12.1
Introduction
This section assesses the potential impacts of the
construction and operation of the Project on the Landscape Resources (LRs),
Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) and Visual
Sensitive Receivers (VSRs)
within the Study Area on Hong Kong side, for
the landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA).
In accordance with the EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2002, the main
components of the LVIA are as follows:
·
A list
of the relevant environmental legislation and guidelines;
·
Description
of the Project;
·
Review
of the planning and development control framework;
·
Broad
brush tree survey;
·
Baseline
study of landscape resources and landscape character areas of the Study Area;
·
Landscape
impact assessment during construction and operation of the Project;
·
Baseline
visual resources such as key views and the visual character and amenity of the
Study Area;
·
Visual
impact assessment during construction and operation of the Project;
·
Recommendations
for landscape and visual mitigation measures for both the construction and
operation phases;
·
Assessment
of the residual impacts;
·
Discussion
of the concurrent projects and cumulative impacts; and
·
Conclusion
on the acceptability of the Project in terms of landscape and visual impacts.
12.2
Legislation
Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
The following legislation, standards and
guidelines are applicable to the assessment of landscape and visual impacts
associated with the construction and operation of the Project:
·
Drainage Services Department Practice Note
1/2005 – Guidelines on Environmental Consideration for River Channel
Design;
·
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance
(Cap.499, S.16) and the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO
TM), particularly Annexes 10
(Criteria for Evaluating Visual and Landscape Impact, and Impact on Sites of
Cultural Heritage) and 18 (Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact
Assessment) as well as Annexes
11(Contents of an Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA] Report) and 21(Contents of an Environmental Monitoring
and Audit [EM&A] Programme);
·
EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2002 -
Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the Environmental
Impact Assessment Ordinance;
·
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. 2/2004 - Maintenance of
Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;
·
ETWB TCW No. 29/2004 - Registration of Old
and Valuable Trees, and Guidelines for their Preservation;
·
ETWB TCW No. 3/2006 - Tree Preservation;
·
Land Administration Office Instruction
(LAOI) Section D-12 - Tree Preservation;
·
Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong; and
·
WBTC No. 7/2002 - Tree Planting in Public
Works.
The study has also
been conducted in accordance with the requirements of section 3.4.10 of EIA
Study Brief No. ESB-200/2009.
12.3
Project
Description
The Project will comprise
the following key components:
·
Re-provision
of the boundary patrol road and boundary security fence of about 4.5km in
length (Advanced
Works);
·
Improvement
of an approximately 4.5km long section of the Shenzhen/ Sham
Chun River (Shenzhen River
henceforth) including landscaping works (River Modification and Associated Works).
The
construction has been sequenced with the re-provision of the boundary patrol
road and boundary security fence followed by the modification works to the Shenzhen River which will be conducted in four
phases during dry seasons.
The design principle of the works is to protect the
livelihood of residents on both sides of the river with an ecologically
sensible design, which should maintain the naturalness of the river and riparian
habitats and hence protect the biodiversity.
The design alignment will follow the existing watercourse as far as
possible, to minimise alteration to the existing river profile and meandering
nature, minimise land take and avoid massive excavation and filling. Provision is also made for a flood
retardation pond with three isolated islands that will lie on the Shenzhen side
of the river.
The detailed project description is provided in Section 3 of this EIA Report.
12.4
Planning
and Development Control Framework
This section provides an overview of the Government’s development
intentions, statutory land-use and landscape planning goals and objectives for
the Study Area.
The Project Site is located within the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) and its
future development has been studied in
the “Agreement No. CE 60/2005 (TP)-Land
Use Planning for Closed Area – Feasibility Study”; “Agreement No. CE 61/2007 (CE) - North East New Territories New
Development Areas Planning and Engineering Study-Investigation”; and “The Land Use Planning For the Closed Area
–Stage 2 Community Engagement Digest, Oct 2009”. The Project Site is currently located across two Development Permission
Area (DPA) Plans, prepared based on the recommended development plan of the
Closed Area Study and gazetted on 30 July 2010.
They are:
·
Draft Man Kam To DPA Plan No. DPA/NE-MKT/1; and
·
Draft Ta Kwu Ling North
DPA Plan. No. DPA/NE-TKLN/1
The DPA Plans for
the Project Site are illustrated in Figure
12.0 and more details are provided below.
In addition, The North East New Territories New
Development Areas Planning and Engineering Study (hereafter “the NENT NDAs
Study”) formulates the development plans for the NDAs in Kwu Tung North,
Fanling North and Ping Che / Ta Kwu Ling (PC/TKL). The nearest NDA to the Project Site is PC/TKL
NDA, which is located at more than 600m from Shenzhen River
as shown in Figure
3.18. Further details are
provided below.
12.4.1
Draft Man Kam To
Development Permission Area Plan No. DPA/ NE-MKT/1
The Plan Area is about 350 ha and the general
planning intention is to promote cultural conservation, recreational tourism
and provide suitable facilities to meet the territorial need and cross-boundary
infrastructure. The planning intention
is to retain good quality agricultural land for agricultural purposes or
leisure farming and to preserve the existing heritage features and historic
buildings within the Planning Scheme Area.
While the current population of the area is estimated at 470 persons
according to the 2006 By-Census, mainly concentrated in villages, it is
estimated that the planned population of the Area would be about 6,340
persons. A detailed list of the Zone
Types and areas affected by the Project under DPA/NE-MKT/1 is presented in Table
12.1.
Table 12.1 Zone
Types and Areas affected by the Project under DPA/NE- MKT /1
|
Zoning Type
|
Total Area within Development Permission Area (ha)
|
Zoning Types and Area Affected by Advanced Works Area (HKSAR) (ha)
|
Zoning Types and Area Affected by River Modification & Associated
Works (HKSAR) (ha)
|
|
Agriculture (AGR)
|
60.49
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Government,
Institution or Community (G/IC)
|
11.28
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Green Belt,(GB)
|
114.19
|
0.00
|
0.03
|
|
Other Specified
Uses (OU)
|
108.96
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Recreation (REC)
|
16.68
|
1.25
|
0.00
|
|
Village Type
Development (V)
|
26.89
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Conservation Area
(CA)
|
4.24
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Unspecified Use
|
3.23
|
|
|
|
Grand Total
|
345.96
|
1.25
|
0.03
|
Of the eight
zoning types in this draft DPA with an overall area of about 345 ha, the
Project Site affects two, with a total area of 0.94 ha ie <0.01%.
GB: although there is a general presumption against planning in this zone,
the draft DPA provides for the possibility of limited development on strong
planning grounds, particularly stating that stream diversion will need Board
permission.
REC: Similarly to GB zone, stream diversions within this zone need Board
permission.
12.4.2
Draft Ta Kwu
Ling North Development Permission Area Plan No. DPA/NE-TKLN/1
The Plan Area is about 430 ha and the general
planning intention is to promote cultural conservation, recreational tourism and
provide suitable facilities to meet the territorial need and cross-boundary
infrastructure. The planning intention
is also to protect the natural setting and cultural integrity of the Area and
promote sustainable agricultural activities.
Provision has also been made for an extensive recreational area
stretching across the north of the Area, to provide low-intensity recreational
uses to complement other nearby land uses.
Provision has also been made for the future Liantang/ Heung Yuen Wai
Boundary Control Point (LT/HYW BCP) (see Section
12.8 Cumulative Impacts). While the
current population of the area is estimated at 520 persons according to the
2006 By-Census, it is estimated that the planned population of the Area would
be about 5,550 persons, mainly attributed to village expansion. A detailed list of the Zone Types and areas
affected by the Project under DPA/NE-TKLN/1 is presented in Table
12.2.
Table 12.2 Zone
Types and Areas affected by the Project under DPA/NE-TKLN/1
|
Zoning Types
|
Total Area within Development Permission Area (ha)
|
Zoning Types and Area Affected by Advanced Works Area (HKSAR) (ha)
|
Zoning Types and Area Affected by River Modification & Associated
Works (HKSAR) (ha)
|
|
Agriculture (AGR)
|
55.86
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Government,
Institution or Community (G/IC)
|
1.98
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Green Belt (GB)
|
207.82
|
3.37
|
0.22
|
|
Other Specified
Uses (OU)
|
23.82
|
2.74
|
0.04
|
|
Recreation (REC)
|
116.15
|
2.08
|
0.00
|
|
Village Type
Development (V)
|
23.88
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Conservation Area
(CA)
|
1.1
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
Grand Total
|
430.61
|
8.19
|
0.26
|
Of
the seven zoning types in this draft DPA with an overall area of about 430ha, the
Project Site affects three with a total area of 8.45ha ie <2%.
OU: the only site zoned OU on this draft DPA
is the area to the southwest of Pak Fu Shan and is intended primarily for the
development of the boundary crossing facilities and related activities for the
proposed LT/HYW BCP, accounting for several major facilities to achieve proper
and smooth operation of the clearance procedures and traffic movements. How the LT/HYW BCP and current Project fit
together is discussed further in Section 12.8.
GB: although there is a general presumption
against planning in this zone, the draft DPA provides for the possibility of
limited development on strong planning grounds, particularly stating that
stream diversion will need Board permission.
REC:
Similarly to GB zone, stream diversions within this zone need Board permission.
12.4.3
NENT NDAs Study
– PC/TKL NDA
According
to the Preliminary Outline Development Plan of the NENT NDAs Study, PC/TKL NDA
is planned for accommodating high value-added non-polluting special industries,
the six industries (including testing and certification services, innovation
and technology, cultural and creative industries, environmental industries
etc), port back-up and logistics industries and low to medium density
residential developments.
12.5
Broad
Brush Tree Survey
A broad brush tree survey of the Project Site was
undertaken. A total of approximately 286 trees were identified.
Methodology
The tree survey was undertaken within the Project
Site with reference to guidelines from AFCD
Nature Conservation Practice Note No. 2 (Rev. June 2006), and ETWB TC(Works) No 3/2006. Tree numbers within the Project Site were
identified and estimated for assessment.
Much of the Project Site is inaccessible due to the
boundary fencing or the nature of the terrain and natural vegetation, and some
trees had to be assessed at a distance using binoculars. The attributes of each tree such as trunk
diameter etc, were estimated and averaged for these trees although some were
too inaccessible and distant to collect any valuable data.
Findings
Most of the trees
identified are grouped with relatively small number of mature trees, and with a
maximum estimate of ten trees in one group and the majority of groups having
approximately three trees or less. Tree heights
range from 3 m to 18 m with most identified trees that are on average in poor
condition and of low amenity value with a low survival rate after
transplantation.
Estimated tree numbers indicate there are at least
286 trees with the Project Site, including 36 different species in varying
abundance. The species most commonly
occurring include Macaranga tanarius,
Ficus hispida, Celtis sinensis, Melia azedarach and Cleistocalyx operculatus. About
58% of the species recorded are native (21 out of 36) and the three species
most commonly recorded, Ficus hispida, Macaranga
tanarius and Celtis sinensis, are all native as well. Only one exotic species, Melia azedarach
was recorded in some areas. All the
species recorded are common or very common in Hong Kong.
According to the broad brush tree survey results, all
tree identified fall either completely or partially within the boundary of the
Project Site and are therefore completely or partially in conflict with the
proposed Project. From the 286 estimated
tree numbers within the Project Site, it is estimated that 237 trees are
considered to be completely in conflict with the Project and may have to be
totally felled/transplanted. The
remaining 49 trees are only partially impacted by the construction works. Consequently, it is predicted that
approximately 237 trees and maximum of 286 trees would be felled due to the
construction works. The approximate
number of trees recorded within the Project Site is also presented for the
major Landscape Resources (LRs) where trees will be affected, ie LR4 (Woodland
on Hillside), LR5 (Woodland on Lowland), LR8 (Shrubby Grassland on Lowland) and
LR10 (Inactive Farmland) (Section 12.6.5).
No trees of conservation interest were recorded during
the broad brush tree survey. A further
Detailed Tree Survey will be conducted and the exact numbers of trees to be
felled will be submitted in a separate Tree Felling Application.
12.6
Landscape
Impact Assessment
12.6.1
Methodology
In accordance with EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2002 and Annex 18 of the EIAO-TM,
the landscape impact assessment has covered the following:
·
Description
of the baseline LCAs and LRs within 500m of the Project Site within the HKSAR;
·
Mapping
and description of the baseline LCAs and LRs including a rating of their
sensitivity;
·
Detailing
the potential impacts and magnitude of change for each LCA and LR and the
resultant significance of the impacts on each LCA and LR from the Project;
·
Examining
landscape mitigation measures that will contribute to reducing any landscape
impacts or will enhance the landscape associated with the Project. This may include planting, new landscaped
areas and re-vegetation. The residual
landscape impact for each LCA/.LR is considered, following implementation of
appropriate mitigation measures; and
·
Providing
conclusions on the acceptability of the impacts of the Project to the
landscape.
12.6.2
Baseline
Landscape Conditions
As specified by the EIA Study Brief, the
Landscape Impact Assessment covers the area within 500m of the proposed works
area. As the Project lies on the
boundary with the Mainland, the 500m across the boundary will not be covered in
this assessment.
The Project is located in an area
dominated by wide flat land, abundant vegetation in the form of shrubby
grassland and woodlands on both lowland areas and hillsides. Traditional rural villages with one to three
storey high houses and some with fung shui woodlands are also present as well
as some more modern villages.
Channelized watercourses for drainage are also a local landscape
feature. Patches of active farmland with
cash crops such as vegetables and fruits are found in the Study Area, with an
extensive area of abandoned farmland as well.
The landscape baseline study examines the
potential impacts on the Project Site and surrounding areas in terms of both
the Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) and Landscape Resources (LRs). The LCAs and LRs of the Study Area have been
categorised according to the presence of common elements. These include factors such as:
·
Topography;
·
Vegetation
type (both species and age);
·
Built
forms;
·
Evidence
of human modification; and
·
Land
use (past and present).
12.6.3
Landscape
Sensitivity Evaluation
An understanding of the sensitivity of the
LCAs and LRs is important when analysing the overall landscape impact of the
Project. Factors affecting the
evaluation of the sensitivity of the LCAs and LRs are:
·
Quality
of LCAs and LRs;
·
Importance
and rarity of special landscape elements;
·
Ability
of the landscape to accommodate change;
·
Significance
of change in the local and regional context; and
·
Maturity
of the landscape.
The degree of sensitivity of the LCAs and LRs is
classified as follows:
i) High
– eg important components or landscape of particularly distinctive character
susceptible to small changes;
ii) Medium
– eg a landscape of moderately valued characteristics reasonably tolerant to
change; and
iii) Low
– eg a relatively unimportant landscape which is able to accommodate extensive
change.
The following section describes each of
the LCAs and LRs within the Study Area (ie 500m from the Project Site boundary)
and details their sensitivity.
12.6.4
Landscape
Character Areas (LCAs)
The Landscape Character Map of Hong Kong ()
identifies just one Landscape
Character Type within the Study Area.
Upon further desktop and field review of the Study Area, four LCAs were
identified. These are described below
and are mapped in Figure
12.1. The impacts on the LCAs
are shown in Figure
12.2 and Figures 12.3 to 12.6
show representative photographs of each LCA.
LCA1 – Settled
Agricultural Lowland Landscape
Figure 12.3 Settled Agricultural Lowland Landscape
This LCA is characterised by flat and expansive
lowland, lying between ranges of hills, at elevations on average below
40mPD. These areas are flat or gently
undulating and have an agricultural history, consisting predominantly of low
lying farmland (active and inactive) with some natural and modified streams and
a few abandoned ponds which once served as irrigation reservoirs. The area contains a low level of built
environment. There are a few traditional
small villages scattered throughout the area, such as Kaw Liu and two others
with associated fung shui wood (Kan Tau Wai and Tsung Yuen Ha), although the fung
shui woodland behind Tsung Yuen Ha lies within LCA2. The area also encompass two scattered more
recent small villages (Chuk Yuen and Ta Kwu Ling), including a police station,
a fire station and a satellite office for ArchSD at Ta Kwu Ling. The area is regionally significant in terms
of its agricultural nature. Despite
being populated, it is also protected to a degree, being within the Frontier
Closed Border area and inaccessible to the general public. It has little tolerance to change and its
sensitivity is high.
LCA2 – Natural
Vegetated Hillside Landscape
Figure
12.4 Natural Vegetated Hillside
Landscape
This LCA encompasses Pak Fu Shan in the north, Lo
Shue Ling in the south and some patches in the mid-east of the Study Area. It is predominantly over 40mPD and covered
with woodland or shrubby grassland, incorporating one area of fung shui
woodland at Tsung Yuen Ha. This
landscape area is natural and undeveloped but does contain some old buildings
at the MacIntosh Forts at Pak Fu Shan and Nga Yiu. The landscape amenity, significance and
quality of this LCA are high with little tolerance to change. Therefore, the sensitivity is considered to
be high.
LCA3 – Channelised Watercourse Landscape
Figure 12.5 Channelised Watercourse Landscape
This LCA encompasses comprises the channelized
Shenzhen River and Ping Yuen River in the south of the Study Area, as well as
the Kong Yiu drainage channel and a small channelized drainage channel flowing
into the Shenzhen River near Kaw Liu village.
Water flow between the Ping Yuen River
and Shenzhen River is controlled by the ‘River Ganges
Pumping Station’. There are narrow water
channels along the river bed of the Ping
Yuen River
and abundant vegetation between the channels in non-flooding periods. The watercourses are sparsely vegetated along
their banks and have high amenity values in terms of flood control. They are reasonably tolerant to change and
the sensitivity of this LCA is medium.
LCA4 – Natural River and
Floodplain Landscape
Figure 12.6 Natural
River and Floodplain
Landscape
This LCA includes the natural Shenzhen River running
across the north of the Study Area forming the boundary with the People's
Republic of China (PRC) and the
small area of land adjacent that sometimes floods (river margin). Along this stretch, the Shenzhen River
has no particular features such as cascades, significant islands or
sandbanks. The river bed is mainly silty
with some stones is places. The river
banks are vegetated with riparian species, including Neyraudia reynaudiana, and some shrubs and trees grow higher up
the river margins. This landscape is not
tolerant to change and the sensitivity of this LCA is high.
12.6.5
Landscape
Resources
Eighteen Landscape Resources (LRs) were identified
within the Study Area. The location of
these LRs is shown in Figures
12.7a-c and the impact on them is shown in Figures 12.8a-c. The
photographs of these LRs are shown in Figures
12.9 to 12.25.
LR1 – Channelised Watercourse
Figure
12.9 Channelised Watercourse
Refers to several watercourses which have been
modified significantly with concrete embankments and river base within the
Study Area, including the sections of Shenzhen River
downstream of Ping Yuen River, Ping Yuen River, the Kong Yiu drainage channel and a small
channelized drainage channel flowing into the Shenzhen River
near Kaw Liu village.
The concrete embankments of the larger channels in this LR are sometimes
vegetated with weeds and grasses and have moderate landscape value. This LR can moderately accommodate
change and the sensitivity is considered to be medium.
LR2 – Natural Watercourse
Figure
12.10 Natural Watercourse
Refers to the section of Shenzhen
River upstream of Ping Yuen River and the stream section upstream of the modified
Ping Yuen River,
as well as smaller natural streams in the north and middle of the Study
Area. These are vegetated with a more
organic form and have high landscape value.
This LR is vulnerable
to change and the sensitivity is considered to be high.
LR3 – Pond
Figure
12.11 Pond
Refers principally to an actively managed water pond
towards the north of the Study Area as well as some abandoned ponds found in
farmland areas. This is a rare landscape resource in the Study Area and has low
ability to accommodate change. This
LR‘s sensitivity is considered to be
high.
LR4 – Woodland on Hillside
Figure
12.12 Woodland
on Hillside
This area consists of
trees growing on hillsides with an average crown size of 5 to 8m and average
height of 5 to 10m. Most of the trees
are common species such as Ficus
microcarpa, Bischofia javanica, Cinnamomum camphora, Macaranga tanarius, Celtis
sinensis, Alangium chinense, Rhus succedanea, Litchi chinensis, Dimocarpus
longan etc and they range from young to mature. This LR is a significant contributor to the
overall green rural landscape character in the Study Area and has high
landscape value. Approximately 25 trees,
generally of medium maturity (dominated by Celtis
sinensis), were recorded within the Project Site, mainly located near Pak
Fu Shan. This LR has low ability
to accommodate change and the sensitivity is considered to be high.
LR5 – Woodland on
Lowland
Figure
12.13 Woodland on Lowland
This area consists of trees growing on the foot hills and flat land areas
with average crown size of 5 to 8m and average height of 5 to 10m. Most of the trees are common species such as Ficus microcarpa, Bischofia javanica,
Cinnamomum camphora, Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Alangium chinense,
Rhus succedanea, Litchi chinensis, Dimocarpus longan etc. They range from young to mature. This LR is a significant contributor to the
overall green rural landscape character in the Study Area and has high landscape
value. Approximately 35 trees, generally
of medium maturity (dominated by Celtis
sinensis), were recorded within the Project Site, mainly scattered near
Chuk Yuen. This LR has low ability to accommodate change and
the sensitivity is considered to be high.
LR6 – Fung Shui Forest
Figure
12.14 Fung Shui Forest
Refers to two
areas of fung shui forest recognised by AFCD, one behind Tsung Yuen Ha and the
other behind Kan Tau Wai. That behind
Tsung Yuen Ha contains trees of conservation interest such as Aquilaria sinensis. Other dominant species include Machilus cf. kwangtungensis, Schefflera
heptaphylla and Cinnamomum camphora. The fung shui woodland behind Kan Tau Wai is
slightly lower quality by comparison and characterized by a small group of old Cinnamomum camphora trees which have
high conservation value and a large patch of Bambusa spp.. This LR has
high local significance and is relatively intolerant to change, making its
sensitivity high.
LR7 – Shrubby Grassland on Hillside
Figure
12.15 Shrubby Grassland on Hillside
This
provides the basic landscape elements for a lush green ambiance in the Study
Area. Plants found in this LR include Litsea rotundifolia, Psychotria asiatica and
Cratoxylum cochinchinense as well as Dicranopteris
pedata, Miscanthus sinensis, and Ischaemum sp. Some graves were recorded in this area. The LR is abundant, could establish itself
easily and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
LR8 – Shrubby Grassland on Lowland
Figure 12.16 Shrubby Grassland on Lowland
Refers
predominantly to a large tract of this LR which follows the course of the Shenzhen River, and contains small groups of
trees (referred to as LR8). Approximately 150 trees, generally of low to
medium maturity (dominated by Celtis
sinensis, Ficus hispida, Macaranga tanarius and Melia azedarach), were recorded within the Project Site (widely
distributed along the Project Site). Some
of this LR near the Shenzhen
River lies within the
river flood plain. This LR provides part
of the basic landscape element for a lush green ambiance in the Study
Area. Plants found in this LR are similar to that
found in LR7 with the addition of Neyraudia
reynaudiana. The LR is abundant, could establish itself easily and its sensitivity is
considered to be medium.
LR9 – Active Farmland
Figure
12.17 Active Farmland
Refers to active agricultural land of high
quality which is vital to the rural character of the area. It is common but has some regional
significance. This resource relies on a
healthy environment with sufficient water, sunlight and mild wind to ensure its
productivity. Given the right healthy environment,
this LR is easy to recreate but does not have a large ability to tolerate
change. It s sensitivity is considered
to be medium
LR10 – Inactive Farmland
Figure 12.18 Inactive Farmland
Refers to farmland that is inactive and has mainly
been abandoned to become colonised by wild grasses or banana trees, often with
shrubs. Approximately 35 trees, generally of medium maturity (dominated by Celtis sinensis, Ficus hispida and
Macaranga
tanarius), recorded within the
Project Site (distributed in different locations). This is a common LR in the Study Area
and while it now has low amenity value in terms of crop production, it is
naturally vegetated and relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is medium.
LR11 – Commercial Farm
Figure
12.19 Commercial Farm
Refers to
fauna being farmed in greenhouse structure (eg north of the channelised
watercourse near Tsung Yuen Ha) as well as some well-managed orchards. This
LR is more mobile than active farmland, many of the plants being potted, and is
therefore more tolerant to change than both active and inactive farmland. The sensitivity is considered to be low.
LR12 – Village Area
Figure
12.20 Village Area
Refers to the more
modern village areas of Ta Kwu Ling, Kaw Liu and the active village of Chuk Yuen
(to be re-sited) which are predominantly surrounded by farmland. Ta Kwu Ling covers a wide area and contains
both domestic houses and the Ta Kwu Ling police station and fire station as
well as a remote office set up by ArchSD, all of which are well fenced and
surrounded by vegetation. In Kaw Liu
most old houses have been replaced by 2-3 storey houses. Chuk Yuen village has some graves located in
the middle of the village. This LR has
high amenity value but is relatively tolerant to change and its sensitivity is medium.
LR13 – Traditional Village Area
Figure 12.21 Traditional Village Area
Refers to the
traditional, rural village areas dominated by single storey or low-rise houses
but with some rebuilt into 2-3 storey housing blocks. This LR, includes the village areas of, Chow
Tin, Muk Wu Nga Yiu, Fung Wong Wu, Tsung Yuen Ha, Kan Tau Wai, Tong Fong and
the older part of Ta Kwu Ling. All these
village areas are mostly hard-surfaced with winding paths and have limited
softscape treatment including some trees and private amenity planting. This LR is usually surrounded and screened
off by trees or fung shui forest. Traditional
village houses, ancestral halls and shrines within this LR are important and
vulnerable to the change. Overall, this
LR has a higher value than the more modern village areas (LR12) and its quality
is moderate with low tolerance to change, making its overall sensitivity high.
LR14 – Abandoned Village Area
Figure
12.22 Abandoned Village Area
Refers to the
abandoned village
of Chuk Yuen located to
the west of the currently active Chuk Yuen village. This has evidently been abandoned for some
time and is now overgrown by mature trees making it almost woodland
habitat. It has some significance as an
abandoned village area and being vegetated with trees now is less able to
accommodate change. Its sensitivity is high.
LR15 –Temple
Figure 12.23 Temple
Refers to two
temples, one at south of Tsung Yuen Ha and one within Kan Tau Wai village. The buildings have high value to the public
but no outstanding architectural features.
They have a medium ability to accommodate change. This LR has medium sensitivity.
LR16 – Rural Built/Open Storage Area
Figure
12.24 Rural Built/Open Storage Area
Refers to many
isolated pockets of structures and some open spaces, often found amongst
farmland in the Study Area and used for non-residential purposes. It is tolerant to change with a medium
amenity value and its sensitivity is considered to be low.
LR17 – Ongoing Development
Figure
12.25 Ongoing Development
This area refers
to a site within the Study Area that is hoarded and has ongoing construction or
frequent earthworks. This LR has strong ability to cater to change and
the sensitivity is considered to be low.
LR18 – Roads
Figure
12.26 Roads
Refers to the vehicular access in the area including
the existing boundary patrol road, a small section of Ping Che Road and Lin Ma Hang Road. It is common and is highly able to
accommodate change. This LR‘s sensitivity is considered to be low.
12.6.6
Landscape & Visual Impacts
The Project, as described in Section 3, will have various landscape and visual impacts during
construction and operation. The proposed
development will create varying levels of impact on the LCA and LRs at
different stages of its lifetime as outlined below. Cumulative impacts with other concurrent
projects in the area are discussed in Section 12.8.
Construction Phase
Two phases of construction are proposed. Firstly an ‘Advanced Work’ phase will be
undertaken where the section of boundary patrol road and boundary fence along
the section of Shenzhen
River will be
re-provisioned. Secondly a ‘River
Modification & Associated Works’ phase will be undertaken when the main
work will entail the regulation and channelisation of the Shenzhen River within
the Project Site. Appropriate figures
within Section 7 detail the different
Project Site areas for these two different phases of construction. During the construction phase of the Project,
potential impacts could result from the following:
·
Site
clearance (including some demolition eg of gate No. 56) and tree removal/
transplantation;
·
Site
formation works including cutting and filling;
·
Construction
of proposed temporary Hong Kong boundary
patrol road (Advanced Works);
·
Construction
of proposed boundary patrol road and boundary fences (Advanced Works);
·
River
modification works including river diversion, river excavation for widening and
deepening, and new channel formation (River modification and associated works);
·
Construction
of flood retardation pond including isolated islands (River modification and
associated works);
·
Presence
and operation of construction vehicles and machinery; and
·
One
stockpiling area within the HKSAR on the sharp bend of the river to the north
of Chuk Yuen Village
(also located within the river modification works). This will be used to stockpile construction
and demolition materials, including existing topsoil for reinstatement
works. All other stockpile areas are to
be located on the Mainland.
Contractor’s
temporary works areas, including site accommodation and parking areas are
proposed to be located on the Mainland, so will not cause impacts within the
HKSAR.
Operation Phase
During the
operation phase of the Project, potential impacts will result from the
following:
·
Operation
of channelised Shenzhen
River;
·
Operation
of new boundary facilities including road and fences; and
·
Landscaping
works.
12.6.7
Evaluation of Landscape Impacts
The two key factors that affect the
evaluation of potential impacts of the Project on LCA and LRs are the magnitude
of change and the sensitivity of the LCAs/LRs.
The sensitivity for each of the LCA and LRs has been described above and
the factors affecting the magnitude of change are outlined below.
Factors affecting the magnitude of change
for assessing landscape impacts are:
·
Compatibility
of the proposed Project with the surrounding landscape, ie how well it would
fit with its surroundings;
·
Duration
of impacts;
·
Scale
of the Project, ie how big the Project is relative to its surroundings. (When considering relative size of area
impacted relative to the overall area of the LCA/LR in the Study Area, less
than 5% was considered very small, 5% to <15% small, 15% to <40% moderate
and 40% and above large); and
·
Reversibility
of change, ie how easily changes to the landscape can be reversed.
The
magnitude of change is 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 to a local area;
·
Small
– small changes to specific landscape components; and
·
Negligible
– no changes to the baseline condition.
The landscape impact significance is a
product of the sensitivity of the LCA/LR and the magnitude of change the
Project will incur. Table 12.3
shows the significance of the impacts according to these two factors and this
matrix can also be used to assess visual impacts, as described in Section
12.7.
Table
12.3 Significance of Potential Landscape/ Visual
Impacts
* In those
instances where the lower level of impact is predicted, this is justified in
the description of the impact.
The
significant thresholds are defined as follows:
·
Significant
– Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause significant deterioration
or improvement in existing landscape quality.
·
Moderate
– Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a noticeable
deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.
·
Slight
– Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a barely perceptible
deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.
·
Insignificant
– The impact caused by the Project would cause no discernible change in the
existing landscape quality.
12.6.8
Magnitude of Change and Significance of Landscape Impacts
Before Mitigation in Construction and Operation Phases
Section 12.6.6 describes the potential sources of
landscape impacts from the Project. The
magnitude of the impacts on LCAs and LRs, before implementation of mitigation
measures, during construction and operation, are described below. Compatibility of the Project is considered
for each LCA/LR and scale of development calculated relative to the overall
area of LCA/LR in the Study Area. With
regard to duration of impacts and reversibility of change, it is considered
that most construction impacts (earthworks, presence and operation of
construction vehicles and machinery etc) are temporary and reversible while
most operation impacts are permanent and irreversible. There are no temporary access roads on HKSAR
side of the Project. Using the
sensitivity of each LCA/LR, the significance of impact is then calculated,
using the matrix provided in Table 12.3.
Figure
12.2 and Figures 12.7a-c show the areas of
LCAs and LRs impacted and Table 12.4 summarises the various factors affecting magnitude of impact on each
LCA/LR and the overall rating when considering the details of impact described
below. Table 12.5 then summarises
the significance of the landscape impacts during construction and
operation phases of the Project, evaluated according to the LCA and LR
sensitivities and the magnitude of change.
All impacts are adverse unless stated otherwise. Table
12.5a summarises the approximate impact on the trees within the Project
Site for LRs with significant numbers of trees affected ie LR4 (Woodland on
Hillside), LR5 (Woodland on Lowland), LR8 (Shrubby Grassland) and LR10
(Inactive Farmland). Numbers are indicative only and based on the broad brush
tree survey results. The broad brush
tree survey results indicate that a small number of trees are not located in
key LRs affected, but are found in LR2 (along the bank of Natural Watercourse),
LR9 (Active Farmland), and LR16 (Rural Built/Open Storage Area).
Magnitude of impact on the Natural Vegetated Hillside
Landscape Character Area (LCA2) and the landscape resources of Pond (LR3), Fung
Shui Forest (LR6), Shrubby Grassland on Hillside (LR7), Commercial Farm (LR11),
Traditional Village Area (LR13), Abandoned Village Area (LR14), Temple (LR15)
or Ongoing Development (LR17) is considered negligible as neither the character area or any of these resources
are located within the Project Site.
LCA1 – Settled Agricultural Lowland Landscape
Comparatively to the Study Area, a small section of
this LCA falls within the Project Site, mainly for the Advanced Works phase of construction,
when building the boundary patrol road and fences. The small area within the Project Site will
be cleared during construction and the Project will not be very compatible with
this landscape. The PRC across from the Shenzhen River has a highly developed LCA
however, with which this Project is compatible and given some of the change to
this small area will be reversible, the magnitude of change for this LCA is
considered small during
construction. Since this LCA has high
sensitivity, the landscape impact caused by the Project during construction is
considered moderate.
During operation, with no mitigation the magnitude of
change on this LCA will continue to be small
for this Project, therefore the significance of the impact during operation is
considered moderate.
LCA3 – Channelised Watercourse Landscape
A small section of this
LCA falls within the Project Site where the Ping Yuen tributary joins the Shenzhen River, which will mostly be affected by
the river modification works. Another
tiny section of this LCA, where the Kong Yiu drainage channel and a small
channelized drainage channel near Kaw Liu village join the Shenzhen River, will
be affected by the advanced works. During construction, a longitudinal
cofferdam will be built at the central of the designed river and the
functionality of the channel will remain intact. Despite the temporary disturbance to the
landscape during construction, the landscape affected will not be totally lost
but rather slightly modified and the Project is considered moderately
compatible with this LCA. The magnitude
of change is small and since the
sensitivity of this LCA is medium, the landscape impact on this LCA during
construction is slight (rather than
moderate given the compatibility and small scale).
During operation the small area of this LCA within
the Project Site will not have been lost but will remain as new channelised
watercourse and the Project is considered highly compatible, causing negligible magnitude of change. The significance of landscape impact from the
Project during operation is therefore insignificant.
LCA4 – Natural
River and Floodplain Landscape
Most of this landscape falls within the Project Site,
either during the advanced works or the river modification and associated works
phases of construction. During the
Advanced Works, the construction of the boundary fence and boundary patrol road
will mainly affect the river margin and during the river modification, mainly
the natural river will be affected. As
detailed further in Section 3, the
regulation of the Shenzhen
River will look to follow
the natural meanders of the current river as far as possible. Water will be diverted before the
commencement of the soil excavation and construction works. The two sides of the central line of the
designed river course will be excavated first while the river course along the
central line will be kept as ‘diversion dyke’.
When the excavation and placement of embankment foundation are carried
out on one side, the river course on the other side will be used as diversion
channel. A longitudinal cofferdam will
be built at the central of the designed river and the surface will be laid with
impermeable membrane. Additional
cofferdams will be built across the river in 200 to 300m intervals of the
designed river course. Without
mitigation, much of the riparian vegetation will also be lost in this area, the
natural riverbed will also be lost and the Project during construction is not
very compatible with this LCA. Overall
the magnitude of change to this LCA is considered large. Since this LCA has
high sensitivity, the landscape impact during construction without mitigation
is significant.
During operation, without mitigation, most of this
landscape will have been lost to make way for a channelised watercourse
landscape and the roads and fences associated with the border. However, the river will largely follow its
current meandering course and will still be a watercourse, so the Project is
considered moderately compatible.
Overall the magnitude of impact is considered large and since this LCA has high sensitivity, the landscape impact
during operation without mitigation is significant.
LR1 – Channelised Watercourse
A small area of the Ping Yuen tributary river and
western channelized Shenzhen
River will be affected by
the Project where the rivers intersect, predominantly during the river
modification works. During construction,
a longitudinal cofferdam will be built at the central of the designed river but
the functionality of the channel will remain in tact. Despite the temporary disturbance to the
resource during construction, it will not be lost but rather slightly modified
and the Project is considered moderately compatible with this LR at this
stage. The magnitude of change is small and since the sensitivity of this
LR is medium, the landscape impact on this LR during construction is slight (rather than moderate given the
compatibility and small scale).
During operation only a small area of this LR will
have been modified and the LR for the most part will be the. A very small end section of the Kong Yiu
drainage channel is also within the Project Site for but the new boundary patrol
road and fences will bridge the channel, just as the existing boundary patrol
road does and the resource will not be affected. Overall the Project is considered highly
compatible, causing negligible
magnitude of change. The significance of
landscape impact from the Project during operation is therefore insignificant.
LR2 – Natural Watercourse
The Project aims to modify the current Shenzhen River within the Project Site, which for
the most part is natural river. There
are no other natural watercourses in the Project Site and limited lengths of
natural watercourse in the Study Area outside the Project Site. As detailed further in Section 3, , the
regulation of the Shenzhen
River will look to follow
the natural meanders of the current river as far as possible. Water will be diverted before the
commencement of the soil excavation and construction works. The two sides of the central line of the
designed river course will be excavated first while the river course along the
central line will be kept as ‘diversion dyke’.
When the excavation and placement of embankment foundation are carried
out on one side, the river course on the other side will be used as diversion
channel. A longitudinal cofferdam will
be built at the central of the designed river and the surface will be laid with
impermeable membrane. Additional
cofferdams will be built across the river in 200 to 300m intervals of the
designed river. Without mitigation, much
of the riparian vegetation will be lost along the riverbank and replaced with
artificial banks in most areas. The
natural riverbed will also be excavated and lost. Therefore the Project during construction is
not very compatible with this LR and overall the magnitude of change is
considered large. Since this LR has high sensitivity, the
landscape impact during construction without mitigation is significant.
During operation, without mitigation, most of this
resource will have been lost to make way for a channelised watercourse. During operation the regulated river course
will mainly follow its current, meandering course and will have a natural
river bed without concreting for the most part, with only some areas protected by rock armour. The riverbanks will no longer be natural meaning but the
Project is considered moderately compatible with this LR. A large area of the LR in the Study Area will
have been affected however and overall the magnitude of change is considered large.
Since this LR has high sensitivity, the landscape impact during
operation without mitigation is significant.
LR4 – Woodland on Hillside
A very small area of this LR
will be impacted by the advanced works of the Project, the main part at the
proposed Project end point where the proposed boundary patrol road and fences
would be constructed and a tiny section directly north of Tsuen Yuen Ha, near
the existing Hong Kong boundary patrol
road. Findings from the broad brush tree
survey are provided in Section 12.6.5
indicating approximately 25 of medium maturity trees (mainly Celtis sinensis and no trees of conservation interest), mainly located near Pak Fu Shan, will be potentially lost due to
the Project. Such loss is considered as
the worst case scenario for the purpose of the assessment and the Project will
preserve/avoid such LR as far as possible; it will be reinstated after
construction if this small patch of woodland on hillside could not be avoided
due to the project works. A detailed Tree Survey will be undertaken at a later
date to verify the precise number of trees affected by the Project. Although the Project is not compatible with
this LR during construction, the impact is temporary and some of it could be
reinstated such that magnitude of change is considered small. Since this LR has
high sensitivity, the landscape impact during construction without mitigation
is moderate.
During operation, with no
mitigation measures, much of this LR will have been irreversibly lost and the
magnitude of change is still considered small
giving rise to a moderately significant
landscape impact during operation.
LR5 – Woodland
on Lowland
A small area of this LR is impacted by the project, mainly referring to
the small groups of trees amongst the shrubby grassland on the existing flood
plain of the Shenzhen
River which will be
affected by both the construction of the new boundary patrol road and the river
modification works. There are no tree
species of conservation interest here however and a relatively large area of
this LR including similar species, which are not affected by the Project is
available outside the Project Site. The
broad brush tree survey (see Section 12.5
and 12.6.5) indicates approximately
35 of medium maturity trees
(mainly Celtis sinensis) mainly
scattered near Chuk Yuen will be irreversibly lost (fell) due to the
Project. A detailed Tree Survey will be undertaken at a later date to verify the
precise number of trees affected by the Project. The Project is not considered compatible with
this LR. With no mitigation measures,
the small area of this LR affected will be irreversibly lost during
construction and operation but given such a small area is lost and the
vegetation lost is not of conservation interest the magnitude of change is
considered small for both
construction and operation.
Consequently, since this LR has high sensitivity, the landscape impact
during construction and operation is moderate.
LR8 – Shrubby Grassland on Lowland
A large area of this LR is impacted by the Project, covering the section
adjacent to the current Shenzhen
River on the river margin
and beyond. The broad brush tree survey
(see Section 12.5 and 12.6.5) indicates approximately 150 of
low to medium maturity trees
(mainly dominated by Celtis sinensis, Ficus hispida, Macaranga tanarius and Melia
azedarach and no trees of
conservation interest) will be irreversibly lost (fell) due to the
Project. A detailed Tree Survey will be undertaken at a later date to verify the
precise number of trees affected by the Project. During the advanced works a moderate area of
this LR will be irreversibly lost for the construction of the new boundary patrol
road and fences and one area north of Chuk Yuen is to be used as a stockpiling
area. A small/moderate area will also be
irreversibly lost during the river modification & associated works,
including a small section of this for the provision of the flood retardation
pond (located at Shenzhen side) in the meander of the river to the south west
of Chuk Yuen village. The majority of
the flood retardation pond will affect land resources outside the HKSAR
boundary. With no mitigation measures,
this LR will be heavily impacted during construction and operation and
magnitude of change is considered large
for both phases. Since this LR has
medium sensitivity, the landscape impact during construction and operation is significant.
LR9 – Active Farmland
Most of the active farmland
in the Study Area will not be impacted by the project, but a very small area,
mainly toward the south of the Project, with no mitigation, will be
irreversibly lost during the advanced works.
Despite the Project not being compatible with this LR, given its
abundance outside the Project Site, the magnitude of change during construction
and operation is considered small. Given this LR has medium sensitivity, the
landscape impact without mitigation during construction and operation is moderate.
LR10 – Inactive Farmland
Most of the inactive farmland in the Study Area will
not be impacted by the project, but a very small area, stretching along the
southern section of the Project, with no mitigation, will be irreversibly lost
during the advanced works when the boundary patrol road and fences are
built. The broad brush tree survey (see Section
12.5 and 12.6.5) indicates
approximately 35 trees generally of medium maturity (dominated by Celtis sinensis, Ficus hispida and
Macaranga
tanarius) will be
irreversibly lost (fell) due to the Project.
A detailed Tree Survey will be
undertaken at a later date to verify the precise number of trees affected by
the Project. Despite the
Project not being compatible with this LR, given its abundance outside the
Project Site, the magnitude of change during construction and operation is
considered small. Given
this LR has medium sensitivity, the landscape impact without mitigation during
construction and operation is moderate.
LR12 – Village Area
A very small area
of Kaw Liu Village
falls within the advanced works area of the Project Site. Although the Project is not particularly
compatible with this LR, all buildings fall outside the Project Site boundary
and only an area with no buildings, which is predominantly tarmac-ed is
impacted. Despite the area being so small, there will be some temporary
disturbance due to the construction works for the boundary patrol road and
fencing and during construction without mitigation the magnitude of change is
considered small. Since this LR has medium sensitivity, the
landscape impact without mitigation during construction and operation is slight (rather than moderate, since no
buildings in the village will be lost).
During operation,
the temporary construction impacts from such factors as earthworks etc will not
longer exist and given the exceptionally small area of this LR affected in
comparison to the whole are of this LR in the Study Area (<1%), the
magnitude of change is considered negligible
and therefore the landscape impact during operation is insignificant.
LR16 – Rural Built/Open Storage Area
A very small area
of this LR falls within the advanced works area, including some buildings. These buildings are associated with the
farmland in the vicinity and will be irreversibly lost during construction of
the boundary patrol road and fences. The
impact will be similar during construction and operation and although the
Project is not particularly compatible with this LR, given the very small area
affected, the magnitude of change is considered small. Since this LR has low
sensitivity, the landscape impact without mitigation during construction and
operation is slight.
LR18 – Roads
A small area of the roads in the Study Area will be impacted
by the Project, for the most part during the advance works when the existing
Hong Kong boundary patrol road which will be replaced or widened by a new
boundary patrol road and fences for the most part. The river modification and associated works will
hardly affect this LR. During
construction, the roads may not be fully functional and the Project is
considered moderately compatible with this LR.
The impact at this stage will largely be temporary and reversible and
the magnitude of change is considered small. Since this LR has low sensitivity, the
significance of landscape impact during construction, without mitigation, is slight (rather than moderate given the
relative area impacted is small and the Project is moderately compatible).
During operation, the provision of the new roads in
place of the old mean the Project is highly compatible with this LR. No transport routes in this area will have
been lost and some new road surfaces will have been provided. Overall the magnitude of change is considered
negligible, if not small beneficial. Since this LR has low sensitivity, the
significance of landscape impact during operation, without mitigation, is insignificant or slightly beneficial.
Table 12.4 Magnitude Change caused by Unmitigated Landscape
Impacts during Construction and Operation
|
ID
|
Description
|
Total
Area (ha)
|
Advanced
Work
|
River
Modification and Associated Works
|
%
of Area Affected by All Project Works
|
Sources of Impacts
|
Compatability
of Project (Construction/ Operation)
|
Duration
of Impacts (Construction/ Operation)
|
Reversibility
of Change (Construction/ Operation)
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
|
Area
Affected (ha)
|
%
of Area Affected
|
Area
Affected (ha)
|
%
of Area Affected
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
LCA1
|
Settled
Agricultural Lowland Landscape
|
204.26
|
12.65
|
6.19
|
1.48
|
0.72
|
6.92
|
Building
the boundary patrol road and fences
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
LCA2
|
Natural
Vegetated Hillside Landscape
|
49.64
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reinstated or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LCA3
|
Channelised
Watercourse Landscape
|
11.38
|
0.06
|
0.51
|
0.73
|
6.37
|
6.88
|
Mostly the
river modification works
|
Medium/
High
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Negligible
|
|
LCA4
|
Natural River and Floodplain Landscape
|
10.75
|
3.78
|
35.16
|
5.98
|
55.62
|
90.78
|
Building
the boundary patrol road and fences, and river modification works
|
Low/ Medium
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Large
|
Large
|
|
LR1
|
Channelised
Watercourse
|
11.35
|
0.06
|
0.50
|
0.73
|
6.43
|
6.92
|
Mostly the
river modification works
|
Medium/
High
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Negligible
|
|
LR2
|
Natural
Watercourse
|
2.72
|
0.39
|
14.21
|
1.18
|
43.47
|
57.67
|
Mostly the
river modification works
|
Low/ Medium
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Large
|
Large
|
|
LR3
|
Pond
|
0.56
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Medium
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly reversible/
Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR4
|
Woodland on Hillside
|
19.21
|
0.46
|
2.38
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
2.38
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and fences
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reinstated or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
LR5
|
Woodland on Lowland
|
15.30
|
0.73
|
4.78
|
0.48
|
3.11
|
7.89
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and the river modification works
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reinstated or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
LR6
|
Fung Shui Forest
|
2.91
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reinstated or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR7
|
Shrubby
Grassland on Hillside
|
35.36
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reinstated or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR8
|
Shrubby
Grassland on Lowland
|
32.94
|
10.61
|
32.21
|
5.34
|
16.21
|
48.42
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and fences and one area north of Chuk Yuen is to be used
as a stockpiling area
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reinstated or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Large
|
Large
|
|
LR9
|
Active
Farmland
|
38.88
|
1.11
|
2.84
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
2.84
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and fences
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reinstated or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
LR10
|
Inactive
Farmland
|
82.50
|
1.68
|
2.03
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
2.03
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and fences
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly reinstated
or replanted/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
LR11
|
Commercial
Farm
|
2.01
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR12
|
Village
Area
|
5.91
|
0.03
|
0.59
|
0.00
|
0.01
|
0.60
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and fences
|
Low/ Medium
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Negligible
|
|
LR13
|
Traditional
Village Area
|
6.13
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR14
|
Abandoned
Village Area
|
0.49
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR15
|
Temple
|
0.02
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
Low/ Low
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR16
|
Rural
Built/Open Storage Area
|
8.67
|
0.22
|
2.49
|
0.00
|
0.01
|
2.50
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and fences
|
Low/ Medium
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
LR17
|
Ongoing
Development
|
0.94
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
-
|
High/ High
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly reversible/
Irreversible
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
|
LR18
|
Roads
|
9.87
|
1.21
|
12.25
|
0.11
|
1.15
|
13.39
|
Proposed
boundary patrol road and fences
|
Medium/
High
|
Temporary/
Permanent
|
Partly
reversible/ Irreversible
|
Small
|
Negligible /
Small beneficial
|
Table 12.5 Magnitude of Change and Significance of Unmitigated Landscape Impacts
|
ID
|
Landscape Character/ Landscape Resource
|
Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)
|
Magnitude of Change BEFORE Mitigation (Negligible,
Small, Intermediate, Large)
|
Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation
(Insignificant, Slight, Moderate, Significant)
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
LCA 1
|
Settled Agricultural Lowland Landscape
|
High
|
Small
|
Small
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
|
LCA 2
|
Natural Vegetated Hillside Landscape
|
High
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LCA 3
|
Channelised Watercourse Landscape
|
Medium
|
Small
|
Negligible
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
LCA4
|
Natural River and Floodplain Landscape
|
High
|
Large
|
Large
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
|
LR1
|
Channelised Watercourse
|
Medium
|
Small
|
Small
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR2
|
Natural Watercourse
|
High
|
Large
|
Large
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
|
LR3
|
Pond
|
High
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR4
|
Woodland on Hillside
|
High
|
Small
|
Small
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
|
LR5
|
Woodland on Lowland
|
High
|
Small
|
Small
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
|
LR6
|
Fung Shui Forest
|
High
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR7
|
Shrubby Grassland on Hillside
|
Medium
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR8
|
Shrubby Grassland on Lowland
|
Medium
|
Large
|
Large
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
|
LR9
|
Active Farmland
|
Medium
|
Small
|
Small
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
|
LR10
|
Inactive Farmland
|
Medium
|
Small
|
Small
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
|
LR11
|
Commercial Farm
|
Low
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR12
|
Village Area
|
Medium
|
Small
|
Negligible
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR13
|
Traditional Village Area
|
High
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR14
|
Abandoned Village Area
|
High
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR15
|
Temple
|
Medium
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR16
|
Rural Built/Open Storage Area
|
Low
|
Small
|
Small
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
|
LR17
|
Ongoing Development
|
Low
|
Negligible
|
Negligible
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR18
|
Roads
|
Low
|
Small
|
Negligible / Small beneficial
|
Slight
|
Insignificant/ Slightly beneficial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table
12.5a Summary of Trees located within Key LRs of the Project Site and their
Proposed Treatment
|
Key LRs with
trees
|
LR Name
|
Area to be
affected by the Project (ha)
|
Approx. No. of
Trees within Project Site
|
Dominant Species
within Project Site
|
Approx. No. of
Trees Proposed to Fell
|
Approxi. No. of
Compensatory Trees (size=100mm), actuall number will subject to the Tree
Felling Application (2)
|
|
All LRs
|
Overall
|
~49
|
286
|
Macaranga tanarius, Ficus hispida, Celtis sinensis,
Melia azedarach and Cleistocalyx operculatus
|
286 (1)
|
Not less than 286, proposed planting along riverbank landscape areas
(~4.1 ha) and compensatory woodland planting area (~0.5 ha)
|
|
LR4
|
Woodland on Hillside
|
~0.4
|
25
|
Celtis sinensis
|
25
|
Not less than 25
|
|
LR5
|
Woodland on Lowland
|
~1.2
|
35
|
Celtis sinensis
|
35
|
Not less than 35
|
|
LR8
|
Shrubby Grassland on Lowland
|
~16
|
150
|
Celtis sinensis, Ficus hispida, Macaranga
tanarius and Melia azedarach
|
150
|
Not less than 150
|
|
LR10
|
Inactive Farmland
|
~1.7
|
35
|
Celtis sinensis, Ficus hispida and Macaranga
tanarius
|
35
|
Not less than 35
|
Note:
(1) From the 286 estimated
tree numbers within the Project Site, it is estimated that 237 trees are
considered to be completely in conflict with the Project and may have to be
totally felled/transplanted. The
remaining 49 trees are only partially impacted by the construction works. Consequently, it is predicted that
approximately 237 trees and maximum of 286 trees would be felled due to the
construction works. Approximately 245 of
these trees are found in the key LRs listed.
The few other trees can be located along the bank of Natural Watercourse
(LR2), in Active Farmland (LR9) and sporadically in Rural Built/Open Storage
(LR16) areas.
(2) Should removal of
trees be unavoidable due to construction impacts, trees will be transplanted or
felled according to the Detailed Tree Survey and Tree Felling Application. All compensatory planting of trees is to be
carried out in accordance with ETWB TCW
No. 03/2006 and will be calculated according to the trees felled rather
than area they currentlyl occupy.
12.6.9
Mitigation Measures
The significance of the landscape impacts identified
range from Insignificant to Significantly adverse with one possible slightly
beneficial impact to the roads in the Project Site. Mitigation Measures are proposed to reduce
the significance of adverse impacts and generally improve the amenity value of
the Project Site. The proposed
mitigation measures, covering both landscape and visual impacts, are listed in Table
12.6.
~ Table
12.6 Proposed Mitigation Measures for Landscape and Visual Impacts
|
ID No.
|
Mitigation Measure
|
Funding Agency
|
Implementation Agency
|
Management/ Maintenance Agency
|
|
MM1(a)
|
Tree Protection
and Preservation - Trees/ woodland within the Project Site will be protected
and preserved as far as possible in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 29/2004 and
3/2006.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM2(a)
|
Tree
Transplantation – Should removal of trees be unavoidable due to construction
impacts, trees will be transplanted or felled(b) according to the
Detailed Tree Survey and Tree Felling Application. Established trees of value are to be
re-located where practically feasible.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD
|
|
MM3
|
Minimise
Disturbance – temporary structures and construction works should be planned
with care to minimise disturbance to existing built structures as well as
vegetation including riparian vegetation along the river.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD
|
|
MM4
|
Compensatory Tree
Planting - Where loss of existing trees is unavoidable, compensatory planting
of trees should be provided in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 03/2006 to
compensate for those trees felled.
Space is to be allowed within the Project Site (mainly planting in
riverbank landscape areas of ~4.1 ha) for such planting. Plants will have 12 months to
establish.
Approximately 0.5
ha of compensatory woodland planting (in addition to the reinstatement of the
woodland (LR4) if unavoidably affected) will be provided within the Project
Site near Pak Fu Shan. The proposed
compensatory woodland planting site will locate adjoining to the reinstated
and existing (undisturbed by the Project) woodland on hillside. The selection of planting species shall be
made with reference to the species identified in the Tree Survey and be
native to Hong Kong or the South China region. The compensatory woodland planting should
also adopt ecological design, ie provision of rare butterfly species larval
food plant (Trema sp.), and further
details refer to Section 7.11.3. The arrangement of the on-site compensatory
planting, ie tree/ shrub mix and Trema
sp., will be subject to detailed landscape design and planting plan, and
recommended to be implemented prior to the construction activities as far as
practical.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD
|
|
MM5
|
Screening –
Stockpiles of materials should be covered or hoarding erected where possible
to reduce undesirable views of the construction site (such as the stockpiling
area within the HKSAR on the sharp bend of the river to the north of Chuk
Yuen Village, also located within the river modification works), having
consideration of safety and security.
It is proposed that screening be compatible with the surrounding
environment and where possible, non-reflective, recessive colours be
used. Hoarding should be taken down at
the end of the construction period.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM6
|
Light Control –
Control of night time lighting glare shall be implemented to minimize glare
impact to adjacent VSRs.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM7
|
Reinstatement –
Terrestrial areas temporarily disturbed by the Project during construction,
should be re-vegetated with shrubs, ground cover or grass in order to restore
the green ambiance or LR as existed before the commencement of the Project to
blend with the new environment, eg the earth embankment underneath the
boundary patrol road near Pak Fu Shan should be planted to ensure the
embankment structure blends in with the new environment.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM8
|
Buffer Planting –
Tree and Shrub planting shall be provided for screening the natural
watercourse, woodland and shrubby grassland on lowland, proposed boundary
patrol road and fencing, where needed and taking into account security and
boundary control limitations.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM9
|
River Area
Enhancement Landscaping – The river bed should be non-concreted as far as
practical. The River bank and margins
of approximately 4.1 ha should be enhanced with vegetation to compensate for
the loss of existing vegetation and to enhance the visual and landscape value
of the river where slope gradient allows.
The typical design of riverbank landscaping areas for the Project is
presented in Section 7.11.3 and Figure
7.11. The overall objectives
for the landscaping works will be mainly concerned with ecological enhancement
but also include landscape enhancement (see also Note c below).
Final details of
the landscaping will be prepared during the detailed design stage of the
Project.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM10
|
Flood Retardation Pond
- The flood retardation pond lies within the Shenzhen side of this
Project. It should be planted with
suitable flora (both aquatic and, riparian) to enhance its landscape
value.
Further details of
the flood retardation pond can be found in Section 3 (see also Note d
below) and final details of the landscaping will be prepared during the
detailed design stage of the Project.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM11
|
Floodplain Areas -
The areas bound by sharp turns in the natural meander of the river should be
made into floodplain areas to retain some of the riparian landscape at the
river margins. The overall objectives
for the landscaping works will be mainly concerned with ecological
enhancement but also include landscape enhancement (also refer to Section 7.11.3). Further details will be developed during
Detailed Design Stage.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM12
|
Colours of
Structures - Colours for the structures eg fences should be chosen to
complement the surrounding area.
Lighter colours such as shades of light grey, off-white and light
brown may be utilised where technically feasible to reduce the visibility of
the structures.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
MM13
|
Topsoil reuse -
Excavated topsoil should be conserved for re-use by the Project or other
projects.
|
DSD
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
DSD/ Contractor
|
|
Notes:
(a)
To augment the Broad Brush Tree Survey Report, a detailed Tree Survey
Report showing all identified valuable trees and OVT will be undertaken at a
later date and a separate Tree Felling Application submitted with these
details for the Project.
(b) Wood
resulting from tree removal should be recycled as mulch or soil conditioner for
re-use within the Project or in other projects as far as possible eg for the
construction of soft landscape work, were practical.
(c) For the
sloping banks of the river, in order to guarantee safety of flood prevention,
ecologically and environmentally friendly materials will be used as far as
possible. The preliminary proposed
landscape treatment along the sloping river banks can be classified into
three types: natural vegetation, semi-natural and artificial. Further details of the river area
enhancement plans can be found in Section
3 including protection of river bed with armour rock only where necessary
and provision of grassed, cellular, reinforced concrete eco-friendly slope
protection. Eco-bags are made of UV-resistant Polyethylene gas filled with fiber
soil and Table 3.4 details the main
materials and functions of each type of sloping bank landscape treatment
(d) A flood
retardation pond will be constructed at chainage 14+778 to 15+183 within the
Shenzhen boundary of the Project Site.
Proper ecological design will be adopted for the flood retardation
pond. It will have a total area of
approximately 2.2 ha and a water depth of usually not more than 1.2m. Two weirs with penstocks will the used to
control water level during the dry season.
Areas of water depth of 0.3-0.8m will have ‘emergent plant’ such as
native Phragmites australis and
exotic Lepironia articulata planted
in it. Areas of water depth of
0.8-1.2m will have ‘submerged and floating plants’ such as the native Vallisneria natans, Euryale ferox and Trapa spp. planted.
Subject to the details design and planting plan, provision of wetland
planting at the base of flood retardation pond will be provided as far as
practical and technical feasible.
|
The recommended mitigation measures are shown in Figures
12.27. The preliminary landscape
master plan is shown in Figure
12.33.
12.6.10
Effectiveness of LCA and LR Mitigation Measures
The proposed measures will help mitigate the adverse
impacts on the LCA and LRs. Details are
given below regarding which measures, if any, are appropriate to mitigate the
adverse impacts to each LCA/LR. The
residual impact upon mitigation is then calculated. Table
12.7 summarises the information.
Since Natural Vegetated Hillside Landscape Character Area
(LCA2) and the landscape resources of Pond (LR3), Fung Shui Forest (LR6),
Shrubby Grassland on Hillside (LR7), Commercial Farm (LR11), Traditional
Village Area (LR13), Abandoned Village Area (LR14), Temple (LR15) or Ongoing
Development (LR17) are considered to suffer no impacts from the Project they
are not detailed below.
LCA1 – Settled Agricultural Lowland Landscape
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LCA during
construction, MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4, MM7 and MM13 are suggested to protect and
preserve as many trees as possible, transplanting suitable trees were
necessary, ,minimising disturbance to vegetation and conserving excavated
topsoil for re-use by the Project or other projects. These measures and planting to compensate for
the trees lost due to the Project will help retain the general green amenity of
the landscape. Reinstatement will also
help alleviate the loss of vegetation caused by temporary construction
works. Given these mitigation measures,
the significance of impact during operation will be reduced from moderate to slight.
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LCA during
operation, MM8 is suggested, to enhance the green amenity value of the
landscape while screening the boundary fences.
Given this mitigation measure, and those still effective from
construction phase, the significance of impact will be reduced from moderate to slight at day 1 of
operation. By year 10 of operation,
plants will have matured sufficiently to confer greater mitigation and the
significance of impact will be reduced from slight to insignificant.
LCA3 – Channelised Watercourse Landscape
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LCA during
construction, MM3 is suggested to minimising disturbance to vegetation on the
channelised watercourse banks. Despite
this mitigation measure, landscape impact will not be significantly reduced to
deem it insignificant and the significance of impact during construction will
remain slight.
Landscape impacts during operation are considered to
be insignificant before mitigation. Landscaping
of the channelised watercourse in this area is suggested nonetheless (MM9), to
ensure it is enhanced and is of as high a landscape quality as possible. This area of channelised watercourse is not
expected to be enhanced to such a degree as to consider the impact beneficial,
therefore the significance of impact, at both day 1 and year 10b of operation, will remain insignificant.
LCA4 – Natural
River and Floodplain Landscape
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LCA during
construction, MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4, MM7 and MM13 are suggested to protect and
preserve as many trees as possible along the river floodplain, transplanting
suitable trees were necessary, minimising disturbance to vegetation and
conserving excavated topsoil for re-use by the Project or other projects. These measures and planting to compensate for
the trees lost due to the Project will help retain the general green amenity of
the landscape. Reinstatement will also
help alleviate the loss of other vegetation caused by temporary construction
works. Given these mitigation measures,
the significance of impact during operation will be reduced from significant to moderate.
To mitigate landscape impacts during operation,
buffer planting (MM8) in the part of this LCA affected by the boundary patrol
road and fence construction, is suggested to screen these structures and
enhance the green amenity value of the landscape. MM9, MM10 and MM11 are all mitigation
measures suggested to ensure the new regulated river reflects the natural river
as much as possible. The river banks and
margins should be landscaped with some planted flora and also designed in such
a way as to allow for some natural colonisation of vegetation. The flood retardation pond will allow for
aquatic and riparian vegetation and the floodplain areas will also allow for
the reinstatement of some marshy grassland.
The river bed will be non-concreted as far as practical with armour rock
only where necessary. The final details
of landscaping for these mitigation measures will be provided at the detailed
design stage of the Project. Given these
mitigation measures, and those still effective from construction phase, the
significance of impact will be reduced from significant to moderate at
day 1 of operation. By year
10 of operation, plants will have matured sufficiently to confer greater
mitigation and the significance of impact will be reduced from moderate to slight.
LR1 – Channelised Watercourse
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LR during
construction, MM3 is suggested to minimising disturbance to vegetation on the
channelised watercourse banks. MM8 and
MM9 are also suggested to enhance landscape quality of the watercourse. Despite this mitigation measure, landscape
impact will not be significantly reduced to deem it insignificant and the
significance of impact during construction will remain slight.
Landscape impacts during operation are considered to
be insignificant before mitigation.
Landscaping of the channelised watercourse in this area is suggested
nonetheless, to ensure it is enhanced and is of as high a landscape quality as
possible. This area of channelised
watercourse is not expected to be enhanced to such a degree as to consider the
impact beneficial, therefore the significance of impact, at day 1 and year 10 of operation, will remain insignificant.
LR2 – Natural Watercourse
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LR during
construction MM3 is suggested minimising disturbance to vegetation on the
riverbanks. Reinstatement (MM7) will
also help alleviate the loss of other vegetation caused by temporary
construction works. In addition, a small
number of trees were found along the banks of this LR and MM1 and MM2 are
suggested to protect and preserve as many of these trees as possible,
transplanting suitable trees were necessary.
Compensatory Tree Planting (MM4) is suggested for any that have to be
felled due to the Project. Given these
mitigation measures, and the sequence of construction as outlined in Section 3, the significance of impact
during construction will be reduced from significant
to moderate.
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LR during
operation, MM8, MM9, MM10 and MM11 are suggested to ensure the new regulated
river reflects the natural river as much as possible, and to enhance the green
amenity value of the landscape. The
river banks and margins should be landscaped with some planted flora and also
designed in such a way as to allow for some natural colonization of vegetation. The flood retardation pond will allow for
aquatic and riparian vegetation and the floodplain areas will also allow for
the reinstatement of some marshy grassland.
The river bed will be non-concreted as far as practical with armour rock
only where necessary. The final details
of landscaping for these mitigation measures will be provided at the detailed
design stage of the Project. Given these
mitigation measures, and those still effective from construction phase, the
significance of impact will be reduced from significant to moderate at
day 1 of operation. By year
10 of operation, plants will have matured sufficiently to confer greater
mitigation and the significance of impact will be reduced from moderate to slight.
LR4 – Woodland on Hillside
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LR during
construction, MM1 and MM2 are suggested to protect and preserve as many trees
as possible, transplanting suitable trees were necessary. Compensatory tree planting (MM4) and woodland
planting to compensate for any trees that have to be felled due to the Project,
will ensure there is no overall loss of trees in the Study Area and if the
planting area for these trees is on hillside, then a new area of this LR will
be produced, to compensate for the area of this LR irreversibly impacted. The approximate location of the compensatory planting
area is shown in Figure
12.27. Topsoil reuse (MM13) is
also suggested to conserve excavated topsoil for re-use by the Project or other
projects. Given these mitigation
measures, the significance of impact during operation will be reduced from moderate to slight.
The measures implemented to mitigate impact during
construction will also be effective during operation and therefore the significance
of impact will also be reduced from moderate
to slight at day 1 of
operation. By year 10 of operation, plants will have matured sufficiently to
confer greater mitigation and the significance of impact will be reduced from
slight to insignificant.
LR5 – Woodland
on Lowland
To mitigate landscape impacts on this LR during
construction, MM1 and MM2 are suggested to protect and preserve as many trees
as possible, transplanting suitable trees were necessary. Compensatory tree planting (MM4) and woodland
planting to compensate for any trees that have to be felled due to the Project,
will ensure there is no overall loss of trees in the Study Area and if the
planting area for these trees is on lowland, then a new area of this LR will be
produced, to compensate for the area of this LR irreversibly impacted. The location of the compensatory planting
area is shown in Figure
7.9. Buffer planting (MM8) is
recommended to screen this LR and enhance the green amenity value of the
landscape. Since many of the trees in
this LR are within the existing river margin, it is likely that suitable river
area enhancement landscaping (MM9) will also provide another means to
compensate for trees lost from this LR, by planting suitable trees on the river
margins. Topsoil reuse (MM13) is also
suggested to conserve excavated topsoil for re-use by the Project or other
projects. Given these mitigation
measures, the significance of impact will be reduced from moderate to slight
during construction and at day 1 of
operation. By year 10 of operation, plants will have matured sufficiently to
confer greater mitigation and the significance of impact will be reduced from
slight to insignificant.
LR8 – Shrubby Grassland on Lowland
MM1 and MM2 are suggested to protect and preserve as
any trees that might fall within this LR, transplanting any suitable ones were
necessary. Compensatory tree planting (MM4)
and woodland planting to compensate for any trees in this LR that have to be
felled due to the Project, will ensure there is no overall loss of trees in the
Study Area. There should also be minimal
disturbance to the vegetation (MM3) within this LR, by careful planning of the
location of temporary structures.
Reinstatement (MM7) will also help alleviate the unavoidable loss of any
vegetation caused by temporary construction works. Screening (MM5) and buffer planting (MM8) are
recommended to screen this LR and enhance the green amenity value of the
landscape. Much of this LR impacted lies
within the existing river margin, and it is likely that suitable river area
enhancement landscaping (MM9) and provision of floodplain areas (MM11) will
also provide another means to compensate for any loss of this LR by planting
suitable vegetation along the river banks, margins and in the floodplain
areas. Topsoil reuse (MM13) is also
suggested to conserve excavated topsoil for re-use by the Project or other
projects. Given these mitigation
measures, the significance of impact will both be reduced from significant to moderate during construction and at day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, plants will have
matured sufficiently to confer greater mitigation and the significance of
impact will be reduced from slight to insignificant.
LR9 – Active Farmland
Measures to ensure minimal disturbance to this LR, by
careful planning of the location of temporary structures during construction
(MM3) as well as reinstatement (MM7) of any vegetation unavoidably lost during
temporary construction works and topsoil reuse (MM13) to conserve excavated
topsoil for re-use by the Project or other projects. In addition, a small number of trees were
found in this LR and MM1 and MM2 are suggested to protect and preserve as many
of these trees as possible, transplanting suitable trees were necessary. Compensatory Tree Planting (MM4) is suggested
for any trees that have to be felled due to the Project. Given all these measures, the significance of
impact on this LR will be reduced from moderate
to slight during construction and at day 1 of operation. By year
10 of operation, mitigation measures are not expected to have conferred a
significantly greater reduction in impact and it will remain slight.
LR10 – Inactive Farmland
Compensatory tree planting (MM4) and woodland
planting to compensate for any trees in this LR that have to be felled due to
the Project, will ensure there is no overall loss of trees in the Study
Area. Measures to ensure minimal
disturbance to the vegetation within this LR, by careful planning of the
location of temporary structures during construction (MM3) as well as
reinstatement (MM7) of any vegetation unavoidably lost during temporary
construction works and topsoil reuse (MM13) to conserve excavated topsoil for
re-use by the Project or other projects will ensure the significance of impact
on this LR during construction and operation will be reduced from moderate to slight during construction and at
day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, mitigation
measures are not expected to have conferred a significantly greater reduction
in impact and it will remain slight.
LR12 – Village Area
A measure to ensure minimal disturbance this LR,
particularly any vegetation, by careful planning of the location of temporary
structures during construction (MM3) will help mitigate some of the
construction impacts. However, this
measure will not be so effective as to reduce the significance of the impact
during construction to insignificant, so it will remain as slight.
During operation, the landscape impacts are
considered insignificant without mitigation.
No measures are suggested to enhance this LR and therefore the
significance of impact will remain as insignificant
at both day 1 and year 10 of operation.
LR16 – Rural Built/Open Storage Area
The key impact to this LR is caused by the potential
loss of buildings located within the Project Site. Minimal disturbance to the LR through careful
planning of the location of temporary structures and works (MM3) should reduce
this impact. In addition, a small number
of trees were found scattered in this LR and MM1 and MM2 are suggested to
protect and preserve as many of these trees as possible, transplanting suitable
trees were necessary. Compensatory Tree
Planting (MM4) is suggested for any trees that have to be felled due to the
Project. During construction there will
still be some temporary and reversible impacts from construction machinery etc
so the significance of impact will remain slight,
however, during operation, these impacts will no longer exist and any lost
trees will have been compensated for.
Therefore the significance of impact at day 1 of operation will be reduced from slight to insignificant and remain insignificant at year 10 of operation.
LR18 – Roads
Impacts on this LR during construction are slight and MM3 is suggested to minimise
unnecessary disturbance to the LR, but this will be insufficient to reduce the
impact to insignificant, so it will remain slight.
Landscape impacts at day 1 of operation are already insignificant
if not slightly beneficial so no mitigation measures are necessary and the
significance of impacts will remain the same.
This is equally true at year 10 of operation, where significance of
impacts are considered to be insignificant
if not slightly beneficial.
Table 12.7 Residual
Landscape Impacts
|
ID
|
Landscape Character/ Landscape Resource
|
Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation
(Insignificant, Slight, Moderate, Significant)
|
Recommended Mitigation Measures (1)
|
Residual Impact (Insignificant, Slight, Moderate,
Significant)
|
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
Construction
|
Operation–Day 1
|
Operation–Year 10
|
|
LCA 1
|
Settled Agricultural Lowland Landscape
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4, MM7, MM8, MM13
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
LCA 2
|
Natural Vegetated Hillside Landscape
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LCA 3
|
Channelised Watercourse Landscape
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
MM3, MM9
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LCA4
|
Natural River and Floodplain Landscape
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM13
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
|
LR1
|
Channelised Watercourse
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
MM3, MM8, MM9
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR2
|
Natural Watercourse
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
|
LR3
|
Pond
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR4
|
Woodland on Hillside
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
MM1, MM2, MM4, MM13
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR5
|
Woodland on Lowland
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
MM1, MM2, MM4, MM8, MM9, MM13
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR6
|
Fung Shui Forest
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR7
|
Shrubby Grassland on Hillside
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR8
|
Shrubby Grassland on Lowland
|
Significant
|
Significant
|
MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM11, MM13
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
|
LR9
|
Active Farmland
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4, MM7, MM13
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
|
LR10
|
Inactive Farmland
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
MM3, MM4, MM7, MM13
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
|
LR11
|
Commercial Farm
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR12
|
Village Area
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
MM3
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR13
|
Traditional Village Area
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR14
|
Abandoned Village Area
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR15
|
Temple
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR16
|
Rural Built/Open Storage Area
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
MM1, MM2, MM3, MM4
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR17
|
Ongoing Development
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
LR18
|
Roads
|
Slight
|
Insignificant/ Slightly beneficial
|
MM3
|
Slight
|
Insignificant/ Slightly beneficial
|
Insignificant/ Slightly beneficial
|
Note:
(1) Should removal of
trees be unavoidable due to construction impacts, trees will be transplanted or
felled according to the Detailed Tree Survey and Tree Felling Application. All compensatory planting of trees is to be
carried out in accordance with ETWB TCW
No. 03/2006. Compensatory planting will be provided according to number of trees
felled, not LR area affected. Therefore
total compensatory planting area will not be equal in size to total areas of
key LRs with trees affected, but will be sufficient to accommodate the proposed
number of compensatory trees.
Compensatory planting is proposed for along the riverbank landscape
areas (~4.1 ha) and compensatory woodland planting area (~0.5 ha). The overall estimated number of compensatory
trees (size=100mm) will be not less than 286, including at least 25 for LR4, 35
for LR5, 150 for LR 8 and 35 for LR 10 (details refer to Table 12.5a).
12.6.11
Landscape Impact Summary
During construction and before mitigation, landscape
impacts are significant for LCA4
(Natural River and Floodplain Landscape), LR2 (Natural Watercourse) and LR8
(Shrubby Grassland on Lowland); moderate
for LCA 1 (Settled Agricultural Lowland Landscape), LR4 (Woodland on Hillside),
LR5 (Woodland on Lowland), LR9 (Active Farmland) and LR10 (Inactive Farmland);
and slight for LCA 3 (Watercourse
Landscape), LR1 (Channelised Watercourse), LR12 (Village Area), LR16 (Rural
Built/Open Storage Area) and LR18 (Roads).
The Project does not impact on the remaining LCAs/LRs
and therefore landscape impacts on these areas and resources are insignificant. (LCA 2 Natural Vegetated Hillside Landscape;
LR3 Pond; LR6 Fung Shui Forest; LR7 Shrubby Grassland on Hillside; LR11
Commercial Farm; LR13 Traditional Village Area; LR14 Abandoned Village Area;
LR15 Temple; and LR17 Ongoing Development).
With the implementation of mitigation measures, the
significance of landscape impacts during construction are reduced a level (ie
significant to moderate; moderate to slight), with the exception of the impacts
on LCA 3 (Channelised Watercourse Landscape), LR1 (Channelised Watercourse),
LR12 (Village Area), LR16 (Rural Built/Open Storage Area) and LR18 (Roads)
where the significance remains slight.
During operation and before mitigation, landscape impacts
remain the same as for during construction, with the exception of LCA 3
(Watercourse Landscape), LR1 (Channelised Watercourse), LR12 (Village Area) and
LR18 (Roads). The impacts on this LCA
and LRs is reduced from slight during construction to insignificant during operation, and for LR18 (Roads), the Project
is considered to potentially be slightly
beneficial even prior to mitigation.
Upon mitigation, at day 1 of operation, the
significance of residual, adverse impact on one LCA and two LRs is moderate (LCA4 (Natural River
and Floodplain Landscape), LR2 (Natural Watercourse) and LR8
(Shrubby Grassland on Lowland)). The
significance of residual, adverse impact on five LCA/LRs is slight (LCA
1 (Settled Agricultural Lowland Landscape), LR4 (Woodland
on Hillside), LR5 (Woodland
on Lowland), LR9 (Active Farmland), LR10 (Inactive Farmland)). The significance of residual impacts on the
thirteen other LCAs/LRs is insignificant (LCA 2 (Natural Vegetated
Hillside Landscape), LCA 3 (Channelised Watercourse Landscape), LR1
(Channelised Watercourse), LR3 (Pond), LR6 (Fung Shui Forest), LR7 (Shrubby
Grassland on Hillside), LR11 (Commercial Farm), LR12 (Village Area), LR13
(Traditional Village Area), LR14 (Abandoned Village Area), LR15 (Temple), LR16
(Rural Built/Open Storage Area) and LR17 (Ongoing Development)). The residual landscape impact on LR 18
(Roads) is insignificant if not slightly
beneficial. At year 10 of operation,
when planted and natural vegetation has had time to mature all residual impacts
are either slight or insignificant, including LR 18 (Roads)
which is insignificant if not slightly
beneficial.
The overall landscape impact is considered acceptable
with mitigation measures.
12.7
Visual
Impact Assessment
12.7.1
Methodology
The visual impact assessment
analyses the potential visual impacts of the Project on the existing views and
the visual amenity, particularly from the VSRs within the Zone of Visual
Influence (ZVI). In order to illustrate
the visual impacts of the Project, photomontages prepared from selected
viewpoints compare the existing conditions with the view after commissioning of
the Project. The residual impacts are
evaluated qualitatively, in accordance with the requirements of Annex 10
of the EIAO-TM.
The
following tasks were undertaken in the visual impact assessment.
In accordance with Annex 18 of the EIAO-TM,
the visual impact assessment has covered the following:
·
Description
of the Baseline Visual Character;
·
Determination
of the Visual Envelope using GIS;
·
Mapping
and description of the Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) including a rating
of their sensitivity, and selection of representative Vantage Points (VPs) for
photomontages;
·
Detailing
the magnitude of change for each VSR and the resultant significance of the
impacts from the Project;
·
Examining
visual mitigation measures that will contribute to reducing any visual impacts
or will enhance the view for the VSRs.
The residual visual impacts are also analysed; and
·
Providing
conclusions on the acceptability of the visual impacts of the Project.
12.7.2
Baseline Visual Character
The general baseline visual
character of the area where the Project is to be undertaken, is characterised by the following elements:
Hills to the East, Southeast and Southwest – There is undulating topography forming
hills to the east, southeast and southwest of the Project Site. These
distant vegetated hills form a backdrop to the site and evoke a generally serene natural, rural
environment.
Flat area to the South – The
land to the south of the Project Site has a relatively gentle, low lying
topography. Glimpses of distant villages
are visible from the Project Site, and vice versa, across a flat vegetated area
covered by grass, shrubs and trees.
Existing Hong Kong
Boundary Fence and Patrol Road – Man-made
elements such as roads, fences and water channels form a visual connection
across the natural visual envelope.
Shenzhen to the North
– Although this report does not take into account the visual impacts in the
Mainland, the highly developed, built environment of Shenzhen to the north of
the Shenzhen River is a highly visible feature from
the HKSAR in the vicinity of the Project Site.
All
of the above elements combine to create an overall visual character that is
generally of medium quality due to the combination of natural and man-made
landscapes and the view of the highly developed landscape in the Mainland to
the north.
12.7.3
Visual Envelope Determination
The baseline
for a visual impact assessment is an understanding of the existing visual
qualities within the region that can be visually affected by the Project. This area is referred to as the visual
envelope. Defining an appropriate visual
envelope is the starting point to understanding the visual impacts of the
Project as the area of the visual envelope will vary depending on the nature
and scale of the proposed Project. The
larger the Project the greater the visual envelope as it may be visually
apparent for a greater distance. A visual envelope is bound by a
conglomeration of topography, vegetation and man-made structures which form an
effective visual barrier beyond which the impact will not be felt.
For
this Visual Impact Assessment, Geographical Information System (GIS) software
was utilised to determine the initial visual envelope (see Figure 12.28).
This analysis was based solely on topography and did not take into account
the screening potential of vegetation or man made structures, which could
further reduce the actual visual envelope boundary.
12.7.4
Mapping Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs)
Once the
initial visual envelope was established, a
desktop assessment and site inspections were carried out to identify the most
sensitive VSRs that would encompass the likely range of potentially affected
VSRs.
Due to the vegetation in much of the area around the Project Site and
the absence of frequent human presence on much of the higher ground in the
vicinity of the Project, VSRs were mainly selected close to the Project
Site. This also represented the worst
case scenario for visual impacts. Five
existing and two planned VSRs were selected to represent both travelling and
residential receivers as listed below:
·
VSR A – Residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village;
·
VSR B – Residents of Kaw Liu Village;
·
VSR C – Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road;
·
VSR D – Residents of current Chuk Yuen
Village
·
VSR E – Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha;
·
Planned VSR F – Residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen
Village; and
·
Planned VSR G – Travellers through the
LT/HYW BCP
VSR D, the
residents of current Chuk Yuen Village
are due to be relocated to the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village by early 2013, such that it is
only anticipated to be a VSR for this Project during the advanced works phase
of construction.
VSR F, the
future residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village are due to be in the new
village by early 2013 such that they will only potentially experience impacts
from the end of the advanced works phase of construction as well as the full
river modification and associated works phase of construction. They will also
experience any operational impacts.
VSR G,
travellers through LT/HYW BCP, is only relevant for the
operational phase of the Project as the BCP will not be operational for the
construction phase of the Project.
All VSRs are mapped as areas rather than single points in Figure 12.29 to show the representative areas where these VSRs
are located. VSR A encompasses residents
around Ta Kwu Ling police station, including residents of Ta Kwu Ling
Village. The visual envelope indicates
that only some of the village is able to see the Project Site and this is
reflected in the area of VSR A shown in Figure
12.29. The residents of Kan Tau
Wai Village
have not been included in this VSR area since their view of the Project Site is
largely shielded by the Ping Che road and associated trees to the west and
natural vegetation in other directions.
Three
Vantage Points (VPs) were selected from the VSR areas, to show the visual
impact on locations of particularly high sensitivity through the use of
photomontages to show the existing landscape view towards the Project Site,
view at Day 1 of operation with no mitigation, Day 1 of operation with
mitigation and Year 10 of operation with mitigation.
12.7.5
Sensitivity of Visually Sensitive Receivers
The VSRs sensitivity was evaluated
as high, medium or low considering the following factors:
·
Value and quality of existing views;
·
Availability and amenity of alternative
views;
·
Type and estimated number of receiver population;
·
Viewer numbers;
·
Duration of frequency of view; and
·
Degree of visibility.
In
general, VSRs expecting a higher degree of control over their immediate
environment and closer to the Project Site have higher sensitivity (such as
residents), compared to VSRs who are farther away from the Project site or
expect a lesser degree of control over their immediate environment (eg
travellers). However it must be noted
that each VSR area is assessed according to its specific circumstances.
The
evaluation of sensitivity of the identified VSRs is detailed below.
VSR A – Residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village
Table 12.8 Sensitivity of VSR A
|
Items
|
Ranking
|
|
Value and quality of view
|
Medium
|
|
Viewer category
|
Residential
|
|
Viewer numbers
|
Few
|
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
|
Duration and frequency of views to development
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
|
Degree of visibility of the Project
|
Full
|
|
Sensitivity
of VSR
|
High
|
This
VSR includes some residents of Ta Kwu Ling village. Residents of Kan Tau Wai village have not
been included due to them not being able to view the Project Site, as explained
in Section 12.7.4. There are few viewers is this area, and
the value and quality of view are considered as medium since there is a view of
the high rise built environment of Shenzhen in the background contrasting to
the natural rural view in the near and medium distance. Some residents in this area will have their
view of the Project Site partially or fully screened by other built structures
of vegetation but some are directly next to the Project Site and the Project
Site is considered highly visible by these VSRs. The duration and frequency of views to the
Project Site are stationary and frequent and the other views are
available. Given
all these considerations, this VSR has a high
sensitivity.
VSR B –
Residents of Kaw Liu Village
Table 12.9 Sensitivity
of VSR B
|
Items
|
Ranking
|
|
Value and quality of view
|
Medium
|
|
Viewer category
|
Residential
|
|
Viewer numbers
|
Few
|
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
|
Duration and frequency of views to development
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
|
Degree of visibility of the Project
|
Full
|
|
Sensitivity
of VSR
|
High
|
Some residents of Kaw Liu Village have houses orientated in such a
way that the Project Site is visible from the front of their house. Although other houses are orientated away
from the Project Site, the worst case scenario is adopted and the Project is considered to be highly
visible. The duration and frequency of
views to the Project Site will be stationary and frequent. The value
and quality of the existing view is medium since there is a view of the high rise built
environment of Shenzhen in the background contrasting to the natural rural view
in the near and medium distance. There
are few residents of this village and given
all these considerations, this VSR has a high
sensitivity.
VSR C –
Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road
Table 12.10 Sensitivity
of VSR C
|
Items
|
Ranking
|
|
Value and quality of view
|
Medium
|
|
Viewer category
|
Travelling
|
|
Viewer numbers
|
Few
|
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
|
Duration and frequency of views to development
|
Transitory and Occasional
|
|
Degree of visibility of the Project
|
Medium
|
|
Sensitivity
of VSR
|
Low
|
The value and quality of view is
medium since
there is a view of the high rise built environment of Shenzhen in the background
to the west of the road, contrasting to the natural rural view in the near and
medium distance. There are few travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road, with good alternative
views and their view to the Project Site is transient, and occasional. In addition
existing vegetation blocks some of the Project Site from the travellers on the
road. Given all these considerations,
this VSR has a
low sensitivity.
VSR D –
Residents of current Chuk Yuen Village
Table 12.11 Sensitivity of VSR D
|
Items
|
Ranking
|
|
Value and quality of view
|
Medium
|
|
Viewer category
|
Residential
|
|
Viewer numbers
|
Few
|
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Yes, good alternatives to the east
|
|
Duration and frequency of views to development
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
|
Degree of visibility of the Project
|
Full
|
|
Sensitivity
of VSR
|
High
|
The value and quality of view is
medium since there
is a view of the high rise built environment of Shenzhen in the background,
contrasting to the natural rural view in the near and medium distance. There are few residents of the current Chuk
Yuen village and although surrounded by the Project Site on three sides, these
VSRs have good alternative views to the east.
They will have frequent, stationary views towards the Project Site and
some residents at the periphery of the village will have a full view. Given all
these considerations, this VSR, while it exists and before re-siting of the
village, has a
high sensitivity.
VSR E –
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
Table 12.12 Sensitivity of VSR E
|
Items
|
Ranking
|
|
Value and quality of view
|
Medium
|
|
Viewer category
|
Residential
|
|
Viewer numbers
|
Few
|
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
|
Duration and frequency of views to development
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
|
Degree of visibility of the Project
|
Partial
|
|
Sensitivity
of VSR
|
Medium
|
The value and quality of view is
medium since
there is a view of the high rise built environment of Shenzhen in the
background, contrasting to the natural rural view in the near and medium
distance. There are few residents of the
current Tsung Yuen Ha and these VSRs have good alternative views. They will have frequent, stationary views
towards the Project Site but being further from the Project Site, their view is
partially screened by natural vegetation.
In fact, existing vegetation and some man made
structures (eg greenhouses) block much of the Project Site from the residents
of this village. Given all these
considerations, this VSR has a medium
sensitivity.
VSR F –
Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village
Table 12.13 Sensitivity
of VSR F
|
Items
|
Ranking
|
|
Value and quality of view
|
Medium
|
|
Viewer category
|
Residential
|
|
Viewer numbers
|
Few
|
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
|
Duration and frequency of views to development
|
Stationary and Occasional
|
|
Degree of visibility of the Project
|
Glimpse
|
|
Sensitivity
of VSR
|
Low
|
This is a planned VSR and is only
anticipated to be a VSR from early 2013.
The value and quality of view is medium since there is a view of the high rise built
environment of Shenzhen in the background, contrasting to the natural rural
view in the near and medium distance.
These VSRs are anticipated to be in place during the latter part of the
Project advanced works construction phase and for the full time of the Project
river modification and associated works phase of construction. Similarly to the current Chuk Yuen village,
there will be few residents. Since the
orientation of the houses in the new village is to the south-west, they face
away from the Project Site and the duration and frequency of views to the Project
Site are stationary and occasional.
Taking into account the natural topography and vegetation, these VSRs
will only have a glimpse of the Project Site.
Given all these considerations, this
VSR has a
low sensitivity.
VSR G –
Travellers through the LT/HYW BCP
Table 12.14 Sensitivity
of VSR G
|
Items
|
Ranking
|
|
Value and quality of view
|
Low
|
|
Viewer category
|
Travelling
|
|
Viewer numbers
|
Very many
|
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
|
Duration and frequency of views to development
|
Transitory and Occasional
|
|
Degree of visibility of the Project
|
Partial
|
|
Sensitivity
of VSR
|
Low
|
This is a planned VSR and will only be
relevant for the operation phase of the Project as the BCP will not be
operational for the construction phase of the Project. The value and quality of view is low since there will be a view of the high rise
built environment of Shenzhen in the background to the north as well as the new
BCP structures and other vehicles in the immediate foreground, contrasting to
surrounding natural rural view in the medium and far distance to the south. There will be
very many
travellers along this new road and through the BCP with good alternative views
and their view to the Project Site is transient, and occasional. The operational modified Shenzhen river and
associated works of the Project will only be partially visible to this VSR
since a wall round the BCP site will obscure the view from ground level where
most of the VSRs will be, and only VSRs on the higher levels of buildings will
get any view of the modified river, boundary fence and patrol road. Some other structures and some vegetation may
also form an effective screen to much of the Project. Given all
these considerations, this planned VSR has a low
sensitivity.
12.7.6
Evaluation of Visual Impacts
The two key factors that affect the
evaluation of potential impacts of the Project on VSRs are the sensitivity of
the VSRs and the magnitude of change caused by the Project. The sensitivity for each of the VSRs has been
described above and the factors affecting the magnitude of change are outlined
below.
When
determining the magnitude of visual impacts on each VSR from the Project, the
following factors are considered:
·
Compatibility
of the proposed Project with the surrounding landscape (Low/Medium/High);
·
Scale
of the Project when viewed from the VSR (Small/Medium/Large;
·
Reversibility
of change (Reversible/Irreversible);
·
Viewing
distance (in meters);
·
Potential
blockage of view (Nil/Partial/Full); and
·
Duration
of impact under construction and operation phases (Temporary/Permanent).
This evaluation
is related to the specific details of the Project and is rated as large, intermediate,
small or negligible and is defined as follows:
·
Large: eg major change in view;
·
Intermediate: eg moderate change in view;
·
Small: eg minor change in view; and
·
Negligible: eg no discernible change in
view.
The visual impact significance is a product of the
sensitivity of the VSR and the magnitude of change the Project will incur. Sensitivity of each VSR has been detailed in Section 12.7.5 and the following section
describes the magnitude of impacts. The
matrix in Table 12.3
from Section 12.6.7 is then used for
each VSR to determine the significance of the visual impacts.
Magnitude of Change and Significance of
Visual Impact Before Mitigation In Construction and Operation Phases
The
sources of visual impacts from the Project create different levels of visual
impact during construction and operation phases. Elements of potential impacts are identified
in Section 12.6.6. Magnitude
of change is evaluated for both the construction and operational phases of the
Project.
The key visual impacts in the construction phase will be mainly
related to the construction activities in the works area, while visual impact
in the operation phase will arise
from the raised new boundary fence rather than the river channel which will be
below normal ground level.
When
determining magnitude of change, for the construction
phase it is considered visual impacts are reversible and temporary, while
for the operation phase, visual impacts
are considered to be permanent and irreversible.
Further
details regarding impacts on each VSR and the resulting significance of the
impacts according the rating of sensitivity and magnitude of change, are given
below, according to the matrix presented in Table
12.3.
VSR A – Residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village
Table 12.15 Magnitude
of Change for VSR A
|
Items
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
Compatibility of the proposed Project with the surrounding
landscape
|
Medium
|
High
|
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from the VSR
|
Large
|
Medium
|
|
Reversibility of change
|
Reversible
|
Irreversible
|
|
Closest viewing distance to Project Site Boundary
for Construction and Project Component, eg boundary fence, for Operation
(& from VP) (m)
|
0 (0)
|
16 (9)
|
|
Potential blockage of view
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
Duration of impact
|
Temporary
|
Permanent
|
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
Large
|
Small
|
During construction
the VSRs in this area are right next to the Project Site at their closest point
although many residencies are the other side of the Lin Ma Hang Road from the development and
will be less affected. The view from the
closest point is currently of the existing boundary fence and the construction
of the new, proposed boundary fence has low potential to further block this
view. During construction however, there
will be considerable visual impact from the temporary earthworks, construction
works and construction machinery due to their proximity to some of the
residents, and worst case scenario is adopted.
These works will contrast with the surrounding landscape, but the
construction of the new boundary fence will replace the existing fence and the
river modification work will hardly be visible, so the compatibility of the
Project is considered to be medium. The
scale of the Project is large when viewed from this VSR area, again due to the
proximity and the length of the Project Site visible, but it will not block the
view. Given all these considerations the
magnitude of change during
construction is considered large and since this VSR has high
sensitivity, the significance of the
impact during construction is significant.
During operation
the VSRs in this area are approximately 16 m from the nearest boundary fence at
their closest point, although many residencies are much further away, being the
other side of the Lin Ma Hang Road
from the development. The view from the
closest point is currently of the existing boundary fence and the new, proposed
boundary fence has low potential to further block their view. The river modification will be below ground
level, partially screened by vegetation and not visible. Since the view during operation will be very
similar to the existing view, the Project in this phase is also considered to
be highly compatible with the surrounding landscape.
VP1 has been selected to represent
the worst case scenario for VSR A, from which to create a photomontage. It is situated at the fringe of the Project
Site boundary and 9 m from the boundary fence at its closest point. Figure
12.30a illustrates the existing view from this
point towards the Project and the view at day 1 of operation.
Given all these considerations the magnitude of change during operation is
considered small and since this VSR has high sensitivity, the significance of the impact during
construction is moderate.
VSR B –
Residents of Kaw Liu Village
Table 12.16 Magnitude
of Change for VSR B
|
Items
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
Compatibility of the proposed Project with the
surrounding landscape
|
Medium
|
High
|
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from the VSR
|
Large
|
Medium
|
|
Reversibility of change
|
Reversible
|
Irreversible
|
|
Closest viewing distance to Project Site Boundary
for Construction and Project Component, eg boundary fence, for Operation
(& from VP) (m)
|
0 (15)
|
0 (23)
|
|
Potential blockage of view
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
Duration of impact
|
Temporary
|
Permanent
|
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
Large
|
Small
|
During construction
the VSRs in this area right are next to the Project Site at their closest
point, although many residencies are slightly further away. The worst case scenario is adopted and the
view from the closest point is currently of the existing boundary fence and the
construction of the new, proposed boundary fence has low potential to further
block their view. During construction
however, there will be considerable visual impact from the temporary
earthworks, construction works and construction machinery due to their
proximity. These works will contrast
with the surrounding landscape, but the construction of the new boundary fence
will replace the existing fence and the river modification work will hardly be
visible, so the compatibility of the Project is considered to be medium. The scale of the Project is large when viewed
from this VSR area, again due to their proximity and the length of the Project
Site visible but it will not block the view.
Given all these considerations the magnitude
of change during construction is considered large and since this VSR
has high sensitivity, the significance
of the impact during construction is significant.
During operation
the VSRs in this area are next to the new boundary fence at their closest
point, although many are slightly further away.
The view from the closest point is currently of the existing boundary
fence and the new, proposed boundary fence has low potential to further block
their view. The river modification will
be below ground level, partially screened by vegetation and hardly
visible. Since the view during operation
will be very similar to the existing view, the Project in this phase is also
considered to be highly compatible with the surrounding landscape
VP2 has been selected to represent the
worst case scenario for VSR B, from which to create a photomontage. It is situated 15 m the Project Site boundary
and 23 m from the boundary fence at its closest point. Figure
12.31a illustrates the existing view from
this point towards the Project and the view at day 1 of operation.
Given all these considerations the magnitude of change during operation is
considered small and since this VSR has high sensitivity, the significance of the impact during
construction is moderate.
VSR C –
Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road
Table 12.17 Magnitude
of Change for VSR C
|
Items
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
Compatibility of the proposed Project with the
surrounding landscape
|
Medium
|
High
|
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from the VSR
|
Large
|
Medium
|
|
Reversibility of change
|
Reversible
|
Irreversible
|
|
Closest viewing distance to Project Site Boundary
for Construction and Project Component, eg boundary fence, for Operation
(& from VP) (m)
|
0 (4)
|
0 (10)
|
|
Potential blockage of view
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
Duration of impact
|
Temporary
|
Permanent
|
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
Large
|
Small
|
During construction
the VSRs on this road are next to the Project Site at their closest points, but
there are a limited number of such points and in general the road is further
away from the Project Site (see Figure 12.29). During construction, there will be some
visual impact from the temporary earthworks, construction works and
construction machinery. These works will
contrast with the surrounding landscape, but the construction of the new
boundary fence will replace the existing fence and the river modification work
will hardly be visible, so the compatibility of the Project is considered to be
medium. The scale of the Project will
appear large to the VSRs on this road as it will be visible along a
considerable stretch of the road and not at just one point. Given all these considerations the magnitude of change during construction
is considered large and since this VSR has low sensitivity, the significance of the impact during
construction is moderate.
During operation
the VSRs on this road are still next to the boundary fence at their closest
point. Where not screened by existing
vegetation, the existing boundary fence can be seen in the current view and the
new, proposed boundary fence will equally be screened and present a similar
view were visible, with no potential to further block the view. The river modification will be below ground
level, partially screened by vegetation and not visible. Since the view during operation will be very
similar to the existing view, the Project in this phase is also considered to
be highly compatible with the surrounding landscape.
VP3 has been selected to represent
the worst case scenario for VSR C, from which to create a photomontage. It is situated 4 m the Project Site works
boundary and 10 m from the boundary fence at its closest point. Figure
12.32a illustrates the existing view from
this point towards the Project and the view at day 1 of operation.
Given all these considerations the magnitude of change during operation is
considered small and since this VSR has low sensitivity, the significance of the impact during operation
is slight.
VSR D –
Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village
Table 12.18 Magnitude
of Change for VSR D
|
Items
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
Compatibility of the proposed Project with the
surrounding landscape
|
Medium
|
High
|
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from the VSR
|
Large
|
Medium
|
|
Reversibility of change
|
Reversible
|
Irreversible
|
|
Closest viewing distance to Project Site Boundary
for Construction and Project Component, eg boundary fence, for Operation (m)
|
51
|
63
|
|
Potential blockage of view
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
Duration of impact
|
Temporary
|
Permanent
|
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
Large
|
Small
|
During construction,
there will be visual impact from the temporary earthworks, construction works
and construction machinery. The scale of
the Project will appear large to the VSRs in this area as it is located around
the village in northerly, westerly and southerly directions, although there is
some screening by natural vegetation. At
their closest point, these VSRs are 51 m from the Project Site boundary. Much of the construction is concerned with
below average ground level works (the channel) and the at grade works (eg for
new boundary fence construction) will not include structures that are
significantly higher than those existing but these construction works will
contrast with the natural surrounding landscape, removing existing
vegetation. A stockpile area is also
proposed to the north of the village within the Project Site which may be
visible with no mitigation. The
construction of the new boundary fence will for the large part replace the
existing fence and the river modification work will hardly be visible, so the
compatibility of the Project is considered to be medium. Given all these considerations the magnitude
of change during construction is considered large and since this VSR has
high sensitivity, the visual impact
during construction is significant.
During operation,
according to current plans, the VSRs in this area will be re-sited to a new
village area by 2013, to make way for the construction of the LT/HYW BCP. Assuming these VSRs are the same residents
for Chuk Yuen village but in a different location, see VSR E for details. Should current plans for the location of the
LT/HYW BCP change and the current village remain in place, the VSRs will be 63
m from the nearest boundary fence at their closest point. Where not screened by existing vegetation,
the existing boundary fence can be seen in the current view. The Project in operation phase will have a
much reduced impact since most of the new regulated river is below ground level
and not visible, while the new, proposed boundary fence will be equally
screened and present a similar view to that existing. The Project will not block the view of these
VSRs. Given all these considerations the
magnitude of change during operation, should this still be an applicable VSR,
is considered small and since this VSR has high sensitivity, the significance of the impact during operation
is moderate.
VSR E –
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
Table 12.19 Magnitude
of Change for VSR E
|
Items
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
Compatibility of the proposed Project with the
surrounding landscape
|
Medium
|
High
|
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from the VSR
|
Medium
|
Small
|
|
Reversibility of change
|
Reversible
|
Irreversible
|
|
Closest viewing distance to Project Site Boundary
for Construction and Project Component, eg boundary fence, for Operation (m)
|
141
|
187
|
|
Potential blockage of view
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
Duration of impact
|
Temporary
|
Permanent
|
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
Intermediate
|
Small
|
During construction
the VSRs in this area are relatively far from the Project Site, being 141 m
away at their closest point. During
construction, there will be some visual impact from the temporary earthworks,
construction works and construction machinery in the distance. These works will contrast with the
surrounding landscape, but the construction of the new boundary fence will
replace the existing fence and the river modification work will hardly be
visible, the compatibility of the Project is considered to be medium. The Project is only visible in certain
directions from this VSR and is blocked by vegetation in others and given the
distance, the scale of the Project will appear medium to these VSRs during
construction. A stockpile area is also
proposed to the north-west of the village within the Project Site, although
this is unlikely to be visible given the distance and natural screening by
vegetation. The Project will not block
the current view any further during construction. Given all these considerations the magnitude
of change during construction is
considered intermediate and
since this VSR has medium sensitivity, significance of the impact during construction is moderate.
During operation
the VSRs in this area are 187 m from the nearest boundary fence at their
closest point. Where not screened by
existing vegetation, the existing boundary fence can be seen in the current
view and the new, proposed boundary fence will be equally screened and present
a similar view were visible, with low potential to further block the view. Since the view will be similar to the exiting
view (the regulated river is below normal ground level and not visible from here),
the Project is considered to be highly compatible with the surrounding
landscape during operation. Given all
these considerations, the magnitude of
change during operation is considered to be small and since this VSR has medium sensitivity,
significance of the impact during
construction is slight (rather than moderate given how similar the new view
will be to the existing view).
VSR F –
Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village
Table 12.20 Magnitude
of Change for VSR F
|
Items
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
Compatibility of the proposed Project with the
surrounding landscape
|
Medium
|
High
|
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from the VSR
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
Reversibility of change
|
Reversible
|
Irreversible
|
|
Closest viewing distance to Project Site Boundary
for Construction and Project Component, eg boundary fence, for Operation (m)
|
281
|
295
|
|
Potential blockage of view
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
Duration of impact
|
Temporary
|
Permanent
|
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
Small
|
Small
|
The planned VSRs in this area will
be mainly present for the river modification and associated works stage of
construction and will be relatively far from the Project Site, 281 m away
at their closest point. Existing
vegetation and topography and some man made structures will block much of the
Project Site from the residents of this village and the house orientation is
also away from the Project Site. During
construction, there will be minimal visual impact from the temporary
earthworks, construction works and construction machinery in the far distance,
especially since for most of the construction phase applicable to these VSRs,
the works will be associated with the river modification and mostly below average
ground level. The works will be fairly
compatible with the surrounding landscape and the scale of the Project will
appear small to the VSRs in this area.
Given all these considerations the magnitude
of change during construction is considered small and since this VSR has low
sensitivity, significance of the impact
during construction is slight.
During operation
the VSRs in this area are 295 m from the nearest boundary fence at their
closest point and the scale of the Project will continue to appear small from
this area. Where not screened by
existing vegetation and topography, the new proposed boundary fence will
present a similar view to that existing before from this area, so the Project
will not block the view and will be highly compatible with the surrounding
landscape. Given all these
considerations the magnitude of change
is almost insignificant and on the current ranking can be considered small. Since this VSR has low sensitivity, the significance of the impact during operation
is slight.
VSR G –
Travellers through the LT/HYW BCP
Table 12.21 Magnitude
of Change for VSR G
|
Items
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
Compatibility of the proposed Project with the
surrounding landscape
|
n/a
|
High
|
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from the VSR
|
n/a
|
Small
|
|
Reversibility of change
|
n/a
|
Irreversible
|
|
Closest viewing distance to Project Site Boundary
for Construction and Project Component, eg boundary fence, for Operation (m)
|
n/a
|
0
|
|
Potential blockage of view
|
n/a
|
None
|
|
Duration of impact
|
n/a
|
Permanent
|
|
Magnitude
of Impact
|
n/a
|
Small
|
This is a planned VSR and will not
exist during the construction phase so there will be no visual impact as this
stage.
These VSRs will not exist until at least a
year after this Project has been operational, since this Project is due to
complete in March 2017 and construction for the LT/HYW BCP is only due to be
completed at the end of 2018. When the
Boundary Control Point (BCP) is operational, the VSRs within the BCP are right
next to the Project at their closest point.
Most of these VSRs will be at ground level and not be able to see the
operational Project so it will not impact them, but some which are higher up
than ground level, will a view down on the Project, depending on the
orientation of the views from the buildings they are in. It is unlikely their views will encompass the
full extent of the Project around the BCP area, so the scale of the Project
will appear small. The Project will have
been operational for a number of years when the BCP opens and will be
compatible with the surrounding landscape and also will not block the view of
the VSRs. Given all these
considerations, the magnitude
of change is almost insignificant, and on the current ranking would be
considered small. Given this VSR has low sensitivity the significance of the impact during operation
is slight.
12.7.7
Summary of Sensitivity of each VSR, Magnitude of Change and
Significance of Visual Impacts before Mitigation
Tables 12.22 to
12.23 provide summaries of the ratings for each factor considered when
calculating the sensitivity for each VSR (as detailed in Section 12.7.5) and the magnitude of change during the construction
and operation phases (as detailed in Section
12.7.6) and Table 12.24 summarises the significance of the visual impacts.
Table 12.22 Summary of VSR sensitivity
|
VSR
|
Associated VP
|
VSR Description
|
Value and quality of view
|
Viewer Category
|
Number of viewers
|
Availability and amenity of alternative views
|
Duration and frequency of views to the Project Site
|
Degree of visibility of the Project Site
|
Sensitivity
|
|
A
|
1
|
Residents of Ta Kwu
Ling Village
|
Medium
|
Residential
|
Few
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
Full
|
High
|
|
B
|
2
|
Residents of Kaw
Liu Village
|
Medium
|
Residential
|
Few
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
Full
|
High
|
|
C
|
3
|
Travelers along Lin Ma
Hang Road
|
Medium
|
Travelling
|
Few
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
Transitory and Occasional
|
Medium
|
Low
|
|
D
|
n/a
|
Residents of the current Chuk
Yuen Village
|
Medium
|
Residential
|
Few
|
Yes, good alternatives to the east
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
Full
|
High
|
|
E
|
n/a
|
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
|
Medium
|
Residential
|
Few
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
Stationary and Frequent
|
Partial
|
Medium
|
|
F
|
n/a
|
Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village
|
Medium
|
Residential
|
Few
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
Stationary and Occasional
|
Glimpse
|
Low
|
|
G
|
n/a
|
Travelers through LT/HYW BCP
|
Low
|
Travelling
|
Very Many
|
Yes, good alternatives
|
Transitory and Occasional
|
Partial
|
Low
|
Table 12.23 Summary of Magnitude of Change for each
VSR during Construction and Operation phases Significance of Visual Impacts before
Mitigation
|
VSR
|
Associated VP
|
VSR Description
|
Compatibility of proposed Project with surrounding Landscape
(Construction/ Operation)
|
Scale of the Project when viewed from VSR
(Construction/ Operation)
|
Reversibility of change
(Construction/ Operation)
|
Closest distance from VSR (VP point)
|
Potential Blockage of View
(Construction/ Operation)
|
Duration of Impact
(Construction/ Operation)
|
Magnitude of Change
|
|
to Project Site Boundary (m)
|
to Closest Project Component (m)
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
A
|
1
|
Residents of Ta Kwu
Ling Village
|
Medium/High
|
Large/ Medium
|
Reversible/ Irreversible
|
0 (0)
|
16 (9)
|
Nil/Nil
|
Temporary/ Permanent
|
Large
|
Small
|
|
B
|
2
|
Residents of Kaw
Liu Village
|
Medium/High
|
Large/ Medium
|
Reversible/ Irreversible
|
0 (15)
|
0 (23)
|
Nil/Nil
|
Temporary/ Permanent
|
Large
|
Small
|
|
C
|
3
|
Travellers along Lin Ma
Hang Road
|
Medium/High
|
Large / Medium
|
Reversible/ Irreversible
|
0 (4)
|
0 (10)
|
Nil/Nil
|
Temporary/ Permanent
|
Large
|
Small
|
|
D
|
n/a
|
Residents of the current Chuk
Yuen Village
|
Medium/High
|
Large/ Medium
|
Reversible/ Irreversible
|
51
|
63
|
Nil/Nil
|
Temporary/ Permanent
|
Large
|
Small
|
|
E
|
n/a
|
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
|
Medium/High
|
Medium/ Small
|
Reversible/ Irreversible
|
141
|
187
|
Nil/Nil
|
Temporary/ Permanent
|
Intermediate
|
Small
|
|
F
|
n/a
|
Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village
|
Medium/High
|
Small/ Small
|
Reversible/ Irreversible
|
281
|
295
|
Nil/Nil
|
Temporary/ Permanent
|
Small
|
Small
|
|
G
|
n/a
|
Travellers through LT/HYW BCP
|
n/a /High
|
n/a / Small
|
n/a / Irreversible
|
n/a
|
0
|
n/a /Nil
|
n/a / Permanent
|
n/a
|
Small
|
Table 12.24 Summary
of Significance of Visual Impacts before Mitigation
|
VSR
|
Associated VP
|
VSR Description
|
Receptor Sensitivity
|
Magnitude of Change
|
Impact Significance before Mitigation
|
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
|
A
|
1
|
Residents of Ta Kwu
Ling Village
|
High
|
Large
|
Small
|
Significant
|
Moderate
|
|
B
|
2
|
Residents of Kaw
Liu Village
|
High
|
Large
|
Small
|
Significant
|
Moderate
|
|
C
|
3
|
Travellers along Lin Ma
Hang Road
|
Low
|
Large
|
Small
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
|
D
|
n/a
|
Residents of the current Chuk
Yuen Village
|
High
|
Large
|
Small
|
Significant
|
Moderate (if village still in existence)
|
|
E
|
n/a
|
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
|
Medium
|
Intermediate
|
Small
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
|
F
|
n/a
|
Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village
|
Low
|
Small
|
Small
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
|
G
|
n/a
|
Travellers through LT/HYW BCP
|
Low
|
n/a
|
Small
|
n/a
|
Slight
|
Effectiveness of
Mitigation Measures
The significance of the impacts
identified in the section above range from slight to significant during
construction and slight to moderate during operation. Some visual mitigation measures are proposed
to reduce the significance of adverse impacts and improve the overall
appearance of the Project during construction and operation. Details of the visual mitigation measures are
included in Table 12.6 in Section
12.6.10.
Table 12.25 summarises the appropriate measures to be
implemented to mitigate the adverse impacts to each VSR and determines what the
residual impact will be upon mitigation at day 1 of operation and year 10 of
operation. Where further detail is
required to explain the residual impacts, this is provided for each VSR after Table 12.25. Figures
12.30a and b,
12.31a
and b,
12.32a
and b present photomontages from view points
around Ta Kwu Ling Village (VP1), Kaw Liu Village (VP2) and Lin Ma Hang Road
(VP3) respectively, illustrating built structures of the proposed Project and
the effectiveness of mitigation at day1 and year 10 of operation.
Table 12.25 Residual Visual Impacts upon Mitigation
|
VSR
|
Associated VP
|
|
Impact Significance before Mitigation
|
Recommended Mitigation Measures
|
Residual Impact Significance upon Mitigation
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
Construction
|
Operation
|
Construction
|
Operation Day 1
|
Operation Year 10
|
|
A
|
1
|
Residents of Ta Kwu
Ling Village
|
Significant
|
Moderate
|
MM1, MM5, MM6
|
MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM12
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
B
|
2
|
Residents of Kaw
Liu Village
|
Significant
|
Moderate
|
MM1, MM5, MM6
|
MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM12
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
C
|
3
|
Travellers along Lin Ma
Hang Road
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
MM1, MM5, MM6
|
MM7, MM8, MM9, MM12
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
|
D
|
n/a
|
Residents of the current Chuk
Yuen Village
|
Significant
|
Moderate (if village still in existence)
|
MM1, MM5, MM6
|
MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM12
|
Moderate
|
Slight (if village still in existence)
|
Insignificant (if village still in existence)
|
|
E
|
n/a
|
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
|
Moderate
|
Slight
|
MM1, MM5
|
MM7, MM8, MM12
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
F
|
n/a
|
Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village
|
Slight
|
Slight
|
MM1
|
MM7, MM8, MM12
|
Slight
|
Insignificant
|
Insignificant
|
|
G
|
n/a
|
Travellers through LT/HYW BCP
|
n/a
|
Slight
|
n/a
|
MM1, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Insignificant
|
VSR A –
Residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village
MM1,
MM5 and MM6 will be implemented to mitigate visual impacts on VSR A during
construction. With regard to MM5, hoarding
is suggested for the duration of the construction works, for a small area of
the Project Site close to the village area (not the whole Project Site), to
screen these VSRs from the visual impact of the construction works immediately
adjacent to the village. The other
measures will retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible and reduce
glare from the lighting associated with the construction. Given these mitigation measures, the residual
visual impact for construction is considered to be reduced from significant to moderate.
At
Day 1 of operation, MM1 will have an ongoing effect in alleviating visual
impact, as more vegetation will be retained that had it not been implemented at
construction phase. MM8 (Buffer Tree
Planting) is proposed along the new boundary fence to screen it, as well as
MM12 (Colours of Structures) to ensure it blends with the surroundings as much
as possible. MM7 (Reinstatement) will
ensure the area of the Project Site only temporarily disturbed by construction
will be re-instated to its previous state as far as possible. Although the regulated river will hardly be
visible to these VSRs through the boundary fence, MM9 will mitigate any views
that do exist. Light control (MM6) is
also suggested along the new boundary patrol road, to minimize the impact of
night time glare on these VSRs. Since
many of these mitigation measures concern planting or re-growth of natural
vegetation, on day 1 of operation, plants will not have had time to mature and
will not have reached their full visual mitigation potential. They will be evident however and the residual
visual impact is considered to be reduced from moderate to slight.
At
year 10, when planted trees etc will have had time to mature and natural
vegetation to re-grow, they will be more effective at mitigating the visual
impact eg the new boundary fence will be more effectively screened from these
VSRs by buffer trees. In comparison to
the current view which has little screening from the existing boundary fence,
the overall residual impact at Year 10 of operation will be insignificant.
VSR B –
Residents of Kaw Liu Village
The
residual impact on VSR B is similar to that on VSR A. MM1, MM5 and MM6 will be implemented to
mitigate visual impacts on VSR B during construction. With regard to MM5, hoarding is suggested for
the duration of the construction works, for a small area of the Project Site
close to the village area (not the whole Project Site), to screen these VSRs
from the visual impact of the construction works immediately adjacent to the
village. The other measures will retain
as much of the existing vegetation as possible and reduce glare from the
lighting associated with the construction.
Given these mitigation measures, the residual visual impact for
construction is considered to be reduced from significant to moderate.
At
Day 1 of operation, MM1 will have an ongoing effect in alleviating visual
impact, as more vegetation will be retained that had it not been implemented at
construction phase. MM8 (Buffer Tree Planting)
is proposed along the new boundary fence to screen it, as well as MM12 (Colours
of Structures) to ensure it blends with the surroundings as much as
possible. MM7 (Reinstatement) will
ensure the area of the Project Site only temporarily disturbed by construction
will be re-instated to its previous state as far as possible. Although the regulated river will hardly be
visible to these VSRs through the fence, MM9 will mitigate any views that do
exist. Light control (MM6) is also
suggested along the new boundary patrol road, to minimise the impact of night
time glare on these VSRs. Since many of
these mitigation measures concern planting or re-growth of natural vegetation,
on day 1 of operation, plants will not have had time to mature and will not
have reached their full visual mitigation potential. They will be evident however and the residual
visual impact is considered to be reduced from moderate to slight.
At
year 10, when planted trees etc will have had time to mature and natural
vegetation to re-grow, they will be more effective at mitigating the visual
impact eg the new boundary fence will be more effectively screened from these
VSRs by buffer trees. In comparison to
the current view which has little screening from the existing boundary fence,
the overall residual impact at year 10 of operation will be insignificant.
VSR C –
Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road
MM1
and MM6 will be implemented to mitigate visual impacts on VSR C during
construction. With regard to MM5, a small
length of hoarding is suggested for the duration of the construction works, at
the points where the road runs next to the Project Site (not the whole Project
Site), just west of Ta Kwu Ling Village, at the point where VP3 is located and
at the point north-west of Tsung Yuen Ha, as shown in Figure
12.29. This would
screen these VSRs from the visual impact of the construction works immediately
adjacent to the road. The other measures
will retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible and reduce glare
from the lighting associated with the construction. Given these mitigation measures, the residual
visual impact for construction is considered to be reduced from moderate to slight.
At
Day 1 of operation, MM1 will have an ongoing effect in alleviating visual
impact, as more vegetation will be retained that had it not been implemented at
construction phase. MM8 (Buffer Tree
Planting) is proposed along the new boundary fence to screen it, as well as
MM12 (Colours of Structures) to ensure it blends with the surroundings as much
as possible. MM7 (Reinstatement) will
ensure the area of the Project Site only temporarily disturbed by construction
will be re-instated to its previous state as far as possible. Although the regulated river will hardly be
visible to these VSRs, the road does pass very close to the area for the
proposed flood retardation pond and some other stretches of the newly regulated
river, and glimpses may be visible through the boundary fence. MM9 and MM10 will mitigate any such views
that do exist. Since most of these mitigation measures concern planting or
re-growth of natural vegetation, on Day 1 of operation, plants will not have
had time to mature and will not have reached their full visual mitigation
potential. They will be evident however
and the residual visual impact is considered to be reduced from moderate to slight.
At
year 10, when planted trees, river landscaping works etc will have had time to
mature and natural vegetation to re-grow, they will be more effective at
mitigating the visual impact eg the new boundary fence will be more effectively
screened from these VSRs by buffer trees.
The view will be very similar to the existing view in terms of green
amenity and the residual impact at year 10 is considered insignificant.
VSR D –
Residents of the current Chuk
Yuen Village
MM1
and MM6 will be implemented to mitigate visual impacts on VSR D during construction,
to retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible and reduce glare from
the lighting associated with the construction.
Screening by hoarding or covering is also suggested for the stockpile
area close to the village (MM5) to mitigate the visual impact from the
stockpile. Given these mitigation
measures, the residual impact for construction is considered reduced from
significant to moderate.
At
Day 1 of operation, MM1 will have an ongoing effect in alleviating visual
impact, as more vegetation will be retained that had it not been implemented at
construction phase. MM8 (Buffer Tree
Planting) is proposed along the new boundary fence to screen it, as well as
MM12 (Colours of Structures) to ensure it blends with the surroundings as much
as possible. MM7 (Reinstatement) will
ensure the area of the Project Site only temporarily disturbed by construction
will be re-instated to its previous state as far as possible. Although the regulated river will hardly be
visible to these VSRs, glimpses of some stretches of the newly regulated river
may be visible through natural vegetation and the boundary fence. MM9 will mitigate any such views that do
exist. Light control (MM6) is also
suggested along the new boundary patrol road, to minimize the impact of night
time glare on these VSRs. Since most of
these mitigation measures concern planting or re-growth of natural vegetation,
on day 1 of operation, plants will not have had time to mature and will not
have reached their full visual mitigation potential. They will be evident however and the residual
visual impact is considered to be reduced from moderate to slight.
In
the unlikely event the village is still at this location at year 10, the
planted trees, river landscaping works etc will have had time to mature and
natural vegetation to re-grow, they will be more effective at mitigating the
visual impact eg the new boundary fence will be more effectively screened from
these VSRs by buffer trees. The view
will be very similar to the existing view in terms of green amenity and the
residual impact at year 10 is considered insignificant.
VSR E –
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
MM1
will be implemented to mitigate visual impacts on VSR E during construction, to
retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible and reduce glare from the
lighting associated with the construction.
Screening by hoarding or covering (MM5) is also suggested for the
stockpile area to the north-west of the village in the Project Site to mitigate
the visual impact from the stockpile should it be visible. Given these mitigation measures, the residual
impact for construction is considered reduced from moderate to slight.
At
Day 1 of operation, MM1 will have an ongoing effect in alleviating visual
impact, as more vegetation will be retained that had it not been implemented at
construction phase. MM8 (Buffer Tree
Planting) is proposed along the new boundary fence to screen it, as well as
MM12 (Colours of Structures) to ensure it blends with the surroundings as much
as possible. MM7 (Reinstatement) will
ensure the area of the Project Site only temporarily disturbed by construction
will be re-instated to its previous state as far as possible. These VSRs are considered sufficiently far
from the boundary patrol road, that lighting along it would not cause
impact. Since most of these mitigation
measures concern planting or re-growth of natural vegetation, on day 1 of
operation, plants will not have had time to mature and will not have reached
their full visual mitigation potential.
They will be evident however and the residual visual impact is
considered to be reduced from slight to insignificant.
At
year 10 operation, the planted trees etc will have had time to mature and
natural vegetation to re-grow, so mitigation will be more effective at reducing
the visual impact eg the new boundary fence will be more effectively screened
from these VSRs by buffer trees. The
view will be very similar to the existing view and the residual impact at year
10 is considered insignificant.
VSR F –
Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village
MM1
will be implemented to mitigate visual impacts on VSR F during construction, to
retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible. This will alleviate the impacts a little, but
these VSRs are too far from the Project Site and partially screened by natural
vegetation, but hoarding along the Project Site boundary will not confer
sufficient visual mitigation to warrant its implementation. The residual impact at construction is
considered to remain slight.
At
Day 1 of operation, MM1 will have an ongoing effect in alleviating visual
impact, as more vegetation will be retained that had it not been implemented at
construction phase. MM8 (Buffer Tree
Planting) is proposed along the new boundary fence to screen it, as well as
MM12 (Colours of Structures) to ensure it blends with the surroundings as much
as possible. MM7 (Reinstatement) will
ensure the area of the Project Site only temporarily disturbed by construction
will be re-instated to its previous state as far as possible. These VSRs are considered sufficiently far
from the boundary patrol road, that lighting along it would not cause
impact. Since most of these mitigation
measures concern planting or re-growth of natural vegetation, on day 1 of
operation, plants will not have had time to mature and will not have reached
their full visual mitigation potential.
They will be evident however and given that the impact is slight,
verging on insignificant before mitigation at Day 1 of operation, upon
mitigation the residual impact will reduced from slight to insignificant.
At
year 10 operation, the plants have had time to mature and natural vegetation to
re-grow, and the residual impact at year 10 will remain insignificant.
VSR G –
Travellers through the LT/HYW BCP
These
VSRs will not exist in situ during the construction phase of this Project, not
at Day 1 of operational, so visual impact at these stages are not applicable.
MM1
is suggested for the whole Project site however during construction, because
during operation, it will have an ongoing effect in alleviating visual impact,
as more vegetation will be retained that had it not been implemented at
construction phase. MM8 (Buffer Tree
Planting) is proposed along the new boundary fence to screen it, as well as
MM12 (Colours of Structures) to ensure it blends with the surroundings as much
as possible. MM7 (Reinstatement) will
ensure the area of the Project Site only temporarily disturbed by construction
will be re-instated to its previous state as far as possible. The regulated river, proposed flood
retardation pond and floodplain area may be visible to some of these VSRs,
particularly those at the higher levels of the BCP structures. MM9, MM10 and MM11 will mitigate any such views
that do exist and help the regulated river and its surroundings appear more
natural. Most of these mitigation
measures concern planting or re-growth of natural vegetation, and as plants
mature with time, so the measures will confer increasing visual
mitigation. At year 10 of operation, all
such measures will have reached their full potential and the residual impact on
these VSRs is considered to have been reduced from slight to insignificant.
12.7.8
Visual Impact Summary
At construction phase, the
unmitigated impacts identified are significant
for three VSRs (residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village, Residents of Kaw Liu
Village and Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village), moderate for two VSRs (Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road, and
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha), slight
for one VSR (future residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village) and not applicable for one planned VSR
(Travellers through the LT/HYW BCP).
After mitigation the significance of all the visual impacts will have
been reduced, with the exception of the residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen
village who may still suffer slight visual impacts. Therefore residual impact at construction is moderate for three VSRs (residents of
Ta Kwu Ling Village, Residents of Kaw Liu Village and Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village), slight
for three VSRs (Travellers along Lin
Ma Hang Road, Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha and
future Residents of the re-sited Chuk
Yuen Village).
At operation phase, the unmitigated
impacts identified are moderate for
three VSRs (residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village, Residents of Kaw Liu Village and
Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village if this village is still in
existence at this location) and slight
for four VSRs (Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road, Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha,
future Residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village and future Travellers
through LT/HYW BCP). There are no
significant impacts for the operation phase, even without mitigation.
Following the implementation of the
proposed visual mitigation measures, at Day 1 of operation, the mitigated
impacts are slight for four VSRs
(Residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village, Residents of Kaw Liu Village, Travellers
along Lin Ma Hang Road and Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village if the
village is still in existence) and insignificant
for two VSRs (Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha and future Residents of the re-sited
Chuk Yuen Village). The LT/HYW BCP will
not be operational at this point, so the visual impact on Travellers through
the LT/HYW BCP is not applicable. At
year 10 of operation, when planted and natural vegetation has had time to
mature all residual impacts are insignificant,
including for Travellers through the LT/HYW BCP.
12.8
Cumulative
impacts
Three
projects have been identified as being concurrent with the present Project, as
detailed in Section 3. The re-site of Chuk Yuen village, is
associated with the LT/HYW BCP and the
Associated Works project, and although unlikely to overlap with the present
Project, is mentioned as part of the LT/HYW
BCP and the Associated Works project.
The cumulative landscape and visual impacts imposed by these identified
concurrent Projects are discussed below, according to the details presently
available for the concurrent projects.
12.8.1
LT/HYW BCP and the Associated Works (BCP project)
By connecting with the Eastern Corridor in Shenzhen, the proposed LT/HYW BCP will
provide an access to the eastern part of Guangdong Province. The scope of work of this Project also
includes the modification of a section of Lin Ma Hang Road and some improvement to
other sections of Lin Ma Hang road.
Currently Chuk Yuen Village is in the location of the
proposed site for the BCP. In September 2008, the Hong Kong –
Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development therefore announced
the need to resume and re-site Chuk
Yuen Village
to make way for the BCP at LT/HYW. After
several rounds of consultations the selected site is located within the 500m
boundary of the Project’s Study Area.
Forty-four village houses will be constructed along with associated
village amenities including recreation ground, car park, village office, and
pavilion as well as associated infrastructure including stream diversion (which
is due to be complete by the time construction work for this Project Starts),
access road, temporary sewage system and utilities. The re-sited village is located in an area
currently dominated by active and inactive farmland (LR9 and LR10) with a large
pond (LR3) which has been abandoned as is overgrown with vegetation. Relative to the size of the Project’s Study
Area, the LRs impacted are small. Given
the implementation of suitable landscape mitigation measures for the re-site of
Chuk Yuen village project, no cumulative landscape impacts are anticipated.
The
planned construction period for the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village is from late 2010 to early 2012
so it is unlikely to significantly overlap with this Project since the advanced
works for this Project start in February 2012.
However the future villagers are due to populate the re-sited Chuk Yuen
Village in early 2013 and
have been considered as visually sensitive receivers, discussed in Section 12.7.
It is anticipated that the
construction of the LT/HYW BCP and connecting roads will commence at the end of
2013 and be completed in end 2018, so the projects will run concurrently from
the end of 2013 to early 2017.
As indicated on Figure 3.18,
the BCP project affects a fairly large portion of this Project’s Study
Area. The two projects could potentially
affect the rural character of the overall landscape but the final landscape
impacts on the LCAs and LRs for the LT/HYW BCP project are not available and as
such the cumulative impacts from the two projects cannot be accurately
assessed.
With regard to cumulative visual
impacts, the current Project only has a slight
residual impact on the residents of Kaw
Liu Village
and all other impacts are insignificant
at year 10 of operation. Consequently
the residual visual impact of the BCP project on Kaw Liu Village would need to
be carefully considered and any further mitigation measures over and above the
mitigation measures proposed for each separate project considered. The projects will be concurrent for a period
during construction and could potentially cause some cumulative visual impacts
during this phase. However the scale of
the LT/HYW BCP project and average height of structures is much larger than for
the current Project such that it will be the dominant impact. Any view that the residents of Tsung Yuen Ha
(VSR E) have of this Project’s construction site, will be mostly blocked by
their view of the LT/HYW BCP project and visual impact will transfer from being
caused by this Project, to being caused by the LT/HYW BCP project. Equally travellers along Lin Ma Hang road
(VSR C) will be impacted by the LT/HYW BCP project rather than this Project
when the two are running concurrently.
Residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village and Kaw Liu Village may suffer some cumulative
visual impacts during construction, as they will have project sites on two
sides. However, the impacts will only be
temporary during the construction works and assuming appropriate mitigation is
adopted for the LT/HYW BCP project as well, no significant impacts are
anticipated.
12.8.2
Construction of a Secondary Boundary Fence (SBF) and New
Sections of Primary Boundary Fence (PBF) and Patrol Road
This project mainly comprises the
construction of a secondary boundary fence (SBF) along the southern edge of the
existing boundary patrol road (BPR) (approximately 21.7km) from west (Pak Hok
Chau) to east (Sha Tau Kok). For
sections where the existing primary boundary fence (PBF) runs along the
southern edge of the BPR, a new fence with sensor alarm system will be constructed
on the northern edge of the BPR as part of the PBF whereas the existing PBF
will become the SBF. The project also
includes the conversion of the existing maintenance services road along the
Shenzhen River bank to the north of the Lok Ma Chau Loop and Hoo Hok Wai into a
new section of the BPR with a PBF and a SBF; and construction of two new
sections of the BPR with a PBF and a SBF along the Shenzhen River side to the
north of Pak Fu Shan and northwest of Lin Ma Hang Village. In addition, the Project includes the
construction of a checkpoint at the entrance to the Sha Tau Kok town and
replacement of the existing checkpoint at Pak Hok Chau, removal of the existing
checkpoints at Lok Ma Chau, Sha Ling, Ping Che and Shek Chung Au, and removal
of the existing PBF along those sections of the existing BPR which will be
replaced by new sections of the BPR.
Based
on the advice from ArchSD, the latest tentative construction programme shall be
from end 2011 to early 2013 (section from Ng Tung River to Ping Yuen River) and from end 2011 to end 2013
(section from Pak Fu Shan to Lin
Ma Hang Road), so the projects will be concurrent
from February 2012 to the end 2013.
Only
a small area of these projects overlap and since the works SBF, PBF
and Patrol road in general follow the existing fence and road alignment, no
unacceptable cumulative impacts on the existing LRs and LCAs and visual
cumulative impact are anticipated with the implementation of mitigation
measures in each project. For example
tree preservation and transplanting, retention of vegetation, buffer planting,
consideration of colours and design of fence etc for both projects will reduce
such impacts. A further reduction would
be achieved in operation over time, when all soft landscape mitigation measure
have had time to take full effect.
12.8.3
Drainage Improvement in Northern New Territories – Package
C (Remaining Works)
This
project is one of the works packages recommended by the Drainage
Master Plan in the Northern New Territories and involves the improvement of Ping Yuen
River through construction
of 1.9km of Drainage Channel in Ta Kwu Ling.
The proposed location of the drainage improvement works identified falls
within the present Project 500m Study Area boundary are shown in Figure
3.18. The construction work is scheduled to commence in late 2012 and be
completed in 2016, so the projects will be concurrent for the whole of this
period.
This
project is subject to another future detailed EIA Study and the detailed
construction programme is not available at this stage. The construction works will mainly involve site
clearance, site preparation, earthworks and other general construction activities
and the operation phase will primarily be the routine maintenance and operation
of the completed drainage channel. The cumulative impacts with the current
Project cannot be accurately assessed at this stage. However, since the drainage improvement works
is located at about 500m from the current Project Site and only overlaps with
the Landscape Study Area in a small portion, and given the nature and scale of
works, so long as suitable mitigation measures are implemented for each
project, cumulative adverse impacts on LCAs, LRs or VSRs are not
anticipated.
12.9
Environmental
Monitoring and Audit (EM&A)
It
is recommended that EM&A for landscape and visual resources be undertaken
for the Project to ensure all mitigation measures recommended by the EIA are
properly implemented.
The
completed landscape works should be monitored by the Contractor during a
one-year establishment period.
No
other specific monitoring and audit program is required for landscaping works
at the river banks and margin and flood retardation pond proposed within the
Shenzhen boundary.
12.10
Conclusions
Summaries of both the LIA and VIA
are provided at the end of Section 12.6
and Section 12.7.
With regard to the LIA, a total of
18 LRs and four LCAs have been identified in the Study Area. There will be moderate or slight residual landscape
impacts on eight LCAs/LRs as detailed below.
The
significance of residual, adverse landscape impacts on LCA4 (Natural
River and Floodplain
Landscape), LR2 (Natural Watercourse) and LR8 (Shrubby Grassland on
Lowland) is moderate.
The
significance of residual, adverse landscape impacts on LCA 1 (Settled
Agricultural Lowland Landscape), LR4 (Woodland
on Hillside), LR5 (Woodland
on Lowland), LR9 (Active Farmland) and LR10 (Inactive Farmland) is slight.
Upon
mitigation, at day 1 of operation, the significance of residual, adverse impact
on one LCA and two LRs is moderate (LCA4 (Natural
River and Floodplain
Landscape), LR2 (Natural Watercourse) and LR8 (Shrubby Grassland
on Lowland)). The significance of residual,
adverse impact on five LCA/LRs is slight (LCA 1 (Settled Agricultural
Lowland Landscape), LR4 (Woodland on Hillside),
LR5 (Woodland
on Lowland), LR9 (Active Farmland), LR10 (Inactive Farmland)). The significance of residual impacts on the
thirteen other LCAs/LRs is insignificant (LCA 2 (Natural Vegetated
Hillside Landscape), LCA 3 (Channelised Watercourse Landscape), LR1
(Channelised Watercourse), LR3 (Pond), LR6 (Fung Shui Forest), LR7 (Shrubby
Grassland on Hillside), LR11 (Commercial Farm), LR12 (Village Area), LR13
(Traditional Village Area), LR14 (Abandoned Village Area), LR15 (Temple), LR16
(Rural Built/Open Storage Area) and LR17 (Ongoing Development)) with the
exception of the residual landscape impact on LR 18 (Roads) which is insignificant if not slightly beneficial. At year 10 of operation, when planted and
natural vegetation has had time to mature all residual impacts for these LRs
are either slight or insignificant, and the residual impact
on LR 18 (Roads) remains insignificant
if not slightly beneficial.
The
Project has insignificant residual landscape impacts on all other LCAs/LRs.
With
regard to the VIA, five existing VSRs representing two categories (residents
and travellers) have been identified in the visual envelope to represent key visually
sensitive receivers in the area.
Photomontages have been constructed at three VPs in three of these VSRs
to help illustrate the visual impact of the Project. A further two planned VSRs have been
identified; the future residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village and the future travellers
through the LT/HYW BCP.
At construction phase, the
unmitigated impacts identified are significant
for three VSRs (residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village, Residents of Kaw Liu
Village and Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village), moderate for two VSRs (Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road, and
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha), slight
for one VSR (future residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village) and not applicable for one planned VSR
(Travellers through the LT/HYW BCP). After
mitigation the significance of all the visual impacts will have been reduced,
with the exception of the residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen village who may
still suffer slight visual impacts.
Therefore residual impact at construction is moderate for three VSRs (residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village,
Residents of Kaw Liu Village and Residents of the current Chuk
Yuen Village)
and slight for three VSRs
(Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road,
Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha and future Residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen
Village).
At operation phase, the unmitigated
impacts identified are moderate for
three VSRs (residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village, Residents of Kaw Liu Village and
Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village if this village is still in
existence at this location) and slight
for four VSRs (Travellers along Lin Ma Hang Road, Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha,
future Residents of the re-sited Chuk Yuen Village and future Travellers
through LT/HYW BCP). There are no
significant impacts for the operation phase, even without mitigation.
Following the implementation of the
proposed visual mitigation measures, at day 1 of operation, the mitigated
impacts are slight for four VSRs
(Residents of Ta Kwu Ling Village, Residents of Kaw Liu Village, Travellers
along Lin Ma Hang Road and Residents of the current Chuk Yuen Village if the
village is still in existence); and insignificant
for the two VSRs (Residents of Tsung Yuen Ha and future Residents of the
re-sited Chuk Yuen Village). The LT/HYW
BCP will not be operational at this point, so the visual impact on Travellers
through the LT/HYW BCP is not applicable.
At year 10 of operation, when planted and natural vegetation has had
time to mature all residual impacts are insignificant,
including for Travellers through the LT/HYW BCP which will be operational by
this time.
In conclusion, according to Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, the Landscape and Visual
Impacts of this Project, are considered acceptable with mitigation.
