moderate Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.3 Gascoigne Road Rest Garden (LDR-1.1) - Careful design planning to minimise the site area, protect topsoil and work away from trees can reduce the landscape impacts. Mitigation including transplantation of trees and stockpiling of topsoil for re-use will conserve these resources. Many of the impacts here are temporary and Reversible.

5.13.2.4 Yan Fung Street Rest Garden (LDR-1.2) - The impacts to the valuable trees during construction have been minimised by care at design stage although a few trees will be permanently lost this should not overly change the value of the group as a landscape resource. Impacts here will be Irreversible.

5.13.2.5 Fat Kwong Street Playground (LDR-2.3) – The resource, although not highly sensitive is completely removed during the works. No construction phase mitigation measures are employed but the impacts are Reversible.

5.13.2.6 Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College (LDR-3.1) - Slopes in the area may undergo potential stabilisation measures with the loss of some vegetation, however the trees shall be retained. Little can be done to mitigate against this excavation work during construction.

5.13.2.7 Slopes Surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground (LDR-3.5) - Slopes in the area may undergo potential stabilisation measures with the loss of some vegetation, however most of the trees shall be retained. Little can be done to mitigate against this excavation work during construction.

5.13.2.8 Street Planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road (LDR-4.2) - The Temporary Traffic Management needed on Hung Hom Road for the construction of Whampoa Station will require the removal of all the large trees in the vicinity including the 4 large trees at the proposed Entrance A1 at Hung Hom Road in order to maintain an adequate level of traffic flow in the area during project construction. Technical constraints make it impossible for the trees to be transplanted locally to an adjacent area. Topsoil resources can be protected and re-used. Impacts here will remain Moderate Adverse and will be Irreversible.

5.13.2.9 Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets (LDR-4.3) the double row of mature cocoa palms and the protected tree species Ailanthus fordii on Tak Man Street are necessary to be removed for excavation at WHA Station. The trees will be transplanted locally in mitigation.

5.13.2.10 Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street (LDR-6.1) the slopes surrounding the site formation for HOM Station are completely removed and the impacts Irreversible. The value of these resources is low however and resulting Moderate Impacts remain through construction.

5.13.2.11 Site formation levels at HOM Station (LDR-7.1) will be completely removed by the project with the resulting loss of most of the key trees and vegetation. Selected trees can be transplanted.

Slight Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.12 The loss of amenity spaces at Sports Pitches at Wylie Road (LDR-2.1),loss of trees at Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir (LDR3.4) and Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads (LDR-5.1) are small in scale and generally Reversible.

Operational Phase

At Day 1 of Operation

5.13.2.13 It is expected that mitigation measures in place at Day 1 of Operation may, to some extent, reduce the significance of impacts. However, there will most likely remain adverse residual impacts relating to a number of elements of the project since a net loss of landscape resources will be unavoidable even if minimised.

Significant Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.14 Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (LDR-3.2) - At the end of the project construction works, graded slopes and terraces along with a tree planting buffer adjacent to Chatham Road North and in front of the station will be introduced around the new HOM Station building. Vertical greening measures including hydroseeding, climbers, shrub and tree seedling planting are intended, however the replacement planting of trees of any large size, similar to those lost, cannot be introduced to these slopes and will be limited to the landscape buffer areas. These spaces shall be able to accommodate large and outstanding trees of high amenity value. These measures, coupled with the introduction of the new green buffer along Yan Fung Street (LDR6.1) will see the planting of approximately 150 new large trees (Figure 5.24) and go some way to mitigating against the loss of afforested areas of this extensive green urban lung. A net loss of tree covered hillside in this area remains however and the deterioration in the quality of the landscape resource remains Significant Adverse.

Moderate Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.15 Street Planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road (LDR-4.2) - The Compensatory tree planting will have been introduced to roadside areas, together with greening initiatives around the new WHA Entrance A1 all helping to mitigate against the landscape impacts which should be considered Moderate Adverse at Day 1.

Slight Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.16 New tree and shrub planting can be introduced to Gascoigne Road Rest Garden (LDR-1.1) at completion of the works and the garden reinstated to original or improved condition. Whilst no space exists for extensive new tree planting at Yan Fung Street Rest Garden (LDR-1.2), following the completion of the project the garden can be upgraded in terms of surfaces, fixtures and fittings and carefully considered in terms of context and accessibility to the entrance frontage of the new HOM Station development. Greening slope measures can be employed at Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College (LDR-3.1), Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir (LDR3.4) and Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground (LDR3.5). Such measures will see a reduction of the residual impacts. The introduction of transplanted trees and further new planting activities both on and offsite will act primarily in mitigating long term residual impacts to landscape resources at Tak Man / Tak On Roads (LDR-4.3). The Ailanthus fordii trees can be transplanted within the district to new sites agreeable to LCSD and the coco palms can be temporarily boxed during the works and returned to their original locations at completion. The site formation grades at HOM Station (LDR7.1) are redeveloped for the Station construction and will have temporary green roof applications and peripheral planting in mitigation of resource losses. Residual Impacts at Day 1 are considered Slight Adverse for these areas.

Moderate Beneficial Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.17 The new HOM Station forecourt on Chatham Road and Yan Fung Street on the Slopes Adjacent to Yan Fung Street (LDR-6.1) provides the opportunity for a complete upgrading of this street frontage of existing low quality landscape resource. The development shall significantly upgrade this area to form a green front to the station box with large trees and greening at street level and able to be enjoyed and utilised by the public. Residual impacts at Day 1 are considered Moderate Beneficial, exemplifying a noticeable improvement in the quality of the landscape resource

At Year 10 of Operation

5.13.2.18 By year 10 of operations, mature mitigation tree planting along with greening techniques to artificial slopes is likely to further offset some residual adverse impacts to landscape resources.

Significant Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.19 No Significant Residual impacts are identified at Year 10 of Operation.

Moderate Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.20 Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (LDR-3.2) - The establishment of the slope greening measures along with the potential for invasive tree seeding should see an ongoing reduction in the net loss of landscape resources in this area. In the longer term residual impacts will continue to reduce and the replacement of much of the original size and scale of trees in the area may be achieved by year 30, however at year 10 impacts are considered to remain Moderate Adverse..

Slight Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.21 Street Planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road (LDR-4.2) - The development of compensatory tree planting activities along Hung Hom Road and around Entrance A1 will continue to reduce impacts on the resource in the longer term.. By year 10 of operation of the project residual impacts can be considered Slight Adverse in this location.

Slight Beneficial Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.22 The new planting associated with the WAB at Club de Recreio (LDR-2.1) should have matured and provide a more valuable landscape resource than that which it replaced (tennis courts). Residual impacts at Year 10 are considered Slight Beneficial.

Moderate Beneficial Residual Landscape Impacts

5.13.2.23 Further growth of planting from landscape improvements at (LDR-6.1) Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street should see an ongoing improvement to the baseline condition. Residual impacts at Year 10 are considered Moderate Beneficial.

5.13.3 Significance of Impacts on Landscape Character Areas

Construction Phase

5.13.3.1 Only one highly valuable Landscape Character Area is identified within the project scope, being that of the Victoria Harbour and the project barely impacts upon this. Only one Character Area is likely to exhibit any change in local character: (LCA06) Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate.

Significant Adverse Residual Character Impacts

5.13.3.2 No Significant Residual Impacts are identified during construction of the project.

Moderate Adverse Residual Character Impacts

5.13.3.3 The large works site at HOM Station will be particularly visually prominent in the surrounding areas and large enough to modify the nature of the existing landscape framework (LCA06), low in quality as it is. Mitigation measures will have little effect and in fact the existing character of the site is one that is undergoing change. Impacts are considered Moderate and Reversible.

Operational Phase

At Day 1 of Operation

Significant Adverse Residual Character Impacts

5.13.3.4 No Significant Residual Impacts are recorded at Day 1 of Operation.

Slight Adverse Residual Character Impacts

5.13.3.5 With completion of the project there are only Slight Adverse Residual Impacts to the identified Landscape Character Areas at Day 1.

At Year 10 of Operation

Significant Adverse Residual Character Impacts

5.13.3.6 No Significant Residual Impacts are recorded at Year 10 of Operation.

Slight Beneficial Residual Character Impacts

5.13.3.7 LCA-06 is an area currently exhibiting qualities of transition. With the implementation of the project along with other scheduled redevelopments within the Character Area the underlying character may be said to have actually changed and the area may need to be redefined to one showing a more defined and valued urban characteristic. The project itself will be largely responsible for this change and the residual impacts of the project on the Character Area can be considered to be Slight Beneficial by Year 10.

5.13.4 Significance of Impacts on Visually Sensitive Receivers

Construction Phase

5.13.4.1 Residual visual impacts are going to be most significant during the construction stage, generally resulting from the undertaking of large cutting and excavation work, using tower cranes and hoists, crushing equipment, temporary accommodation and surfaces as well as the comings and goings of large vehicles with unattractive loads. Works sites can be particularly conspicuous at night with lighting potentially causing glare. Construction Stage visual mitigation measures are very limited, focussing on Control of nightime lighting glare (CM3) and Erection of Decorative Hoardings (CM4). These will have little or no significant impression in mitigating the large sites viewed from many directions as found within the project at HOM Station and WHA Station.

Significant Adverse Residual Visual Impacts

5.13.4.2 Sources of impact from the Works Site 15a at HOM Station cannot be adequately mitigated against visual impact. Initially there will be the loss of visual amenity with the removal of trees on the hillside above Chatham Road North. This will be followed by the open excavation on the hillside which will be particularly prominent and requiring temporary shotcreting of the slopes to avoid erosion. Following construction of the underground works, above-ground construction of the HOM Station box, vents and decks will be able to proceed in more orthodox manner. The following receivers shall be predominantly impacted by this work at close quarters:-

· Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North (VSR-R4);

· Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue (VSR-R5);

· Residents at Shun Yung Street (VSR-R8);

· Future Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory (SVR-R9); and

· Residents at Valley Road (VSR-R10).

5.13.4.3 The Temporary Works at Fat Kwong Street Playground will be visually prominent to a number of surrounding receivers. As the nature of this works is small scale the nature of the visual impacts will be much less severe. Residents at Ka Wai Chuen (VSR-R6) are located overlooking these works in the foreground and also have clear but more distant views to the large works at HOM Station.

5.13.4.4 The Construction works at WHA Station will require the loss of the local green visual amenity provided by street trees as well as long term deep excavation of much of the road on Tak Man and Tak On Streets with the resulting traffic diversion works including the visual clutter of temporary signs, cones and barriers. Both Residents of Whampoa Garden (VSR-R13) and Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Garden (VSR-L14) will have significant deterioration to the visual quality of their environment over the long term course of the works.

5.13.4.5 Construction of the WAB, whilst a small structure, will occupy a reasonably large construction space during the works. It is relatively overlooked and close by receivers will not be suitably mitigated during the construction. Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio (VSR-L4) and Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club (VSR-L6) will be affected most significantly.

Moderate Adverse Residual Visual Impacts

5.13.4.6 The above identified impacts generated from the works site at HOM Station affect other receivers, generally further away, lacking clear views or not as sensitive to the changes in their view. A noticeable deterioration in the visual quality of these receivers can be observed however:

· East Facing Units of Wylie Court (VSR-R3;

· Residents at Tsing Chau Street (VSR-R7);

· Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir (VSR-L7);

· Recreation Users at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre (VSR-L8);

· Recreation Users at Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir (VSR-L9);

· Staff of Ho Man Tin Leisure Centre (VSR-O10);

· Staff at Hung Hom Fire Station (VSR-O13);

· Staff at small businesses on Valley Road (VSR-O11);

· Workers at short term tenancy on Fat Kwong Street (VSR-O12);

· Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange (VSR-T4);

· Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North (VSR-T5);

· Road users on Chung Hau Street (VSR-T6);

· Temporary parking users on future development site (VSR-T7);

· Road users on Fat Kwong Street (VSR-T8);

· Staff and Students of Hung Hom Primary School (VSR-O14);

· Staff at Caritas College of Careers and Businesses on Wuhu Street (VSR-O15);

· Staff and Students at HK Poly U Lee Shau Kee Building (VSR-O27); and

· Residents of Royal Peninsula (VSR-R17).

5.13.4.7 The Temporary Works at Fat Kwong Street Playground will be visually prominent to a number of surrounding receivers. As the nature of this works is small scale the nature of the visual impacts will be much less severe. The following Receivers are affected primarily by their proximity to these works during construction:-

· Pedestrians around Fat Kwong Street Playground and Sitting Out Area (VSR-L11); and

· Pedestrians in and around Fat Kwong Street Garden (VSR-L13).

5.13.4.8 The above identified impacts generated from the works site at WHA Station affect other receivers, generally further away, lacking clear views or not as sensitive to the changes in their view. A noticeable deterioration in the visual quality of these receivers can be observed however:-

· Staff of Businesses in Whampoa Garden (VSR-O16);

· Staff and Students of S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary Schools (VSR-O17);

· Staff and Students of GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School (VSR-O18);

· Office workers at Two Harbourfront (VSR-O19);

· Road users on Tak Man / Tak On Street (VSR-T10); and

· Road users on Hung Hom Road (east section) (VSR-T11).

5.13.4.9 The above identified impacts generated from the works site at the WAB and surrounding slope improvements affect other receivers, generally further away, lacking clear views or not as sensitive to the changes in their view. A noticeable deterioration in the visual quality of these receivers can be observed however:-

· Residents of Park Palais (VSR-R2);

· Members and Visitors of India Club and YMCA (VSR-L3);

· Staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Buildings (VSR-O4);

· Staff of India Club and YMCA (VSR-O5);

· Staff of Club de Recreio (VSR-O6);

· Staff of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club (VSR-O8); and

· Staff and Students of Future Primary School (under construction) at Wylie Road (VSR-O9).

5.13.4.10 Other Moderate Significant Impacts can be noted to Staff and Students of Methodist College (VSR-O3); where slope stabilisation works are immediately adjacent, Residents at Ko Shan Road (VSR-R12) who shall look over the proposed temporary site offices and Residents of Harbourfront Landmark (VSR-R14) with outlook over temporary site offices (WA6) and Temporary Barging point at WA14.

Slight Adverse Residual Visual Impacts

5.13.4.11 A barely perceptible deterioration in the existing visual quality will be observed by other receivers who are typically further away from works sites and works areas, lacking clear or direct views or are not as sensitive to the changes in their view. Those Receivers exhibiting Slight Residual Impacts are recorded on Table 5.18 along with a full schedule of Significance Threshold but are not dealt with in further detail here.

Operational Phase

At Day 1 of Operation

5.13.4.12 With the removal of the visual impacts caused by construction works at Day 1 of operation, the majority of adverse visual impacts from the project are significantly reduced. However the loss of visual amenity resulting from the permanent loss of open space and greening at both HOM and WHA Stations (LDR3.2 and LDR4.2) will have long term and irreversible consequences. Mitigation planting will still be relatively young and the amount of area planted may be localised and only improve the visual amenity on a small scale. Other mitigation techniques outlined above could ensure a seamless incorporation of the project into the surrounding environment however.

Potential residual adverse impacts could result primarily from the above-ground structures developed under the project. These include the HOM Station, ventilation structures at WHA Station, new walls, slopes, and entrances as well as the WAB at Club de Recreio. The final appearance of these is critical in ensuring minimal visual impacts in the operation stage. The ability to visually incorporate new structures into the urban setting at Whampoa is a relatively simple task and as such no Significant residual impacts are anticipated in this area. Primary concerns rest with the restoration of the site above the HOM Station and the construction of the WAB.

Significant Adverse Residual Visual Impacts

5.13.4.13 No Significant Residual Impacts are recorded at Day 1 of Operation.

Moderate Adverse Residual Visual Impacts

5.13.4.14 At Day 1 of Operation a number of receivers will still be experiencing the major change to their view, primarily from the extensive loss of green visual amenity from the slopes above Chatham Road North including East Facing Units of Wylie Court (VSR-R3), Residents with north views on the south side of Chatham Road North (VSR-R4), Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Ave (VSR-R5), Future Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory (VSR-R9), Residents at Valley Road (VSR-R10), Future residents of property development above HOM Station (VSR-R18) and Future residents of Valley Road Estate development site (VSR-R19). The mitigation measures including replanting of the impacted slopes, contextual architectural design and provision of substantial greening surrounding the new station will have improved the outlook considerably as will removal of unsightly chunam slopes near Yan Fung Street and the prominent Kerosene store on Chung Hau Street. However impacts are still considered Moderate Adverse. .

5.13.4.15 The completion of WHA Station will see visual impacts from the loss of visual amenity resulting from the loss of the large trees at Entrance A1. Trees on Hung Hom Road and Tak Man Street will have been reinstated. The new above-ground vents, shafts and entrances dotted through the area will be noticeable if not prominent. Mitigation measures including local tree planting, contextual architectural design and provision of greening surrounding the new structures will seek to improve the outlook considerably. Both Residents of Whampoa Garden (VSR-R13) and Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Garden (VSR-L14) are anticipated to be subject to Moderate Residual Impacts at Day 1.

5.13.4.16 Removal of the surrounding works area at WAB will remove large areas of visual impact generated during construction. The building itself will be a source of ongoing visual impact however mitigation measures including tree planting, contextual architectural design and provision of vertical and roof greening will screen the building particularly effectively from high level view. Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio (VSR-L4) and Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club (VSR-L6) will see a reduction in visual impact to Moderate significance.

5.13.4.17 Other Adverse Residual Impacts - Other VSRs experience some smaller degree of adverse visual impact at the start of the operation stage. A full schedule of all such impacts is given in Table 5.18.

At Year 10 of Operation

5.13.4.18 Long term adverse residual visual impacts, particularly to any localised sensitive receivers, may potentially be extremely limited considering the scale of the project. There may be small areas where perhaps cut slopes have not become fully greened. In fact some impacts could be determined to be beneficial to a number of receivers due to the poor visual environment endured currently at Ho Man Tin. The redevelopment of LDR-6.1 Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street and LDR7.1 Site Formation levels for use by HOM Station, which were of low landscape value and poor visual amenity provide the opportunity to upgrade the quality of the urban environment in these areas. The HOM Station frontage on Yan Fung Street should provide a more cohesive and greened environment than is currently found. Furthermore the plantation trees on the chunam slopes above Yan Fung Street / Chatham Road have a limited future life and would soon become a management problem. Their replacement with new and native tree planting around the HOM Station allows for greening management of the site for the foreseeable future.

Significant Adverse Residual Visual Impacts

5.13.4.19 No Significant Residual Impacts are recorded at Year 10 of Operation

Moderate Residual Impacts

5.13.4.20 At Year 10 of Operation Residents with north views on the south side of Chatham Road North (VSR-R4) will still be experiencing adverse visual impacts. The slope mitigation planting measures in particular will have begun to develop, however, and as they continue to mature with time the adverse residual impacts shall continue to diminish.

5.13.4.21 The location of the HOM Station cooling tower above Entrance A on Yan Fung Street will be located very close to Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory (VSR-R9) and Residents at Valley Road (VSR-R10) giving ongoing visual impact which cannot be suitably mitigated. The surrounding area above the Station itself will remain temporary in appearance if it has not yet been developed at that time.

Moderate Beneficial Residual Visual Impacts

5.13.4.22 The removal of the unsightly shotcrete slopes on Yan Fung Street opposite the Rest Garden will open up more light and longer views from the west to Users of Yan Fung Street Rest Garden (VSR-L10). The slopes will be replaced by extensive street level buffer planting around HOM Station giving further visual amenity as well as a new station entrance providing a strongly noticeable and improved visual experience for the existing road user. Road users on Yan Fung Street (VSR-T9).

Table 5.17:  Significance of Residual Landscape Impacts

Ref (LCA)	Description	Sensitivity to Change	Magnitude of Change			Significance Threshold WITHOUT Mitigation		Mitigation Measures	Significance Threshold WITH Mitigation
			Construction		Operation	Construction	Operation		Construction		Day 1		Year 10
Landscape Resources
LDR-1.1	Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Medium	Intermediate		Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1,2, OM1,2	Moderate		Slight		Negligible
LDR-1.2	Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	High	Intermediate		Small	Moderate	Moderate	OM1,2	Moderate		Slight		Slight
LDR-2.1	Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road	Low	Small		Negligible	Slight	Negligible	OM2,3,4	Slight		Negligible		Slight Beneficial
LDR-2.3	Fat Kwong Street Playground	Low	Large		Small	Moderate	Slight	OM1	Moderate		Negligible		Negligible
LDR-3.1	Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College	High	Small		Small	Moderate	Moderate	OM3	Moderate		Slight		Negligible
LDR-3.2	Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North	High	Large		Large	Significant	Significant	CM1,2 OM2,3,4	Significant		Significant		Moderate
LDR-3.4	Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir	Medium	Small		Small	Slight	Slight	OM3	Slight		Slight		Negligible
LDR-3.5	Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground	High	Small		Small	Moderate	Slight	CM2 OM2,3	Moderate		Slight		Negligible
LDR-4.2	Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road	Medium	Large		Large	Moderate	Moderate	CM2 OM2,3,4	Moderate		Moderate		Slight
LDR-4.3	Tree planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets	Medium	Large		Large	Moderate	Moderate	CM2 OM2	Moderate		Slight		Negligible
LDR-5.1	Planting at Recreation Clubs around Gascoigne / Wylie Roads	High	Small		Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM2 OM2,3	Slight		Negligible		Negligible
LDR-6.1	Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street	Low	Large		Large	Moderate	Slight Beneficial	OM2,3,4	Moderate		Moderate Beneficial		Moderate Beneficial
LDR-7.1	Site formation levels for use by HOM Station	Low	Large		Large	Moderate	Moderate	CM1,2 OM2,3,4	Moderate		Slight		Negligible
LDR-7.5	Open Space sites at Hung Hom Bay (Works Area)	Low	Negligible		-	Negligible	-	-	Negligible		-		-
LDR-7.6	Reclaimed Land at TKO (Works Area)	Low	Small		Small	Slight	Slight	-	Slight		Slight		Slight
LDR-8.1	Hung Hom Finger Pier	Low	Negligible		Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	OM2	Negligible		Negligible		Negligible
LDR-9.1	Victoria Harbour	High	Negligible		-	Negligible	-	-	Negligible		-		-
Landscape Character Areas
LCA-01	Area surrounding Gascoigne Road	Medium	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible	Negligible	CM2,3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible
LCA-06	Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate	Low	Large	Large		Moderate	Moderate	CM1,2,3,4 OM1,2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight		Slight Beneficial
LCA-07	Yau Ma Tei and Jordan	Low	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible	Negligible	CM1,2,3,4 OM1,2,3	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible
LCA-08	Hung Hom around Wuhu Street	Low	Small	Negligible		Slight	Negligible	CM2,3,4 OM1,2,3,	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible
LCA-09	Whampoa and Hung Hom Reclamations	Low	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible	Negligible	CM2,3,4 OM1,2,7	Negligible	Negligible		Negligible
LCA-11	Victoria Harbour	High	Negligible	-		Negligible	-	-	Negligible	-		-
LCA-12	Reclamation at TKO	Low	Negligible	-		Negligible	-	CM5	Negligible	-		-

Table 5.18:  Significance of Residual Visual Impacts

Ref (VSR)	Description	Sensitivity to Change	Magnitude of Change		Significance Threshold WITHOUT Mitigation		Mitigation Measures	Significance Threshold WITH Mitigation
			Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation		Construction	Day 1	Year 10
Residential VSRs
R1	Residents of towers on the west of Nathan Road –	High	Small	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
R2	Residents of Park Palais	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
R3	East Facing units of Wylie Court	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
R4	Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North	High	Large	Large	Significant	Significant	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,,6	Significant	Moderate	Moderate
R5	Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Significant	Moderate	Slight
R6	Residents at Ka Wai Chuen	High	Large	Small	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3, 4,6	Significant	Slight	Negligible
R7	Residents at Tsing Chau Street	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3, 4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
R8	Residents at Shun Yung Street	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3, 4,6	Significant	Slight	Negligible
R9	Future Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	OM2,3, 4,6	Significant	Moderate	Moderate
R10	Residents with surrounding views at Valley Road	High	Large	Large	Significant	Significant	CM3,4 OM2,3, 4,6	Significant	Moderate	Moderate
R11	Residents at Ho Man Tin Estate South	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM3, 4,6	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
R12	Residents of Ko Shan Road	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM3	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
R13	Residents of Whampoa Estate and Garden	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,4,7	Significant	Moderate	Slight
R14	Residents of Harbourfront Landmark	High	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,4,7	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
R15	Residents at Poly U Student Dormitory	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Slight	-	-
R16	Residents of Harbour Place	High	Small	-	Moderate	-	CM3,4	Slight	-	-
R17	Residents of Royal Peninsula	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
R18	Future residents of property development above HOM Station	High	-	Intermediate	-	Moderate	OM2,3,4,6	-	Moderate	Slight
R19	Future residents of Valley Road Estate development site	High	-	Intermediate	-	Moderate	OM2,3,4,6	-	Moderate	Slight
Leisure VSRs
L1	Users of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Medium	-	Negligible	-	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3	-	Negligible	Negligible
L2	Pedestrians and Shoppers in the vicinity of Gascoigne Road Rest Garden	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
L3	Members and Visitors of India Club and YMCA	High	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
L4	Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Significant	Moderate	Slight
L5	Visitors of Kings Park Hockey Ground	Low	Intermediate	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
L6	Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	High	Large	Small	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Significant	Moderate	Slight
L7	Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
L8	Recreation visitors at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM3,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
L9	Recreation users at Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM3,6	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
L10	Users of Yan Fung Street Rest Garden	Medium	-	Intermediate	-	Moderate	OM2,3,4,6	-	Slight Beneficial	Moderate Beneficial
L11	Pedestrians around Fat Kwong Street Playground and Sitting Out Area	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
L12	Recreational users of Fat Kwong Street Playground	Medium	-	Small	-	Slight	OM2,3	-	Negligible	Negligible
L13	Pedestrians in and around Fat Kwong Street Garden	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
L14	Pedestrians and Shoppers in Whampoa Estate and Garden.	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,7	Significant	Moderate	Slight
L15	Pedestrians at Hong Kong Coliseum	Low	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-
L16	Pedestrians on TST East Promenade	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-
L17	Hikers at Clear Water Bay Country Park	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-	CM3	Negligible	-	-
Occupational VSRs
O1	Workers in commercial buildings on Nathan Road	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
O2	Staff and Guests of Eaton Hotel	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
O3	Staff and students of Methodist College	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
O4	Staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Buildings	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
O5	Staff of India Club and YMCA	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
O6	Staff of Club de Recreio	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Moderate	Slight	Slight
O7	Staff of Kings Park Hockey Ground	Low	Intermediate	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,4	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
O8	Staff of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
O9	Staff and Students of future Primary School (under construction) at Wylie Road	Medium	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
O10	Staff of Ho Man Tin Leisure Centre	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM3,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
O11	Staff of small businesses at Valley Road	Medium	Large	Small	Significant	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
O12	Workers at short term tenancy on Fat Kwong Street (Planned dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University)	Low	Large	-	Moderate	-	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	-	-
O13	Staff at Hung Hom Fire Station	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3, 4,6	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
O14	Staff and Students of Hung Hom Government Primary School	Medium	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
O15	Staff at Caritas College of Careers and Businesses on Wuhu Street	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3, 4,6	Moderate	Slight	Slight
O16	Staff of businesses in Whampoa Estate and Garden	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,4,7	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
O17	Staff and Students of S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary Schools	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,6	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
O18	Staff and Students of GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,7	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
O19	Office workers at Two Harbourfront	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,7	Moderate	Negligible	Negligible
O20	Staff and Students at HK Poly U – Community College Campus	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Slight	-	-
O21	Staff and Guests at Harbour View Horizon Hotel	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Slight	-	-
O22	Staff and Guests at Harbour Front Horizon Hotel	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Slight	-	-
O23	Staff and Guests of Harbour Plaza Metropolis	Medium	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Slight	-	-
O24	Office workers at International Mail Centre	Low	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Slight	-	-
O25	Office/Hotel workers and guests at TST East	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-
O26	Office workers at The Metropolis Tower	Low	Intermediate	Small	Slight	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3, 4,6	Slight	Slight	Negligible
O27	Staff and Students at HK Poly U Lee Shau Kee Building	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
Transportation VSRs
T1	Circulating Traffic on Nathan and Gascoigne Roads	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3	Slight	Negligible	Negligible
T2	Fast moving vehicles on Gascoigne Road	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM3	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
T3	Road users on Wylie Road and Wylie Path	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,5	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
T4	Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
T5	Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Slight
T6	Road users on Chung Hau Street	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
T7	Temporary parking users on future development site	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
T8	Road users on Fat Kwong Street	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,3,4,6	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
T9	Road users on Yan Fung Street	Low	-	Intermediate	-	Slight Beneficial	OM2,3,4,6	-	Moderate Beneficial	Moderate Beneficial
T10	Road users on Tak Man / Tak On Street	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,4,7	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
T11	Road users on Hung Hom Road (east section)	Low	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CM3,4 OM2,4,7	Moderate	Slight	Negligible
T12	Road users on Whampoa Estate and Garden side streets	Low	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM3,4 OM2,7	Slight	Slight	Negligible
T13	Road users on Hung Lok Road and Yan Yung Street	Low	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-
T14	Road users on Hung Hom Road (west section)	Low	Small	-	Slight	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-
T15	Road users on Salisbury Road	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-
T16	Travellers on Victoria Harbour	Medium	Negligible	-	Negligible	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-
T17	Recreational boat traffic at Tai Mui Wan	Low	Negligible	-	Negligible	-	CM3,4	Negligible	-	-

5.14 Cumulative Impacts

5.14.1 Relevant Concurrent Projects

5.14.1.1 Four other major concurrent projects are planned that may result in cumulative impacts from the works. These are:

· Central Kowloon Route (CKR) and Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover Investigation;

· Shatin to Central Link (SCL) Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section;

· Planned Dormitory of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (details not yet available); and

· Essential Public Infrastructure Works (EPIW) near HOM Station.

5.14.2 Central Kowloon Route and Widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover Investigation

5.14.2.1 According to the HyD (refer to Appendix 3.3), the construction programme and commissioning time of CKR are under review, and the types of construction works and the respective construction plant inventories within the construction period are not available yet.

5.14.2.2 The existing Gascoigne Road Flyover is about 1.2 km long. It operates mainly as a two-way road with one traffic lane in each direction. Traffic is very congested during peak hours. It is therefore proposed to widen the Gascoigne Road Flyover to a dual 2-lane carriageway to increase its capacity. At present, heavy weaving movements are observed between the eastbound traffic from Gascoigne Road Flyover and ground level Gascoigne Road at Gascoigne Road Flyover/Gascoigne Road/Chatham Road South. The Project will also improve the traffic arrangements at this location to minimise the weaving movements.

5.14.2.3 The widening of Gascoigne Road Flyover from Chatham Road South to the west Kowloon corridor will potentially interface with the KTE project at the works sites at and near Gascoigne Road Rest Garden.

5.14.2.4 The small project works at Gascoigne Road Rest Garden WS1 and at Chinese Methodist College WS2 may become rather insignificant in terms of the disruption caused by the ongoing road expansion works in this area, which has the potential to be highly disruptive. Cumulative visual impacts are likely to be envisaged here but the KTE works may become less visually significant in the context of the road works.

5.14.2.5 This project has been covered during the MTR Corporation/CKR liaison meetings and the HyD have put forward their early proposals with alternative schemes for supporting the Gascoigne Road Flyover widened deck. As shown in Table 3.4, there would be no programming conflict and hence no cumulative impacts at Gascoigne Road Flyover.

5.14.3 Shatin to Central Link Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section

5.14.3.1 Tunnels from SCL Tai Wai to Hung Hom Section will connect to HOM Station with a works site near Chatham Road North. As such the scale of the works undertaken is larger and more complex than would be required for the KTE HOM Station alone. However whilst impacts caused by excavation and project duration are magnified onto the KTE project there are clearly huge benefits in undertaking a co-ordinated approach in order to minimise the cumulative impacts of developing two separate stations under separate projects. The assessment of the cumulative impacts for SCL has been based on the best available information during the time of submission and any changes to the programme will be reflected in the subsequent submissions for this project.

5.14.3.2 Cumulative adverse landscape impacts during construction phase can be anticipated to areas surrounding the KTE works, particularly in the area around the Temporary Works Sites at Princess Margaret Road Interchange and the new Tunnel Portals at Hung Hom Station. The likely loss of most of the amenity trees at the Interchange, a further expanse of trees at the west side of the slopes above Chatham Road North as well as trees on the slopes on the south side of the Road can be anticipated. More than 200 trees may need to be removed. Winslow Street Playground will also be used as Temporary Works Site with the loss of 20 trees expected. During both Construction and Operational Phases the landscape impacts will be hard to discern from those at KTE and will have the effect of significantly increasing the apparent scale of the works undertaken in the area. The works are not anticipated to have any further significant influence on Landscape Character in the area.

5.14.3.3 Cumulative adverse visual impacts during construction phase might be expected to Visual Receivers in the vicinity of the Works Sites at Princess Margaret Road Interchange and at Hung Hom Station where the construction of New Portals will be undertaken. Identified common visual receivers include R3-East Facing Units of Wylie Court, R4- Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North, R5-residents grouped around Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue, L15- Pedestrians at Hung Hong Coliseum, O22-Guests and Staff at Harbourfront Horizon Hotel, O23-Guests and Staff at Harbour Plaza Metropolis, O24-Office Workers at International Mail Centre, O25-Office/Hotel Guests and Workers at TST East, O26-Office Workers at Metropolis Tower, O27-Staff and Students at HK PolyU Lee Shau Kee Building, T4-Fast moving vehicles at Princess Margaret Road Interchange and T5-Fast moving vehicles on Chatham Road North.

5.14.4 Planned Dormitory of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

5.14.4.1 The site on the junction of Chatham Road North and Fat Kwong Street currently under short term tenancy and immediately adjacent to the proposed HOM Station site has been identified as a dormitory of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The residents of the dormitory have been considered as VSRs under VSR-R9. A mid/high rise building it will provide 32,000m² of accommodation and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2012. Cumulative impacts from this project can thus be considered in terms of the extended scale and duration of construction work in the area impacting local visual receivers.

5.14.5 Essential Public Infrastructure Works

5.14.5.1 Walkway connections from Ho Man Tin Estate to the north and Wuhu Street to the south linking to the proposed HOM Station are intended. The northern walkway is expected to take the form of a linear, covered structure originating from Sheung Lok Street, crossing Fat Kwong Street and passing Ho Man Tin Leisure Centre before joining HOM Station with a bridge over Chung Hau Street. A further connection linked from Chung Yee Street is envisaged. The walkway shall be accessed via stairs, elevators and escalators and is programmed in conjunction with the HOM Station development. The southern link is in the form of a bridge connection from Wuhu Street Temporary Playground to HOM Entrance C above Chatham Road North. Landscape Impacts arising from the EPIW may be seen to impact the following Landscape Resources:

5.14.5.2 LDR-3.3 - Slopes surrounding King’s Park High Level Service Reservoir - An area of LDR 3.3 is likely to be impacted during construction and operation phases. Some trees and slopes will need to be cut and stabilised and without extreme care the impacts could be unnecessarily severe. Preliminary design information available estimates that approximately 26 medium size trees of about 8m height and predominantly Leucaena leucocephala species will be impacted by the work. The number of affected trees is subject to future design development.

5.14.5.3 LDR-6.3 - Slopes surrounding Ho Man Tin West Service Reservoir –The EPIW will impact trees and slopes fronting the Housing Authority Mock Up Centre for the former Valley Road Estate and at the junction of Sheung Lok Street and Fat Kwong Street. These trees are well developed and preliminary design information available estimates that approximately 12 of them may be impacted by the works including 2 no. large size Acacia confusa and a large Bombax ceiba up to 14m height and 0.6m trunk diameters. The number of affected trees is subject to future design development.

5.14.5.4 Wuhu Street Temporary Playground – The use of the site for the construction of a new footbridge over Chatham Road North will see the loss of approximately 1,200m² of hard sports area from public utilisation. No trees are impacted and part of the site will be permanently occupied by a staircase and escalator for a new footbridge. The north side of the footbridge will connect to Entrance C and no impacts are envisaged.

5.14.5.5 A number of VSRs are likely to have compounded visual impacts resulting from construction of the EPIW, causing a slight increase in the adversity of visual impact during construction stage. Furthermore a cumulative loss of visual amenity due to the further removal of existing greenery / open space can be envisaged. Operational stage impacts are not considered adverse:

· R8 - Residents at Shun Yung Street;

· R9 – Future Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory

· R10 - Residents with surrounding views at Valley Road;

· R11 –Residents at Ho Man Tin Estate South;

· L7 - Recreation visitors at King’s Park Fresh Water Service Reservoir;

· L8 – Recreation visitors at Ho Man Tin Park and Leisure Centre;

· L9 – Recreation users at Ho Man Tin East Service Reservoir Playground;

· O10 - Staff at Ho Man Tin Leisure Centre;

· T6 – Road users on Chung Hau Street;

· T7 - Temporary Parking users on future development site; and

· T8 - Road users on Fat Kwong Street.

5.14.5.6 Public Transport Facility – These facilities are planned to incorporate bus and taxi waiting areas at Chung Hau Street Close to HOM Station Entrance B. Anticipated road widening here will further impact the north west slope of LDR 3.2. and the loss of further mature, slope trees is likely. Potential Visual Impacts to receivers at the Carmel Secondary School may be envisaged. Preliminary design information available estimates that approximately 50 large size trees ranging from about 8m to 13m height will be impacted by the work including 9no. roadside Peltophorum trees on Cheung Hau Street of 10m height. Other species predominantly include Acacia confusa, Bombax Ceiba, Celtis sinensis and Ficus spp. The number of affected trees is subject to future design development.

5.14.6 Potential Property Development above HOM Station

5.14.6.1 There exists the potential to develop the airspace above the roof of HOM Station at some future stage. Whilst no details for this are currently available, should such a project proceed at an early stage it may appear as the ongoing continuation of construction works for the project construction works on the HOM Station site into the operation period.

5.14.6.2 Furthermore, existing visual receivers (including the occupants of the planned dormitory of Hong Kong Polytechnic University) may be impacted due to the future potential property development above HOM Station.

5.15 Environmental Monitoring and Audit

5.15.1 Construction Phase

5.15.1.1 The landscape and visual mitigation measures proposed should be incorporated in the detailed landscape and engineering design specifications, drawings and contract documents including the protection of existing trees, conservation of topsoil, the practicalities of transplantation of existing trees and the requirements for successful establishment and growth of new tree planting and shrubs, so as to ensure the effectiveness of the mitigation measures described above. The designs should be checked to ensure that further measures are fully incorporated in order that potential conflicts with civil engineering, geo-technical, structural, lighting, signage, drainage, underground utility and operational requirements are resolved prior to construction. Any changes to the mitigation measures that may be recommended to match the baseline review result or to match the ongoing EM&A should also be incorporated in the detailed design.

5.15.1.2 The design, implementation and maintenance of mitigation measures should be checked regularly to ensure that they are fully realised and compliant with the intended aims of the measures. Any potential conflicts among the proposed mitigation measures, the project works, and operational requirements should also be identified and resolved early.

5.15.1.3 The extent of the agreed works areas should be regularly checked during the construction phase. Any trespass by the Contractor outside the limit of the works leading to any damages to existing trees should be reported to the Independent Environmental Checker, Environmental Team and Engineer’s Representative.

5.15.2 Operational Phase

5.15.2.1 A specialist landscape sub-contractor should be employed by the works Contractor for the implementation of further soft landscape works and subsequent maintenance operations during the establishment period. The planting should commence during the construction contract and extend throughout the Contractor’s one-year maintenance period, which will be within the first operational year of the project. The intention is to provide at least 24 months establishment period for the majority of the planting works. The longer term maintenance responsibilities of buildings and the areas surrounding above ground structures shall be undertaken by MTR Corporation. This shall include regular maintenance of planted areas in terms of watering, weeding, pruning and applications of fertilisers and pesticides as well us the general upkeep of some hard finished areas surrounding built structures, specifically surrounding the WAB and HOM Station. Those areas and public spaces used temporarily during the project works shall be handed back to government once satisfactory reinstated.

5.16 Conclusions

5.16.1 General

5.16.1.1 The project has unavoidable Adverse Landscape and Visual Impacts resulting primarily from areas of excavation for stations at Ho Man Tin and Whampoa arising during the Construction Phase. A full explanation is made in Section 2 of the Report detailing the possible alternative alignments and construction methods that were considered at Investigation Stage. Attempts were made to identify solutions with less adverse potential consequences in landscape and visual terms however such options have implications on safety and duration of the construction programme which make them unacceptable. Further potential construction stage impacts are caused from temporary works sites, the new Wylie Road Ancillary Building and the Barging Point at Hung Hom Finger Pier. Operation Stage impacts result primarily from the permanent above-ground structures associated with the project. In summary:

· The project is generally compatible with the statutory planning framework;

· Impacts have been minimised as best as possible through careful consideration of alternatives, minimisation of works areas, incorporation of aesthetic external design and landscape treatments of proposed structures including the above-ground vents at HOM and WHA Stations and the WAB at Club de Recreio;

· The most significant residual impacts to Landscape Resources after Year 10 are Moderate Adverse for the localised area at LDR-3.2; and

· No Significant Adverse Residual Impacts to Landscape Character or VSRs are generated by the Project at Day 1.

· The project is able to generate Beneficial Impacts to Landscape Character and some Visual Receivers in the Operational Phase.

5.16.2 Review of Planning and Development Framework

5.16.2.1 Tennis courts at Club de Recreio will be replaced by the WAB and this is in conflict with the approved OZP where MTR Corporation vent shafts and other above-ground structures other than entrances are not permitted under Column 2 of the Plan. However as stated in section 5.4.1 of this EIA Report this is deemed to be approved under S13A of the TPO.

5.16.3 Potential Landscape and Visual Impacts

5.16.3.1 The following permanent net loss of landscape resources are anticipated:

· Approximately 1,400m² of tennis courts at Club de Recreio for the WAB;

· Approximately 6,000m² of mature mixed and plantation trees in the zoned Open Space at Chatham Road North;

· Approximately 3,500m² of bare shotcrete slopes at Yan Fung Street; and

· Approximately 20,000m² of terraced brownfield site above HOM Station.

5.16.3.2 Approximately 1,000 existing trees will be affected by the proposed works, of which none are of high amenity value according to criteria defined in the tree survey methodologies in the Appendix. 69 trees (6%) are intended to be transplanted and 931 proposed to be felled. None of these are Registered Old and Valuable Trees. Application and approval for removal for all trees shall be obtained in accordance with Environment Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No, 3/2006.

5.16.3.3 Compensatory tree planting and greening shall be provided to compensate for felled trees and loss of visual amenity with reference to the requirement in ETWB TCW No. 3/2006. A minimum of 224 heavy standard trees will be provided within the site areas of the project and 1,800 seedling trees planted on slopes surrounding HOM Station. Furthermore an approximate total of 55m² of vertical greening / climbers shall be provided at the WAB and HOM Station.

5.16.3.4 Final compensatory tree planting proposal including exact locations of compensation will be submitted separately in accordance with Environment Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No, 3/2006.

5.16.3.5 A total of 47 Landscape Resource Areas are identified within the project. During both the Construction and Operational Phases Significant Landscape Impacts are anticipated at Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (LDR-3.2). Operational Phase Impacts are focused mainly on the permanent loss of landscape resources, particularly in terms of the tree covered slopes at HOM Station (LDR-3.2).

5.16.3.6 A total of 14 Landscape Character Areas are identified within the project. During both the Construction and Operational Phases Moderate Impacts to Landscape Character are anticipated at Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate (LCA-6).

5.16.3.7 A total of 77 VSRs are identified within the project. During the Construction Phase Significant Visual Impacts are anticipated to 22 of these VSR’s. During Operational Phase Significant Impacts would remain to Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North (VSR-R4) and Residents at Valley Road (VSR-R10).

5.16.4 Mitigation Measures

5.16.4.1 The following mitigation measures are proposed to be undertaken:

Construction Phase

· Reuse of Existing Topsoil;

· Tree Transplantation;

· No-intrusion Zone;

· Decoration of Hoarding; and

· Control of night-time lighting glare, however, currently no night-time working is proposed.

Operation Phase

· Re-provision of Public Open Spaces;

· Compensatory Tree Planting;

· Horizontal and Slope Greening;

· Vertical Greening;

· Architectural Design Aesthetics for Above-Ground Structures for the WAB at Club de Recreio;

· Architectural Design Aesthetics for Above-Ground Structures at HOM Station; and

· Architectural Design Aesthetics for Above-Ground Structures at WHA Station.

5.16.5 Residual Landscape and Visual Impacts

5.16.5.1 At Construction Phase, despite introduction of the above mitigation measures, it is not possible to adequately mitigate against the resulting landscape impacts and Significant Adverse Residual Impacts to Landscape Resources are anticipated at Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (LDR-3.2).

5.16.5.2 Moderate Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts are identified at Gascoigne Road Rest Garden (LDR-1.1); Yan Fung Street Rest Garden (LDR-1.2); Fat Kwong Street Playground (LDR-2.3); Slopes in the area of Chinese Methodist College (LDR-3.1); Slopes surrounding Fat Kwong Street Playground (LDR3.5); Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road (LDR-4.2); Tree Planting on Tak Man / Tak On Streets (LDR-4.3); Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street (LDR-6.1) and Site formation levels for use at HOM Station (LDR-7.1).

5.16.5.3 These adverse impacts are generally irreversible and the Operation Phase allows for the opportunity to carry out effective mitigation measures including tree planting and greening. Based upon this, most of the adverse impacts are reduced to Slight or Negligible at Day 1. These Residual Landscape Impacts are generally Negligible at Year 10 although Slight Adverse Impacts remain at Yan Fung Street Rest Garden (LDR-1.2)

5.16.5.4 However, at Day 1 of Operation Significant Adverse impacts at Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (LDR-3.2) and Moderate Adverse impacts at Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road (LDR-4.2) still prevail. The impacts are reduced over time, however, and by Year 10 of Operation have reduced to Moderate Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts for Slopes adjacent to Chatham Road North (LDR 3.2) and Slight Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts for Street planting in the vicinity of Hung Hom Road (LDR-4.2).

5.16.5.5 Notably Slight Beneficial Residual Impacts are anticipated at Sports Pitches in the vicinity of Wylie Road (LDR-2.1) and Moderate Beneficial Impacts at Slopes adjacent to Yan Fung Street (LDR-6.1) at Year 10 of Operation.

5.16.5.6 For the Reclaimed Land at TKO (LDR-7.6), Slight Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts are identified during construction as a result of the loss of some trees. Due to the requirement for this site to be subsequently used by other projects, no mitigation measures are possible for this site as a result of the KTE project and, as such, Slight Adverse Residual Landscape Impacts remain at Day 1 and Year 10.

5.16.5.7 Following introduction of mitigation measures only one LCA demonstrates Impacts. Moderate Adverse Residual Impacts to Landscape Character at Ho Man Tin - Valley Road Estate (LCA-06) are anticipated. At Day 1 of Operation Slight impacts prevail at LCA-06 and by Year 10 of Operation Slight Beneficial Residual Landscape Character impacts will be evidenced. For the Area Surrounding Gascoigne Road (LCA-01), Yau Ma Tei and Jordan (LCA07), Hung Hom around Wuhu Street (LCA-08) and Whampoa and Hung Hon Reclamations (LCA-09), the residual impacts are Negligible during construction, at Day 1 and at Year 10. For Victoria Harbour (LCA-11) and the Reclamation at TKO (LCA-11) the residual impacts are Negligible during construction but no residual impacts are predicted for Day 1 and Year 10.

5.16.5.8 Despite mitigation measures Significant Adverse Residual Visual Impacts are anticipated during Construction Phase to Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North (VSR-R4), Residents grouped at Wuhu Street and Gillies Avenue (VSR-R5), Residents at Ka Wai Chuen (VSR-R6), Residents at Shun Yung Street (VSR-R8), Future Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory (VSR-R9), Residents at Valley Road (VSR-R10), Residents of Whampoa Estate and Garden (VSR-R13), Members and Visitors of Club de Recreio (VSR-L4), Visitors of Chinese Civil Servants Recreation Club and Philipino Club (VSR-L6) and Shoppers in Whampoa Garden (VSR-L14).

5.16.5.9 Operation Phase impacts resulting from resulting above-ground structures and loss of visual amenity can be effectively mitigated and at Day 1 of Operation no Significant Impacts prevail. By Year 10 of Operation the most significant visual impacts envisaged are Moderate Adverse at Residents on the south side of Chatham Road North (VSR-R4), Future Residents of HK PolyU Planned Student Dormitory (VSR-R9), Residents at Valley Road (VSR-R10).

5.16.6 Cumulative Impacts

5.16.6.1 Further cumulative impacts to identified landscape resources may occur from other identified works both during and following the project. The Shatin to Central Link, EPIW and Chung Hau Street PTF specifically are immediately adjacent and will see further erosion to tree resources in the greater area, effectively increasing the scope of impacts to resources and the reach of the project beyond the boundary itself.

5.16.6.2 A number of VSRs are likely to have compounded visual impacts resulting from construction of other concurrent and future planned projects, particularly the concurrent development of HK PolyU Student Dormitory at Valley Road and EPIW, resulting in a further loss of visual amenity due to the removal of existing greenery/open space. An increase in the adversity of visual impact during construction stage to nearby receivers can be anticipated. Operational stage impacts are not considered further adverse.

5.16.7 Overall Conclusion

5.16.7.1 With reference to the criteria defined in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, it is considered that the Significant Adverse Residual Landscape and Visual Impacts resulting during Construction Stage are unavoidable. Operational Impacts from the project are acceptable once the prescribed mitigation measures are applied at completion and throughout operation of the project.