Ch 12 - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

12 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

12.1 Introduction

This section reports on the study to assess the potential landscape and visual impacts arising from construction and operation of any above ground structures and works areas associated with NDAs within the KTN and FLN areas.

The Project is a Schedule 3 Designated Project (DP) and various Schedule 2 DPs have been identified within it. The identified DPs are listed in Section 12.3.1 and ‘DP Packages 12A-D’ provide further details for each.

In accordance with the criteria as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM), the landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) for the Schedule 3 NDA Project includes:

· a list of the relevant environmental legislation, standards and guidelines;

· a definition of the scope and contents of the Study;

· a review of the relevant planning and development control framework;

· a landscape impact assessment section, including:

-landscape impact assessment methodology;

-a landscape baseline study providing a comprehensive and accurate description of the baseline landscape resources (LRs) and landscape character areas (LCAs) within the two NDA Study Areas;

-identification of potential landscape impacts (these are similar to the potential visual impacts and hence all potential landscape and visual impacts are contained within one section);

-prediction of the nature of landscape impacts and the potential magnitude of change they will cause as well as the potential significance of impacts before the implementation of mitigation measures;

-recommendation of appropriate mitigation measures and associated implementation programmes;

-prediction of the significance of residual landscape impacts after the implementation of the suggested mitigation measures;

· a visual impact assessment section, including:

-visual impact assessment methodology;

-a visual baseline study, providing comprehensive details of visual elements surrounding each NDA and their Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs);

-prediction of the nature of visual impacts and the potential magnitude of change they will cause, as well as the potential significance of impacts before the implementation of mitigation measures;

-recommendation of appropriate mitigation measures and associated implementation programmes;

-prediction of the significance of residual visual impacts after implementation of the suggested mitigation measures; and

· an assessment of the acceptability or otherwise of the predicted residual impacts, according to the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, namely beneficial, acceptable, acceptable with mitigation measures, unacceptable or undetermined.

12.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines

The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to this LVIA associated with the construction and operation of the Project:

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499. S16) and the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 10 (Criteria for Evaluating Visual and Landscape Impact, and Impact on Sites of Cultural Heritage) and 18 (Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment);

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note 8/2010 (Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance);

· Town Planning Ordinance (Cap131) and Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance;

· Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) issued by the Planning Department, in particular Chapters 4, 10, 11 and Section 7 in Chapter 12 (As at August 2011);

· Land Administration Office Instruction (LAOI) Section D-12 Tree Preservation;

· Development Bureau TCW No. 2/2012 – Allocation of Space for Quality Greening on Roads;

· Development Bureau TCW No. 3/2012 – Site Coverage of Greenery for Government Building Projects;

· Development Bureau, Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section (GLTM) April 2012 – Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barriers;

· Development Bureau TCW No. 2/2013 – Greening on Footbridges and Flyovers;

· Drainage Services Department Practice Note No.1/2005 – Guidelines on Environmental Considerations for River Channel Design;

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

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

· ETWB TCW No. 29/2004 – Registration of Old and Valuable Trees, and Guidelines for their Preservation;

· ETWB TCW No. 36/2004 – The Advisory Committee on the Appearance of Bridges and Associated Structures (ACABAS), including Appendix A ‘Guidelines for Submissions to ACABAS;’

· ETWB TCW No. 5/2005 – Protection of Natural Streams/Rivers from Adverse Impacts Arising from Construction Works;

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

· HyD HQ/GN/13 Interim Guidelines for Tree Transplanting Works under Highways Department's Vegetation Maintenance Ambit;

· HQ/GN/15 - Guidelines for Greening Works along Highways;

· Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong issued by the Planning Department (2003);

· Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong^{(^[1])};

· WBTC No. 25/92 – Allocation of Space for Urban Street Trees;

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

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

· GEO 1/2011 – Technical Guidelines on Landscaping Treatment for Slopes.

12.3 Scope of the Study

The Study Area, as shown in aerial photographs in Figures 12.0.0 to 12.0.2.2, is located at the northeastern part of the New Territories.

KTN NDA is located to the west of Sheung Shui and is generally bound by the Shek Sheung River to the east, Castle Peak Road and the Fanling Highway to the south, Pak Shek Au and Tit Hang villages to the west and the present Closed Area Boundary to the north. KTN NDA has an area of approximately 450ha.

FLN NDA is located immediately to the northeast of the established Fanling / Sheung Shui urban area and is bound by the Upper Ng Tung River to the north and east, Sha Tau Kok Road to the south, and Ma Sik Road and Tin Ping Road to the southwest. FLN NDA has an area of approximately 164ha.

12.3.1 Designated Projects Under Schedule 2 within NDA Project

The Project is a Designated Project under Item 1 of Schedule 3 of the EIAO. In addition, the Project includes various Schedule 2 DPs as summarised in Table 12.3.1 for KTN area and Table 12.3.2 for FLN area. Further details of each of the DPs and their LVIAs are found in DP Packages 12A-D.

Table 12.3.1 - Schedule 2 DPs in, and associated with, KTN NDA

Item	Work Component		Schedule 2 DP Category	Associated Schedule 2 DP Package
1	San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road	12A
2	Castle Peak Road (CPR) Diversion (Major Improvement)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.	12A
3	KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement (Major Improvement)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.	12A
4	KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.	12A
5	New Sewage Pumping Stations (SPSs) in KTN NDA	F3	A SPS---(b) with an installed capacity of more than 2,000 m³ per day and a boundary of which is less than 150 m from an existing or planned residential area or educational institution.	12B
6	Proposed railway station and associated facilities in KTN NDA (To be conducted under separate study)	A2	A railway and its associated stations.	EIA to be conducted under separate study
7*	Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) from Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works (SWHSTW)	F4	An activity for the reuse of treated sewage effluent from a treatment plant.	12C

*Work component serves both KTN and FLN NDAs.

Table 12.3.2 - Schedule 2 DPs in, and associated with, FLN NDA

Item	Work Component		Schedule 2 DP Category	Associated Schedule 2 DP Package
7*	Utilization of TSE from SWHSTW	F4	An activity for the reuse of treated sewage effluent from a treatment plant.	12C
8	Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement (Major Improvement)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.	12D
9	Fanling Bypass Western Section (New Road)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.	12D
10	Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (New Road)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.	12D
11	Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works - Further Expansion at FLN NDA	F1	Sewage treatment works with an installed capacity of more than 15,000 m³per day.	12C
12	Reprovision of temporary wholesale market in FLN NDA	N3	A wholesale market.	12D
13	New Sewage Pumping Stations (SPSs) in FLN NDA	F3	A sewage pumping station---(b) with an installed capacity of more than 2,000 m³per day and a boundary of which is less than 150 m from an existing or planned residential area or educational institution.	12C

*Work component serves both KTN and FLN NDAs.

12.3.2 Concurrent Projects

Chapter 2 of the EIA Report evaluates the potential concurrent projects, as shown in Table 2.12, with Figures 2.21 and 2.22 illustrating their locations. The evaluation provided in Chapter 2 concludes that four of these projects should be assessed for cumulative impacts, as listed below.

Agreement No. CE42/2006(TP) Planning Study on Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Cross-boundary Control Point and its Associated Connecting Roads in Hong Kong – Feasibility Study

A new Boundary Control Point (BCP) is proposed to be constructed at Heung Yuen Wai. The associated connecting road is within the 500m study boundary of Fanling Bypass, considered a Schedule 2 DP. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts have therefore been assessed for both construction and operational phases in DP Package 12D for this LVIA.

Agreement No. CE53/2008(CE) Planning and Engineering Study on Development of Lok Ma Chau Loop – Investigation

The Development of the LMC Loop comprises the buildings, landscape and supporting infrastructure within and adjacent to the site. The eastern connection road lies within the study area of KTN NDA. Since the construction programme for the Project is likely to be concurrent with the Development of LMC Loop, cumulative landscape and visual impacts have been assessed for both construction and operational phases in Section 12.13.4.

Widening of Tolo Highway/ Fanling Highway between Island House Interchange and Fanling (Stage 2)

The project comprises (1) widening of a section of Fanling Highway of approximately 3 km long between Tai Hang and Wo Hop Shek Interchange from dual three-lane to dual four-lane carriageway; and (2) widening of the southbound slip road at Wo Hop Shek Interchange. The tentative completion date of the project is from Year 2015 to Year 2018 but is still under review by the Highways Department. This project intersects with the Fanling Bypass, considered a Schedule 2 DP. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts have therefore been assessed for both construction and operational phases in DP Package 12D for this LVIA.

Construction of cycle tracks and the associated supporting facilities from Sha Po Tsuen to Shek Sheung River

This project (the EIAO DP portion) is for the Priority Phase of the proposed Cycle Track Network recommended in the Feasibility Study. According to discussions with CEDD, the construction period is Year 2014 - 2017. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts have therefore been assessed in Section 12.13.4.

12.4 Landscape Impact Assessment Methodology

According to the Study Brief (ESB-176/2008) requirement, the Study Area for the landscape impact assessment shall include all areas within 500 m from each NDA site boundary as described in Section 12.3 and indicated in the aerial photograph of the whole Study Area in Figure 12.0.0. Figures 12.0.1 and 12.0.2.1-2 are close up aerial photographs of KTN and FLN NDA Study Areas respectively.

Firstly a baseline study has been conducted within the NDA Study Area, followed by an impact assessment, and each step is described below.

12.4.1 Baseline Study

· Identification of the baseline LRs and LCAs found within the 500 m Study Area has been achieved by site visits and desktop study of topographical maps, information databases and photographs. LR types are mapped based on their principal physical landscape and visual characteristics which link them together, rather than their habitat function; for example wet and dry agricultural land and active and abandoned agricultural land are considered as a single LR. In mapping these resources, contiguous areas of the LR types are identified which may not always match ecological habitat maps. Figures 12.5.0 and 12.6.0 show key plans for baseline LRs in KTN and FLN respectively, with zoom-ins shown in Figures 12.5.1-8 and 12.6.1-7. LCAs are broader categorizations than LRs, and each one encompasses a number of different LRs. Figures 12.7.0 and 12.8.0 show key plans for baseline LCAs in KTN and FLN NDAs respectively, with zoom-ins shown in Figures 12.7.1-8 and 12.8.1-7.

· Broad-brush tree survey. Identification of the tree species ^([2]),and approximate proportion of the different tree species, noting dominant species, as well as maturity and rarity of species (including species of conservation interest) within LRs and LCAs in the Study Areas, with special focus within the NDA boundaries.

· Assessment of the sensitivity of LRs and LCAs. This is influenced by a number of factors including the following.

- Quality and maturity, condition and value of landscape resources / character areas, taking into account information from the Broad Brush Tree Survey and general quality, maturity and condition of other types of vegetation. (Ranked as high, medium or low)

- Important / rarity of landscape resources / character areas. (Ranked as high, medium or low)

- Whether a landscape resource / character area is considered to be of local, regional, national or global importance. (Taken into account and included in the descriptive text where relevant)

- Whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations / requirements relating to the landscape resources / character areas. (Taken into account and included in the descriptive text where relevant)

- Ability of the landscape resources / character areas to accommodate change without compromising their essential nature. (Ranked high, medium or low)

The sensitivity of each LR and LCA is based on the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:

High: Important landscape or landscape resources of particularly distinctive character of high importance, sensitive to relatively small changes

Medium: Landscape or landscape resources of moderately valued landscape characteristics reasonably to tolerant to change

Low: Landscape or landscape resources of relatively unimportant landscape characteristics largely tolerant to change

12.4.2 Landscape Impact Assessment

Landscape impacts have been assessed for the construction and operational phases of the Project in each of the two NDA Study Areas as follows.

· Identification of potential sources of landscape impacts. There are various construction works elements and operational procedures that have the potential to generate landscape impacts.

· Rating of the magnitude of change caused by landscape impacts. The magnitude of change caused by the landscape impact is quantified as far as possible and depends on a number of factors including the following:

- The physical extent of the impact. This is assessed using a number of factors, including: absolute area/length within the NDA Project Site; relative area/length with the NDA Site compared to the Study Area; and the current land use compared to the proposed land use i.e. taking into account some land, even though within the NDA Project Site, will not be directly impacted e.g. land zoned as “Green Belt” will remain unchanged. (Ranked as small, medium or large)

- Compatibility of the Project and associated works with the existing and planned landscape in the vicinity. (Ranked as good, fair or poor)

- Duration of impacts i.e. whether it is temporary (short or medium term) or permanent, under construction and operational phases

- Reversibility of change (ranked as reversible or irreversible)

The magnitude of landscape change on each LR/LCA is based on the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:

Large: The LRs or LCAs would suffer a major change

Intermediate: The LRs or LCAs would suffer moderate change

Small: The LRs or LCAs would suffer slight or barely perceptible change

Negligible: The LRs or LCAs would suffer no discernible change

· Prediction of landscape impact significance before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures. By understanding the magnitude of change caused by the various impacts and the sensitivity of the various LRs/ LCAs, it is possible to categorize impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 12.4.1 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely insignificant, slight, moderate, and substantial, depending on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of change and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of LR/ LCA.

Table 12.4.1 - Relationship between receptor sensitivity and magnitude of change in defining impact significance

		Receptor Sensitivity of LR/LCA
		Low	Medium	High
Magnitude of Change	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
	Small	Slight	Slight/ Moderate	Moderate
	Intermediate	Slight/ Moderate	Moderate	Moderate/ Substantial
	Large	Moderate	Moderate/ Substantial	Substantial

The four thresholds for the degree of significance are explained below. All impacts are assumed to be adverse in the text of the Report, unless specifically identified otherwise.

Substantial: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause significant deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality

Moderate: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality

Slight: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed NDA Project will cause barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality

Insignificant: No discernible change in the existing landscape quality

Impacts have been mapped for the LRs in Figure 12.11.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.11.1-4 (zoom ins) for KTN NDA, and Figure 12.12.0 (key plan) and Figures-12.12.1-4 (zoom ins) for FLN NDA. Figures 12.9.0 and 12.10.0.1-2 show the revised RODP for KTN NDA and FLN NDA respectively and Figures 12.9.1-2 and 12.10.1-2 give details of the Development Parameters of KTN NDA and FLN NDA RODPs respectively.

Impact for LCAs have been mapped in Figures 12.13.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.13.1-4 (zoom ins) for KTN NDA, and Figure 12.14.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.14.1-4 (zoom ins) for FLN NDA.

· Potential landscape mitigation measures have been identified with a view to reduce landscape impacts to acceptable levels during design, construction and operation of the Project and associated works. The proposed mitigation measures are not only concerned with damage reduction but will also include consideration of preservation to avoid disturbance to LRs and LCAs and potential enhancement of existing landscape (and visual) quality. Mitigation measures may take the form of:

- Adopting alternative design or revising the basic engineering and / or architectural design, to prevent and / or minimize adverse impacts. Alternative alignment(s), design(s) and construction methods that avoid or reduce the identified landscape impacts have been evaluated for comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts

- Remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of physical, engineering and building features and green roofing

- Compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape design measures (e.g. tree planting, creation of new open space etc.) to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term impacts

To ensure their effectiveness throughout the construction and operational phases of the Project and associated works, the relevant responsible parties for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures have been identified. Approval-in-principle to the funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures is being sought from the appropriate authorities, according to the principles in ETWB TCW No. 2/2004.

· Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts. An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts in accordance with the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM is given, considering the guidelines in paragraph 3.11 of Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note No. 8/2010.

12.5 Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

This section provides an overview of the HKSAR Government’s development intentions, statutory land-use and planning within the Study Areas, specifically from landscape and visual standpoints, and also discusses the overall development principles and concepts considered during the design of the revised RODPs. Relevant, published studies, such as HK2030 Study are reviewed before detailing how the design of the revised RODPs has affected landscape and visual impacts. The existing Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs), and Development Permission Area (DPA) Plans are then considered in relation to the relevant revised RODP of the NDAs and their Layout Plans, with the aim of assessing whether the Project can fit into the surrounding setting.

12.5.1 The Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy

HK2030 Study was tasked to update the Territorial Development Strategy for Hong Kong recommending, on the basis of a series of assumptions, how the spatial environment should respond to various social, economic and environmental needs in the next 20 to 30 years, taking Hong Kong towards a shared vision.

The HK2030 Study proposed a number of recommendations including improvement of the degraded rural environment, better protection of resources of high conservation value, and particularly that the NDAs (i.e. NENT NDAs^([3]) and Hung Shui Kiu NDA) could be an important source of housing land. Based on the HK2030 Study, the residential population target would be 0.35 million within NENT NDAs and Hung Shui Kiu NDA. They would be served by rail and highly accessible through the development of new rail stations. The NDAs proposed in the HK2030 Study are contiguous to existing developed areas such that they would be more cost effective in the provision of infrastructure. Some of the existing government, institutions or community facilities could also be shared between the currently developed areas and the NDAs. In addition, the NDAs would have the potential to provide additional employment opportunities for new town dwellers.

It is considered that the current proposed NDA developments (KTN and FLN NDAs only) and associated works are in principle following the concept of HK2030 Study and further details regarding the design of the revised RODPs are given in Section 12.5.2, particularly with respect to landscape and visual considerations.

12.5.2 Revised RODP Design to Minimize Landscape & Visual Impacts

The revised RODPs set out the proposed land use framework to guide future development of the KTN and FLN NDAs in terms of spatial land use arrangements, development intensities and heights, major infrastructural networks, open space and visual corridors/networks, etc. and therefore play a key part in directing the potential landscape and visual (L&V) impacts of the Project. They have undergone a number of iterations and substantial changes since the HK2030 Study concept and the NENT Study was completed in 2003, taking into account the findings and recommendations of various technical assessments such as engineering, land, traffic and environment, etc. The text below summarises the relevant planning principles and concepts that have been incorporated into the revised RODPs, particularly highlighting those that mitigate the potential landscape and visual impacts of the Project.

12.5.2.1 Overall Development Principles and Concepts

Each NDA has been planned to achieve the distinct landscape characteristic of a new town; considering the KTN NDA is served by the Fanling Highway and Lok Ma Chau (LMC) Spur Line and its strategic proximity to Lo Wu BCP, LMC BCP, and the proposed LMC Loop, it has been planned as a ‘mixed development node’ with a town centre based around the proposed railway station and focused on transit oriented development. FLN NDA on the other hand has been planned as a ‘riverside community’ with Ng Tung River serving as the key linkage in the NDA with pedestrian and cycle track systems and the open space corridor and mixed residential and commercial development. Both FLN NDA and KTN NDA are planned to be the extensions of the existing Fanling/Sheung Shui new town to form the FL/SS/KTN New Town.

Care has been taken to preserve major landscape assets such as Tai Shek Mo, Wa Shan and Cham Shan uplands, Fung Kong Shan and limit development in Long Valley, thus avoiding L&V impacts. Similar priority has been given to establishing a network of linked open spaces, accommodating a number of parks, plazas, squares, green amenity strips and landscape corridors, to create ‘green’ new towns and partly compensate for any loss of such existing open spaces or other relevant LRs.

During public consultations, people were noted to be concerned about the L&V impacts of the elevated road infrastructures and noise barriers specifically. Some people also suggested maximizing the greening opportunities. The revised RODPs therefore aim to minimize areas needing noise barriers and maximize greening opportunities.

Site formation has also been carefully considered to minimize works and L&V impact, by keeping all the proposed developments and infrastructures as close to the existing ground profile as possible and achieving the best cut/ fill balance for each development stage of the NDAs. For low-lying areas drainage has also been taken into account and filled to above 1-in-200-year flood levels. Where there is a need for site formation to significantly cut into existing landscape, the use of retaining walls has been preferred. Retaining walls reduce the extent of land affected (thereby reducing direct landscape impact) and avoid formation of extensive and unsightly cut slopes, although the visual impact of retaining walls themselves has also been taken into account and addressed..

Details of specific principles adopted when formulating the revised RODP for each NDA are provided below, focusing on those that particularly affect L&V impacts.

12.5.2.2 KTN NDA Planning Principles and Concepts

Key principles adopted when formulating the KTN NDA revised RODP and which avoid, reduce or compensate for potential L&V impacts, are detailed below, and Figures 12.9.3 to 12.9.5 in combination help illustrate them.

Layout Design Respecting the Surrounding Environment and Ecology

To respect the rural character in the surrounding areas, a stepped building height profile is adopted in designing the NDA which helps to increase visual interest and give a more visually amenable appearance. The high density developments will be concentrated around the proposed Kwu Tung Railway Station. The building density and heights drop gradually towards the periphery of the NDA to ensure a better integration between the NDA developments and the adjacent rural setting.

Additionally site coverage restrictions have been considered and adopted in the allocation of land uses in order to respect and integrate with the local context and development, and also to reduce potential visual impacts in particular. The building mass is controlled by the proposed maximum site coverage, with the site coverage for CDA sites for example restricted at 65% to avoid excessive building bulk, allow space for greening and improve visual amenity.

Due consideration is also given to Long Valley as outlined in the paragraphs below.

Incorporation of Key Natural and Landscape Features into NDA Development, including creation of Long Valley Nature Park

A key planning principle is to preserve and enhance the significant landscape character areas and landscape resources in the NDA, thus avoiding landscape (as well as visual) impacts. Due respect has been paid to the existing landscape features such as Fung Shui woodlands, which are of high social importance. Development/encroachment within Fung Shui woodlands should be avoided. The existing Fung Shui Woodland adjacent to Ho Sheung Heung is integrated into the land use framework through its designation as “Green Belt” zone and the five registered OVTs within the NDA boundary, located along Castle Peak Road/ Fanling Highway, are proposed to be retained. In addition, Fung Kong Shan and the hill to its east have been designated as “Green Belt” zone and a large area to the west of the NDA, incorporating the foothills of the Western Ranges, is another Green Belt designated area.

With respect to the habitat of Long Valley, the urban type developments within this NDA are located away from the core area of Long Valley, where ecologically important habitats are present. Direct impacts to the core area or areas immediately adjacent to this core area have been avoided by designating the core area of Long Valley as “Other Specified Uses (Nature Park)” zone to create the Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP), which will be actively managed by the Government, and designating those areas immediately adjacent as ‘AGR’ zone to retain their use. This is a key avoidance mitigation measure to reduce overall impact on agricultural landscape due to the Project, and partially compensate for any unavoidable marsh/ wetland loss (See Section 12.9, MM13 for further details and also Section 12.5.3.1 for further details of the treatment of Long Valley).

In addition, existing trees have been retained as far as possible throughout the NDA, to avoid the loss of landscape resources and greening.

Creating a Comprehensive Green Network

Fung Kong Shan Park is proposed to be designed as a green park featuring a major artificial lake with water running off from Fung Kong Shan. The park could exemplify the green vision of the NDA. Additionally the riverside promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River also serves as an important riverside open space with good views to the green LVNP on the opposite bank of the river. The Town Park stretching from west to east linking up Pak Shek Au and Long Valley also provides spaces for recreational and social activities and the north-south open space corridors linking Kwu Tung South with Fung Kong Shan Park will be landscaped and form part of the comprehensive green network. This green network serves as a physical linkage between major residential areas and major activity nodes (such as Kwu Tung Railway Station, Town Park, LVNP and Fung Kong Shan Park) and could enhance the overall landscape character of the area.

Creating Visual Connections and Breezeways

The major east-west green corridor (Site A1-10) connecting Long Valley to Pak Shek Au provides a key visual corridor and breezeway for the NDA. The north-south corridors (including through Sites B2-9, B2-13 and A3-3) also provide direct visual linkage from the southern part of the NDA to the hilly backdrop in the north and give a sense of space. Another view corridor is also provided in a northwest-southeast direction in the form of the eastern periphery road, providing a distant view to Fung Kong Shan. A continuous open view from Long Valley to the hills in the north is also preserved. The positions of the building blocks have also been designed to maintain view corridors and designations of building separation as well as building set back are considered to avoid wall-like buildings and achieve better visual permeability.

Public Open Space System

Apart from the major public open spaces of the east-west running Town Park in the town centre; the Fung Kong Shan Park in the northern part of the NDA and the riverside promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River, a secondary green loop offering a continuous open space framework connecting all the residential neighbourhoods, in both east-west and north-south direction, is also provided to promote a safe and comfortable walking environment within the NDA. These public open spaces could be designed to create central squares, gardens, children’s playgrounds or parks. The public open space system will enhance the visual amenity of the area and improve the overall landscape character.

Buffer Areas

Amenity areas have been carefully planned to provide buffers between major roads and proposed developments to mitigate potential environmental impacts, including visual impacts. They offer good opportunities for landscaping and tree planting and may screen views of roads and generally enhance their landscape and visual amenity.

Preservation of Cultural and Heritage Resources

The declared monuments and graded historic buildings have been considered and incorporated in the NDA development.

Other planning principles less directly affecting L&V impacts of the KTN NDA include:

Minimising Impacts on Existing Communities - In the revised RODP, attempts have been made to minimize disturbance to the existing community which may have implications on landscape impacts. Two burial grounds are located on the hillside slopes immediately west of Ho Sheung Heung and near Tit Hang, on the northern and western fringes of the NDA. No developments encroach on these areas. Developments in the close vicinity are compatible with the rural setting.

Sufficient Government, Institution and Community Facilities - Some of the existing G/IC facilities within the NDA will be retained thus reducing the land required to provide additional G/IC facilities.

Promoting a Sustainable Living Environment through Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) – The majority of the NDA’s developments and population will be located within a 500 m catchment area of the proposed Railway Station and the population will therefore be concentrated in this area rather than expanding further afield and the natural area at the periphery of the NDAs can be preserved.

Reserving Land to Support Economic Growth of Hong Kong - The existing infrastructure has been considered, particularly Fanling Highway and the proposed Railway Station, with a cluster of “Commercial, Research and Development” sites located within easy access.

Balanced Community Mix - A range of housing types must be accommodated to cater for different housing needs.

Incorporation of Environmentally ‘Green’ Features – Planning also considers the provision of a District Cooling System (DCS) for non-domestic developments, passive building design, water saving fixtures, reuses of treated sewage effluent (TSE) for non-portable purposes such as landscape irrigation, etc.. The revised RODP allows for subsequent implementation of road-based EFTM e.g. charging stations for electric vehicles.

12.5.2.3 FLN NDA Planning Principles and Concepts

Key principles adopted when formulating the FLN NDA revised RODP and which avoid, reduce or compensate for potential L&V impacts, are detailed below, and Figures 12.10.3 -5 in combination help illustrate them.

Compatibility with the Surrounding Environmental and Development Characters

In FLN NDA, high buildings with the highest density are concentrated within the two core areas on the southern bank of Ng Tung River to minimize urban sprawl and an area between the two core areas is reserved for a Central Park and low-rise buildings for various recreation, social and community facilities to provide some relief between the two core concentrated development areas. In addition, the intensity and building heights drop gradually towards the periphery and Ng Tung River to help maximize views to this natural feature and the hills behind, increase visual interest through the stepped building height profile and overall give the NDA a more visually amenable appearance.

With respect to development characters, FLN NDA (and KTN NDA) will extend to the existing Fanling/Sheung Shui new town to form the FL/SS/KTN New Town, with residents sharing the existing and the planned community facilities. FLN NDA will therefore be compatible with the surrounding development, extending the existing urban area.

In addition, the existing Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (WTW) has a ‘Consultation Zone’ and ‘Influence Zone’ of 1km and 2km radius respectively. These have been considered during development of the RODP in view of the potential hazards within these areas. Therefore residential developments will not be planned within the Consultation Zone, while residential developments of relatively lower intensities are planned in the Influence Zone and sensitive uses such as schools will be located as far as possible from the Influence Zone. In sum, the amount of residential development and working opportunities within these zones has been carefully controlled.

Incorporation of Key Natural and Landscape Features into NDA Development

FLN NDA occupies the flat land between the existing new town and surrounding hill slopes and village developments. The outer limit to the new town is clearly delineated by the retrained Ng Tung River and the proposed major road.

To help preserve the green aspect in north-western part of the NDA, Sites A1-3 and A1-9 will remain as an “Agriculture” zone and the mitigation meander at Site A1-7, which was formed as a result of the channelization of Ng Tung River, is designated as a “Conservation Area” zone. This site is conserved for relocation of Man Kam To egretry and there is a general presumption against development.

Creating a Comprehensive Green Network

In order to enhance the living environment in the NDA, an open space system is embedded into the NDA to provide a continuous green network across the neighbourhood and create convenient accesses to the riverside promenade either from the NDA development or the existing Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town. The riverside promenade along Ng Tung River forms an important element to the open space system in FLN NDA and will also be linked all the way to Long Valley in Kwu Tung North. It aims to improve the environment along the River for leisure and recreational use.

Green spines (Sites B2-9, B3-8, C2-2, C2-10, D1-4, D1-5, D2-3, D2-5, D2-8, D2-10, D2-11, D3-5 and D3-10) are provided to connect the residential areas to the riverside promenade and Central Park, providing not only green linkages to the recreational resources, but also important physical and visual relief to the residential developments in the NDA as well as existing residential neighbourhoods in the Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town.

Major green corridors and secondary green corridors are designed in the form of tree avenues, boulevards, pedestrian streets and green walkways which make the FLN NDA visually cohesive in terms of the continuity of tree and shrub planting and allow, where possible, continuous and safe pedestrian access throughout the development.

Sites A1-3 and A1-9 will help preserve the green aspect in north-western part of the NDA, by remaining as an “Agriculture” zone and the conservation area at Site A1-7, reserved for the Man Kam To egretry, will also help retain the green aspect of the area.

Creating Visual Connections and Breezeways

The riverside location and the linear configuration of the NDA mean that there is a wealth of opportunity for attractive views and breezeways under prevailing north-easterly winds. The riverside promenade and riverside parks along Ng Tung River and the Central Park (Site C2-8) provide visual and spatial relief in the NDA, with the Central Park providing a large-scale visual and physical break between the two main residential neighbourhoods. The Central Park and the north-south running green spines also serve as major view corridors to protect the long-range views toward the green backdrop in the north.

Furthermore, to allow prevailing winds to pass through the NDA, all breezeways are oriented in a northeast-southwest direction creating visual permeability across the residential neighbourhoods to the River and Central Park.

Public Open Space System

A number of sites are zoned “Open Space” in FLN NDA to provide public recreational and leisure space and to integrate major parks and riverside promenades. This land is intended primarily for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses. The open space at Site C2-8 is proposed as the Central Park which serves as a major recreational area and combines with the social services and recreational facilities in the vicinity (Site C2-6) to serve as a civic core of the NDA. Areas along the northern and southern banks of Ng Tung River will be developed into continuous promenades for the enjoyment of residents and visitors and Riverside Parks are also proposed at a number of sites such as Sites B1-2, B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, D1-2 and D1-3, as other activity nodes in the NDA. The public open space system will therefore enhance the visual amenity of the area and improve the overall landscape character.

Buffer Areas

Amenity strips will be provided alongside many road edges to enhance the amenity and to serve as visual buffers. They offer good opportunities for landscaping and tree planting and may screen views of roads and generally enhance their landscape and visual amenity.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Man Ming Temple (a Grade 3 historic building) will be preserved and located within open space for public use.

Other planning principles less directly affecting L&V impacts of the FLN NDA include:

Sufficient Government, Institution and Community (G/IC) Facilities - Sufficient land has been reserved for a comprehensive range of G/IC uses to accommodate the needs of the future and existing residents in Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town.

Concentration of Population around Major Transport and Activity Nodes -High density residential and commercial developments are clustering within 500 m catchments of the proposed public transport interchanges. By concentrating the population around certain nodes, fragmented land use is avoided and potentially L&V impacts reduced.

Balanced Community Mix - A range of housing types are accommodated to cater for different housing needs.

Incorporation of Environmentally ‘Green’ Features – such as passive building design, water saving fixtures, green construction materials, reuse of TSE for non-portable purposes such as landscape irrigation, etc. The revised RODP allows for subsequent implementation of road-based EFTM and Site B2-2 in FLN NDA is reserved as the parking and operation facilities for EFTM which is intended to serve the NDAs in the future.

12.5.3 Existing Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs)

The review of the OZPs has included a review of the Plans as well as the accompanying Notes and Explanatory Statements. The NDA Study Areas and NDA boundaries have been superimposed onto existing OZPs and Development Permission Area (DPA) Plans to determine the effect of the revised RODPs on the current land zoning. Details for each NDA are provided below.

12.5.3.1 Kwu Tung North NDA

The KTN NDA Study Area is currently covered by a number of OZPs and DPA Plans as illustrated in Figure 12.1.0. Details of the affected DPA Plan(s) are given in Section 12.5.4 Land Use Planning for Frontier Closed Area, and further details of the OZPs affected by KTN NDA are provided below.

The KTN NDA (as defined by the NDA boundary) principally sits within Approved Kwu Tung North OZP No. S/NE-KTN/8 and in the north a small area falls within DPA/NE-MTL/2. Although the southern periphery of the NDA boundary touches upon the Draft Kwu Tung South OZP No. S/NE-KTS/13, the areas affected are so small as to be considered insignificant (see Figure 12.1.0).

Table 12.5.1 summarizes the areas of existing zoning types of OZP No. S/NE-KTN/8 within the KTN NDA boundary. Although KTN NDA falls almost entirely within this OZP boundary, some falls within other DPA plans. However essentially no development is proposed (e.g. H1-1, B1-3, D1-8, E1-8, F1-5, F1-6, and part of G1-3 are all designated to remain as Green Belt) except the water service reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5. Other key changes are listed in the table.

Zoning Type	Existing Area within OZP (ha)	Area within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate percentage that will undergo land use change)	Comments on Major land use changes
Agriculture (AGR)	131.59	130.51 (35%)	More than half of this zoning type will not be modified, having been designated to be retained as Agricultural Land (e.g. C1-6, C2-2, C2-4, C2-5), protected in as a Nature Park in Long Valley (C1-9), or partly falling in Green Belt sites (e.g. H1-1). Approximately 35% of this zoning type will be modified by the proposed development: various commercial, research and development facilities and residential sites west of the Sheung Yue River and Long Valley (e.g. B3-5, B3-12, part of A2-9, D1-7 etc.); amenity and government facilities in the south west of the NDA (e.g. B1-1, B1-4, B1-9, etc. and the proposed Plant for District Cooling System in B1-7); and part of the area of AGR in the mid-west of the NDA (approximately 2 ha) will also be modified by the proposed swimming pool and sports centre (E1-5) and primary school (E1-2).
Comprehensive Development Area (CDA)	18.21	18.21 (100%)	Both areas of CDA in this OZP will change to compatible land uses. The area in the south west of the NDA is proposed to accommodate part of the hospital, polyclinic and general clinic/healthcare facilities (B2-2) as well as some educational (e.g. B2-5, B2-6, B2-7), residential use (e.g. A1-4, A1-2) and the CLP substation (B2-4). The area further to the east in the NDA, will change to accommodate some residential sites (e.g. A1-9) and distributor roads and a small part will be affected by sites proposed for commercial, research and development facilities (e.g. B3-8).
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC)	11.52	11.52 (15%)	There are no significant changes to this land zoning. Many facilities such as Lo Wu Saddle Club, Lo Wu Correctional Institution and an existing basketball court (C2-3) will remain unaffected. Other areas that are affected fall with sites proposed for the same land use (e.g. primary school at E1-2 and police facilities at E1-3). The former Ma Tso Lung Landfill area is proposed as open space (O), which will be a land use change (about 15%), but this is compatible with the current land use.
Green Belt (GB)	107.23	107.12 (25%)	Of the approximately 107.12 ha of GB in this OZP that falls within the revised RODP, approximately 80 ha (approximately 75 %) falls on sites designated to remain as Green Belt (e.g. B1-3, H1-1, E1-8, D1-8, F1-5, F1-6 and part of G1-3) and will be unaffected. Of the remaining approximate 25% of land where land use change is proposed, some is proposed for compatible land use (e.g. The remaining Lo Wu Firing Range at G1-2, open space at E1-7 for Fung Kong Shan Park), however approximately 18 ha is proposed for land uses that are not compatible; one site west of Fung Kong foothill is proposed for a fire station cum ambulance depot (E1-6) and part of a site for a sports ground/ sports complex (F1-1) will also fall on GB; Sites D1-12, D1-13 and D1-14 are Government reserves or potential activity centres which are not compatible either. Equally the Sites reserved for research and development in support of LMC Loop Development at F1-3 are not compatible. Finally the proposed district distributor roads also partially fall in this zoning (e.g. at B1-3 and west of A2-2) and are not compatible.
Industrial (Group D) (I(D))	26.03	26.03 (100%)	All I(D) in this OZP will change in land use. It is mainly proposed for residential uses and some commercial, research and development use which are considered compatible. Some affected areas fall on sites proposed for amenity uses which would be considered to enhance the land use.
Open Space (O)	7.19	7.19 (60%)	All the Open Space in this OZP falls within the NDA boundary but just over half will change land use to become residential (e.g. public rental housing at A1-2, and high density residential zone at A1-6) and comprehensive development area (B2-10), while the rest will remain as open space (e.g. A1-10 and B2-9).
Open Storage (OS)	43.44	43.44 (100%)	All the Open Storage in this OZP falls within the revised RODP and will be converted to open space, residential, educational and recreational land uses as well as amenities such as roads or railway associated facilities.
Village Type Development (V)	14.03	14.03 (0%)	There will be no changes to this zoning type in this OZP.
TOTAL	358.2	358.1

Zoning Type	Existing Area within OZP (ha)	Area within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate percentage that will undergo land use change)	Comments on Major Land Use Changes
Agriculture (AGR)	175.66	39.12 (65%)	Some of the AGR in this OZP within FLN NDA is the river which will not be affected but most of the rest of this zoning will undergo land use change. Approximately 15% of this AGR zoned land in the FLN NDA is on site proposed as open space and this is fairly compatible with the current use. Another approximately 45% in the west of FLN NDA, AGR is proposed to change to land use types that are not compatible: Government land for a Police Driving and Traffic Training Division (A1-8). Further east approximately another 5% will be affected by some residential sites (e.g. B1-7) and Government sites proposed for a sports centre and integrated children and youth service centre (C2-6). In addition some of the AGR will be converted to amenity land for roads.
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC)	25.39	1.68 (100%)	This G/IC affected by the FLN NDA will all change land use to either residential or a village re-site area.
Green Belt (GB)	112.50	0.03 (0%)	Not a significant area – likely discrepancies in GIS mapping.
Open Storage (OS)	7.19	0.06 (0%)	Not a significant area – likely discrepancies in GIS mapping.
Other Specified Uses (OU)	13.35	2.51 (100%)	The area affected in this OZP is all proposed to be used for Police’s weapons training complex (A1-11).
TOTAL	334.09	40.75

Zoning Type	Existing Area within OZP (ha)	Area within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate percentage that will undergo land use change)	Comments on Major Land Use Changes
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC)	105.63	1.63 (0%)	This G/IC area affected is in the south east of the FLN NDA and will not change land use as it is proposed for as government reserve (D2-15) and to re-provide the existing North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products (D1-6).
Green Belt (GB)	159.02	89.30 (95%)	Most of the area of GB within the FLN NDA will undergo land use change, with most of it converted to other incompatible land uses, mainly residential (e.g. B1-7, B2-6, B2-7, B2-11, B2-12, B3-2, B3-3, B3-6, B3-7, B3-9, D2-2, D2-4, D2-6, D2-9, D2-12, D3-1a, D3-1b, D3-1c, D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7, D3-8) and distributor roads. Most of the residential areas have provision of open space between the buildings however.
Industrial (I)	58.37	1.51 (100%)	This area is due to be converted to road and to land proposed for Government use, namely a government reserve (D2-16) and to re-provide the existing North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products (D1-6).
Open Space (O)	47.44	2.62 (80%)	Most of this small area of open space affected by the FLN NDA is proposed for residential use (e.g. public rental housing at D3-8 and high density residential zone at D3-6), school (Site D3-11) as well as part of a road. A small area remains as open space (D3-10) or more compatible land use (e.g. amenities at D3-9).
Other Specified Uses (OU)	35.82	0.11 (0%)	Not significant area – likely discrepancies in GIS mapping.
Residential (Group B) (R(B))	8.18	0.01 (0%)	Not significant area – likely discrepancies in GIS mapping.
Residential (Group C) (R(C))	23.23	0.29 (100%)	Likely to be affected by land proposed for a distributer road with the FLN NDA.
TOTAL	437.69	91.72

Zoning Type	Existing Area within OZP (ha)	Area within NDA Boundary (ha) (Approximate percentage that will undergo land use change)	Comments on Major Land Use Changes
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC)	1.06	0.17 (100%)	The G/IC area in this OZP is already a firing range with a fresh water service reservoir underneath it. It is affected by the proposed FLN Fresh Water Service Reservoir (A3-1) and therefore will not change land use.
Green Belt (GB)	245.87	1.31 (100%)	A very small portion of the GB in this OZP will be affected by the FLN NDA at Table Hill, by the proposed FLN Fresh Water Service Reservoir (A3-1) and access road. Therefore this small area will undergo land use change, to an incompatible land use.

Table 12.6.1 - Landscape Resources and their Sensitivity- KTN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.5.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.5.1-8 (zoom ins))

Id. No.	Landscape Resource (LR)	Quality & Maturity (High /Medium /Low)	Rarity (High /Medium /Low)			Ability to Accommodate Change (High /Medium /Low)			Sensitivity (High /Medium /Low)
KLR 1 – Channelized Water Course
Refers to modified water courses channelized with concrete or grasscrete, or with gabion-fortified banks, or water courses undergoing such channelization. This LR includes both large channelized river water courses as well as some much smaller concrete lined water courses associated with agricultural land. This LR also includes some walkways along the larger water course and the vegetation associated with the water course, both within the channel and along the banks as well as the ridge of the banks. The vegetation mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, but also includes trees in some areas as detailed further in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR includes sections of Ng Tung River, Shek Sheung River, and Sheung Yue River and is one of the prominent landscape features.
KLR-1.1	Ng Tung River	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
Ng Tung River runs across the northeast portion of KTN NDA study area. It combines with two other major channelized watercourses, that of Sheung Yue River and then Ng Tung River, before they all empty into the Shenzhen River far outside the study area. This river in the Study Area is modified with grasscrete banks and tree planting is found along some of its banks as well as neighbouring the banks. Dominant plantation tree species are Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia confusa. Other trees recorded in this LR include Ficus virens and Leucaena leucocephala.
This river is reasonably capable of accommodating change and its sensitivity is medium.
KLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
Shek Sheung River collects water from the south and flows north, joining the Sheung Yue River west of the Sheung Shui Slaughter House. There is also a branch that splits from Ng Tung River and flows round the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works to the south but this is mainly dry and a flood protection measure. This LR is mainly a grasscrete banked, trapezoidal channel, formed for the purpose of flood protection in the Kwu Tung and Fanling areas. Water partially dries out during the dry season and there are small water channels at the base of the channel when water flow is low, with grass on either side.
A small section of this river flows through the eastern corner of Long Valley, where it is a narrow channel. There are grasses and shrubs along the river’s embankment, as well as trees planted along both sides in many sections of the river. The dominant tree species are exotic, including Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala. Native trees can also be found in lower abundance, e.g. Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Cleistocalyx operculatus and Sapium sebiferum. Overall this river has medium amenity value and is reasonably capable of accommodating change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered to be medium.
KLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
Sheung Yue River runs across Long Valley from southwest to northeast where it joins Shek Sheung River before flowing into Ng Tung River. This river drains water in Ho Sheung Heung and Shek Tsai Leng to the west and Yin Kong and Tsung Pak Long to the east. Its banks are fortified with a rigid lining of stone masonry among which grasses grow sparsely between the stone blocks. At ground level, planted trees are found along both sides of the river. Most of the dominant trees are exotic, including species such as Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala. Other trees include the native species Cordia dichotoma, Ficus virens and Macaranga tanarius.
This river is reasonably capable of accommodating change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR-1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley	Medium		Low	High			Medium
This LR describes a network of waterways in the Long Valley area which eventually connect and flow into a box culvert near the Kwu Tung Road junction with Castle Peak Road. The channels are mainly vertically-sided concrete channels which are vital for irrigation purposes but have little vegetation. The riparian vegetation comprises common and widespread herb species. This LR has a reasonable ability to accommodate change, being a man-made network of water channels, but overall it is vital to the Long Valley agricultural area and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR 2 – Water Course
Refers to natural or semi-natural water courses, including short sections with concreted banks. This LR also includes vegetation associated with the water course, both within the streams and along the banks as well as in the immediate vicinity. The vegetation mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, but also includes trees in some areas such as the upland streams, as detailed further in the individual LR descriptions. The vegetation often provides a subtle transition between this LR and its surrounding LR(s).
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR includes watercourses running between different rural areas and villages, incorporating streams running off Ki Lun Shan and Tai Shek Mo, near Fung Kong and Shek Tsai Leng and around Kwu Tung itself.
KLR-2.1	Streams in Kwu Tung	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
These streams, connecting with the Sheung Yue River, are located in the central area of KTN NDA Study Area. They pass through villages including Fung Kong, Tung Fong, Tong Kok, Shek Tsai Leng and south of Ho Sheung Heung. The upstream section is natural but degraded by pollution, with seasonal flows and heavily vegetated stream banks, overgrown with common grass species such as Bidens alba and Pennisetum spp. Other sections of these streams are fortified by concrete banks with grey water flowing.
This LR has medium tolerance to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR-2.2	Natural Streams at Tai Shek Mo	Medium	Medium			Low			High
These natural streams run off Tai Shek Mo, where rainwater flows down from the hill and reaches lowland areas such as Liu Pok and around Ngam Pin. Some of these streams are intermittent and cease flowing during the dry season. Grasses and shrubs overgrow the banks of these streams including common grasses such as Alocasia odora, Wedelia trilobata and Panicum maximum.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan	Medium	Medium			Low			High
These natural streams run off Ki Lun Shan and flow down to the lowland area in the south of KTN NDA Study Area. They are not perennial streams and flow decreases and ceases during the dry season. Common grasses such as Alocasia odora, Wedelia trilobata and Panicum maximum grow abundantly along the banks.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung	High		Medium	Low			High
This LR describes natural streams running off Ma Tso Lung to the lowland area in Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen in the northwest of KTN NDA Study Area. Riparian plants included fruit trees (i.e. Dimocarpus longan and Litchi chinensis) and native understory species (e.g. Lophatherm gracile and Alocasia odora) and the vegetation near the streams is dominated by the exotic climber species Mikania micrantha and herb species Bidens alba and Alocasia macrorhizos. The section at Ma Tso Lung is regarded as ecologically important due to its naturalness and well developed bank area. This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR 3 – Water Pond
Refers to freshwater ponds. The ponds are often associated with agricultural land and used for irrigation, and punctuate the traditional field pattern. Some ponds are also found near residential or developed areas and have aesthetic landscape value and some are fish ponds. This LR also includes vegetation associated with the ponds, both within and around the banks as well as in the immediate vicinity. The vegetation mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, with scarce trees.
The main locations of these water ponds within the Study Area of KTN NDA include both foothill and lowland areas and are most concentrated in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley.
KLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	Medium	Medium			Low			High
This LR is located within Ho Sheung Heung agricultural land and is a relatively large continuous area of water ponds within the study area of KTN NDA. These ponds retain water most of the time including during both the dry and wet seasons. The bunds of these ponds are vegetated by grasses and low shrubs, as well as some fruit trees such as Musa x paradisiaca, Litchi chinensis, Mangifera indica, Dimocarpus longan and Citrus maxima.
The ponds in this area are of medium quality with common fruit trees and are relatively intolerant to change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
KLR-3.2	Long Valley Water Ponds	Medium	Medium			Low			High
This LR is located within Long Valley agricultural land. Water in the ponds is usually full in the wet season and periodically pumped out by local farmers during the dry season for management purposes and irrigation. Grasses grow along their banks and provide a subtle transition between this LR and its surrounding agricultural land.
Overall these ponds are relatively intolerant to change and their sensitivity is high.
KLR-3.3	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	Low	Medium			Low			Medium
The ponds of this LR are located at the foot of Fung Kong Shan, to the west and east of Ma Tso Lung Road. They are isolated water ponds and store rainwater in both the wet and dry seasons but appear to be mainly abandoned. Dense grasses and shrubs grow in their immediate vicinity, as well as the Palm species Roystonea regia and some fruit trees such as Litchi chinensis and Dimocarpus longan.
The quality and significance of this LR is relatively low, but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered to be medium.
KLR-3.4	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Low	Medium			Low			Medium
This is a group of water ponds located between Fu Tei Au Road and Ng Tung River. Only a small number of these ponds fall within the study area of KTN NDA. The ponds were most likely used for irrigation purposes in the past and have now been abandoned. Common grasses (e.g. Bidens alba and Pennisetum spp.) and small trees (e.g. Bombax ceiba and Leucaena leucocephala) grow densely along the banks.
The quality and significance of this LR is relatively low, but it is intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered to be medium.
KLR-3.5	Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road	Medium	Medium			Low			High
The ponds of this LR are located along Kam Hang Road and surrounded by villages and some agricultural land. They generally share a similar appearance and condition to the Long Valley water ponds (KLR-3.2) and water is sometimes pumped out from the ponds during the dry season. The bunds and some areas with shallow water within these ponds are vegetated by grasses and low shrubs.
Overall these ponds have medium amenity value and are relatively intolerant to change. This LR’s sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-3.6	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	Low	Medium			Low			Medium
These are relatively small and isolated ponds at Pak Shek Au just north of the Fanling Highway in a small area of agricultural land now largely bordered by industrial land or open storage use. The ponds were most likely used for irrigation purposes serving the surrounding farmland in the past and have now been abandoned. Grasses and climbers overgrow their banks and their surfaces are largely covered in duckweed.
This LR has low landscape quality with its small area and overgrown vegetation but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
KLR-3.7	Water Ponds at Tit Hang	Low	Medium			Low			Medium
These are two small water ponds located at Tit Hang. Grasses and climbers overgrow their banks and are present in their immediate vicinity, while much of the water surface on one of the ponds in particular is covered in duckweed.
This LR has low landscape quality and small area but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
KLR-3.8	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Medium	Medium			Low			High
Part of the northern KTN NDA study area lies within the Closed Area and the water ponds of this LR are mainly located north of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works and between Fai King Road and Ng Tung River in the north east of the Study Area. A few ponds are also located just north of Ma Tso Lung, also within the Closed Area. The ponds in the north east of the Study Area are generally large and continuous covering a reasonably large area with some of them being active fish ponds, some inactive fish ponds and some connecting with wet agricultural land in their vicinity. The few ponds north of Ma Tso Lung are generally smaller and may be overgrown, but are associated with agricultural land also.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-3.9	Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond	Low	Medium			Medium			Medium
The pond of this LR is associated with Kam Tsin Tsuen. It has manmade, stone banks with no vegetation and is fenced off from the surrounding walkway.
This pond is relatively tolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR-3.10	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Low	Medium			Medium			Medium
This LR is on the periphery of Wai Loi Tsuen serving as the moat of this traditional village. It has concrete banks and is connected with the Shek Sheung River to its west.
Since this is an LR having significant artificial characteristics, it is relatively tolerant to change, however the moat has cultural landscape significance and therefore its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR 4 – Marsh/ Wetland
Refers to freshwater marsh/ wetland landscape resources, often found at old river meanders which have been truncated during river channelization and retraining, overgrown with herbaceous vegetation and often with some areas of seasonal or permanent open water. This LR also includes wetland areas along natural streams around Ma Tso Lung as well as areas that were once ponds but have not been actively managed for a long time.
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA, this LR is found in Long Valley, along the channelized water courses as well as in the north around Ma Tso Lung.
KLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley	Medium	High			Low			High
This LR is generally located in the middle of Long Valley agricultural land, including both permanent wet marshes and well vegetated marshes. For the permanent wet marshes, they used to be fish ponds or used for irrigation purposes and have now been abandoned and are not actively managed. Dense emergent vegetation is present in these marshes and shows relatively high diversity including Phragmites karka, sedges Cyperus iria and Kyllinga aromatica, and herbs and climbers Ipomoea aquatica, Polygonum barbatum and Polygonum lapathifolium. For the well vegetated marshes, a large portion of the wetland area is covered with rich and moist topsoil, colonised by common and widespread species such as Brachiaria mutica, Panicum maximum, Bidens alba, Ludwigia perennis and the Common Wetland Fern Cyclosorus interruptus.
This LR is fairly rare, it is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	Medium	High			Low			High
Several plots of marsh are located along the Sheung Yue River that borders the Long Valley agricultural land. They were formerly meanders of the river and were isolated during the river channelization. To mitigate the ecological impact resulting from channelization, these areas are now managed by a government department to provide marsh habitat, mainly for wetland dependent wildlife. As part of the habitat management, wetland plants and riparian vegetation have been planted. These plants include Commelina diffusa, Hedychium coronarium, Ludwigia perennis and Nelumbo nucifera. Bamboos and trees are also planted along the bunds, e.g. Acacia auriculiformis, Cinnamomum camphora, Hibiscus tiliaceus and Ilex rotunda.
Mitigation habitats are fairly rare in Hong Kong and additionally, this LR is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-4.3	Wetland/ Marsh in the Closed Area	Medium	Medium			Low			High
The area of this LR along the natural stream in northern Ma Tso Lung appears to have evolved from agricultural land that has been abandoned for a long time and is influenced by the water course, such that the land is mainly wet underfoot. The wetland vegetation is dominated by the exotic grass Brachiaria mutica and creeper Ipomoea cairica as well as native herbs including Commelina diffusa, Colocasia esculenta, Cyclosorus interruptus, Ludwigia perennis and Pennisetum purpureum. Vegetation near the streams is dominated by the exotic climber species Mikania micrantha and herb species Bidens alba and Alocasia macrorhizos. Abandoned ponds north of Ma Tso Lung, likely previously used as fish ponds or for irrigation purposes, have been abandoned for a long time and now have dense emergent vegetation present in them such that they are considered marshes. They include vegetation such as exotic wetland species such as Brachiaria mutica and Sesbania cannabina and the invasive exotic tree species Leucaena leucocephala but also support some native wetland herb species including Polygonum japonicum, Commelina diffusa and Ludwigia octovalvis.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change due to the succession of vegetation and the natural sensitivity of wetland/marsh. Its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-4.4	Marsh around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun	Medium	Medium			Low			High
Several ponds around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yuen, likely previously used as fish ponds, for wet agriculture or for irrigation purposes, have been abandoned for a long time and now have dense emergent vegetation present in them such that they are considered marshes. Commonly occurring species include Alternanthera sessilis, Amaranthus spinosus, Chenopodium album, Cyperus pilosus, Ipomoea aquatica, Ludwigia perennis, Mimosa pudica and Panicum maximum.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change due to the succession of vegetation and the natural sensitivity of marsh. Its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR 5 – Plantation
Refers to medium sized and larger clusters of trees that have been planted and are distinct from natural woodland since they have been planted by man. Common tree species in this LR include native (Ficus microcarpa, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic species (Acacia confusa, Casuarina equisetifolia and Melaleuca quinquenervia) and further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR includes patches of plantation to the south of Fanling Highway, in the vicinity of Hakka Wai and Wai Loi Tsuen as well as a number of OVTs as detailed in KLR-5.4.
KLR-5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	High	Medium			Medium			Medium
This LR mainly includes two plantation patches. One is close to the Sheung Yue River and is currently managed by a government department as one of the mitigation measures for the ecological impacts arising from the river channelization. Trees in this plantation area are fairly mature, including mainly planted exotic species (Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia). Other species in lower abundance include exotic species (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and native species (Celtis sinensis and Macaranga tanarius). The other patch of dense plantation is found just north of Hong Kong Golf Club and trees commonly recorded in this area include native (Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus virens and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic species (Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba, Melaleuca quinquenervia and Leucaena leucocephala).
Trees in this LR are dense and mature, providing a relatively high landscape value. However, it is a man-made resource and is able to be recreated reasonably easily meaning it has a reasonable capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered to be medium.
KLR-5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai	Medium	Medium			High			Medium
This area of plantation is largely associated with the narrow Sheung Yue River channel and the villages of HakkaWai and Tsung Pak Long, including in their playground areas and public facilities. This plantation generally comprises exotic tree species dominated by Acacia confusa. Other species in lower abundance include exotic species (Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Araucaria heterophylla, Casuarina equisetifolia, Livistona chinensis and Leucaena leucocephala) and native species (Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus microcarpa, and Macaranga tanarius).
This LR has a relatively high capacity to accommodate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
A mixture of native and exotic trees is planted around the moat of Wai Loi Tsuen, serving as a good screen for the road and industrial area to the west of the village. Compared to those trees planted immediately along the Shek Sheung River in its vicinity, trees in this plantation have a relatively higher diverse composition, including native species (Bauhinia blakeana, Celtis sinensis and Ficus microcarpa) and exotic species (Acacia confusa, Aleurites moluccana, Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus citriodora, Grevillea robusta, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Melaleuca quinquenervia).
This LR has medium amenity value and a reasonable capacity to accommodate change and it is sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR- 5.4	OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road	High	High			Low			High
This LR refers to OVTs found in the roadside planting along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road. There are five (5) OVTs as classified by the Leisure, Culture and Services Department (LCSD) and protected by technical circular ETWB TCW No.29/2004. They are all located nearest to Castle Peak Road (location indicated on the Figure12.5.0 and Figure 12.5.7) and reference numbers are. No. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N49, LCSD/ N50, LCSD/ N51). All the trees species are Melaleuca quinquenervia of unknown age, registered in September 2004 and last inspected in August 2012. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N50, and LCSD/ N51 all have ‘large size’ as their special characteristic, reaching between 15-18 m in height, 1130-1280 mm diameter at breast height (DBH) and 9-16 m crown spread. LCSD/ N49 is listed as having ‘outstanding form’ as its special characteristic and is 15 m high with a DBH of 670 mm and a crown spread of 8 m.
These trees have a low ability to accommodate change and are highly valued. The sensitivity of this LR is high.
KLR 6 – Hillside Woodland
Refers to woodland areas largely scattered over hillsides, including at the base of hills and associated patches of woodland. This LR is predominantly composed of native tree species and is generally located some distance from human activities and hence disturbance (except at the base of hills where it often borders rural development areas where there is human activity), growing naturally with some understorey vegetation. It can include areas of Fung Shui Woodland growing in hillsides in the vicinity of villages as detailed in the individual descriptions. Common tree species in this LR include Macaranga tanarius, Leucaena leucocephala, Celtis sinensis and Ficus microcarpa. Further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, this LR is found at the hillsides of Ki Lun Shan, Tai Shek Mo, Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang, Fung Kong Shan as well as northwest of Ho Sheung Heung.
KLR-6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	High	Medium			Low			High
This LR lies on the northern foothills of Ki Lun Shan, bordering shrubland / grassland on the higher ground above and rural villages and lowland woodland in the lowland area below. Due to limited human disturbance, these trees are mature, medium to large in size and growing on hillsides including the foothills. Dominant tree species include Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius.
This LR is considered to be relatively mature and of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
KLR-6.2	Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland	High	Medium			Low			High
Several small patches of woodland are scattered among the foothills of Tai Shek Mo. Dominant species include exotic trees Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia as well as native trees Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius.
This LR is considered to be relatively mature and of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
KLR-6.3	Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong	High	Medium			Low			High
This LR refers to the narrow, winding and largely continuous patches of woodland in the hillside areas of Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong. Woodlands in these areas predominantly border uphill shrubland/grassland areas and lowland woodlands, and sometimes adjoin rural and industrial areas. Due to limited human disturbance, these trees are mature and of medium to large sizes. Dominant trees include both native and exotic species. Dominant native trees are Ficus hispida, Cinnamomum camphora, Rhus succedanea, Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius. Dominant exotic species include Melaleuca quinquenervia, Leucaena leucocephala, Melia azedarach, Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia.
This LR is considered to be relatively mature, of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
KLR-6.4	Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland	High	High			Low			High
Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland is bound by Ho Sheung Heung Road, Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road and Chung Kuk Path and covers a small hill. It used to be a complete area of woodland with continuous canopy but has been fragmented by hill fires. Grasses and shrubs have now colonised the bald areas to connect the woodland patches. Apart from Aquilaria sinensis, a species of conservation interest, other typical Fung Shui Woodland trees are also found, such as Garcinia oblongifolia, Sterculia lanceolata and Litsea glutinosa. Other dominant trees include native species Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus hispida, Macaranga tanarius, Bischofia javanica, Cinnamomum camphora, Microcos paniculata and Schefflera heptaphylla and exotic species Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba, Dimocarpus longan and Melia azedarach of medium to large sizes.
This Fung Shui Woodland has high amenity and cultural value and is intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR 7 – Lowland Woodland
Refers to woodland growing on low lying ground (generally <40 mPD), often found near rural village areas in small, fragmented patches, with differing tree species according to location. This LR can be found in patches within areas of human activity and also includes some Fung Shui Woodland of particular cultural importance, located adjacent to certain villages as detailed in the individual descriptions. Common plant species in this LR include Acacia confusa, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Leucaena leucocephala and Macaranga tanarius. Further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR includes woodlands in lowland areas in Ki Lun Shan, Kam Tsin, Pak Shek Au, Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fu Tei Au.
KLR-7.1	Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland	High	Medium			Low			High
This LR refers to a small patch of woodland near the intersection of Kwu Tung Road and Kwu Tung South Road. It is associated with the residential buildings in the lowland area but has a similar plant species composition to the Ki Lun Shan Hillside vegetation. The dominant species include exotic species (Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala) and native species (Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora and Macaranga tanarius).
This LR is considered to be relatively mature and of high quality with relatively little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is high.
KLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin	Medium	Medium			Low			High
This LR is found in several patches in the vicinity of Kam Tsin area, including the woodlands surrounding Casas Domingo and Ascot Park. Woodlands within this LR are in close proximity to residential and recreational areas and therefore potentially suffer disturbance from human activities lowering their quality. This LR also includes a small patch of Fung Shui woodland bordered by Kam Tsin road and Kam Tsin South Road to the west and Kam Tsin village to the east. It includes a number of large Cinnamomum camphora and Dimocarpus longan trees. Elsewhere the dominant species include both native (Ficus microcarpa, Cinnamomum camphora, Macaranga tanarius and Celtis sinensis) and exotic (Acacia confusa, Acacia auriculiformis, Averrhoa carambola, Bombax ceiba, Leucaena leucocephala and Dimocarpus longan) species.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-7.3	Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok	High	Medium			Low			High
This LR refers to the lowland woodlands at Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok, north of Fanling Highway. These woodlands are largely surrounded by adjacent industrial/open storage areas and therefore potentially suffer from disturbance by human activities. This LR also includes an old developed area west of Dills Corner that has now become completely overgrown with woodland.
The trees in this woodland are of medium to large sizes, and are dominated by both native and exotic species. The most abundant native species include Ficus microcarpa, Bischofia javanica, Cinnamomum camphora, and Macaranga tanarius, while exotic species include Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba, Dimocarpus longan, Delonix regia, Averrhoa carambola, Casuarina equisetifolia, Chukrasia tabularis, Leucaena leucocephala and Spathodea campanulata. This LR has a medium to high amenity value, a low capacity to tolerate change and it sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-7.4	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Lowland Woodland	Medium	Medium			Low			High
This LR refers to a small isolated area of woodland on the periphery of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. The dominant tree species are medium to large in size and are native species such as Celtis sinensis and Microcos paniculata. Exotic species recorded in this woodland include Acacia confusa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Melia azedarach and Acacia auriculiformis.
The quality of this LR is medium but it has little capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR-7.5	Vernon Pass Woodland	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
This LR refers to a small patch of woodland patch at Vernon Pass to the north east of the Study Area. It contains some built structures and is generally disturbed by frequent human interaction. The dominant species in this LR include native species (Ficus variegata var. chlorocarpa, Ficus hispida and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic species (Dimocarpus longan).
Due to its association with built structures and therefore not being in a totally natural state, this LR has a medium capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR 8 – Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic
Refers to a mosaic of shrubland and grassland which is usually large in size and uniform in appearance. This LR is typical of the fire-maintained hill-slopes in Hong Kong and common species include grasses such as Imperata koenigii, Neyraudia reynaudiana, Bidens alba, Panicum maximum and Miscanthus spp., fern Dicranopteris pedata and shrubs Baeckea frutescens, Breynia fruticosa, Litsea rotundifolia var. oblongifolia and Rhaphiolepis indica.
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA, this LR is found mainly on hillsides, particularly on the upper areas of Fung Kong Shan, Ki Lun Shan, Tai Shek Mo and its western foothill, and forms a large part of the Study Area. Further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
KLR-8.1	Ki Lun Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic	Medium	Low			Medium			Medium
This resource is located on the uplands of Ki Lun Shan and comprises a large area (approximately 20 ha). It borders woodlands at the foothills. It is one of the prominent landscape features in the southern KTN NDA Study Area and is maintained by periodical hill fires.
This LR can re-establish itself fairly easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
KLR- 8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Medium	Low			Medium			Medium
This resource is located on the uphills of Fung Kong Shan. It borders some woodland at the foothills as well as rural development areas. It is maintained by periodical hill fires.
This LR can re-establish itself fairly easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
KLR- 8.3	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Ranges Foothills	Medium	Low			Medium			Medium
This LR is an extensive area of shrubby grassland on the uplands of Tai Shek Mo and the foothills of the Western Ranges covering Ma Tso Lung. It largely merges into hillside woodland in at the foothills and is sometimes adjacent to some rural and urban development areas. Similar to the other hilly shrubland/grassland in Hong Kong, this LR is also maintained by periodical hill fires.
This LR can re-establish itself fairly easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
KLR-8.4	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River, Ng Tung River and Fanling Highway	Low	Low			High			Low
These shrublands /grasslands are all located in lowland areas and in the vicinity of artificial resources such as channelized watercourses and highways. They are waste grounds through lack of maintenance and have been gradually colonized by weeds and climbers.
This LR is of low landscape value and amenity and is relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is low.
KLR-8.5	Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Low	Medium			High			Low
This resource is located north of Fu Tei Au Road and is in the immediate vicinity of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. This LR is dominated by grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus floridulus and some small trees including Rhus succedanea and Macaranga tanarius are also present.
This LR is of low landscape value and amenity and is relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is low.
KLR 9 - Agricultural Land
Refers to land used for agriculture including crops and orchards as well as ornamental plant nurseries. This LR contains a small number of structures such as small irrigation ponds, green houses, equipment sheds and small/ narrow hard paved areas. It not only contains agricultural vegetation but also some scattered non-agricultural vegetation including some shrubs and trees. It is often an intermediary between areas of development and natural areas.
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, this LR is mainly found in Long Valley, Ho Sheung Heung, Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong.
KLR-9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	High	High			Low			High
This LR in Long Valley consists mainly of wet agriculture and includes both active and inactive fields. Common wetland crops in Long Valley include Ipomoea aquatica and Nasturtium officinale, with some fields cultivated with Eleocharis dulcis, Oryza sativa and Trapa bispinosa. Water lily (Nymphaea sp.) and Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) are also cultivated in some ponds with shallow water. Dry land crops include Aloe vera var. chinensis, Allium tuberosum, Brassica chinensis, and Lactuca sativa. Fruit trees are present along field bunds including Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis and Magnifera indica.
This LR in Long Valley is of good quality and high significance in terms of crop production and being a large contiguous area of agriculture in Hong Kong. Although agricultural land per se is fairly easy to re-establish in the right environment, given the size of this LR and lack of similar areas in Hong Kong, it is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is high.
KLR-9.2	Ho Sheung Heung Agricultural Land	High	Medium			Medium			Medium
Ho Sheung Heung agricultural land is located to the northeast of Ho Sheung Heung village. This LR includes both active and inactive agricultural lands and shares high similarity in crop species composition with the adjacent Long Valley agricultural land. It is closely associated with the Long Valley agricultural land and also forms a fairly large continuous area, but not as large as the Long Valley area.
This LR is of high value in terms of crop production similarly to Long Valley but being of a smaller contiguous area and with agricultural land being fairly easy to re-establish in the right environment, it has medium ability to accommodate change. Overall this LR sensitivity is medium.
KLR-9.3	Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong	Low	Low			Medium			Medium
These agricultural lands scattered in the centre of the study area of KTN and are associated with the villages in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong, where they are surrounded by industrial or open storage areas. Most of the agricultural lands within this area are abandoned with weeds and invasive trees (e.g. Leucaena leucocephala) beginning to colonize the land and turning it to wasteland. In some locations, common vegetable plants, such as Lactuca sativa, are still found being cultivated in the small areas of farmland that are still active.
This LR is mostly abandoned and does not have high value in terms of crop production but does provide some green space between the hard surfaces of industrial/open storage areas or rural development areas. Agricultural land is fairly easy to re-establish in the right environment, and is relatively tolerant to change but given the greening element amongst an area where there is a lot of industrial/ open storage, overall this LR is considered to have medium sensitivity.
KLR-9.4	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
This LR refers to several small and fragmented agricultural lands in different locations within the study area of KTN, including Chau Tau Tsuen, Pak Shek Au, Yin Kong, Kam Tsin and Tai Tau Leng. Most of these agricultural lands have been wholly or partly abandoned and grass and shrubs now grow in the fields. For those fields remaining active, common crops cultivated by farmers include Brassica parachinensis and Lactuca sativa.
This LR has low to medium value in terms of crop production and is relatively tolerant to change. It is considered to have medium sensitivity.
KLR-9.5	Other Orchards Areas in KTN	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
This LR refers to several small and fragmented orchard areas in different locations within the study area of KTN, including around the Ma Tso Lung area, on the lower slopes of Fung Kong Shan, and near Ngam Pin. Common fruit trees in this LR include Musa x paradisiaca, Artocarpus macrocarpon, Mangifera indica and Dimocarpus longan, where the fruit trees present include Artocarpus macrocarpon, Dimocarpus longan and Carica papaya. Not all these orchard areas are still well looked after and some have been left untreated for a while.
This LR has medium value in terms of crop production and being agricultural is relatively tolerant to change although trees generally take longer to grow and produce fruit than crops take to be harvestable, so ability to accommodate change is medium. Overall this LR is considered to have medium sensitivity.
KLR 10 - Open Space / Recreation Area
Refers to areas that provide recreational use either in the form of playground areas, sports pitches, passive recreation parks or sitting out spaces. There is vegetation associated with this LR, particularly within golf courses where there is maintained grass on the greens, as well as many landscaped trees and some shrubs.
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, this LR is found at Hong Kong Golf Club, Sheung Shui Community Sports and Lo Wu Saddle Club.
KLR-10.1	Hong Kong Golf Club	High	Medium			High			Medium
Hong Kong Golf Club is located either side of Fan Kam Road. It is a large private golf club with extensive greens maintained for golfing activities. Besides the golf course, the club has some built structures including the Club House and facilities to accommodate swimming and tennis, as well as restaurants and accommodation. The Half Way House at Hong Kong Golf Club is a Grade 3 historic building.
Trees, dominated by Melaleuca quinquenervia, are planted around the golf course for landscaping purposes. Water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) are cultivated in the golf course ponds. The entire plantation is well maintained and in good condition.
This LR is of high quality and amenity value and covers an extensive area of land; however it is an artificial resource and has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR-10.2	Sheung Shui Community Sports	Medium	Medium			High			Medium
Sheung Shui Community Sports is located near Ma Tso Lung Road. It is a multi-sport centre with both outdoor and indoor facilities such as a basketball court, grass football pitch, campsite and clubhouse etc. Trees are planted within this sport centre and include Michelia x alba, Psidium guajava, Dimocarpus longan and Mangifera indica.
This LR has medium landscape value and due to its man-made nature has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be medium
KLR-10.3	Lo Wu Saddle Club	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
Situated along Ho Sheung Heung Road, Lo Wu Saddle Club has more than 50 years of history and has a stable complex including grass riding arenas as well as clubhouse facilities and a schooling arena. Trees found within this LR include Melia azedarach, Celtis sinensis and Delonix regia.
This LR is of relatively high quality and amenity value. The artificial elements can accommodate change relatively easily but the fields where horses graze are less able to accommodate change. Overall this LR’s sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR 11 – Urban Development Area
Refers to urbanized areas which are heavily developed with considerable hard paved surfaces and limited landscaped areas. These LRs consist mainly of large clusters of medium to high density buildings with a high degree of related infrastructure and often with some high rise developments, with some associated facilities such as post office, police station, hospital, restaurants, supermarkets etc. The LR also includes work sites where construction is ongoing, or sites being cleared/ formed prior to development of a structure that would form part of an urban area. Vegetation in this LR is mainly landscape planting with scattered amenity shrubs and trees and some small public green spaces and private gardens.
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA, it includes Lo Wu Correctional Institute and the existing formation site for the proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station.
KLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Low	Low			High			Low
Lo Wu Correctional Institution was opened in 2010 and is located in between of the Ho Sheung Heung Road and Tai Shek Mo foothills. Buildings in this LR are medium-rise and roads are all hard-paved. Tree planting is limited within the institution although it does have some green roofs.
This LR has a high ability to accommodate change due to its artificial nature and is considered to have low sensitivity.
KLR-11.2	Existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station	Low	Low			High			Low
This site for the proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station is located near Po Lau Road and is currently being formed prior to constructing a new MTR Station that would form part of an urban area. Trees present in this area include native species such as Macaranga tanarius and exotic species such as Dimocarpus longan, Melia azedarach and Bauhinia variegata.
This LR is undergoing site clearance, is of low landscape value and can accommodate change easily. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
KLR 12 – Rural Development Area
Refers to traditional villages, modern villages and small scale, low rise residential areas of lower density dominated by domestic structures (mainly of 2-3 stories) interwoven with roads and paths, but limited other infrastructure. There are some Ancestral Halls, shrines and temples, and this LR may also contain limited facilities such as small police stations, post offices, and covered water reservoirs and pumping stations and some small, managed, recreational areas (such as football and basket ball pitches) and small wasteland areas either wholly or partly covered by weedy or sparse vegetation. This LR often has small orchard areas associated with it (most commonly planted fruit tree species are Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis, Clausena lansium, Mangifera indica and Citrus maxima) and private gardens, as well as amenity planting among the built structures. This LR usually occurs in fragmented patches with agricultural or natural landscape resources adjacent to it.
Within the Study Area of the KTN NDA this LR is mainly found in Ho Sheung Heung, Long Valley, Ngam Pin, along Fanling Highway, as well as in the central area of Kwu Tung. This LR also includes a water reservoir and rifle range.
KLR-12.1	Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area	Medium	Medium			Low			Medium
Ho Sheung Heung village is bounded by Ho Sheung Heung Pai Fung Road and Chung Kuk Path. In the vicinity (but not part of this LR), there is Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland and agricultural land in which water ponds are scattered. Although the village could be classified as relatively modern due to the fact many houses have been replaced by modern housing blocks of 2-3 storeys, some of the residential houses are identified as Historic Buildings (refer to Chapter 11), with Hau Kui Shek Ancestral Hall, a Declared Monument, located on the middle of the village and two Grade 3 listed buildings, Hung Shing Temple & Pat Fung Temple and ‘Sin Wai Nunnery’ located in the south of the village . The whole village is mostly hard-surfaced and has limited softscape treatment but does include some trees (e.g. Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis and Clausena lansium) and private amenity planting (e.g. Plumeria rubra and Thuja orientalis).
Although most of the houses in Ho Sheung Heung Village are relatively modern, the ancestral hall and graded historic buildings are vulnerable to change since they cannot be easily recreated and overall this LR has medium sensitivity.
KLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai	Medium	High			Low			High
This LR lies between the Shek Sheung River and Fanling Highway to the southeast of Long Valley. It covers three villages: Yin Kong Tsuen, Hakka Wai and Tsung Pak Long.
Yin Kong Tsuen is a traditional village undergoing transformation. Some of the existing residential houses in the northern part of the village are identified as historical buildings. Earth shrines associated with Fung Shui Trees (Ficus microcarpa in most cases) are present including the Grade 2 listed Earth God Shrine of Kam Tsin. In addition an old western styled Enchi Lodge (Grade 2 historic building) is located on the southern part of the village. Between the northern and southern parts of the village there is grassland which would have been agricultural land in the past. On the other hand, the modern aspect of Yin Kong Tsuen is presented by many well-established modern village houses as well as facilities such as small-scaled playgrounds.
Hakka Wai is a traditional compound with around 100 years of history. It consists of two rows of residences, an ancestral hall (the Wong Shek Chung Ancestral Hall), a study hall, an entrance gate, enclosing walls and a watch tower. This compound is a Grade 1 historic building.
Tsung Pak Long is a traditional village undergoing transformation. It contains ancestral halls, earth shrines, a school and a church in traditional style to its northwest. Most areas within this LR are hard-surfaced and have limited vegetation except those private amenity plantings, in which fruit trees Dimocarpus longan, Carica papaya and Citrus reticulata and landscaping shrub Duranta erecta and Murraya paniculata are commonly found.
The historic buildings located in this LR, particularly the relatively large area of Hakka Wai, cannot be easily recreated and this LR is relatively intolerant to change. Overall it is considered to have high sensitivity.
KLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
This LR is just located within the Closed Area. Structures in the village are old and simple with most of the residential buildings consisting of iron structures. Tall grasses grow along the roads winding between houses without management and much of the area is abandoned with a large degree of vegetation which make it less able to accommodate change.
This LR is considered to have medium sensitivity.
KLR-12.4	Rural Development Area to the East of MTRC East Railway Line	Medium	Medium			Low			Medium
This LR covers a part of Wai Loi Tsuen, as well as settlements between Fu Tei Au Road and Ng Tung River. Wai Loi Tsuen is clearly demarcated by a channelized watercourse (i.e. moat) connected with the Shek Sheung River. Although some of the houses in this village have been replaced by modern housing blocks of 2-3 storeys, it is still a relatively traditional village and contains temples and Ancestral Halls. South of Fu Tei Au Road there is an orchard with a water pond in the middle and fruit trees in this orchard include Clausena lansium, Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis, Citrus maxima and Musa x paradisiaca.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change due to historical buildings and this LR has medium sensitivity.
KLR – 12.5	Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club	Medium	Low			High			Low
This LR mainly covers one modern village, Golf Parkview, consisting of residential 4-5 storey blocks enclosed by walls but also includes some buildings and associated landscaped area in the middle of a plantation area Golf Parkview is fairly new and being a man-made structure has a reasonable capacity to accommodate change despite some significant landscaping. The buildings within the plantation make up Oi Yuen Villa, Lot No. SSL 2RP and is currently (May 2013) proposed as a Grade 1 historic building.
Overall since the historic building grading is not confirmed to date, this LR is considered to have low sensitivity.
KLR-12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	Medium	Low			Medium			Medium
This LR refers to the rural area around Kam Tsin located at the south east of the KTN NDA. It covers a number of well established villages and developments, including Kam Tsin Tsuen, The Royal Oaks, Ascot Park and Casas Domingo. It also contains community facilities such as kindergarten and schools. Planted trees are found between village houses and some grow naturally along the edge of the roads and villages.
Trees commonly found in this LR include both native (e.g. Bauhinia blakeana, Celtis sinensis and Bischofia javanica) and exotic (e.g. Melaleuca quinquenervia as well as some fruit trees such as Dimocarpus longan and Psidium guajava) species.
Overall, this LR is dominated by domestic residencies, its landscape amenity, significance and quality is moderate and it has a medium ability to tolerate change due to the vegetation within the LR, making its overall sensitivity medium.
KLR-12.7	Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Low	Low			High			Low
Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir is a permanent structure located on Ki Lun Shan for the purpose of fresh water storage. This area is hard-paved and covered with a grass roof but with limited vegetation otherwise.
Due to its low landscape value and high ability to accommodate change, it has low sensitivity.
KLR-12.8	Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais	Low		Low			High			Low
This LR lies south of Fanling Highway and west of Sheung Yue River. The groups of houses in this LR are low-rise private residential buildings of 2-3 stories. Trees are present both in the public areas such as roads (e.g. Acacia confusa, Casuarina equisetifolia and Thevetia peruviana) and within the private gardens where Dimocarpus longan and Averrhoa carambola as well as some palm trees that are cultivated. This LR also contains one historic graded building, the Grade 2 listed Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre (Main Block and Bungalow) (See Chapter 11 for more details)
Most components within this LR are man-made structures and are tolerant to change. The exception is the Grade 2 listed historic building, but since this forms a very small proportion the LR, overall its sensitivity is considered to be low.
KLR-12.9	Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
Rural area in Shek Tsai Leng mainly includes Dills Corner Garden and its associated facilities. Dills Corner Garden is located along Po Lau Road and is a home for the aged. It contains several rows of 2-storey houses and is enclosed by fences. Except for several individual, large trees along the fences (mostly Ficus microcarpa), this area is almost entirely hard-surfaced with limited landscaping. Nevertheless, well maintained trees are planted along the roads in this area and dominant species include Acacia confusa and Melaleuca quinquenervia. There is also a soccer pitch, playground and school in this area.
The rural area in Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang contains loosely grouped village houses in traditional style, with some graves of Hau clan scattered in the northern part of Fung Kong Tsuen. All the villages are mostly hard-surfaced with small houses and winding paths and have limited softscape treatment but do include some abandoned fruit trees (e.g. Dimocarpus longan, Citrus maxima, Musa x paradisiaca and Clausena lansium) and private amenity planting.
This is a LR with a medium capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
KLR-12.10	Lo Wu Rifle Range	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
Lo Wu Rifle Range is located between Fung Kong Shan and the Tai Shek Mo mountain. It is a large piece of grassland for police’s training. Many mature trees grow naturally in the surroundings, including Bauhinia blakeana, Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis and Leucaena leucocephala.
This LR is a man made area but it is green land not hard surface and so has a medium tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LR is medium.
KLR-12.11	Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung	Low to Medium	Medium			Low			Medium
This LR refers to the rural area at Ma Tso Lung on the northwest of the KTN NDA Study Area. It mainly covers two villages, i.e. Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen and Shun Yee San Tsuen, which are relatively small, mainly consisting of more traditional houses of a single storey. Trees associated with this area include some fruit trees such as Diospyros kaki, Musa x paradisiaca and Dimocarpus longan as well as other native and exotic trees such as Bauhinia blakeana, Leucaena leucocephala, and Bombax ceiba.
Although these structures cannot be recreated easily and have low ability to accommodate change, their landscape quality and maturity are not high and overall this LR has medium sensitivity.
KLR-12.12	Fanling Lodge	High	Medium			Medium			Medium
Fanling Lodge is a two storey house in a wooded lot within the Hong Kong Golf Club off Castle Peak Road - Kwu Tung with a helicopter pad on the lawn of the landscaped gardens. Trees and shrubs planted for landscaping purpose include Magnolia grandiflora, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Eucalyptus citriodora, Livistona chinensis and Bougainvillea spectabilis.
This LR has cultural significance but being man-made still has a reasonable capacity to accommodate change and is considered to have medium sensitivity.
KLR 13 - Industrial / Open Storage
Refers to areas which are heavily adapted for human industrial use, such as factory facilities, waste processing plants and other industrial buildings, often with some open areas for storage, parking or other associated activities. These areas have small roads within them and some concrete drainage channels. There is very little existing vegetation within this LR.
Within the Study Area of KTN NDA, this LR is mainly found in areas adjacent to villages and main roads, such as Yin Kong industrial / open storage, Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong open storage and Pak Shek Au open storage. It also includes Sheung Shui Slaughter House, Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works and Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works. This LR can also be found at the foothill of more natural LRs, often on flatter land and includes Ki Lung Shan Foothill industrial / open storage.
KLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial Area	Low	Low			High			Low
This LR is located along the east boundary of the KTN NDA Study Area and is part of Sheung Shui industrial area. It contains Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works, Sheung Shui Slaughter House, Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works as well as several warehouses and industrial buildings. Planted trees are found along the roads and dominant species include Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala.
This LR has relatively low landscape amenity value and consists mostly of modern man-made structures that can be easily recreated. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
KLR-13.2	Industrial / Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	Low	Low			High			Low
This is an isolated plot beside Yin Kong Tsuen and is now mainly used for open storage and car park. Trees growing within this LR include Macaranga tanarius, Ficus microcarpa, Celtis sinensis, Araucaria heterophylla, Carica papaya, Artocarpus macrocarpon and Syzygium jambos.
This LR predominantly consists of man made structures which have a high capacity to tolerate change and have low landscape value. This LR is considered to have low sensitivity.
KLR-13.3	Industrial/Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong	Low	Low			Medium			Low
This LR is located around the villages of Shek Tsai Leng, Fung Kong, Tung Fong and Tong Kok and is generally in the middle of the KTN NDA Study Area. This continuous area is largely used for open storage and car parks and has a network of small road running within it, some with associated concrete drainage channels. It also has several waste processing plants within this LR. In addition, this LR has two graded historic buildings, one just west of where the Sheung Yue River flows under Fanling Highway (Yeung Yuen Grade 3 listed building) and one in Shek Tsai Leng (Yan Wah Lo Grade 3 listed building). (Further details can be found in Chapter 11).
Trees within this LR are not actively managed and grasses occupy many places between the car parks. Tree species commonly found in the area include Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Bauhinia blakeana, Mallotus paniculatus, Ficus microcarpa, Acacia confusa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Dimocarpus longan, Livistona chinensis, Morus alba, Psidium guajava and Artocarpus macrocarpon.
This LR predominantly consists of man made structures which have a high capacity to tolerate change and have low landscape value. The exceptions are the two graded historic buildings which have low ability to change and are rarer, but since they form a very small part of this LR, overall it is considered to have low sensitivity.
KLR-13.4	Industrial/Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan	Low	Low			High			Low
This LR refers to a lowland area surrounded by woods on southwest of the KTN NDA Study Area. It contained factories, open storage and car park areas. Due to the lack of routine management, grasses and climbers have occupied many places and trees found in this area include Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Dimocarpus longan, Leucaena leucocephala and Bombax ceiba.
This LR predominantly consists of man made structures of little landscape value which have a high capacity to tolerate change. This LR is considered to have low sensitivity.
KLR 14 – Major Transportation Corridor
Refers to Fanling Highway running west-east along the south of the Study Area, all the associated major intersections and key adjacent roads including Castle Peak Road. There is tree planting along the sides of the roads consisting of a variety of indigenous and exotic species. In addition, there is some planting along the central divider (median) in some sections, including of amenity shrubs. Drainage channels associated with the roads/highway are considered part of this LR as they are an integral function of the roadscape. Within the study area of KTN NDA, major transportation corridor also includes the MTRC East Rail.
Within the KTN NDA Study Area, the roadside vegetation associated with this LR also includes five OVTs as detailed in the plantation LR, KLR-5.4.
KLR- 14.1	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads	Medium	Medium			Medium			Medium
This LR is includes the Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung section), Castle Peak Road running parallel and nearby associated roads, which are the major transportation routes connecting Kwu Tung to its adjacent areas. The roads run west-east along the south of the Study Area and there are areas of established roadside planting along the sides of the roads as well as in the central divider (median) in some sections, including of amenity shrubs. In addition along parts of the roads, there are open drainage channels lined by the roadside planting. Trees commonly used for roadside planting in this area include Melaleuca quinquenervia, Bombax ceiba, Ficus microcarpa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia confusa and Bauhinia blakeana.
Despite being a man-made resource, the landscape value of this LR is increased by the significant roadside planting (in which several individual OVTs are present but considered separately. See KLR-5.4) and its sensitivity is raised to medium.
KLR- 14.2	MTRC East Rail (to/from Lo Wu)	Low	Low			High			Low
This LR mainly refers to the MTRC East Railway leading to Lo Wu Station running south-north. The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line running west-east is underground. No significant planting is found along the railways and trees growing randomly in its vicinity are dominated by Leucaena leucocephala.
This resource is highly utilized and well linked but it is man-made with low landscape value and a high ability to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is low.

Id No.	Landscape Character Area (LCA)	Quality & Maturity (High /Medium /Low)	Rarity (High /Medium /Low)	Ability to Accommodate Change (High /Medium /Low)	Sensitivity (High /Medium /Low)
KLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	High	High	Low	High
Refers to large hillside areas which are dominated by shrubland, grassland and some woodland in places.
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA encompasses Tai Shek Mo (183 mPD), Western Range of Tai Shek Mo (Ma Tso Lung and Lok Ma Chau) (144 mPD), Ki Lun Shan (222 mPD), and Fung Kong Shan (40 mPD).
Tai Shek Mo lies to the north of the Study Area. The primary ridgeline extends southward while the Western Range ridgeline runs approximately NE-SW, covering Ma Tso Lung and Lok Ma Chau. These two sections of LCA are separated by lower land and to their south the smaller Fung Kong Shan is found.
Ki Lun Shan lies to the southwest of the Study Area.
This landscape area is natural and has high landscape quality. Its significance is also high and it is not capable of tolerating change. Therefore its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLCA-2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
Refers to rural village areas and village areas on the fringes of urban developments, including relic landscapes of former villages. This LCA is dominated by small or medium sized villages with modern and traditional houses and some Ancestral Halls, interspersed with small agricultural plots and comprises a broad mix of other land uses including water ponds, schools, sports grounds, and playgrounds, some open storage areas and car parks, and a golf course to the southeast of Kwu Tung. This LCA also has some small patches of woodland as well as vegetation associated with the villages and park areas.
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA can be mainly divided into five districts at Lo Wu, Ma Tso Lung and Pak Shek Au on the west, Kwu Tung in the middle, Kam Tsin and Sheung Shui Heung on the east. Some of the villages in this LCA are located at foothill areas, including Ho Sheung Heung, Ma Tso Lung Shun Yee San Tsuen and Pak Shek Au, while some other villages are located in lowland areas, such as Tsung Pak Long, Tong Kok and Shek Tsai Leng.
This LCA is considered to have medium tolerance to change and moderate amenity value. Its sensitivity is therefore medium.
KLCA-3	Urban Development Landscape	Low	Medium	High	Low
Refers to urban areas with significant numbers of high rise developments and extensive transport infrastructure. It also contains hospital, car parks and open areas associated with urban development such as playgrounds and small parks and sitting out areas. This LCA has little if any natural vegetation but does include some man-made landscaping.
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA is found only in the northeast i.e. Lo Wu Correctional Institution.
This is an urban development landscape and has reasonable tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low.
KLCA-4	Industrial Landscape	Low	Low	High	Low
Refers to areas comprising a broad mix of land uses including factories, utility facilities, workshops, open storage and some channelized water courses. It is normally located on low lying ground or at the base of hills and may include small and fragmented areas of residential houses and their associated agricultural land. There is little significant vegetation among this built environment, but small patches of vegetation do exist, particularly along the channelized river.
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA this LCA is found to the west near the San Tin Interchange, in the east at the Shek Sheung River and the area east of this river, and more centrally bordering Ma Tso Lung Road, Shek Tsai Leng and east of Fung Kong Shan.
This LCA usually contains abandoned facilities that are able to accommodate change. Except for the significant planting along Ng Tung River, most areas in this LCA have little vegetation, resulting in a low landscape amenity. Therefore, its sensitivity is considered to be low.
KLCA-5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	High	Medium	Low	High
Refers to large areas dominated by cultivated land with scattered small villages and low-rise buildings and may also include some fishponds and irrigation ponds. This LCA is mostly found among lowlands and floodplain areas.
Within the Study Area for KTN NDA the key area of this LCA is found at Long Valley which is a highly sensitive LR in itself. And there are also some isolated farmlands at Chau Tau and Ma Tso Lung. Tree vegetation is generally sparse and restricted to field boundaries, adjacent to local houses and, together with bamboo, along the banks of Sheung Yue River. The value and significance of the LCA is high, largely due to it encompassing the high quality, contiguous agricultural land of the core Long Valley area. It has little tolerance to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Refers to major highway and railway areas, with their scattered associated buildings and associated planting. Within the Study Area for KTN NDA, Fanling Highway and its nearby associated roads (such as Castle Peak Road) are the major transport routes stretching in an east west direction located at the south boundary of KTN NDA. There are two key connection junctions at Fan Kam Road to the east and San Sham Road to the west. In addition, the MTRC East Rail leading to the Lo Wu Station runs south-north in the east of the study area. Lok Ma Chau Spur Line branches off from Sheung Shui Railway Station to Lok Ma Chau Station, of which this section is underground passing through KTN NDA. The Fanling Highway (Kwu Tung section) and Castle Peak Road running parallel have considerable areas of established roadside planting, including five OVTs, which provide significant greening to the LCA. Due to the considerable associated planting, this LCA resource is considered to be less tolerant to change than simple highway/railway and its sensitivity is medium.
KLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Medium	High	Medium	Medium
Refers to modified water courses channelized with concrete or grasscrete and also includes the vegetation associated with the water course, both within the channel and along the banks as well as in the ridge of the banks. Within the Study Area of KTN NDA this LR includes Ng Tung River, Sheung Yue River and Shek Sheung River. The landscape amenity and significance of this LCA are medium. Due to its partially artificial state, it is relatively tolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.

Table 12.6.3 - Landscape Resources and their Sensitivity- FLN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.6.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.6.1-7 (zoom ins)

Id. No.	Landscape Resource (LR)	Quality & Maturity (High /Medium /Low)	Rarity (High /Medium /Low)	Ability to Accommodate Change (High /Medium /Low)	Sensitivity (High /Medium /Low)
FLR 1 – Channelized Water Course
Refers to modified water courses channelized with concrete or grasscrete, or with gabion-fortified banks, water courses undergoing such channelization. This LR includes both large channelized river water courses as well as some much smaller concrete lined water courses associated with agricultural land. This LR also includes some walkways along the larger water course and the vegetation associated with the water course, both within the channel and along the banks as well as the ridge of the banks. The vegetation mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, but also includes trees in some areas as detailed further in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA this LR includes sections of Ng Tung River, Shek Sheung River, Sheung Yue River and Ma Wat River and is one of the prominent landscape features running across a large part of the Study Area.
FLR-1.1	Ng Tung River (Fanling District)	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Ng Tung River (Fanling District) runs in an east-west direction in the FLN NDA Study Area. It collects water from Ma Wat River in the east, then Shek Sheung River and Sheung Yue River further west and finally empties into the Shenzhen River far outside the study area. Ng Tung River is modified with grasscrete banks and tree planting is found in its immediate vicinity. Dominant plantation tree species are Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia confusa. Other trees also recorded include Ficus virens and Leucaena leucocephala. The river also includes a nullah in the south of the Study Area and some small channels linking through culverts under the banks of the main channel to smaller channelized watercourses which connect to drainage systems and sometimes to more natural watercourses.
This resource is reasonably tolerant to change and its sensitivity is medium.
FLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Shek Sheung River collects water from the south and flows north, joining the Sheung Yue River west of the Sheung Shui Slaughter House. There is another branch of Shek Sheung River that splits from Ng Tung River and flows round the south of the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works. Water drained from Tin Ping San Tsuen low land area flows into this branch after passing through a floodwater storage area. This LR is mainly a grasscrete banked, trapezoidal channel, formed for the purpose of flood protection of the Fanling and Kwu Tung areas. Water partially dries out during the dry season and there is only a small amount of water at the base of the channel, with grass on either side. There are grasses and shrubs along the river’s embankment also, as well as trees planted along both sides in many sections of the river. The dominant tree species are exotic, including Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa, Eucalyptus spp. and Leucaena leucocephala. Native trees of lower abundance can also be found, e.g. Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Cleistocalyx operculatus, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens and Sapium sebiferum.
Overall this river is relatively tolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
The Study Area of FLN NDA covers a short section of Sheung Yue River on the west where it drains water from Ho Sheung Heung and other areas in Kwu Tung. It joins Shek Sheung River before flowing into Ng Tung River. Its banks are fortified with a rigid lining of stone masonry among which grasses grow sparsely between the stone blocks. At ground level, planted trees are found along both sides of the river. Most of the dominant trees are exotic, including species such as Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa, Eucalyptus spp. and Leucaena leucocephala. Other trees include the native species Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens and Macaranga tanarius.
This river is reasonably capable of accommodating change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR-1.4	Ma Wat River	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Ma Wat River runs across the southeast part of the FLN NDA Study Area, passing through industrial, rural and agricultural areas. It joins Ng Tung River near Kan Lung Tsuen. Water in the channel decreases significantly during the dry season when its concrete bottom is often partly exposed and dry. There is grasscrete along both its banks, where Imperata koenigii is one of the dominant grasses. Tree planting consisting of large and mature trees is found in the immediate vicinity of this river. Dominant tree species are Acacia confusa, Ficus microcarpa, Melia azedarach and Leucaena leucocephala. Trees with lower abundance include native (Bauhinia blakeana, Celtis sinensis, Macaranga tanarius and Sapium sebiferum) and exotic (Casuarina equisetifolia and Pterocarpus indicus) species.
Overall this river is relatively tolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR-1.5	Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR describes a channelized concrete watercourse flowing through agricultural land from the Ma Shi Po area towards Ng Tung River where it connects through a concrete channelized link. It is likely to have been used for irrigation purposes, but there is limited water flow and the watercourse is polluted by domestic waste. Vegetation associated with this LR includes the herb species Bidens alba, Eleusine indica and Mikania micrantha. This LR is reasonably tolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be low.
FLR 2 – Water Course
Refers to natural or semi-natural water courses, including short sections with concreted banks. This LR also includes vegetation associated with the water course, both within the streams and along the banks as well as in the immediate vicinity. The vegetation mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, but also includes some trees in certain areas such as the upland streams, as detailed further in the individual LR descriptions. The vegetation often provides a subtle transition between this LR and its surrounding LR(s).
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR includes watercourses running down from different hills into lowland areas.
FLR-2.1	Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Refers to a natural stream passing through Tin Ping Shan (Sacred Hill) agricultural land and finally flowing into the channelized Shek Sheung River. This is a narrow stream with grasses and climbers overgrowing its banks. The grasses mainly include Bidens alba, Polygonum chinense and Oxalis corymbosa. Although parts of this stream are more natural, much of it passes through development areas and is adjacent to open storage areas. It is degraded by pollution while some sections of the stream are fortified by concrete banks.
This LR has medium tolerance to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR-2.2	Natural Stream at Cham Shan	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium
This natural stream comes from Cham Shan and flows down to the lowland rural area in the northwest of the FLN NDA Study Area. It is not perennial and water flow may cease during the dry season. The banks of this stream is overgrown with common grasses such as Alocasia odora, Bidens alba and Panicum maximum, particularly in the upstream sections where it flows through extensive grasslands. Within the downstream sections in lowland rural areas, its banks are partially paved in places and the water quality is low as rubbish is commonly found near and in the stream.
This LR is not of high quality but it is relatively intolerant to change. The sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Lung Shan	Medium	Medium	Low	High
This LR refers to natural streams located at the foothill of Lung Shan and running through all heavily vegetated areas. The streams are intermittent and cease flowing during the dry season. Grasses and climbers grow along their banks. These include Alocasia odora and Cuscuta chinensis as well as some invasive species such as Mikania micrantha.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen	Medium	Medium	Low	High
This LR describes streams at around Siu Hang San Tsuen. Stream banks are colonized by common species such as Commelina diffusa, Polygonum lapathifolium, Alocasia odora and Macaranga tanarius. Part of one stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen is regarded as ecologically important due to its naturalness and moderately diverse aquatic community. This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR 3 – Water Pond
Refers to freshwater ponds. The ponds are often associated with agricultural land and used for irrigation, and punctuate the traditional field pattern. Some ponds are also found near residential or developed areas, and have aesthetic landscape value and some are fish ponds. This LR also includes vegetation associated with the ponds, both within and around the banks as well as in the immediate vicinity. The vegetation mainly consists of grasses and shrubs, with scarce trees.
These water ponds are mainly in Fu Tei Au and Wai Loi Tsuen in FLN NDA, but also in the area overlapping with KTN, including Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley.
FLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds	Medium	Medium	Low	High
This LR refers to part of the area of ponds in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley that are covered by the Study Area of FLN NDA. Ponds in Ho Sheung Heung retain water most of the time including during both the dry and wet seasons, while those in Long Valley are periodically emptied by local farmers during the dry season for management purposes and irrigation. The bunds of these ponds are vegetated by grasses and low shrubs, as well as some fruit trees such as Musa x paradisiaca, Litchi chinensis, Mangifera indica, Dimocarpus longan and Citrus maxima.
The ponds within this LR are of medium quality with common fruit trees present and are relatively intolerant to change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
FLR-3.2	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Medium	Medium	Low	High
Part of the north FLN NDA study area lies within the Closed Area and the water ponds of this LR are mainly located north of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works and beside the Sha Ling Livestock Waste Control Centre but also at the northern base of Cheung Po Tau. In the west, they are generally large ponds covering a reasonably large area while those in the east are large but more isolated. Some of them are active fish ponds, some inactive fish ponds and some connect with wet agricultural land in their vicinity.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR-3.3	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Low	Medium	Low	Medium
This is a group of water ponds located between Fu Tei Au Road and Ng Tung River. The ponds were most likely used for commercial fish farming and for irrigation purposes in the past and have now mainly been abandoned. Common grasses (e.g. Bidens alba and Pennisetum spp.) and small trees (e.g. Bombax ceiba and Leucaena leucocephala) grow densely along the banks. Trees are planted or naturally have established themselves on the pond bunds; these include Macaranga tanarius, Litchi chinensis, Dimocarpus longan and Ficus hispida.
The quality and significance of this LR is relatively low, but it is intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered as medium.
FLR-3.4	Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area	Low	Medium	Low	Medium
There are two isolated ponds located in Lung Yeuk Tau in the east FLN NDA Study Area, one in San Uk Tsuen and the other one in Ma Wat Tsuen. Both are no longer used and not actively managed. Grasses and climbers grow along their banks and are also present in their immediate vicinity. The water surface of these ponds is largely colonized by plants.
This LR has low landscape quality and is small in area but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
FLR-3.5	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium
This LR is on the periphery of Wai Loi Tsuen serving as the moat of this traditional village. It has concrete banks and is connected with the Shek Sheung River to its west.
Since this is a LR having significant artificial characteristics, it is relatively tolerant to change, however the moat has cultural landscape significance and therefore its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR 4 – Marsh/ Wetland
Refers to freshwater marsh/ wetland landscape resources. Some of them are found at old river meanders which have been truncated during river channelization and retraining, overgrown with herbaceous vegetation and often with some areas of seasonal or permanent open water.
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR is found along certain sections of Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River as well as in Long Valley agricultural land.
FLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun	Medium	High	Low	High
This LR refers to part of the Long Valley marshes and marshes near Tsung Yeun that are covered by the Study Area of FLN NDA to its west. They are located within Long Valley agricultural land and in the agricultural land near Tsung Yeun and include both permanent wet marshes and well vegetated marshes. For the permanent wet marshes, they used to be fish ponds or used for irrigation purpose and have now been abandoned and are not actively managed. These marshes contain water all year round; dense emergent vegetation is present in the marshes and shows relatively high diversity including Phragmites karka, sedges Cyperus iria and Kyllinga aromatica, and herbs and climbers Ipomoea aquatica, Polygonum barbatum and Polygonum lapathifolium. For the well vegetated marshes, a large portion of the wetland area is covered with rich and moist topsoil, colonised by common and widespread species such as Brachiaria mutica, Panicum maximum, Bidens alba, Ludwigia perennis and the common wetland fern Cyclosorus interruptus.
This LR is fairly rare and is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	Medium	High	Low	High
Several plots of marsh are located along Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River. They were formerly meanders of the river and were isolated during the river channelization. To mitigate the ecological impact resulting from channelization, these areas are now managed by a government department to provide marsh habitat, mainly for wetland dependent wildlife and are hence a wetland landscape resource. Wetland plants and riparian vegetation have been planted and include Commelina diffusa, Hedychium coronarium, Ludwigia perennis and Nelumbo nucifera. Bamboos and trees are also planted along the bunds, e.g. Acacia auriculiformis, Cinnamomum camphora, Hibiscus tiliaceus and Ilex rotunda.
This LR had medium quality and maturity and in general marsh habitats are reasonably rare in Hong Kong. Additionally this LR is relatively intolerant to change so its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR 5 – Plantation
Refers to medium sized and larger clusters of trees that have been planted and are distinct from natural woodland in terms of species composition since they have been planted by man. Common tree species in this LR include Ficus virens, Ficus microcarpa, Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba, Macaranga tanarius and Melaleuca quinquenervia. Further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA this LR is found in the vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen, Ha Pak Tsuen, On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill.
FLR-5.1	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Medium	Medium	High	Medium
A mixture of native and exotic trees is planted around the moat of Wai Loi Tsuen and its vicinity, serving as a good screen for the road and industrial area to the west of the village. Compared to those trees planted immediately along the Shek Sheung River in its vicinity, trees in this plantation have a relatively higher diversity, including native species (Bauhinia blakeana, Celtis sinensis and Ficus microcarpa) and exotic species (Acacia confusa, Aleurites moluccana, Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Casuarina equisetifolia, Eucalyptus citriodora, Grevillea robusta, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Melaleuca quinquenervia).
This LR has medium amenity value and relatively high capacity to accommodate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR-5.2	Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation	High	Medium	Low	High
A patch of plantation is located to the east of Ha Pak Tsuen and a number of large mature trees within the village park area near Mun Hau Tsuen. Trees are densely planted within the village as well as along the nearby roads leading to the village to enhance the landscape value of this area. Among these planted trees, Chinese Banyan Ficus microcarpa is one of the most prominent trees as most of them are mature and large. Other tree species include native (Macaranga tanarius) and exotic (Acacia confusa and Bombax ceiba) species.
Although this resource was originally man made, it now has many large, mature trees in a traditional village setting and this is harder to recreate, so it has a relatively low capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
There is significant plantation on the periphery of On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill mainly along Tin Ping Road, Lung Sum Road, Ma Sik Road and a branch of Ng Tung River. Trees planted in this area are reasonably mature and dense. They include native (Ficus virens, Ficus microcarpa, Bauhinia blakeana and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic (Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Delonix regia, Eucalyptus spp., Ficus religiosa and Melaleuca quinquenervia) species.
Although trees in this LR provide a certain high landscape value, the trees are set amongst modern residential areas. The LR was originally a man-made resource and is able to be recreated fairly easily meaning it has a reasonable capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered to be medium.
FLR 6 - Hillside Woodland
Refers to woodland areas largely scattered over hillsides, including at the base of hills and associated patches of woodland. This LR is predominantly composed of native tree species and is generally located some distance from intense human activities (except at the base of hills where it often borders rural development areas), growing naturally with some understory vegetation. Common tree species in this LR include Acacia confusa, Macaranga tanarius, Ficus microcarpa, Dimocarpus longan, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora and Ficus hispida. Further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR is largely scattered at the foothill of Cham Shan, Wa Shan and Lung Shan.
FLR-6.1	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland	High	Medium	Low	High
Several small patches of woodland lie at the eastern base of the hillside surrounding Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. Trees grow naturally and densely in this area and dominant species include Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Melia azedarach and Leucaena leucocephala.
This LR is relatively mature and intolerant to change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
FLR- 6.2	Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland	High	Medium	Low	High
This LR refers to the relatively large and continuous woodlands along the foothills of Cham Shan and Wa Shan to their northern, western and southern sides, bordering shrubland/grassland on the higher ground above and rural villages and agricultural lands in the lowland area below. Due to limited human disturbance, these trees are mature in medium to large sizes. Dominant tree species include both native and exotic ones. Dominant native trees are Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus hispida, Ficus variegata var. chlorocarpa, Rhus succedanea, Sapium discolor, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius. Dominant exotic species include Melia azedarach, Dimocarpus longan, Syzygium jambos, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia.
This LR is considered to be relatively mature and of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
FLR- 6.3	Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland	High	Medium	Low	High
This LR refers to a small and isolated woodland patch embracing Ma Wat Wai on all sides expect the northeast. A mixture of exotic and native trees as well as many bamboos is present in this area. Dominant trees include native species (Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus hispida, Sterculia lanceolata, Rhus succedanea and Sapium discolor) and exotic species (Dimocarpus longan and Melia azedarach).
This is a mature resource and of relatively high quality. It has little capacity to tolerate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR- 6.4	Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan	High	Medium	Low	High
This LR covers part of the woodlands on the foothill of Lung Shan to the northeast of Fanling Highway and the foothill of Wa Mei Shan to the southwest in the vicinity of Wo Hop Shek. This resource includes mature woodland trees growing on hillside slopes, including native species (Celtis sinensis, Macaranga tanarius, Ficus hispida, Ficus microcarpa and Litsea glutinosa) and exotic species (Acacia confusa, Eucalyptus spp., Dimocarpus longan, Melia azedarach and Syzygium jambos).
The quality and landscape value of this LR is relatively high, with little tolerance to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR 7 – Lowland Woodland
Refers to woodland growing on low ground (generally <40 mPD), often found near rural village areas of human activities in small, fragmented patches, with differing tree species according to location. Common tree species found in this LR include Dimocarpus longan, Cinnamomum camphora, Macaranga tanarius, and Leucaena leucocephala. Further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR is found in Vernon Pass, Fu Tei Au, Hung Kiu San Tsuen, Sacred Hill, Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen.
FLR-7.1	Vernon Pass Woodland	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium
This LR refers to a small patch of woodland at Vernon Pass in the northwest of the Study Area. It contains some built structures and is generally frequently disturbed by human interaction leading to the vegetation within the LR being of lower quality. The dominant species in this LR are native species (Ficus variegata var. chlorocarpa, Ficus hispida and Macaranga tanarius) and exotic species (Dimocarpus longan).
Due to its association with built structures and therefore not being in a totally natural state, the quality of this LR is low. It has a medium capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR- 7.2	Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
This LR refers to several patches of woodland in Fu Tei Au area and in the close vicinity of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. They are generally surrounded by, or bordering, rural areas and abandoned agricultural lands and so receive moderate human disturbance leading to the vegetation within the LR being of lower quality. Trees in this resource are not diverse and dominated by Dimocarpus longan, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Celtis sinensis, Macaranga tanarius and Cinnamomum camphora.
This is a landscape resource of medium quality and has a medium tolerance to change, making its sensitivity medium.
FLR- 7.3	Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
This LR refers to the lowland woodlands in the vicinity of Hung Kiu San Tsuen, east of Man Kam To Road. These woodlands are largely surrounded by adjacent industrial/open storage areas and therefore potentially suffer from disturbance by human activities making this resource of lower quality than it would otherwise be.
These trees are of medium to large sizes, and are dominated by both native and exotic species. The most abundant native species include Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus hispida, Bischofia javanica, Cinnamomum camphora, and Macaranga tanarius, while exotic species include Averrhoa carambola, Casuarina equisetifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Dimocarpus longan and Melia azedarach.
This LR has a medium amenity value, relatively low quality, a medium tolerance to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR- 7.4	Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland	Medium	Medium	Low	High
This LR is located to the east of Tin Ping Shan Tsuen, adjacent to the large Tin Ping Shan Tsuen agricultural lands. Common tree species include Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius.
This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR-7.5	Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland	High	Medium	Low	High
This LR refers to the woody areas near the intersection of Ma Sik Road and Jockey Club Road. These woodland patches are on the periphery of and associated with Ling Shan Tsuen. There is an old temple (Sam Sheung Temple) located in this village and it is also surrounded by this woodland. Trees in this resource are fairly large and mature including both native and exotic species. Native species include Celtis sinensis, Ficus microcarpa and Macaranga tanarius and exotic species include Acacia confusa, Delonix regia and Dimocarpus longan.
This is a natural resource of high quality and is not able to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLR 8 - Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic
Refers to a mosaic of shrubland and grassland which is usually large in size and uniform in appearance. This LR is typical of the fire-maintained hill-slopes in Hong Kong and common grass species include Miscanthus sinensis, Neyraudia spp. and Panicum spp. Further details are given in the individual LR descriptions.
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR is found largely on hillsides, particularly on Wa Shan, Cham Shan and Lung Shan, as well as some relatively lowland areas to the west of the Study Area.
FLR - 8.1	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic West of and along Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River	Low	Low	High	Low
These shrublands /grasslands are all located in lowland areas and in the vicinity of man-made resources such as channelized watercourses, rural and urban development areas. They are waste grounds through lack of maintenance and have been gradually colonized by weeds and climbers.
This LR is of low landscape value and amenity and is relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is low.
FLR-8.2	Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Low	Low	High	Low
This resource is located north of Fu Tei Au Road surrounding the Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works. It is dominated by grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus floridulus and some small trees including Rhus succedanea and Macaranga tanarius are also present in this area.
This LR is of low landscape value and amenity and is relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is low.
FLR- 8.3	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
This is an extensive and continuous resource in the northeast of the Study Area of FLN NDA, i.e. the hillsides of Cham Shan and Wa Shan. Similar to most of the other hillsides in Hong Kong, this large area of grassland is also maintained by hill fires and mainly colonized by grasses. Grass and herb species such as Miscanthus sinensis, Neyraudia reynaudiana and Panicum spp. are widespread within the resource. Nevertheless, some patches close to Cheung Po Tau, which are undergoing vegetation succession towards shrubland, support higher plant diversity and show more complex floristic structure. Shrubs commonly found in these areas include Melastoma candidum, Rhus succedanea, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Sapium discolor.
This LR can re-establish itself fairly easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change but is of medium quality and maturity. Its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR - 8.4	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
This LR is part of the extensive shrubby grassland on the uplands of Lung Shan. It merges into hillside woodland at the foothills and is sometimes adjacent to the urban development area. Similar to the other hilly shrubland/grassland in Hong Kong, this LR is maintained by periodical hill fires.
This LR can re-establish itself fairly easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. It is of medium quality and maturity and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR 9 - Agricultural Land
Refers to land used for agriculture including crops and orchards as well as ornamental plant nurseries. This LR contains a small number of structures such as small irrigation ponds, green houses, equipment sheds and small/ narrow hard paved areas. It not only contains agricultural vegetation but also some scattered non-agricultural vegetation including some shrubs and trees. It is often an intermediary between areas of development and natural areas.
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR is mainly found in Tin Ping Shan, Ma Shi Po and Sheung Shui Wa Shan.
FLR- 9.1	Agricultural Lands in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley	High	High	Low	High
The Study Area of FLN NDA covers small parts of the agricultural lands in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley in the west. They are mainly wet agricultural lands, including both active and inactive fields. Common wetland crops in Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung share a high similarity in their species composition, including Ipomoea aquatic, Nasturtium officinale, Eleocharis dulcis, Oryza sativa and Trapa bispinosa. Fruit trees are present along field bunds including Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis and Magnifera indica.
This LR is of good quality and a significant local resource due to its large size, long history and crop production. Although agricultural land is normally relatively easy to re-establish in the right environment, this particular LR would be relatively hard to recreate in Hong Kong given its size and it being largely not fragmented. Its sensitivity is high.
FLR-9.2	Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Agricultural land in Fu Tei Au area is partially abandoned. Common vegetables such as Brassica parachinensis and Lactuca sativa are grown in the active fields. In those inactive fields, grasses dominated by Miscanthus spp. have colonized the land, with some isolated shrubs and trees growing along the previous field bunds without management. Those trees include Dimocarpus longan, Litchi chinensis and Magnifera indica.
This LR provides some green space between the hard surfaces of industrial/open storage areas or rural development areas making it locally reasonably important. Agricultural land is fairly easy to re-establish in the right environment and especially given some of this land is abandoned, it has medium tolerance to change. The LR is considered to have medium sensitivity.
FLR - 9.3	Agricultural Land between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
A patch of active agricultural land is located in the flood area between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River, north of Po Wan Road. This agricultural land probably connected with the agricultural land in Tin Ping Shan Tsuen (FLR-9.4) in the past but has now been separated by an open storage area between them (FLR-13.1). The area of this LR is relatively small, but of reasonable quality.
This LR has medium value and being agricultural land has medium ability to tolerate change in the right environment. It is considered to have medium sensitivity.
FLR - 9.4	Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Tin Ping Shan Tsuen agricultural land is located on the north of Tin Ping Shan Tsuen. This is a reasonably sized,unfragmented area of agricultural land and more than half the fields remain active. In addition to open farmlands, there are also some orchards in which small fruit trees including Musa x paradisiaca, Litchi chinensis and Dimocarpus longan are cultivated.
The LR is mature and established and of medium quality, yet since it is agricultural land, in the right environment it could be recreated, meaning it has reasonable capacity to accommodate change. It is considered to have medium sensitivity.
FLR - 9.5	Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
This LR is located in the lowland area at the foot of Wa Shan, along the eastern bank of Ng Tung River. Much of the agricultural land within this area is abandoned with weeds, climbers, isolated shrubs and banana trees and some other invasive trees (e.g. Leucaena leucocephala) colonizing the land. However some areas are still active and this land is a green resource neighbouring village developments.
This LR has medium landscape quality and maturity. Being agricultural land it is relatively tolerant to change in the right environment. It is considered to have medium sensitivity.
FLR - 9.6	Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Shek Wu San Tsuen	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
This resource is mainly situated in the east of the Study Area of FLN NDA and includes both active and inactive agricultural lands. A variety of crops are grown in the active fields, including Benincasa hispida, Pisum sativum, Solanum melongena and Lactuca sativa. As a result of human activity of cultivation, vegetation on the bunds of these fields is poorly developed and is dominated by common herbs such as Ageratum conyzoides, Hedyotis diffusa and Kyllinga brevifolia and Lobelia chinensis and few shrubs and trees are present. Some of the inactive fields, due to the lack of management and disturbance for a long time, are beginning to develop naturally into grassland or shrubby grassland with colonisation by herbs, isolated shrubs and small trees.
This LR is mature and established yet the land is highly fragmented and overall the LR is not of high quality. Since it is agricultural land, in the right environment it could be re-established, meaning it has reasonable capacity to accommodate change. I It is considered to have medium sensitivity.
FLR - 9.7	Agricultural Land South of Sha Tau Kok Road	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
This resource is situated in the south east of the Study Area of FLN NDA, south of Sha Tau Kok road and near the base of Lung Shan. It includes both active and inactive agricultural lands near Lung Yeuk Tau, Mat Wat Wai and east of Wing Ning Wai, Wing Ning Tsuen and Tung Kok Wai. A variety of crops are grown in the active fields, including Benincasa hispida, Brassica chinensis and Lactuca sativa. For those inactive fields, due to the lack of management, they are beginning to develop naturally into grassland or shrubby grassland with colonisation by herbs (e.g. Alocasia odora, Miscanthus sinensis, and Bidens alba) and small trees (e.g. Ficus hispida and Macaranga tanarius).
This LR has medium value and, being agricultural land, is reasonably easy to recreate in the right environment, which means it has medium capacity to accommodate change and it is considered to have medium sensitivity.
FLR 10 - Open Space / Recreation Area
Refers to areas that provide recreational use either in the form of playground areas or sports pitches. There is vegetation associated with this LR, as well as landscaped planting.
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR is found at North District Sports Ground.
FLR- 10.1	North District Sports Ground	Medium	Medium	High	Low
North District Sports Ground is a multi-purpose sports ground located between Jockey Club Road and Tin Ping Road. Facilities provided in this sports ground include natural grass football field, running track, covered grandstand, public leisure pool, basketball/volleyball courts and outdoor and indoor tennis courts. Dominant amenity trees planted in this LR include Ficus microcarpa, Bauhinia blakeana and Bauhinia variegata.
This LR has medium landscape value and due to its man-made nature and high percentage of hard landscape, has a high capacity to accommodate change. Apart from the open grass pitch, it has little planting and therefore soft landscape is relatively low value. Overall its sensitivity is considered to be low.
FLR 11 – Urban Development Area
Refers to urbanized areas which are heavily developed with considerable hard paved surfaces and limited landscaped areas. These LRs consist mainly of large clusters of medium to high density buildings with a high degree of related infrastructure and often with some high rise developments, with some associated facilities such as post office, police station, hospital, restaurants, supermarkets etc. The LR also includes work sites where construction is ongoing, or sites being cleared/ formed prior to development of a structure that would form part of an urban area. Vegetation in this LR is mainly landscape planting with scattered amenity shrubs and trees, some small public green spaces and private gardens.
Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA, this LR broadly covers Lo Wu Correctional Institution and the large urban development areas in Sheung Shui and Fanling.
FLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Low	Low	High	Low
Lo Wu Correctional Institution is located in between Ho Sheung Heung Road and the foothills of Tai Shek Mo. Buildings in this LR are medium-rise and roads are all hard-paved. Tree planting is limited within the institution although it does have some green roofs.
This LR has a high ability to accommodate change due to its man-made nature and is considered to have low sensitivity.
FLR- 11.2	Sheung Shui Urban Development Area	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR refers to the northeastern part of the Sheung Shui town centre. There are high-rise public (e.g. Tin Ping Estate) and private (e.g. Tsui Lai Garden, On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill) estates, training centres, multi-storey car park and home for the aged located in this area. Gardens and small scale playgrounds can also be found associated with those residential blocks. Amenity trees and shrubs are planted and well maintained to enhance the environment, and the dominant tree species are Melaleuca quinquenervia, Acacia confusa, Bauhinia blakeana, Ficus microcarpa, Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Eucalyptus citriodora and Phoenix roebelenii.
This LR has low landscape value and due to its man-made nature, has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
FLR- 11.3	Fanling Urban Development Area	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR mainly covers Luen Wo Hui urban development area in Fanling. Medium and high rise residential buildings (e.g. Fanling Garden, Wing Fok Centre, Wing Fai Centre, Union Plaza, Belair Monte, Grand Regentville), schools (e.g. Fanling Public School, Buddhist Ma Kam Chan Memorial English Secondary School and Fanling Rhenish Church Secondary School), a church (St. Joseph’s Church), cinema, commercial complexes and street markets can be found in this area. Gardens and playgrounds of small scale can also be found associated with the residential blocks. Amenity trees and shrubs are planted along roads but are relatively limited. The dominant tree species are Melaleuca quinquenervia, Acacia confusa, Ficus microcarpa, Cassia siamea and Bauhinia variegata.
This LR has low landscape value and due to its man-made nature, has a high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
FLR 12 - Rural Development Area
Refers to traditional villages, modern villages and small scale residential areas dominated by domestic structures (mainly of 2-3 stories) interwoven with roads and paths, There are some Ancestral Halls, shrines and temples, and this LR may also contain some facilities such as small police stations, post offices, and covered water reservoirs and pumping stations and some small, managed, recreational areas (such as football and basket ball pitches) and small wasteland areas either wholly or partly covered by weedy or sparse vegetation. This LR has a few small orchard areas associated with it and private gardens, as well as amenity planting among the built structures. This LR usually occurs in fragmented patches with agricultural or natural landscape resources adjacent to it. Within the Study Area of the FLN NDA this LR includes Ngam Pin, Fu Tei Au, Sheung Shui lowland area, Lung Yeuk Tau, Wo Hap Shek, as well as some areas at the base of Wa Shan and Lung Shan.
FLR-12.1	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Low	Medium	Medium	Low
This LR is just located within the Closed Area. Structures in the village are old and simple with most of the residential buildings consisting of iron structures. Tall grasses grow along the roads winding between houses without management and much of the area is abandoned.
This LR is considered to have low sensitivity.
FLR- 12.2	Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au	Low	Medium	Medium	Medium
This LR mainly covers the rural area between Fu Tei Au Road and Ng Tung River. Settlements in this area consist predominantly of simple and traditional houses of a single storey, some of which are fenced off. Trees are present both along the roads winding between houses and in private gardens, including Dimocarpus longan, Macaranga tanarius and Aleurites moluccana.
Man Ming Temple, constructed before 1924, is located within to the south of this LR. It is a Grade 3 Historic Building which is a three-hall building, with two open corridors on the two sides of the central hall, used to access the end hall.
This resource has limited landscape value, but some of its structures have heritage significance and therefore have little ability to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is overall considered to be medium.
FLR- 12.3	Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR covers the rural development areas in the north of the Study Area and it is partially located within the Closed Area. Main structures included in this LR are the Border District Police Headquarters, Sha Ling Livestock Waste Control Centre, a firing range at the uphill of Cheung Po Tau, as well as some scattered village settlements in Sha Ling. A number of individual Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) are well maintained along the boundary fence of Border District Police Headquarters, while in other areas there are patches of trees along the roads, most of them without management. These trees mainly include Macaranga tanarius, Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba and Casuarina equisetifolia.
Overall this LR has limited landscape value and high ability to accommodate change. It is considered to have low sensitivity.
FLR- 12.4	Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
This is a lowland resource where a number of villages are concentrated, particularly in the western part which encompasses Wai Loi Tsuen, Man Kok Village, Mun Hau Tsuen, Po Sheung Tsuen, Ha Pak Tsuen, Chung Sum Tsuen, Sheung Pak Tsuen, Tai Yuen Tsuen and Hing Yan Tsuen (collective named as Sheung Shui Heung/Sheung Shui Wai). The eastern part of this LR includes Tin Ping Shan Tsuen. Fung Kai School with its associated football pitch and several basketball pitches and some mature trees are also located at the centre of this LR.
Those villages in the west are well established, consisting of some modern housing of 2-3 storeys and some traditional housing and include one declared monument and two graded historic buildings. Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall, a declared monument, was built by Liu Man Shek Tong in 1751 at Mun Hau Tsuen. This typical three-hall two-courtyard building is decorated by plaster mouldings, wood carvings and murals of auspicious motifs and pictures. One of the graded historic buildings is Liu Ying Lung Study Hall, situated at Po Sheung Tsuen which is a confirmed Grade 1 Historic Building. It was renovated in 1923 and was once the place where Spring Equinox, births and weddings were celebrated. The other is Old Sheung Shui Police Station, which is a confirmed Grade 2 Historic Building. It was one of thirteen police stations built soon after the British took over the New Territories and later became a police reporting centre and then a Junior Police Call (JPC) Club House after the new Sheung Shui Police Station was opened in 1979. Tin Ping Shan Tsuen in the east is relatively small, mainly consisting of more traditional and simple structured houses of a single storey. Most areas are hard-surfaced and have limited vegetation except those private amenity plantings.
Given the traditional nature of much of this LR and its historical buildings, this LR is relatively intolerant to change and is considered to have medium sensitivity.
FLR- 12.5	Wa Shan Rural Development Area	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
This LR refers to several rural development areas along the hillsides or at the foothill of Wa Shan. They are largely rural settlements including Sheung Shui Wa Shan village, Siu Hang Tsuen and Siu Hang San Tsuen. Most of these villages are undergoing transformation due to the fact that many houses have been replaced by modern housing blocks of 2-3 stories and some new housing blocks are being constructed. This LR has limited softscape treatment but does include some trees (e.g. Mangifera indica, Dimocarpus longan and Livistona chinensis) and private amenity plantings (e.g. Duranta erecta).
One temple is located in Siu Hang Tsuen, (Fuk Tak Temple), established some 100 years ago. The temple is for the worship of the Earth God and other gods/deities that give protection to the villagers and so is locally important. Although the temple is not a graded historic building, it is at one end of the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. Part of San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range is also included in this LR. It is a large piece of grassland for military purpose. Many mature trees grow in the surroundings, including Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis, Leucaena leucocephala and Eucalyptus spp.
This LR is largely a man-made area but some of the historical buildings and the vegetation associated with the firing range are relatively intolerant to change. The overall sensitivity of this LR is medium.
FLR- 12.6	Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
A group of villages aggregate in Lung Yeuk Tau, including Kan Lung Tsuen, San Wai, San Uk Tsuen, Wing Ning Wai, Wing Ning Tsuen, Tung Kok Wai, Ma Wat Wai, Ma Wat Tsuen and Lo Wai. These villages are largely divided into two parts (i.e. northern and southern parts) by Sha Tau Kok Road.
Houses in Kan Lung Tsuen, San Wai and San Uk Tsuen in the north are relatively traditional and simple. The Sisters of the Precious Blood Children’s Village is also located in this area. There are facilities such as a playground and basketball pitch provided in this village.
Wing Ning Wai, Wing Ning Tsuen, Tung Kok Wai, Ma Wat Wai, Ma Wat Tsuen and Lo Wai in the southern part of this LR are either modern villages with housing blocks of 2-3 stories or villages undergoing transformation. However, some historical elements remain in these villages. These include the Entrance Gate of Wing Ning Wai and Tsung Kyam Church at Shung Him Tong Tsuen, both of which are classified as Grade 3 Historic Buildings, as well as the Entrance Tower of Ma Wat Wai and Entrance Tower and Enclosing Walls of Lo Wai, which are declared monuments. The whole village area is mostly hard-surfaced and has limited softscape treatment but does include some trees (e.g. Dimocarpus longan, Sterculia lanceolata and Ficus microcarpa) and some bamboos.
The Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail passes through this LR taking in the high number of heritage buildings in the LR. Although many village areas in this LR are relatively modern, the historic buildings and declared monument are vulnerable to change since they cannot be easily recreated and overall this LR has medium sensitivity.
FLR- 12.7	Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR includes Cyber Domaine, Tong Hang and Tong Hang Tung Chuen at the foothill of Lung Shan as well as part of the Wo Hop Shek San Tsuen in Wo Hop Shek. It also includes the Tong Hang Fresh Water Service Reservoir that is located on the hillside of Lung Shan. Trees commonly found in this LR are Melaleuca quinquenervia, Celtis sinensis , Ficus hispida, Leucaena leucocephala, Dimocarpus longan, and Eucalyptus citriodora
This LR is dominated by domestic residencies. Its landscape amenity, significance and quality are moderate and it has a high ability to tolerate change, making its overall sensitivity low.
FLR- 12.8	Rural Development Area at Ma Shi Po	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
This LR refers to the rural settlements scattered among the agricultural lands in Ma Shi Po. Most of the settlements are old in style and of small and simple structure. Trees associated with these village houses include Celtis sinensis , Ficus hispida, Leucaena leucocephala and Dimocarpus longan etc.
This LR is dominated by domestic residencies. Its landscape amenity, significance and quality are medium and it has medium ability to tolerate change, making its overall sensitivity medium.
FLR- 12.9	Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural Development Area	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR mainly refers to two patches of continuous rural development located at Wu Nga Lok Yeung as well as Ling Shan Tsuen and Good View New Village.
Some of the construction works at Wu Nga Lok Yeung are suspended, leaving two rows of 3-storey unfinished village houses on exposed ground. Plants are generally absent from this area. The village houses in Ling Shan Tsuen and Good View New Village are relatively concentrated with large trees frequently found along the winding roads and in private gardens. These trees include Celtis sinensis, Dimocarpus longan, Livistona chinensis and Macaranga tanarius, etc.
This LR is dominated by domestic residencies. Its landscape amenity, significance and quality are medium and it has high ability to tolerate change, making its overall sensitivity low.
FLR 13 - Industrial / Open Storage
Refers to areas which are heavily adapted for human industrial use, such as factory facilities, waste processing plants and other industrial buildings, often with some open areas for storage, parking or other associated activities. These areas have small roads within them and some concrete drainage channels. There is very little existing vegetation within this LR.
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA, this LR is geographically divided into Sheung Shui and Fanling industrial/open storage areas and will be further described individually.
FLR- 13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial/Open Storage Area	Low	Low	High	Low
The western part of this LR contains Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works, Sheung Shui Slaughter House, Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works as well as several warehouses and industrial buildings. Planted trees are found along the roads and dominant species include Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala.
The rest of this LR is largely used for open storage and car parks as well as several waste processing plants. There is a Tin Hau Temple (No. 41 Hung Kiu San Tsuen), but it is not a graded historic building. Trees within this area are not actively managed and grasses occupy many places between the car parks. Tree species commonly found include Leucaena leucocephala, Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia variegata, Macaranga tanarius, Delonix regia, Cassia siamea, Bombax ceiba, Syzygium jambos, Ficus virens, Mangifera indica and Acacia auriculiformis.
This LR has relatively low landscape amenity value and consists mostly of modern man-made structures that can be easily recreated. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.
FLR- 13.2	Fanling Industrial Area	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR refers to the warehouses and industrial buildings, factories and workshops southwest of Luen Wo Hui in Fanling District. There are individual fenced factories containing some open areas for car parks with small patches of wild grasses or small shrubs growing on exposed ground. Trees grow sparsely along the roads between building blocks and include Celtis sinensis, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Aleurites moluccana and Leucaena leucocephala.
This LR has low amenity value and is capable of accommodating change. It is considered to have low sensitivity.
FLR 14 - Major Transportation Corridor
Refers to MTRC railway, Fanling Highway, as well as Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau) and all the associated intersections. There is tree planting along the sides of the roads consisting of a variety of indigenous and exotic species such Cassia siamea and Acacia confusa. In addition, there is some planting along the central divider (median) in some sections, including of amenity shrubs such as Allamanda schottii and sometimes palm trees Livistona chinensis. Drainage channels associated with the roads/highway are considered part of this LR as they are an integral function of the roadscape.
FLR- 14.1	MTRC East Rail	Low	Low	High	Low
The LR includes a short section of MTRC East Railway running between Sheung Shui and Lo Wu Stations. No significant planting is found along the railway lines and trees growing randomly in its vicinity are dominated by Leucaena leucocephala.
This resource is highly utilized by the general public and well linked but it is man-made with low landscape value and a high ability to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is low.
FLR- 14.2	Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau)	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau) starts from Sheung Shui Police Station and runs northwest through the south of Luen Wo Hui in the FLN NDA Study Area. There is significant roadside planting, with planted trees dominated by Melaleuca quinquenervia found along the road sides and the central divider. In addition to trees, amenity shrubs such as Ixora chinensis and Schefflera arboricola are also planted to enhance to landscape value of this area.
Despite this being a man-made resource, the landscape value of this LR is increased by the significant roadside planting with many mature roadside trees and overall its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR- 14.3	Fanling Highway	Medium	Low	Medium	Medium
This LR is a major transportation corridor connecting Fanling, Sheung Shui, Kwu Tung and other adjacent areas. It includes a short section of Fanling Highway with a reasonable amount of roadside planting with some mature tree. Species include Melaleuca quinquenervia, Bombax ceiba, Ficus microcarpa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia confusa and Bauhinia blakeana.
This is a man-made resource, and due to the roadside planting is less able to accommodate change and its overall sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLR- 14.4	MTRC near Fanling Highway	Low	Low	High	Low
This LR is small section of the MTRC East Rail line running parallel to Fanling Highway. It has no planting associated with it, only noise barriers at its edges.
This is a man-made resource which has a high ability to accommodate change. Its overall sensitivity is considered to be low.

The baseline LCAs of FLN NDA are listed in Table 12.6.4 and mapped in Figures 12.8.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.8.1-7 (zoom ins). Illustrative photographs of the LCAs are presented in Figures 12.8.8-9

Table 12.6.4 - Landscape character areas and their sensitivity – FLN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.8.0 (key plan) and Figures 12.8.1-7 (zoom ins))

Id. No.	Landscape Character Area (LCA)	Quality & Maturity (High /Medium /Low)	Rarity (High /Medium /Low)	Ability to Accommodate Change (High /Medium /Low)	Sensitivity (High /Medium /Low)
FLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	High	High	Low	High
Refers to large hillside areas which are dominated by shrubland, grassland and some woodland in places such as the ravines.
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA encompasses Cham Shan and Wa Shan to the north reaching 164 mPD and the foothills of Lung Shan to the south. Other area of this LCA found within the study area is at and Ling Hill. It is relatively at lower height and close to human activities.
This LCA is predominantly natural and of high quality. It is a significant LCA within the Study Area and has a low tolerance to change. Therefore its sensitivity is considered to be high.
FLCA-2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Refers to rural village areas and village areas on the fringes of urban developments, including relic landscapes of former villages. This LCA is dominated by small or medium sized villages with modern and traditional houses and some temples, interspersed with small agricultural plots and comprises a broad mixture of other land uses including water ponds, schools, sports grounds, and playgrounds, some open storage areas and car parks. This LCA also has some patches of woodland as well as vegetation associated with the villages and park areas.
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA is generally found at the foothills of the Cham Shan and Wa Shan along the northern bank of Ng Tung River such as at Fu Tei Au, as well as in other lowland areas near the river around Sheung Shui Heung and Shek Wu San Tsuen.
This LCA is considered to have medium tolerance to change and be of moderate amenity value. Its sensitivity is therefore medium.
FLCA-3	Urban Development Landscape	Low	Low	High	Low
Refers to urban areas with significant numbers of high-rise developments and extensive transport infrastructure. It also contains car parks and open areas associated with urban development such as playgrounds and small parks and sitting out areas. This LCA has limited natural vegetation but does include some man-made landscaping.
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA is found only towards the south-western boundary including Sheung Shui and Fanling town centres, with buildings becoming more modern. It includes the high-rise developments such as Woodland Crest, Grand Regentville, Regentville, and Avon Park and some high rise estates such as Tin Ping Estate.
This is an important residential landscape and has high tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low.
FLCA-4	Industrial Landscape	Low	Low	High	Low
Refers to areas comprising a broad mix of land uses including factories, utility facilities, workshops, open storage and some channelized water courses. It is normally located on low lying ground or at the base of hills and may include small and fragmented areas of residential houses and their associated agricultural land. There is little significant vegetation among this built environment, but small patches of vegetation do exist, particularly along the channelized river.
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA this LCA is mainly comprised of factory buildings, vacant land and open storage. It includes the Fanling Industrial Area that is found between Sha Tau Kok Road and Ma Wat River channel. The Sheung Shui Slaughter House, Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works and Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works, at the west of the Study Area and the open storage uses along Man Kam To road are also included.
This LCA contains man-made facilities that are able to accommodate change, particularly if they have been abandoned. Except for the significant planting along Ng Tung River, most areas in this LCA are exposed with the vegetation largely removed, resulting in a low landscape amenity. Therefore, the sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low.
FLCA-5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Refers to large areas dominated by agricultural land (active and abandoned) with scattered small villages and low-rise buildings and may also include some fishponds and irrigation ponds. This LCA is mostly found among lowlands and floodplain areas.
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA the key area of this LCA is found at Tin Ping Shan Valley and Ma Shi Po. Tin Ping Shan (Sacred Hill) Valley is located to the west of Ng Tung River and contains both abandoned agricultural fields and drained concrete fishponds, as well as some active agricultural land. Ma Shi Po agricultural land is in the lowland area located to the east of Wu Nga Lok Yeung and south of Ng Tung River. The active agricultural land is fragmented with a mixed use of villages and light industry amongst some man-made woodland and nursery. The fragmented greenery pattern extends along the southern side of Ng Tung River.
The value, quality and maturity of this LCA are medium, with many of the plots in the Ma Shi Po area now abandoned and overall the active plots being fragmented. In the right environment this LCA can accommodate reasonable change and its overall sensitivity is considered to be medium.
FLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Low	Low	High	Low
Refers to major highway and railway areas, with their scattered associated buildings.
Within the Study Area for FLN NDA, Fanling Highway, Sha Tau Kok Road and MTRC East Railway are major transport routes stretching in a variety of directions and located at the east, west and south boundaries of the Study Area, connecting the FLN NDA with other adjacent areas.
The LCA is considered to be highly tolerant to change and its sensitivity is low.
FLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Refers to modified water courses channelized with concrete or grasscrete and also includes some walkways along the water course and the vegetation associated with the water course, both within the channel and along the banks as well as in the ridge of the banks.
Within the Study Area of FLN NDA this LCA includes sections of Ng Tung River, Shek Sheung River, Sheung Yue River and Ma Wat River.
The landscape amenity and significance of this LCA are medium. Due to its largely man-made state, it is reasonably tolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.

Table 12.8.1 - Magnitude of change to KTN NDA LRs

LR Code	Name	*DPs and Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LR**	Approx. Area of LR in Study Area (ha)	Area of LR affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Approx. % of this impacted)	Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)	Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good /Fair /Poor)		Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/Medium term], Permanent)		Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible)		Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
LR Code	Name	*DPs and Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LR**	Approx. Area of LR in Study Area (ha)		Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
KLR 1 Channelized Water Course
KLR-1.1	Ng Tung River	C2-6(O)	Length of LR in Study Area: 1450 m	Length within the NDA: 120 m Length affected: 0 m (0%)	Small	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-1.1	Ng Tung River	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Ng Tung River is mainly outside the RODP but small sections of bank lies within the open space (C2-6). This area will not be modified and it will remain compatible with these small sections of river. Therefore this LR will not be impacted by the Project and the magnitude of change is negligible.
KLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River	C1-5(GB); C1-6(AGR); C1-7, C1-8 both (O)	Length of LR in Study Area: 2260 m	Length within the NDA: 1360 m Length affected: 0 m (0%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary (Short Term)	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Shek Sheung River mainly flows outside the KTN NDA boundary but a small section of its west bank lies within the NDA boundary, in the Long Valley area, bordering agricultural land, rural development area and an area of plantation. This corresponds with where site C1-6 (agricultural land) and site C1-5 (green belt) fall. These sites will not undergo changes affecting the River. Part of the river bank is grasscrete and is also compatible with the sites C1-7, C1-8 (open space) which partially fall on it. It is unlikely this LR will be affected by the Project; therefore magnitude of change is negligible during construction and operation.
KLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River	DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung Interchange where it crosses the river; B3-3, B3-4, B3-9, C2-1, all (O); C2-2 (AGR); (C1-9 (OU-Nature Park); B3-10, C1-10 both (A); B3-5, B3-8, B3-12 all (OU-C,R&D); B3-16(OU-VC); D1-3(OU-SPS); D1-5(R4); D1-9(V)	Length of LR in Study Area: 2540 m	Length within the NDA: 2000 m Length affected: 80 m (<5%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary (Short Term)	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
KLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Sheung Yue River bisects the eastern corner of the KTN NDA and its eastern bank borders Long Valley agricultural land while its western bank borders agricultural land and rural development areas. Most of the sites impacting on this LR have similar land use to the current land use e.g. B3-3, B3-4, B3-9, C2-1, C2-6 (open space), C2-2 (agricultural land) and lie on the river grasscrete banks or adjacent to them. The proposed Long Valley Nature Park (C1-9) lies on the eastern banks of the river. All these areas act as buffers to the river and will remain unchanged. A very small section of the river bank will suffer some impact from the edge of land Sites B3-5, B3-8 and B3-12, designated for Commercial, Research and Development use, during site formation works and equally a small section of the river bank may be affected during construction of the new road leading from the Kwu Tung interchange to meet Fanling Highway. The overall magnitude of change for this LR is small during construction but during operation will be negligible.
KLR-1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley	DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung Interchange; B3-12(OU-C,R&D), B3-14(A), C1-9(OU-NP), C1-10(A)	Length of LR in Study Area: 2270 m	Length within the NDA: 2270 m Length affected: 400 m (15 %)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary (Short Term)	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
KLR-1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this network of watercourse in the Long Valley area fall within the RODP, but the majority will not be adversely affected by the Project as they fall within C1-9 designated to become a Nature Park where this network will be preserved. Nearer Fanling highway, the watercourses converge and here this LR will be affected by land use that is incompatible with it such as commercial, research and development buildings. The amenity areas (B3-14, C1-10) that affect it are associated with the new road P1 here and along with the road, during site formation, will affect the watercourse. Currently this LR leads into a box culvert and the downstream section near here also be diverted into box culverts. The magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate during construction and operation
KLR 2 Water Course
KLR-2.1	Streams in Kwu Tung	DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung Interchange; DP4 Roads D1 to D5; A1-1;A2-1, A2-10, D1-6 all (A); A1-8(R1c), A1-9(R2), A1-2, A2-2, A2-4, A2-5, A2-7, A2-9, A3-3,D1-7 all (PRH), (R1c), (R2) of (R3); A2-11 (E) A1-10, A2-3, A2-6, E1-7 all (O) B3-5(OU), B3-8(OU-C,R&D), D1-1(O), D1-2(OU-RAF), D1-4(O), D1-5(R4)	Length of LR in Study Area: 4130 m	Length within the NDA: 4130 m Length affected: 4130 m (100%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These streams are located in the central area of KTN NDA and will be impacted by sites for many different uses including mainly buildings for residential uses, a primary school, amenities, open space, railway associated facilities and commercial, research & development buildings. During construction these streams will be removed during site formation works for these sites. Overall this LR will be permanently lost due to new facilities with poor compatibility and the magnitude of change during construction and operation is large.
KLR-2.2	Natural Streams at Tai Shek Mo	G1-3 (GB)	Length of LR in Study Area: 1630 m	Length within the NDA: 500 m (0%)	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-2.2	Natural Streams at Tai Shek Mo	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of these streams are located outside the RODP boundary and the Project will have no impact on them. Two short streams, likely to be dry during the dry season, fall within the RODP near the Lo Wu Correctional Institution, mainly amongst woodland at the foot of Tai Shek Mo. Both these streams fall in G1-3 which is designated for ‘green belt’ and therefore they will not be affected. Overall the magnitude of change during construction and operation is negligible.
KLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 1410 m	Length within the NDA: 0 m	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These streams are located outside the RODP boundary and the Project will have no impact on them.
KLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung	RoadR1; E1-2(E), F1-8(AGR), E1-6(G), F1-3(OU-R&D), F1-7(O); G1-1(OU-FR), G1-9 (A), G1-3, F1-5 and H1-1 all (GB)	Length of LR in Study Area: 6500 m	Length within the NDA: 3670 m Length of LR affected: 580 m (15%)	Medium	Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
KLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Major sections of the stream will not be impacted as they are located within the green belt zone (G1-3, F1-5, H1-1), Lo Wu Firing Range (G1-1), land designated for Agriculture (F1-8) and amenity area (G1-9) where no change will occur. Impacted stream sections are those within sites designated for various incompatible uses most notably the primary school (E1-2) and Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development (F1-3) and possibly a tiny section by the fire station cum ambulance depot (E1-6). Parts of some of the streams would be lost without mitigation during construction, but large sections of the streams have been avoided when planning the RODP through green belt designation or providing buffer zones around the stream within sites. In addition parts of the stream in conflict with the R1 road running between F1-1 and F1-3 will be diverted and overall the magnitude of change for this LR is intermediate.
KLR 3 Water Pond
KLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung Interchange; C2-2 (AGR); D1-9(V); D1-7 (R2)	10.24	9.96 (10%)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation One pond of this LR is outside the RODP but the majority is within and will be affected by sites C2-2, designated for agriculture and therefore likely to remain unchanged. One pond within the RODP lies within site D1-9, in the existing Ho Sheung Heung village area; it is designated for 'village type development' and also unlikely to be modified. Another reasonably large pond south of Ho Sheung Heung (~ 1 ha) will be impacted by construction of a road interchange and residential developments (D1-7). This pond will be filled during site formation works during construction and permanently lost, but given most ponds remain unaffected the overall impact on this LR is intermediate.
KLR-3.2	Long Valley Water Ponds	C1-9 (OU-Nature Park)	3.69	3.69 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-3.2	Long Valley Water Ponds	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Although all these ponds lie within the RODP, they fall within a site designated for a Nature Park (C1-9) and will therefore not be negatively affected by the Project and therefore the impact on this LR is considered to be negligible both during construction and operation.
KLR-3.3	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	E1-5(G-REC); A3-3(PRH)	1.12	1.12 (100%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All the ponds in this LR lie within the RODP boundary and will be affected by sites designated for government sports facilities (E1-5) and public rental housing (A3-3) which are not compatible with this LR. The ponds will be filled during site formation and the magnitude of change is therefore considered to be large both during construction and operation.
KLR-3.4	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Outside RODP boundary	0.69	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-3.4	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
KLR-3.5	Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road	Outside RODP boundary	0.27	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-3.5	Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
KLR-3.6	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; B1-8, B1-9, B2-1 all (A); B2-2(G)	0.23	0.23 (100%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The ponds of this LR are all within the RODP and will be affected by sites designated for amenities (B1-8, B1-9, B2-1) or a hospital and polyclinics (B2-2) which are not compatible with this LR. The ponds will be filled during site formation and the magnitude of change is therefore considered to be large both during construction and operation.
KLR-3.7	Water Ponds at Tit Hang	H1-1(GB)	0.20	0.06 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-3.7	Water Ponds at Tit Hang	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation One of the ponds at Tit Hang falls outside the RODP, while the other is within on a site of land designated as green belt (H1-1), so the Project will not have an impact on either of these ponds, making the magnitude of change negligible.
KLR-3.8	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Outside RODP boundary	9.03	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-3.8	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
KLR-3.9	Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond	Outside RODP boundary	0.40	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-3.9	Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This pond is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-3.10	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Outside RODP boundary	0.23	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-3.10	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This pond is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR 4 Marsh
KLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley	C1-9 (OU-Nature Park)	2.65	2.65 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Although all these marsh areas lie within the RODP, they fall within a site designated for ‘Nature Park’ (C1-9) and will therefore remain unchanged. Magnitude of change to this LR is considered to be negligible both during construction and operation.
KLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	C1-9(OU-Nature Park); B3-4,B3-9 both (O); B3-5 (OU-C,R&D); C1-10(A)	1.30	1.30 (20%)	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Temporary Medium Term	Irreversible	Small	Small
	Mitigation Wetland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this LR lies within the RODP and roughly two thirds of it within a site designated for ‘Nature Park’ (C1-9) which will therefore not be adversely affected by the Project. One small area of this LR lies on a site designated as 'open space' along the river (B3-9) and is also unlikely to be affected by the Project. However the remaining small area will be affected by sites designated for amenities (C1-10) and commercial, research and development (B3-5), which are not compatible land uses, and this small area will be irreversibly lost during site formation works during construction. The magnitude of change to this LR is considered to be small overall at construction and operation since most of the area will remain unaffected.
KLR-4.3	Wetland/ Marsh in the Closed Area	Outside RODP boundary	4.09	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
	Wetland/ Marsh in the Closed Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These marsh areas are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
KLR-4.4	Marsh around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun	C2-2, C2-4 both (AGR)	2.10	2.10 (0 %)	Small	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
	Marsh around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this LR is within the RODP boundary but falls on land designated as ‘agricultural land’ and therefore the magnitude of change due to the Project is negligible.
KLR 5 Plantation
KLR-5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	Outside RODP boundary	4.87	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai	C1-5(GB), C1-6(AGR)	6.95	4.88 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Roughly a third of this LR is outside the RODP boundary. Of the area within the RODP, roughly half is designated as 'green belt' (C1-5) and will not be affected. The other half is on land designated as 'agriculture' (C1-6) within Long Valley and no site formation works or construction activities are proposed here so it will not be adversely affected. Overall the magnitude of change due to the Project is negligible.
KLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Outside RODP boundary	2.65	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-5.4	OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road	DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway;	5 trees	All within NDA boundary; all due to be retained	Small	Fair	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
	OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The five OVTs within plantation along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road will all be retained during the Project. Although the DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway proposed alignment is in close proximity, it avoids the trees. For worst case scenario, however, works in the vicinity of the trees during construction may affect them (e.g. their roots) and therefore magnitude of change prior to any mitigation, is considered potentially small. Should the trees have been affected by the construction works, this will likely continue at operation, therefore the magnitude of change prior to mitigation is also cautiously considered to be potentially small.
KLR 6 Hillside Woodland
KLR-6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	Outside RODP boundary	23.72	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-6.2	Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland	D1-11(R2); D1-12 (G-REC); G1-3 (GB); G1-6 (G)	5.89	4.65 (10%)	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
KLR-6.2	Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation While most of this woodland is outside the RODP boundary, some areas east of Fung Kong Shan fall within land designated Green Belt (G1-3) and woodland here will not be affected by the Project. Roughly 0.5 ha lies within D1-12 designated as a potential activities centre where adverse impact by site formation is expected. A very small area of this LR falls within D-11 designated for residential use and although it does not fall under any proposed buildings and it is likely that trees in this area could avoid impact, they may be affected during site formation works and site clearance in the construction phase. Another small area of this LR lies within the site for Lo Wu Saddle Club (G1-6) and no change to the land use will occur here, so the woodland will not be affected. Overall the land use affecting this LR is considered to be fairly compatible but given approximately 0.5 ha or less of woodland will potentially be lost, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
KLR-6.3	Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong	DP4 Roads D1 to D5; E1-8, F1-6, G1-3, H1-1 all (GB); A1-10, E1-1, E1-7 all (O); G1-1, G1-2 both (OU-FR); F1-3(OU-R&D), F1-6 (GB); F1-1, E1-5 (G-REC), E1-9 (OU-RCP) A1-1, A2-1, D1-15, G1-9 (A), A1-2(PRH-LR), A2-2 (PRH), A3-4(E); B2-2, D1-14, E1-5, E1-6, F1-4 all (G)	49.93	32.90 (40%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Two patches of this woodland near Chau Tau are outside the RODP boundary and much of this LR area (particularly in the west of the NDA, but some patches further east too) lies on land designated as 'green belt' (E1-8, F1-6, G1-3, H1-1), and a tiny area on E1-7 designated as 'green spine, open space and Fung Kong Shan, cycling park'. Woodland in these areas is considered to remain unaffected by the Project and equally so in the former Ma Tso Lung landfill site (E1-1) also designated for open space. Some of this LR also lies along the edge of the Lo Wu Rifle Range (G1-2) and at this site the trees will remain as the rifle range will not be changed. Site A1-10 which also affects part of this LR and is designated as open space, is expected to be landscaped between development areas and therefore trees in this area are likely to be affected during site formation. Some of the area of this LR is on land designated for Research and Development in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development (F1-3) and Government Reserve (D1-14) and this land use would appear to be incompatible with the present use. About another quarter of the LR lies on sites designated for incompatible land use, such as fire station cum ambulance depot“ (E1-6), refuse collection point (E1-9), building of a standard swimming pool (E1-5), public rental housing (A1-2, A2-2), building of a primary school at the southern base of Fung Kong Shan (A3-4), building of a hospital, polyclinic and clinic and refuse collection point (B2-2) and building of amenities such as roads (A1-1, A2-1, D1-15, G1-9). Woodland in these areas will be adversely impacted with trees being cleared during site clearance and site formation in the construction phase. During operation, the land use in these sites will have changed completely and the impacts remain. Although relatively only about a third of the LR within the RODP is adversely impacted, the overall size affected is still large (about 8 ha) and so the magnitude of change is considered to be large overall.
KLR-6.4	Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland	D1-8(GB), D1-11(R2)	7.30	7.30 (<10%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
	Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this woodland falls on land designated as 'green belt' for fung shui woodland (D1-8) and will not be affected at all. Tiny patches on the borders of the woodland area may be affected by land designated for residential development (D1-11) and a road. Some trees in these small areas may be cleared during site clearance and formation in the construction phase, but this will be relatively minor and overall magnitude of change is considered small.
KLR 7 Lowland Woodland
KLR-7.1	Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland	Outside RODP boundary	2.33	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-7.1	Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin	Outside RODP boundary	10.14	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-7.3	Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; DP3 Road P1 and associated new Pak Shek Au Interchange; DP4 Roads D1 and D4; B1-3 both (GB); B1-7(OU-DCS); B1-1, B1-4, B1-6, B1-8, B1-9, B2-1, B2-3 all (A); B2-2 (G); B2-4 (IC); A1-5 (CDA); B2-5, B2-6, B2-7 all (E); A1-2 (PRH-LR), A1-4 (R1c), A2-9(R2); A1-3, A1-10 both (O)	13.63	13.63 (85%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
	Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this LR lies within the RODP boundary but about 2 ha is on land designated as green belt (B1-3) and will not be affected. The majority, however, is on land designated for land use incompatible with the current LR e.g. for the District Cooling System (B1-7), 'amenities' (B1-1, B1-4, B1-6, B1-8, B1-9, B2-1, B2-3), for a hospital, polyclinic/specialist clinic (B2-2), CLP substation (B2-4), a public transport interchange (A1-5), nursery class and kindergarten buildings (within A1-4 and A1-5), primary and secondary schools (B2-5, B2-6, B2-7), residential developments (A1-2, A1-4, A2-9) and the open spaces between buildings (A1-3, A1-10). Trees in all these areas may be lost during site clearance and formation works. The overall magnitude of change is considered large.
KLR-7.4	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Lowland Woodland	Outside RODP boundary	0.98	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-7.4		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-7.5	Vernon Pass Woodland	Outside RODP boundary	1.79	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-7.5	Vernon Pass Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR 8 Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic
KLR-8.1	Ki Lun Shan Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	Outside RODP boundary	21.71	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-8.1	Ki Lun Shan Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This shrubland/grassland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5; A3-4(E), E1-7 (O); E1-8 (GB)	10.08	10.08 (<5%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
KLR-8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of this shrubland/grassland is located on site E1-8 which is designated as 'green belt', and will not be impacted at all. Very small patches on the borders of the shrubland/grassland area may be affected by site E1-7 designated for 'green spine, open space, Fung Kong Shan, Cycling Park’, a road and a school site at Site A3-4. During construction, this may be affected by some site formation work, but this will be relatively minor and given the small area and good compatibility at operation, overall magnitude of change is considered small.
KLR-8.3	Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Ranges Foothills	DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung Interchange; DP4 Roads D1 and D4; and DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent (reservoir at G1-4); B1-1(A); D1-8(GB), D1-11(R2), D1-12, D1-13 both (G-REC)), D1-14(G); F1-1(G-REC), F1-2 (OU-SPS), F1-3 (OU-R&D), F1-8(AGR); F1-7(O); G1-3, H1-1 both (GB); G1-4, G1-5, G1-6 all (G)	230.40	73. 47 (15%)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of this shrubland/grassland is located outside the RODP boundary and the Project will have no impact on it. The majority within the RODP boundary lies on sites designated as 'green belt' (D1-8, G1-3, H1-1) and will also not be affected by the Project and a very small area falls within Lo Wu Saddle Club (G1-6) and agricultural land (F1-8) where the land use will not change either. Two sites of just under 3 ha total area designated for 'service reservoirs' (G1-4, G1-5) are located in this LR, and will require considerable site formation for their construction and affect more of this LR for the construction of their access roads. The preliminary design of the reservoirs proposes cut/ fill slopes of up to 38 m for the flushing water reservoir at G1-4, and up to 53 m for the fresh water reservoir at G1-5. At completion exposed slopes will be 32 m and 46 m respectively. The overall topography of this area will be changed as Figures 12.11.5a-d and 12.11.6-7 help illustrate. The existing vegetation in these areas will be lost although there is potential for landscaping of the reservoir roofs and cut/ fill slopes and remediation in future. In addition, sites affected by D1-14 (government reserve), F1-3 designated for Research and Development in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop development, D1-12 and D1-13 potentially designated for activity centres and F1-2 sewage pumping station may be adversely impacted by site formation works. Overall although a relatively small area is affected, given the potentially large topographical changes due to the reservoirs and their access roads, the magnitude of change is considered to be large at both construction and operation.
KLR-8.4	Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River, Ng Tung River and Fanling Highway	C2-2, C2-5 both (AGR)	10.50	2.69 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-8.4		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This shrubland/grassland is half located outside the RODP boundary but the area within the RODP falls on land designated as 'agricultural' (C2-2, C2-5) and essentially LRs in these sites will remain unchanged. Therefore overall the Project will not affect this LR.
KLR-8.5	Fu Tei Au Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	Outside RODP boundary	4.28	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-8.5	Fu Tei Au Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This shrubland/grassland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR 9 Agricultural Land
KLR-9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	DP3 Road P1 and P2 associated new Kwu Tung Interchange B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); B3-9 (O), B3-14, C1-10 both (A); C1-6 (AGR), C1-9 (OU-Nature Park),	38.84	38.84 (5%)	Medium	Poor	Poor	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
KLR-9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this agricultural land lies within the RODP boundary but mostly on land designated for 'agriculture' (C1-6) or 'Nature Park' (C1-9) and there will be no land use change and no adverse impact from the Project here. However an area of roughly 2 ha lies on land designated for 'commercial, research and development' buildings (B3-12) which will cause a land use change and adversely impact this area. The magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate given the overall size of the area adversely impacted.
KLR-9.2	Ho Sheung Heung Agricultural Land	C2-1 (O), C2-2 (AGR); D1-9(V)	8.96	8.96 (5%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
	Ho Sheung Heung Agricultural Land	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this agricultural land is located within the RODP boundary, the vast majority lies on land designated for 'agriculture' (C2-2) and therefore will not suffer any changes due to the Project. A small part of it lies on C2-1 designated as ‘open space’ along Sheung Yue River and is unlikely to suffer any impacts or land use change. One section falls within the existing Ho Sheung Heung village area of site D1-9 and will experience no change. The worst case scenario is that magnitude of change to this LR will be small.
KLR-9.3	Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong	DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement; DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5; DP5 new SPS at D1-3; A1-9, A2-9, A3-6 all (R2); A1-10 (O); A2-7, A3-3 both (PRH); A2-10 (A); A2-11, A2-12, A2-13 all (E); B3-2, B3-5, B3-8 all (OU-C,D&R); B3-6, B3-7 both (A), B3-16 (OU-VC); D1-1, D1-4 both (O); D1-2 (OU-RAF); D1-6 (A); D1-5 (R4); D1-7(R2)	11.93	11.93 (100%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this agricultural land lies on land designated for development of some type, such as residential (A1-9, A2-7, A2-9, A3-3, A3-6, D1-7), railway associated facilities (D1-2), sewage pumping station (D1-3), schools (e.g. A2-11, A2-12, A2-13), commercial, research and development (B3-2, B3-5, B3-8), amenities (A2-10, B3-6, B3-7, D1-6), etc. and will be adversely affected by the Project; during construction site clearance will remove vegetation and site formation will also affect these sites. During operation the land use will have changed completely. Small areas of this LR lie on land designated as 'open space' (e.g. A1-10, D1-1, D1-4) but these are open spaces that are likely to undergo site formation prior to landscaping and as such the LR will be changed here also. Overall magnitude of change is considered large
KLR-9.4	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; B1-8, B1-9, B2-1 all (A), B2-2(G); C1-2 (A), C1-3 (CDA), C1-4 (V).	9.05	2.75 (90%)	Medium	Poor	Poor	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this agricultural land lies outside the RODP boundary and will not be affected. The areas that will be affected, will be affected by site clearance and formation during construction and these include: an area near Pak Shek Au on land designated for building of a hospital (B2-2) and amenities (B1-8, B1-9, B2-1); and a small area on land designated for 'comprehensive development area' (about 1.7 ha) at (C1-3). During operation there will have been a complete land use change at these small areas. Although the majority of this LR is not affected, a sizeable area (about 3 ha) will be lost and the overall magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
KLR-9.5	Other Orchard Areas in KTN	E1-7(O), E1-8(GB); F1-1(G-REC), F1-3 (OU-R&D), F1-7(O); H1-1(GB)	9.57	1.76 (70%)	Small	Poor	Poor	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
	Other Orchard Areas in KTN	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this LR is outside the RODP boundary and will not be affected. A few small areas lie within the RODP. The areas located at Fung Kong Shan and Ma Tso Lung are designated as 'green belt' (E1-8 and H1-1) which will not be affected by the Project. The other areas within the RODP will be affected by site clearance and formation during construction and these include a small area at Ma Tso Lung on land designated for Research and Development in Support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development (F1-3), a sports ground/ sports complex at (F1-1), open space (E1-7, F1-7) and the road R1. During operation there will have been a land use change at these small areas, apart from within the green belt but overall only approximately 1 ha of this LR will be lost, a relatively small amount, and the overall magnitude of change is considered small.
KLR 10 Open Space / Recreational Area
KLR-10.1	Hong Kong Golf Club	Outside RODP boundary	19.40	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-10.1	Hong Kong Golf Club	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The golf club is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-10.2	Sheung Shui Community Sports	DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5; A3-1, A3-2 both (E); A3-3 (PRH); E1-1(O); E1-3 (G); E1-2, E1-4 both (E); E1-5 (G-REC); H1-1(GB)	10.15	10.15 (70%)	Large	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Intermediate
	Sheung Shui Community Sports	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A very small area of this LR falls within the site H1-1 which is designated as 'green belt' and this land will not be impacted by the Project. Approximately 3 ha of this LR will be impacted by sites designated for similar land use, such as a Standard Swimming Pool & Sports Centre at E1-5 and land designated as 'open space' at E1-1. At these sites impacts due to demolition of existing structures and site formation may be large during construction, but at operation the impact will reduce to small as the land use will be highly compatible. About 4 ha of this LR is on land designated for other less compatible land uses e.g. Primary Schools at A3-1 and E1-2, district HQ, divisional Police Station and Married Quarters and Re-provisioning of Fan Garden at E1-3, and Secondary Schools at A3-2 and E1-4. During construction, demolition of existing structures and site formation will adversely impact this LR and at operation land use will have changed to less compatible uses. Overall the Project affects most of this LR and at construction the magnitude of change is considered large. At operation although much of the land use will have changed, some of this is compatible and the overall magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
KLR-10.3	Lo Wu Saddle Club	D1-9 (V), G1-6, G1-7 both (G)	1.96	1.96 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-10.3	Lo Wu Saddle Club	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Lo Wu Saddle Club is on land designated to remain the same and will not be affected by the Project.
KLR 11 Urban Development Area
KLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	C2-4(AGR), G1-8(G)	5.83	5.76 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The government's Lo Wu Correctional Institution is on land designated to remain the same (G1-8) and will not be affected by the Project. An existing road associated with the Lo Wu correctional centre runs through Site C2-4 and equally negligible change to the road is expected. Overall the Project will cause negligible change to this LR.
KLR-11.2	Existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station	DP6 Proposed Railway Station and Associated Facilities (under separate study) A1-5 (CDA); A1-6, A2-5 both (R1c); A1-10 (O); A1-11, A1-12 both (OU-RAF); A2-4(HOS); A2-7(PRH)	4.14	4.14 (<5%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This LR is on land mainly designated for the same land use (open space at A1-10 and railway associated facilities at A1-11 and A1-12) but a very small section falls on land designated for residential use with some commercial use at A1-5, A1-6 and A2-5. Due to impacts during site formation, the overall magnitude of change must be considered to be small rather than negligible.
KLR 12 Rural Development Area
KLR-12.1	Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area	C2-2 (AGR), C2-3 (IC); D1-1 and D1-4 both (O), D1-2 (OU-RAF), D1-3 (OU-SPS), D1-5(R4), D1-7 (R2), D1-9 (V)	18.80	18.80 (10%)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
	Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Although this LR is affected by land designated for various land uses, most of it appears to be in keeping with the present land use; most of the area lies within D1-9 which is the Ho Sheung Heung village area and designated for village type development and the current basketball court at C2-3 will remain; 'open space' at D1-1 and D1-4, and low density residential use at D1-5 are also compatible land uses. The land use will change for the small area that falls within site D1-7 which is designated for denser residential development and D1-2 designated for 'railway associated facilities'. During construction, site formation will only be required at D1-7, D1-2, D1-1, D1-4 and D1-5, but the areas of these sites affecting this LR are relatively small and the magnitude of change at construction and operation is considered intermediate
KLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai	C1-2 (A); C1-4 (V); C1-5 (GB); C1-6 (AGR); C1-9 (OU)	23.51	15.59 (15%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Much of this LR is outside the RODP boundary and for that area inside, most of it falls on sites with designations for the same land use e.g. 'village type development' at C1-4 and ‘agriculture’ at C1-6. A small part is within site C1-9 designated as ‘nature park’ and land within this site will not be adversely impacted. A very small area borders the site designated at 'green belt' (C1-5) and this will not be adversely affected by the Project either. Site formation works are unlikely to be required at the sites affecting this LR and overall the magnitude of change is considered to be small since most land use will remain the same.
KLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Outside RODP boundary	4.07	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-12.4	Rural Development Area to the East of MTRC East Railway Line	Outside RODP boundary	4.99	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.4		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-12.5	Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club	Outside RODP boundary	3.45	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.5		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	Outside RODP boundary	39.49	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-12.7	Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Outside RODP boundary	1.71	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.7	Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-12.8	Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais	Outside RODP boundary	27.13	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.8	Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-12.9	Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division;DP4 Roads D1 to D5; A1-4(R1c), A1-5(CDA), A1-9(R2), A2-2(PRH), A2-3(O), A2-4(R1c), A2-5(R1c), A1-10, A2-6, E1-7 all (O), A2-7(PRH), A2-12(E), A2-13(E), A3-3(PRH), A3-4(E), A3-6(R2), A3-7(RR4); B2-3 (A), B2-6, B2-7 both (E), B2-8(G), B2-9 (O), B2-10 (CDA); E1-5 (G-REC), E1-6 (G), E1-8 (GB), E1-9 (OU-RCP); F1-7(O); G1-2(OU-FR); H1-1(GB)	46.15	44.45 (80%)	Large	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Just under 2 ha of this LR falls outside the RODP boundary and will not be affected, similarly to the small portion that falls on sites designated as 'green belt' (E1-8, H1-1) and the very small portion that falls in G1-2 designated as ‘Lo Wu Firing Range’. However most of this LR will undergo some change from a rural development area to a more urban area with increased facilities such as a swimming pool complex (E1-5), fire station cum ambulance depot (E1-6), nursery class & kindergartens (within A1-5, A2-2, A2-4, A2-7, A3-3), primary and secondary schools (within B2-6, B2-7, A2-12, A2-13, A3-4) as well as more residential development e.g. at A1-4, A1-5, A1-9, A2-4, A2-5, A3-6, A3-7 and some public rental housing e.g. at A2-2, A2-7, A3-3. During construction, site formation works at all these sites will mean the magnitude of change is large and during operation the land use type will have changed for most of this LR, so overall the magnitude of change is also large.
KLR-12.10	Lo Wu Rifle Range	G1-1,G1-2 (both OU-FR), F1-6 (GB)	4.26	4.16 (0%)	n/a	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.10	Lo Wu Rifle Range	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The Lo Wu Rifle Range is on land designated to remain as a firing range (G1-1, G1-2) and ‘green belt’ (F1-6) therefore will not be affected by the Project.
KLR-12.11	Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung	F1-3 (OU-R&D); F1-5 (GB)	14.53	1.63 (90%)	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
KLR-12.11	Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Only a small area of this LR falls with the RODP boundary and this area falls mainly on site F1-3 designated for Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development. This will change the land use for this small area but the compatibility is considered fair. In addition to this area being small some of this LR in the NDA boundary also falls on an area designated as Green Belt (F1-5) and the overall magnitude of change to this LR is small.
KLR-12.12	Fanling Lodge	Outside RODP boundary	0.71	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-12.12	Fanling Lodge	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Fanling Lodge is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR 13 Industrial / Open Storage
KLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial Area	Outside RODP boundary	37.08	0.00	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The industrial area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
KLR-13.2	Industrial / Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); B3-13, B3-14 both (A), B3-15 (OU-PFS); C1-1 (O); C1-9 (OU-NP); C1-11 (IC)	5.61	5.61 (90%)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large (partly beneficial)	Intermediate (partly beneficial)
	Industrial / Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this LR is located on sites designated for different land use such as amenities (B3-13, B3-14), Kwu Tung Vegetation Marketing and Co-operative Society (C1-11), commercial, research & development buildings (B3-12) and a petrol filling station (B3-15) and during construction, site formation works will be required with some demolition of existing structures so the magnitude of change here is considered large but partly beneficial as the land use will improve. In addition no site formation or significant change is expected during construction at C1-1 and C1-9 which are designated for open space and the nature park. At operation the land uses are fairly compatible with the current land use and enhance it in places so that overall the magnitude of change is considered intermediate but partly beneficial
KLR-13.3	Industrial / Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng , Tong Kok and Fung Kong	A1-5 (CDA); A1-6, A1-8 (R1c); A1-7, A1-10, A2-8. A2-14 all (O); A1-9, A2-9 both (R2), A2-2, A2-7, A3-3 all (PRH); A2-10, A3-5 both (A); A2-13, A3-1, A3-2 all (E); A3-3(PRH); B2-9, B2-13, B3-1, B3-3 all (O); B2-10 (CDA), B2-11 (A), B2-12, B3-2, B3-5 all (OU); D1-6, D1-10, D1-15 all (A); D1-7, D1-11 both (R2); D1-12 and D1-13 both (G-REC), D1-14 (G); E1-7(O); E1-8, G1-3 both (GB)	56.18	56.18 (100%)	Large	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large (partly beneficial)	Large (partly beneficial)
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Some of this LR falls on sites designated as 'green belt' (E1-8, G1-3) and will not be affected. However most of this LR will undergo some change from an industrial/open storage area to being part of an urban area with many facilities such as nursery class & kindergartens (within A1-5, A1-6, A1-8, A2-7, A3-3), primary and secondary schools (within A2-13, A3-1, A3-2) as well as more residential developments e.g. at A1-5, A1-6, A1-8, A1-9, A2-9, D1-7, D1-11, potential activities centre (D1-12 and D1-13), some public rental housing e.g. at A2-2, A2-7, A3-3 and amenities e.g. at A2-10, B2-11, D1-6, D1-10, D1-15 etc. Therefore during construction, site formation works will be required with some demolition of existing structures and the magnitude of change is considered large, but partly beneficial as the land use will improve. At operation, the land use type will have changed for most of this LR, but will have been enhanced and overall the magnitude of change will remain large but partly beneficial.
KLR-13.4	Industrial / Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement; DP4 Roads D1 and D4; A1-1(A), A1-2(PRH-LR), A1-10(O), B1-1(A), B1-3(GB), B1-4(A), B1-5(OU), B1-7(OU-DCS), B1-8(A), B1-9(A), B1-10(A), B2-1(A), B2-2(G)	30.99	9.02 (100%)	Large	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large (partly beneficial)	Intermediate (partly beneficial)
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of this industrial/open storage area falls outside the RODP boundary and will not be affected by the Project. The area within the RODP will be affected mainly by sites designated for amenities (A1-1, B1-1, B1-4, B1-8, B1-9, B1-10, B2-1) and roads,, as well as railway associated facilities (B1-5) and plant for District Cooling System (B1-7). Some of the LR also falls on part of a site designated for residential developments (A1-2). During construction, site formation works will be required with some demolition of existing structures and the magnitude of change is considered large, but partly beneficial as the land use will improve. At operation, although the Project will affect just over 9 ha of this LR, the land use will be fairly compatible with existing, partially enhancing it and the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate but also partly beneficial.
KLR 14 Major Transportation Corridor
KLR-14.1	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads	DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2: Castle Peak Road Division; DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement, B1-2, B1-6, B1-8, B3-10, B3-11 all (A); B1-3(GB), B1-7(OU-DCS); C1-2(A)	Length of LR in Study Area: 3880 m	Length of LR within NDA: 2850 m Length of LR affected 2850 m (100%)	Large	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Parts of Fanling Highway affected by the Project are all designated for 'amenity' use and roads and therefore the land use will not change. A sizeable area is impacted and some of the roadside planting will be cleared for the road widening work and noise barriers. Additionally the associated drainage channels will have to be modified through diversion to accommodate the new roadworks, but given the new roads will also need similar associated drainage channel and the land use is the same the overall compatibility is good. Largely due to the quantity of roadside planting, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate during construction and operation.
KLR-14.2	MTRC East Rail (to/from Lo Wu)	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 2070 m	Length within the NDA: 0 m	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLR-14.2	MTRC East Rail (to/from Lo Wu)	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This LR is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.

*Code Land Use Type

A Amenity

AGR Agriculture

C Commercial

CA Conservation Area

CDA Comprehensive Development Area

E Education

G Government

G-REC Government Recreation

GB Green Belt

HOS Home Ownership Scheme

IC Institution / Community

O Open Space

OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial, Research & Development

OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District Cooling System

OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing Range

OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park

OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station

OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking and Operation Facilities for Environmentally Friendly Transport System

OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research & Development

OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway Associated Facilities

OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station

OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works

OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor Centre

PRH Public Rental Housing

PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local Rehousing

R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest density

R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial

R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium density

R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial

R3 Residential Zone 3 - low density

R4 Residential Zone 4 – very low density

RR4 Rural Residential (lower density & building height than R) lowest density

V Village Type Development

Table 12.8.2 - Magnitude of change to KTN NDA LCAs

LCA Code	Name	*Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LCA**	Area of LCA (ha) in Study Area	Area of LCA affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Approx. % of this impacted)	Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)	Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good /Fair /Poor)		Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/Medium term], Permanent)		Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible)		Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
LCA Code	Name	*Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LCA**	Area of LCA (ha) in Study Area		Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
KLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	Principally 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area but mainly B1-3 (GB);'D sites' for Tranquil Rural Residential Area but mainly D1-8 (GB); 'E sites' for Recreational Area but mainly E1-8 (GB); 'G sites' for Government Facility Area and 'H sites' for Hilly Terrain Area. A very small peripheral area is affected by 'A sites' for Town Centre & North Residential Area	307.43	90.66 (<5%)	Small	Poor	Poor	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary but for that falling within, the majority lies on sites designated as green belt (B1-3, D1-8, E1-8, G1-3, H1-1) and will not be affected by the Project. Very small areas are affected by sites designated for other uses which are not compatible with the current character, such as government use (D1-12, D1-13, E1-2), rural residential development (A3-7), school buildings (A3-4), amenities (B1-1), railway associated facilities (B1-5). Some sites designated for water service reservoirs (G1-4, G1-5) will involve cut/ filled slopes which increase the magnitude of change for this LCA. Since the majority of this LCA will remain unaffected by the Project, the magnitude of change during both construction and operation phase is intermediate.
KLCA-2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	This LCA is affected by all sites: 'A sites' for Town Centre & North Residential Area; 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area; 'C sites' for Long Valley Ecological Area; 'D sites' for Tranquil Rural Residential Area; 'E sites' for Recreational Area; 'F sites' reserved for Research and Development; 'G sites' for Government Facility Area and 'H sites' for Hilly Terrain Area.	404.48	194.38 (85%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation While a sizeable area of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary, a large area lies within it and will be affected by sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA e.g. amenities (A1-1, A2-1, B1-1, B1-4, B1-6, B1-8, B1-9, B2-1, B2-3, C1-2, D1-6, G1-9), railway associated facilities (B1-5), sewerage pumping station (F1-2), refuse collection point (B2-2, E1-9), fire station cum ambulance depot (E1-6), district police station (E1-3), recreational activity buildings including swimming pool complex, sports/leisure centre and potential activities centre (E1-5, F1-1, D1-13, D1-12), schools (within A2-11, A2-12, A2-13, A3-4, B2-5, B2-6, B2-7, E1-2, E1-4), public rental housing (A1-2, A2-2, A2-7, A3-3), high density residential developments, sometime with commercial uses (A1-4, A1-9, A2-4, A2-5, A2-9, A3-6, D1-7, D1-11), public transport interchange (within A1-5), hospital, polyclinic/specialist clinic (within B2-2), social and welfare facilities (B2-8), comprehensive development area (A1-5), research and development in support of the Lok Ma Chau Loop development (F1-3,) and F1-4 which is a disused school potentially designated for an Eco-tourism education centre and holiday camping or other recreational uses. There are areas that fall on sites designated for land use that is compatible with the current LCA, including on G1-1 and G1-2 (Lo Wu Firing Range), F1-8 (for Agriculture), D1-9 (Ho Sheung Heung, Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall, Hung Shing Temple & Pai Fung Temple and Sin Wai Nunnery in V), E1-7 (green spine, open space and Fung Kong Shan, cycling park), G1-6, G1-7 (Lo Wu Saddle Club), C1-6, C2-2, C2-4, C2-5 (Agriculture), C1-9 (Nature Park) as well as all the sites designated for green belt including B1-3, C1-5, D1-8, E1-8, F1-5, F1-6, G1-3, H1-1. Overall although much of this LCA will not be affected by the Project, a large area (over 100 ha) will be adversely impacted and undergo land use change and the overall magnitude of change is large.
KLCA-3	Urban Development Landscape	G1-8(G)	5.98	5.84 (0%)	Small	Good	Good	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
KLCA-3	Urban Development Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Lo Wu Correctional Institution has been classified as 'urban development' and is the small area of this LCA within the RODP boundary. This facility is proposed to remain the same throughout the project and therefore the impact of the Project on this LCA is considered to be negligible.
KLCA-4	Industrial Landscape	This LCA is affected by: 'A sites' for Town Centre & North Residential Area; 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area; D sites' for Tranquil Rural Residential Area; 'E sites' for Recreational Area and slightly by 'C sites' for Long Valley Ecological Area	117.76	61.53 (100%)	Large	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate (partly beneficial)	Small (beneficial)
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this LCA falls within the RODP boundary, and will be affected by sites designated for land use that is fairly compatible with the current LCA e.g. amenities (A2-10, A3-5, B2-11, B3-13, B3-14, D1-6, D1-10, D1-15), public transport interchange (within A1-5), railway associated facilities (A1-11, A1-12), schools (within A1-5, A1-6, A1-8, A2-7, A2-11, A2-12, A2-13, A3-1, A3-2, A3-3), public rental housing (A2-2, A2-7, A3-3), comprehensive development area (A1-5, B2-10), recreational activity facilities including a standard swimming pool, sports centre (E1-5) and potential activities centre (D1-12, D1-13), residential development areas (A1-6, A1-8, A1-9, A2-4, A2-5, A2-9, A3-6, D1-7, D1-11), commercial, research & development (B2-12, B3-2, B3-5, B3-12), and government reserve (D1-14). Overall a large area will be impacted by fairly compatible land uses and the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate but partly beneficial during construction and small beneficial overall by operation.
KLCA-5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	All of 'A sites' for own Centre & North Residential Area; 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area; 'C sites' for Long Valley Ecological Area; 'D sites' for Tranquil Rural Residential Area; 'F sites' reserved for Research and Development and ‘H sites’ for Hilly Terrain Area	85.93	74.51 (10%)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation While a large area of this LCA falls within the RODP boundary, a significant portion of this (over 65 ha of the 74.51 ha total within) is located on sites designated for the proposed Long Valley Nature Park (C1-9), agriculture around Long Valley (C1-6) and green belt (C1-5 in Long Valley; H1-1) and will remain unaffected or not adversely affected by the Project. Under 7.4 ha is affected by sites designated for uses incompatible with this LCA such as residential developments (A1-9, A2-9, D1-7), rural residential (D1-5), sewage pumping station (D1-3), railway associated facilities (D1-2), sport ground / sport complex (F1-1), commercial, research and development including a post office, visitor centre of Long Valley Nature Park (B3-2, B3-5, B3-8, B3-12, B3-16) and Research and Development buildings in support the Lok Ma Chau Development (F1-3) . Overall the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate.
KLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Principally 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area	Length of LCA in Study Area: 6100 m	Length within NDA: 2860 m Length affected 2860 m (100%)	Medium	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
KLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All of the LCA affected by the Project falls on land designated for 'amenities', roads and their associated structures. Almost 3km of this transportation corridor is affected by the Project and some of the roadside planting will be cleared for the road modification work so some of the green aspect of the LCA will be lost. However since the land use at operation is the same and the Fanling Highway will continue to dominate the character of the area, the overall compatibility is good. The magnitude of change is therefore considered small at construction and operation.
KLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Both 'B sites' for Commercial Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area; and 'C sites' for Long Valley Ecological Area	Length of LCA in Study Area: 5080 m	Length within NDA: 2860 m Length affected: 250 m (10%)	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
KLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this LCA within the RODP will be affected by sites designated for land use that is compatible with this LCA e.g. 'open space' which covers most of the river banks (B3-3, B3-4, B3-9, C1-7, C1-8, C2-1) and the proposed Long Valley Nature Park (C1-9). Small areas of land associated with or adjacent to the river banks will be affected by sites with incompatible designations e.g. amenities (B3-10, C1-10) and commercial research and development (B3-12) , roads and a footbridge but no actual buildings structure are currently proposed to fall on this LCA and the water course will not change trajectory. During construction, site formation at B3-10, C1-10 and B3-12 may partially impact this LCA and cause small magnitude of change and at operation the magnitude of change is also considered small.

*Code Land Use Type

A Amenity

*Code Land Use Type

A Amenity

AGR Agriculture

C Commercial

CA Conservation Area

CDA Comprehensive Development Area

E Education

G Government

G-REC Government Recreation

GB Green Belt

HOS Home Ownership Scheme

IC Institution / Community

O Open Space

OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial, Research & Development

OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District Cooling System

OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing Range

OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park

OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station

OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking & Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System

OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research & Development

OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway Associated Facilities

OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station

OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works

OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor Centre

PRH Public Rental Housing

PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local Rehousing

R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest density

R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial

R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium density

R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial

R3 Residential Zone 3 - low density

R4 Residential Zone 4 – very low density

RR4 Rural Residential (lower density & building height than R) lowest density

V Village Type Development

Table 12.8.3 - Magnitude of change to FLN NDA LRs

LR Code	Name	*DPs and Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LR**	Approximate Area of LR (ha) in Study Area	Area of LR affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Approx. % of this impacted)	Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)		Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good /Fair /Poor)		Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/ Medium term], Permanent)		Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible)		Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
LR Code	Name	*DPs and Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LR**	Approximate Area of LR (ha) in Study Area		Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)		Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
FLR 1 Channelized Water Course
FLR-1.1	Ng Tung River (Fanling District)	DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent and DP11 Further Expansion of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works, both at A2-3; DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section where it crosses the Ng Tung River; A1-4, B1-1, B1-2, B1-5, B1-10 B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, B3-1, B3-11, C1-3, C2-1, C2-4, C2-10, C2-8, D1-2, D1-3, D2-1, D2-7, D2-10 all (O); C2-7, C2-9 both (E); A1-1, A1-2, A1-8 all (G); A1-6, B1-4 both (OU-SPS); A2-3(OU-STW); A1-5, A1-10, A2-1, A2-2, A2-4, C1-1, C1-2, D1-1 all (A)	Length of LR in Study Area: 6600 m	Length of LR within NDA: 5000 m Length of LR affected: 290 m (5%)	Small		Fair	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Ng Tung River flows through the length of this NDA and while most of the main channel will not be affected, there are sites overlapping with this LR along its grasscrete banks or adjacent to the banks. All of these sites except one or two, however, have similar land use to the current land use, i.e. open space (A1-4, B1-1, B1-2, B1-5, B1-10, B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, B3-1, B3-11, C1-3, C2-1, C2-4, C2-10, D1-2, D1-3, D2-1, D2-7). The open space at C2-8 where a small nullah of this river lies, is designated a Town Park with facilities for e.g. football, volleyball, tennis etc. Unless mitigated, the nullah here (~600 m) may be affected by the Project. The periphery of sites A1-1, A1-2 and A1-8 in the west of the NDA, which are designated for government use (existing CLP substation and existing WSD raw water pumping station; Police Driving and Traffic Complex) may impact this LR, but since the river channel is at the edges of the sites, the areas affected will be very small, (with the exception of A1-8 which covers a short (~250 m) tributary to the river). Similarly the impact of the Sewage Pumping Stations at A1-6 and B1-4, Primary School at C2-7, Secondary School at C2-9 and the new road complex will only affect a small area of this LR and this will again mainly be at construction stage during site formation. Sites A2-1, A2-2 designated for 'amenities' may affect a slightly larger area (<1.4 ha) as well as routes along the river also designated as Amenities (A1-5, A2-4, A1-10, C1-1, C1-2, D1-1 amounting to <1.4ha) and the further expansion of the Sewage Treatment Works at A2-3 may also have an impact on a larger area of the banks and adjacent. Impacts at these sites will be during site formation initially but at operation land use will have changed only for a small area adjacent to the river itself.
		Overall although a significant area of this LR lies within the RODP, only a small length of this will potentially be affected by the Project. Since the main river channel will hardly be affected, the magnitude of change is small at construction and operation.
FLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River	DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent and DP11 Further Expansion of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works, both at A2-3	Length of LR in Study Area: 2400 m	Length of LR within NDA: 380 m Length of LR affected: 150 m (40%)	Small		Poor	Poor	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A small area of the Shek Sheung River bank in the west of the NDA may be affected by site A2-3 designated to contain an expansion of the existing Sewage Treatment Works and B3-4 and B3-5 for school. Any impacts would initially be at site formation but given the small area affected the magnitude of change would only be small. At operation, although this is not a compatible land use with the current LR, the area affected is very small and overall the magnitude of change is small also.
FLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 700 m	Length within the NDA: 0 m	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This section of the river is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-1.4	Ma Wat River	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section where it runs adjacent to the River; D1-4, D1-5 both (O), D1-6(G and part of DP12 Reprovision of Wholesale Market’), D2-17(A)	Length of LR in Study Area: 3600 m	Length of LR within NDA: 960 m Length of LR affected: approx. 250 m (25%)	Medium		Poor	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Intermediate
FLR-1.4	Ma Wat River	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Ma Wat River flows along the north eastern boundary of the RODP and two sites that affect it, D1-4 and D1-5, are designated for open space. Part of D1-6 however falls on this LR and this existing ‘North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Produce’ is part of DP12 to undergo re-provisioning. The very small area of D1-6 that affects this LR (<0.3 ha) may mean some of the vegetation in the vicinity of the river banks would be cleared during re-provisioning of the market but at operation the main market building is not on this LR. However for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) most of this stretch of Ma Wat River will have to be diverted and the impacts of this are fully assessed in the DP Package 12D. Overall this LR will mainly be affected by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and the magnitude of change is considered to be large at construction when the diversion takes place. The river is already channelized however and at operation will flow through a similar channelized section, so the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate.
FLR-1.5	Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land	D2-2(HOS), D2-3(O), D2-4(R2), D3-5(O), D3-6(R1c), D3-8(PRH), D3-9(A)	Length of LR in Study Area: 500 m	Length of LR within NDA: 500 m Length of LR affected: approx. 500 m (100 %)	Large		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
FLR-1.5	Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The whole length of this watercourse falls within the NDA in areas with incompatible use such as residential use as well as roads (part of the local distributor road L1). The watercourse will be lost during site formation, even in land designated as ‘open space’ as this is open space between new buildings and not passive open space and hence still incompatible. Overall the magnitude of change is large during construction and operation.
FLR 2 Water Course
FLR-2.1	Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land	B3-2, B3-3, B3-7 all either PRH or R2, B3-4(E)	Length of LR in Study Area: 400 m	Length of LR within NDA: 400 m Length of LR affected: approx. 400 m (100%)	Large		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
FLR-2.1	Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This stream in the western area of FLN NDA amongst the agricultural land at Tin Ping Shan (Sacred Hill), will be impacted by three sites all designated for high to medium density residential use. A distributor road and the access road to these sites will also affect the stream and it will be filled during site formation and replaced by a water drainage system. Overall the magnitude of change during construction and operation is large.
FLR-2.2	Natural Stream at Cham Shan	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 580 m	Length within the NDA: 0 m	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-2.2	Natural Stream at Cham Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This stream is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
FLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Lung Shan	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 1150 m	Length within the NDA: 0 m	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Lung Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These streams are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
FLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; D1-3 (O)	Length of LR in Study Area: 1500 m	Length of LR within NDA: 160 m Length of LR affected: approx.100 m (60%)	Medium	Poor		Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Reversible	Small	Small
FLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The stream at the lowland area of Wa Shan will not be affected as it falls outside the RODP boundary. Only the downstream area of the stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen falls within the footprint of RODP and will be affected by the site designated for the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section but it is unlikely to be affected by the development which the site is designated as open space (D1-3). A 10m wide vegetated buffer in the open space will be provided to the stream. Fanling Bypass will be an elevated viaduct over the section close to the stream and should avoid directly impacting it and causing any loss of the stream. It is expected that the intensity of sunlight that can reach the stream area will be reduce by the viaduct and as a result the growing conditions of riparian plants and the landscape quality provided by such riparian plants, will be reduced. Overall, the magnitude of change during construction and operation is small.
FLR 3 Water Pond
FLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds	Outside RODP boundary	4.54	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These ponds are located outside the FLN RODP boundary and therefore are not affected by the FLN NDA.
FLR-3.2	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Outside RODP boundary	4.98	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-3.2	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
FLR-3.3	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	A1-3 (AGR); A1-4 (O); A1-8 (G)	2.44	2.44 (5%)	Large		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of these ponds will be affected by a site designated for Agricultural land (A1-3) and they will not be adversely affected by the Project. Part of one pond falls on a site designated for open space (A1-4) which is also scheduled to have a 'Man Ming Temple' on it but currently the temple does not fall on the pond area and therefore the pond will be retained. One very small pond falls within a site for the Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex (A1-8) and this will be lost during site formation. Since the majority of these ponds in the NDA will remain unchanged by the Project, the magnitude of change at construction and operation is small. .
FLR-3.4	Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area	Outside RODP boundary	0.33	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-3.4	Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
FLR-3.5	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Outside RODP boundary	0.37	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-3.5	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These ponds are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
FLR 4 Marsh
FLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun	Outside RODP boundary	1.67	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation These marshes are located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on them.
FLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; A1-7(CA), A1-11(G); B1-2, B1-5, B2-8, B2-9, B2-10 all (O); B1-6(A); B3-8(O for cycle parking area); B3-10 (E); B1-7, B2-11, B3-9 all R2 or PRH, C2-9(E)	5.70	5.27 (45%)	Large		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
FLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation There are six main mitigation wetland areas along Ng Tung River within the RODP. One of them of approximately 1 ha lies within site A1-7 designated as Conservation Area and possible site for an egretry relocation, and another similar sized area of this LR lies wholly within B1-2 which is designated as open space. It is unlikely that the wetland in these sites will be affected by the Project. Part of the remaining four wetland areas are affected both by sites designated as open space which is unlikely to affect the LR (B1-2, B1-5, B2-8, B2-9, B2-10), and by sites designated for incompatible uses such as weapons training division, residential, secondary school, amenities, open space for cycle parking area and education facilities (A1-11, B1-7, B2-11, B3-9, B3-10, B1-6, B3-8, C2-9). Part of this LR will also be affected by the Fanling Bypass Western Section which is at grade at the relevant locations of overlap. For the incompatible uses, the wetland in these areas will be irreversibly lost during site formation, largely due to filling. Given the worst case scenario is that over half of this LR will remain unaffected, however, the magnitude of change is large at construction and operation.
FLR 5 Plantation
FLR-5.1	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Outside RODP boundary	3.87	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-5.1	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-5.2	Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation	Outside RODP boundary	1.10	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-5.2	Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This plantation is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill	C2-8 (O)	3.35	0.27 (50%)	Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-5.3		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Only a very small area of this LR falls within the RODP and of this, roughly half will be affected by a site designated for open space (C2-8) and a distribution road. Since the open space is intended to be a Town Park with facilities for e.g. football, volleyball, tennis etc. the worst case scenario is that the trees in this area will be cleared and lost during construction. Overall given the very small area adversely affected, the magnitude of change is considered to be small at construction and operation.
FLR 6 Hillside Woodland
FLR-6.1	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland	A1-3, A1-9 both (AGR);	4.82	0.64 (60%)	Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-6.1		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A small area of this LR is located within the RODP, affected by sites A1-3, and A1-9 which are designated as Agricultural land which is compatible with this LR. Since the majority of this LR in the Study Area will remain unaffected, the overall magnitude of change is small.
FLR-6.2	Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; B1-7 (R2), B1-8 (R4), B1-9 (R3);	60.24	2.87 (>95%)	Medium		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
FLR-6.2	Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Although a relatively small area of this LR falls within the RODP, most of it lies on sites designated for incompatible land use such as low density residential zones (B1-9), medium residential zone (B1-7) or rural residential (B1-8). Trees are likely to be removed during site clearance and formation, having a large impact and at operation land use will have permanently changed. A small area of this LR further to the south east of Ng Tung River will be adversely affected by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. Overall, a relatively small area is affected, but in case a large number of trees are adversely affected, the magnitude of change is considered large.
FLR-6.3	Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland	Outside RODP boundary	3.83	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-6.3	Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-6.4	Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan	D4-1 (G)	23.28	0.04 (100%)	Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-6.4	Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A very small area of this LR is located within the RODP, in site D4-1 which is the proposed area for the Fanling North Flushing Water Service Reservoir. The trees in this very small area may be affected during site clearance and formation for D4-1 and topographical changes by filling and cutting slope up to 62 m (Figure 12.12.7), although the height of slope to be expose by completion is 56 m. However the majority of this LR will remain unaffected by the Project and the overall magnitude of change is considered to be small.
FLR 7 Lowland Woodland
FLR-7.1	Vernon Pass Woodland	Outside RODP boundary	1.38	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-7.1	Vernon Pass Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works	A1-3 , A1-9 (AGR); A1-7(CA); A1-8 (G), A1-6 (OU-SPS)	4.89	3.78 (40%)	Large		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
FLR-7.2		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation About three quarters of this LR falls within the RODP and just over a third of this is on sites designated for land use that is incompatible with the current use e.g. a Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8) and sewage pumping station (A1-6). During construction, site clearance and site formation will impact particularly on the trees here. The other third of the LR falls within sites A1-3 and A1-9 which are designated as agricultural and the LR may remain unaffected here. Overall given the small area affected but taking into account the loss of some trees, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
FLR-7.3	Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; A1-11(G)	5.20	0.31 (100%)	Small		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-7.3	Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Only a very small area of this LR falls within the RODP, all of which will be affected by elements of the Project that are incompatible such as roads and interchange and a weapons training division (A1-11). Woodland here will be cleared prior to site formation. Since the area affected is so small, despite the lack of compatibility, the overall magnitude of change is considered to be small.
FLR-7.4	Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland	B3-9(R2), B3-10(E), B3-12(E)	2.22	1.36 (100%)	Small		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
	Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A small area of this woodland lies within the RODP, falling across various sites which are designated for incompatible uses such as medium density residential area (B3-9), school (B3-10, B3-12) as well as part of the distributor road. In these sites, site clearance and formation work will affect the trees which will be lost, and at operation this LR will have been lost. Overall the affected area is small, but incase intermediate numbers of trees have to be removed, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
FLR-7.5	Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland	Outside RODP boundary	6.88	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-7.5	Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This woodland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR 8 Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic
FLR-8.1	Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic West and along Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River	Outside RODP boundary	6.82	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-8.1		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This shrubland/grassland is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-8.2	Fu Tei Au Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	Outside RODP boundary	16.82	0.40 (100%)	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Small	Small
FLR-8.2	Fu Tei Au Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Only a very small area of this LR falls within the RODP and of this, it is mainly along existing road. Since the road is unlikely to be affected by the Project the magnitude of change is considered to be small at worst during construction and operation.
FLR-8.3	Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; A3-1 (G)	112.68	0.63 (100%)	Small		Poor	Poor	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
FLR-8.3	Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A small area of this LR is located within the RODP in site A3-1 which is the proposed for the Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir. The preliminary design of the reservoir and its access road suggests the site formation work required will affect a small area of this LR here (<1.0 ha). The highest proposed cut/ fill slopes will be 24 m with a maximum 40 degree angle for all slopes. The exposed slope at completion will be up to 18 m high as some of it will be underground. There will be some topography changes in this area as Figures 12.12.6 and 12.12.8 help illustrate. The existing vegetation in this area will also be lost during construction. At operation this small area will be incompatible with the current LR unless mitigation designs such as green roof are implemented. A small (<0.1 ha) part of this LR at the north east of Ng Tung River will also be adversely affected by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. Another very small part of this LR (<0.1 ha) near residential zone B1-7 currently lies along the existing road and is unlikely to be affected. A small area of this LR will be affected by the Project, but given the topographical changes, the overall magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate.
FLR-8.4	Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan	DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent; D4-1 (G)	22.12	1.44 (100%)	Small		Poor	Poor	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
	Shrubland / Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A small area of this LR is located within the RODP, all in site D4-1 which is the proposed site for the Fanling North Flushing Water Service Reservoir. The area is close to the existing Fresh Water Service Reservoir at north Tong Hang Tung and adjacent to the existing access road. The preliminary design of the reservoir and its access road, suggests the site formation work required will affect a small area of this LR (<1.5 ha). The highest proposed cut/ fill slopes for the reservoir will be 62 m with a maximum 40 degree angle for all slopes. The exposed slope at completion will be up to 56 m high as some of the slope will be underground. There will therefore be some topography changes in this area, but the highest cut slope in this area is located on a slope with steep existing topography as Figures 12.12.7 and 12.12.9 help illustrate. The existing shrubland/ grassland in this area will also be lost during construction although there is potential for landscaping of the reservoir roofs and cut/ fill slopes and remediation in future. At operation this small area will be largely incompatible with the current LR and will have changed land use. Despite the relatively small size of the area affected, the topographical changes are considered large, mainly due to their being an up to 62 m cut/fill slope above the reservoir within the hillside (although the hillside here is already steep). Overall the worst case scenario considers the magnitude of change is large during construction and operation.
FLR 9 Agricultural Land
FLR-9.1	Agricultural Lands in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley	Outside RODP boundary	12.22	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-9.1	Agricultural Lands in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This agricultural land is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-9.2	Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land	A1-8(G), A1-9 (AGR); A1-10 (A)	3.61	3.61 (75 %)	Large		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
FLR-9.2	Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this patch of agricultural land around Fu Tei Au falls within the RODP and will mainly be impacted by sites with incompatible uses such as a Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8) as well as road works and amenity use at A1-10. Agricultural land will be impacted here during site clearance and site formation. About one fourth of this LR can be preserve as agriculture land (A1-9) where no adverse impact is expected. During operation, the land use will have been mainly changed to incompatible uses except the area fall in A1-9. Although the area is not large, since essentially all this LR will be affected by incompatible elements of the Project, the magnitude of change is considered to be large.
FLR-9.3	Agricultural Land between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River	Outside RODP boundary	2.69	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-9.3		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This agricultural land is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-9.4	Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land	B3-6 (R2c) B3-7, B3-9 both (R2) B2-6, B2-11, B2-12, B3-3, B3-2 all (PRH); B3-4, B3-5, B3-10, B3-12 all (E), B2-8, B2-9, B2-10, B3-8 all (O)	14.13	12.80 (>95%)	Large		Poor	Fair	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
	Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this LR falls within the RODP boundary and will be affected by sites with incompatible uses such as residential zones, one including a public transport interchange (B3-6, B3-7, B3-9); educational areas including Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Nursery and Kindergarten (B3-4, B3-5, B3-10, B3-12); public rental housing area (B2-6, B2-11, B2-12, B3-2, B3-3), the open spaces between these sites (B2-9, B3-8) and the distributor roads. At these sites, site clearance and site formation during the construction period will remove the agricultural land and at operation the land use will have changed to incompatible uses. Very small areas of this LR with the RODP lie within sites designated for open space along the river front (B2-8, B2-10) where the use may be more compatible with the current LR, but overall given the majority of the area will be affected by incompatible elements of the Project, the magnitude of change is large.
FLR-9.5	Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; DP13 New SPS at B1-4 (OU-SPS); B1-2, B1-10 both (O); B1-6 (A); B1-7 (R2); A1-11(G)	8.47	2.48 (100%)	Medium		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
FLR-9.5	Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Under half of this LR falls within the RODP boundary but this small area is affected by roads and sites designated for incompatible land uses such as a Weapon Training Division (A1-11), a residential zone (B1-7) and amenities (B1-6). The agricultural land will be lost during site clearance and site formation here, and by operation this area of LR will be converted to incompatible land uses. Given the relatively small area however and absence of many trees on agricultural land, overall the magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
FLR-9.6	Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Shek Wu San Tsuen	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; D2-2, D3-1b all (HOS), D3-1a (R1), D3-4, D3-6, D3-7, D3-3, D3-1c all (R1c), D2-12,D2-4 (R2), D2-9, D2-6, D3-8 (PRH); C2-7, C2-9, D3-11, D3-12 all (E); D2-3, D2-5, D2-8, D2-11, D3-5, D3-10 (O between built areas): C2-8(O for Town Park); D2-13, D3-2, D3-9, D3-13 both (A); D2-14 (G):, D1-2, D1-3, D2-10, D1-4, D1-5 (O by river channel)	36.76	30.68 (95%)	Large		Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this LR falls within the RODP boundary and this is an area generally designated for comprehensive development. Most sites affecting this LR are incompatible with agriculture, such as: residential zones (D2-2, D2-4, D2-6, D2-9, D2-12, D3-1a, D3-1b, D3-1c, D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7, D3-8); educational areas including Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Nursery and Kindergartens (within D2-9, D3-4, D3-6, D3-8 which are residential overall, as well as specifically in C2-7, C2-9, D3-11 and D3-12); Community facilities including an integrated vocational and rehabilitation service centre, neighbourhood elderly community centre, residential home for elderly, post office and public transport interchange (within D3-8, D2-9). A small proportion of the LR falls in sites designated for open space between buildings in the developed area (D2-3, D2-5, D2-8, D2-11, D3-5, D3-10) as well as a Town Park at (C2-8) and land use here will change permanently, although it may be slightly more compatible with the current LR. A small area of this LR falls within sites D1-2, D1-3, D1-4, D1-5 and D2-10 which is designated as open space of no determined use but of these area, those falling within sites designated as open space near the river may be fairly compatible at operation. Overall the large area affected by incompatible elements of the Project will undergo large changes during site clearance and formation works and the magnitude of change is large.
FLR-9.7	Agricultural Land South of Sha Tau Kok Road	Outside RODP boundary	8.95	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-9.7	Agricultural Land South of Sha Tau Kok Road	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This agricultural land is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR 10 Open Space / Recreational Area
FLR-10.1	North District Sports Ground	Outside RODP boundary	6.19	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-10.1	North District Sports Ground	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This LR is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR 11 Urban Development Area
FLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Outside RODP boundary	2.91	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This LR is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-11.2	Sheung Shui Urban Development Area	C2-2, C2-8 both (O)	48.33	0.75 (100%)	Small		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
FLR-11.2	Sheung Shui Urban Development Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Very small patches of this LR are located at the RODP boundary and the sites affecting it are designated for compatible uses (open space at C2-2, C2-8). During construction of open space, some site clearance including demolition of existing structures may be required as well as some site formation and the magnitude of change is considered small given the area affected. Once operational, the open space is considered integral to an urban development area and therefore the same land use as previously and the impact is negligible.
FLR-11.3	Fanling Urban Development Area	D2-13, D3-2 all (A); D2-14(G)	41.20	1.25 (<5%)	Small		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
FLR-11.3	Fanling Urban Development Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A very small area of this LR is located at the RODP boundary along Ma Sik Road and since this road will remain there will be no adverse impact here. A little further east the LR minimally overlaps with D2-13 and D3-2 designated for amenities (road/cycle path) and D2-14 designated for unspecified government use, both of which are compatible with the current LR. Overall magnitude of change is considered small during construction but once operational there will be no change to the resource use and the impact is negligible.
FLR 12 Rural Development Area
FLR-12.1	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Outside RODP boundary	2.64	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-12.1	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au	A1-3, A1-9 (AGR);A1-5 (A), A1-4 (O); A1-2 (G)	8.15	6.47 (10%)	Small		Fair	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this LR lies within the RODP boundary and will mainly fall into sites A1-3 and A1-9 designated for agriculture which will therefore not adversely affect the LR. One small area will be affected by a proposed WSD facility at A1-2. Site clearance and formation will be necessary, possibly with some demolition of existing structures and at operation the new land use would not be compatible with the existing. A smaller area will be affected by a site designated for an open space (A1-4) and roadside amenity A1-5, and these land uses are considered to be compatible with the existing LR. Since in total only about 0.6 ha will be affected by incompatible elements of the Project, the magnitude of change is small.
FLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA	A3-1 (G)	7.59	1.17 (100%)	Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
FLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A small area of this LR will be affected by site A3-1 which is proposed as the Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir and its access road. The LR here is mainly composed of the existing Firing Range with Fresh Water Service reservoir underneath and its access road, and has undergone some site formation already for the construction of these structures. The preliminary design of the new reservoir and its access road, suggests the site formation work required will affect a relatively small area of this LR here. The proposed highest cut/ fill slopes will be 24 m with a maximum 40 degree angle for all slopes and the exposed slope at completion will be up to 18 m high. There will therefore be some topography changes in this area as Figures 12.12.6 and 12.12.8 help illustrate. During construction some demolition or removal of existing structures may be required, along with site formation and despite the area affected being small, the magnitude of change to this LR type is considered to be intermediate at construction, mainly due to the topographical changes. At operation, the reservoir is fairly compatible with the current LR but the overall magnitude of change is considered to remain intermediate.
FLR-12.4	Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area	Road south of B3-10 (E);	35.70	0.13 (100%)	Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-12.4	Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area	Only a very small area of this LR falls within the RODP and it will be adversely affected by the road along a secondary school (B3-10). Since the area going to be affected by the road is very small and the Project here is fairly compatible, the magnitude of change is considered to be small during construction and operation.
FLR-12.5	Wa Shan Rural Development Area	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; B1-8 (R4) C1-3, D1-3 both (O)	22.65	0.88 (100%)	Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
FLR-12.5	Wa Shan Rural Development Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Of the small area of this LR that falls within the RODP boundary, most lies within sites designated to be Fanling Bypass Western Section and open space (C1-3, D1-3). During construction at these sites, some site clearance and formation works may be required but given the relatively small area of LR affected, the magnitude of change is considered small. About 0.5 ha lies within site B1-7 which is designated for rural residential development which is fairly compatible with this LR. The magnitude of change is, at worst, small.
FLR-12.6	Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area	Outside RODP boundary	54.07	0.00	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-12.6	Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The rural development area is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-12.7	Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan	D4-1 (G)	30.99	0.04 (0%)	Small		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
FLR-12.7	Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A very small area of this LR falls in site D4-1, which is the proposed area for the Fanling North Flushing Water Service Reservoir. The affected area is currently a road and is unlikely to change in LR type so the magnitude of change is considered negligible.
FLR-12.8	Rural Development Area at Ma Shi Po	DP13 New SPS C2-3(OU-SPS); D2-9, D3-8 both (PRH); D2-2 (HOS); D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7 all (R1c), D2-4, D2-12(R2), C2-7, D3-11, D3-12 all (E); D2-13, D3-13 both (A); C2-5, C2-6 both (G); C2-8, C2-10, D2-8, D2-11, D3-5, D3-10 all (O)	12.72	12.72 (100%)	Large		Poor	Poor	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
FLR-12.8	Rural Development Area at Ma Shi Po	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation All this LR falls within the RODP boundary. Approximately 85% will be affected by sites designated for uses such as: government uses e.g. Sewage Pumping Station (C2-3), General Clinic/Health Centre (C2-5), Social Welfare Centre and Sports/Leisure Centre (C2-6); residential zones, some with commercial uses included (D2-12, D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7); public rental housing and HOS (D2-9, D3-8, D2-2); and educational developments (C2-7, D3-11, D3-12) and part of the main distributor road and associated amenity planting (D2-13, D3-13). Site clearance and formation works at all these sites will be necessary and impact this LR and during operation the new land use would be incompatible with the current LR. Some (approximately 5%) of this LR will be affected by sites designated to be open space (C2-10, D2-11, D3-5, D3-10) and about 10% of this LR lies within the designated site for Town Park (C2-8). Proposed recreational facilities included football pitch, volleyball court, tennis court grass pitches and a mini soccer court. Site clearance and formation work for these open spaces and town park will still be required here during construction causing impacts, despite the sites being more compatible with the existing LR at operation. Overall the compatibility of the Project with this LR is poor and given the area affected the magnitude of change is large.
FLR-12.9	Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural Development Area	D3-1a (R1), D2-2, D3-1b both (HOS), D3-1c (R1c); D3-2, D3-9 all (A)	10.38	5.65 (95%)	Medium		Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
FLR-12.9		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Of all this LR within the Study Area, approximately half falls within the RODP boundary and will mainly be affected by sites designated as residential zones (D3-1a, D2-2, D3-1b, D3-1c) and part of the main distributor road. D3-1 largely falls on an area that currently hosts an abandoned development of some flats. These may need to be demolished and removed prior to site formation during construction phase but at operation the Project will be compatible here and land use will not change essentially, if anything improving it. In D2-2 the Project is less compatible as the existing development is more rural and will be affected by site formation works and the new built structures. A small area also falls within sites D3-2 and D3-9 which are designated as amenity areas which will be fairly compatible by operation. Overall the Project will be fairly compatible and since a medium area will be affected overall, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate.
FLR 13 Industrial / Open Storage
FLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial / Open Storage Area	DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent at A2-3; DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; DP11 Further Expansion of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works at A2-3 (OU-STW), DP13 New SPS at B2-3 (OU-SPS); A1-8, A1-11, B2-4 all (G); A1-9 (AGR) B2-2(OU-POFEFTS); B2-5(IC); B2-6, B2-7, B2-11, B2-12 all (PRH); B1-1, B1-2, B2-1, B2-8, B2-9 all (O); B2-4(G)	70.03	17.57 (100%)	Medium		Poor	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large (partly beneficial)	Intermediate (partly beneficial)
FLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial / Open Storage Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The area of this LR that falls within the RODP boundary is largely open storage, car parks and warehouses. For the affected area north of Ng Tung River, this lies within sites designated for a Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8), Fanling Bypass Western Section and a Weapons Training Division (A1-11). During construction at these sites, the sites will be cleared of their existing structures and some site formation work will be necessary. By operation these site will be fairly compatible with the current LR. For the area south of Ng Tung River, this will mainly be affected by sites A2-3 (designated for a part of the further expansion of the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works and Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent), B2-2 and B2-4 (potentially designated for Parking & Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System), B2-4 (a government reserve), B2-6, B2-11, B2-7 and B2-12 (public rental housing with Nurseries and Kindergarten) and B2-5 (a CLP substation). Again during construction existing structures will be removed and site formation will be necessary but by operation the sites are considered fairly compatible with the existing LR. A small part of this LR lies in the sites designated for open space (B1-2, B2-1, B2-8 and B2-9) as well as agricultural land (A1-9), where no adverse impact is expected. Overall a reasonable area of this LR is affected by the Project, and at construction the magnitude of change is large due to site clearance work etc but the change in land use will partially improve the LR. At operation, the land uses will be fairly compatible with the existing, even enhancing it in places, and the magnitude of change is intermediate (partly beneficial).
FLR-13.2	Fanling Industrial Area	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; DP12 Re-provision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6; D2-15, D2-16 both (G); D2-17 (A)	16.08	2.65 (100%)	Small		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small (mainly beneficial)	Small (beneficial)
	Fanling Industrial Area	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The area of this LR that falls within the RODP boundary is mainly a covered Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products currently. It falls within two sites which are considered compatible: D1-6 designated for the North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products and Site D2-15 designated as government reserve and re-provisioning of Public Toilet and Government Refuse Collection Point. Site D2-16 is designated for government reserve which at worst will be fairly compatible. Some of the area will be affected by a new road connecting to a roundabout on Sha Tau Kok Road and D2-17 is designated as an amenity area; both these are considered fairly compatible uses with the existing industrial area. Overall the elements of the Project affecting this LR are compatible and also given the small area affected, the magnitude of change is small and mainly beneficial during construction and overall beneficial at operation.
FLR 14 Major Transportation Corridor
FLR-14.1	MTRC East Rail	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 1700 m	Length of LR affected: 0 m	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-14.1	MTRC East Rail	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This section of the MTRC is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-14.2	Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau)	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; D1-5(O); DP12 Re-provision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6; D2-14, D2-15 all (G)	Length of LR in Study Area: 1200 m	Length of LR within NDA 170 m Length affected: 170 m (100%)	Small		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
FLR-14.2	Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau)	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A very small section of Sha Tau Kok Road lies within the RODP and is designated to remain as road, so while the magnitude of change may be small during construction due to modifications to the existing road, during operation the LR will remain the same and the magnitude of change will be negligible.
FLR-14.3	Fanling Highway	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 990 m	Length of LR affected: 0 m	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-14.3	Fanling Highway	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The Fanling Highway is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.
FLR-14.4	MTRC near Fanling Highway	Outside RODP boundary	Length of LR in Study Area: 950 m	Length of LR affected: 0 m	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
FLR-14.4	MTRC near Fanling Highway	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation This section of the MTRC is located outside the RODP boundary and therefore the Project will have no impact on it.

*Code Land Use Type

A Amenity

AGR Agriculture

C Commercial

CA Conservation Area

CDA Comprehensive Development Area

E Education

G Government

G-REC Government Recreation

GB Green Belt

HOS Home Ownership Scheme

IC Institution / Community

O Open Space

OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial, Research & Development

OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District Cooling System

OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing Range

OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park

OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station

OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking & Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System

OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research & Development

OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway Associated Facilities

OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station

OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works

OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor Centre

PRH Public Rental Housing

PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local Rehousing

R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest density

R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial

R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium density

R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial

R3 Residential Zone 3 - low density

R4 Residential Zone 4 – very low density

V Village Type Development

Table 12.8.4 - Magnitude of change to FLN NDA LCAs

LCA Code	Name	Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LCA	Approximate Area of LCA (ha) in Study Area	Approximate Area of LCA affected within NDA boundary (ha) (Percentage impacted)	Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)	Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good /Fair /Poor)		Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/Medium term], Permanent)		Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible)		Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
LCA Code	Name	Site No. (Land Use Type) Impacting LCA	Approximate Area of LCA (ha) in Study Area		Physical extent of the impact (Small/ Medium/ Large)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
FLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	Principally 'A sites' for Government Facilities Zone including A1-8, D4-1 all(G) A3-1 (G)	207.41	18.03 (100%)	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
FLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Most of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary, but for the small area falling within the majority lies on sites designated for a Flushing Water Service Reservoir (D4-1) and a Fresh Water Service Reservoir (A3-1) and their associated access roads. Since this LCA already contains water reservoirs in both the areas where reservoirs are proposed, this is considered fairly compatible with the Project during operation, although it will be less compatible during the cut and fill work (see Figure 12.12.7). Small areas are affected by sites designated for other uses which are not compatible with the current character, such as government use for e.g. Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8). Although the majority of this LCA will remain unaffected by the Project, and where it is affected it is by fairly compatible elements of the Project, but over 15 ha will suffer some change and the therefore magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate.
FLCA-2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	Affected by all 'Sites' of the NDA i.e.' A sites' for Government Facilities Zone, 'B sites' for West Residential Area, 'C sites' for Civic and Recreation Area and 'D sites' for the District Centre	305.25	29.98 (65%)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation While the majority of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary, a large area lies within it and will be affected by sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA e.g. Sewage Pumping Station (A1-6, B1-4, C2-3); proposed WSD use such as Pumping Station (A1-1, A1-2); Police Driving and Traffic Complex (A1-8); Weapons Training Division (A1-11) and roads; medium and low density residential areas with blocks up to 20 stories high (B1-7, B1-8, B1-9); schools at sites C2-6 and C2-7; and government uses such as Social Welfare Facility and Sports/Leisure Centre (within C2-6). There are areas that fall on sites designated for land use that is compatible with the current LCA, including A1-4, B1-2, B1-5, B1-10, C1-3, C2-4, C2-8, C2-10, D1-2, D1-3 which will all be open space, A1-5, A1-10, B1-6, C1-1, C1-2, D1-1 for amenities, A1-9 which will be agricultural land and A1-7 which will be a conservation area. A relatively large area of this LR in the northwest part of the RODP can be preserved by A1-3 and A1-9 designated for ‘agriculture’ and A1-7 designated as a ‘conservation area’. Considering most of this LCA will not be affected by the Project and just under half of the affected area is compatible with the existing landscape, the overall magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate.
FLCA-3	Urban Development Landscape	Principally affected by 'D sites' for the District Centre; small impact by 'B sites' for West Residential Area	106.85	6.73 (100%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
	Urban Development Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The vast majority of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary. For that within the boundary, it is mainly affected by D3-1 designated as a high density residential zone which is compatible with this LCA. Other areas affected are very small and on the edge of the LCA and overall the magnitude of change for this LCA is small.
FLCA-4	Industrial Landscape	Principally affected by all 'B sites' for West Residential Area and A sites' for Government Facilities Zone with small impact by 'D sites' for the District Centre; small impact by 'B sites' for West Residential Area	105.54	26.91 (100%)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate (partly beneficial)	Small (beneficial)
	Industrial Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The majority of this LCA falls outside the RODP boundary. However for the area inside, it will be affected by sites designated for land use that is fairly compatible with the current LCA e.g. amenities (A2-1, A2-2, A2-4, D2-17), open space (B1-1, B2-1,B2-8, B2-9; the Parking & Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System and Refuse Collection Point in B2-2, residential zones including public rental housing with schools and post office (B2-6, B2-7, B2-11, B2-12), government uses in A1-11, B2-4, D1-6; and sites that have good compatibility with the LCA such as the further expansion of the existing Sewage Treatment Plant at A2-3 and the Government Reserves at D2-15 and D2-16. Overall a medium area will be impacted by sites with fair to good compatibility and the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate but partly beneficial during construction and beneficial overall by operation.
FLCA-5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	Principally affected by all 'B sites' for West Residential Area and 'D sites' for the District Centre with small impact by 'C sites' for Civic and Recreation Area	84.44	60.79 (100%)	Large	Poor	Poor	Permanent	Permanent	Irreversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A large area of this LCA falls within the RODP and will be affected by sites designated for uses incompatible with this LCA, such as large residential areas (B2-11, B2-12, B3-2, B3-6, B3-7, B3-9, D2-2, D2-4, D2-6, D2-12, D3-1, D3-3, D3-4, D3-6, D3-7, D3-8) and residential housing areas including post offices and public transport interchanges (B2-12, B3-6, D2-9), and educational facilities (within B3-6, D2-9, D3-4, D3-6, D3-9 and in B3-4, B3-5, B3-10, B3-12, D3-11, D3-12). Some of the sites affecting this LCA are designated for open space but while this would appear compatible with the LCA initially, since they are fragmented by the other developments that are incompatible (as described); the overall magnitude of change is considered large.
FLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Principally impact by 'D sites' for the District Centre	Length of LCA in Study Area: 3990 m	Length of LCA within NDA: 200 m Length of LCA affected: 200 m (100%)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A very small area of this LCA, namely a short stretch of the Sha Tau Kok Road, falls within the RODP and it is proposed to be upgraded but not changed. Therefore during construction the magnitude of change may be small but by operation, it will be negligible.
FLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Mildly affected by all 'Sites' of the NDA i.e.' A sites' for Government Facilities Zone Area, 'B sites' for West Residential Area, 'C sites' for Civic and Recreation Area and 'D sites' for the District Centre	Length of LCA in Study Area: 8650 m	Length of LCA within NDA: 4920 m Length of LCA affected: 790 m (15%)	Medium	Fair	Good	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Small
	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Where it flows through the RODP, this LCA may be slightly affected along its banks by the periphery of some incompatible sites, but most of the sites along the banks are designated as open space and will not affect the LCA. At Ma Wat River in the south east however approximately 250 m of this channelized river will have to be diverted for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) and the impacts of this are fully assessed in the DP Package 12D. Overall this LCA will mainly be affected by the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section in the south east, but the majority will only be mildly affected by the Project. The magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate at construction when the diversion takes place. The river is already channelized however and at operation will flow through a similar channelized section, and the main Ng Tung River will be negligibly affected, so the overall magnitude of change is considered to be small.

*Code Land Use Type

A Amenity

AGR Agriculture

C Commercial

CA Conservation Area

CDA Comprehensive Development Area

E Education

G Government

G-REC Government Recreation

GB Green Belt

HOS Home Ownership Scheme

IC Institution / Community

O Open Space

OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial, Research & Development

OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District Cooling System

OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing Range

OU-NP Other Specified Uses – Nature Park

OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station

OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking & Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System

OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research & Development

OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway Associated Facilities

OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station

OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works

OU-VC Other Specified Uses – Visitor Centre

PRH Public Rental Housing

PRH-LR Public Rental Housing – Local Rehousing

R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest density

R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial

R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium density

R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial

R3 Residential Zone 3 - low density

R4 Residential Zone 4 – very low density

V Village Type Development

12.8.2 Significance of Landscape Impacts before Mitigation

The potential significance of landscape impacts during the construction and operational phases, before mitigation is provided in Tables 12.8.5 (LR) and 12.8.6 (LCA) for KTN and Tables 12.8.7 (LR) and 12.8.8 (LCA) for FLN respectively. The assessment follows the methodology proposed in Section 12.4 and the matrix provided in Table 12.4.1.

12.8.2.1 Kwu Tung North NDA

The significances of impacts before mitigation on KTN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.8.5 and 12.8.6 below and summaries of the outcome provided after each table.

Table 12.8.5 - Significance of impacts before mitigation on KTN NDA LRs

LR Code	Name	LR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Magnitude of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible		Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
LR Code	Name	LR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
KLR 1	Channelized Water Course
KLR-1.1	Ng Tung River (Channelised)	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River (Channelised)	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River (Channelised)	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant
KLR-1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley (Channelised)	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 2	Water Course
KLR-2.1	Streams in Kwu Tung	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-2.2	Natural Streams at Tai Shek Mo	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 3	Water Pond
KLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-3.2	Long Valley Water Ponds	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.3	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial
KLR-3.4	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.5	Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.6	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-3.7	Water Ponds at Tit Hang	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.8	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.9	Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.10	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 4	Marsh
KLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-4.3	Wetland/ Marsh in the Closed Area	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-4.4	Marsh around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 5	Plantation
KLR-5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-5.4	OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 6	Hillside Woodland
KLR-6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-6.2	Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-6.3	Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial
KLR-6.4	Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 7	Lowland Woodland
KLR-7.1	Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-7.3	Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial
KLR-7.4	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Lowland Woodland	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-7.5	Vemon Pass Woodland	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 8	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic
KLR-8.1	Ki Lun Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
KLR-8.3	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Ranges Foothills	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial
KLR-8.4	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River, Ng Tung River and Fanling Highway	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-8.5	Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 9	Agricultural Land
KLR-9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-9.2	Ho Sheung Heung Agricultural Land	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
KLR-9.3	Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-9.4	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-9.5	Other Orchard Areas in KTN	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
KLR 10	Open Space / Recreational Area
KLR-10.1	Hong Kong Golf Club	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-10.2	Sheung Shui Community Sports	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Substantial	Moderate
KLR-10.3	Lo Wu Saddle Club	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 11	Urban Development Area
KLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-11.2	Existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
KLR 12	Rural Development Area
KLR-12.1	Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.4	Rural Development Area to the East of MTRC East Railway Line	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.5	Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.7	Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.8	Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.9	Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-12.10	Lo Wu Rifle Range	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.11	Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
KLR-12.12	Fanling Lodge	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 13	Industrial / Open Storage
KLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial Area	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-13.2	Industrial / Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	Low	Large (partly beneficial)	Intermediate (partly beneficial)	Slight	Slight beneficial
KLR-13.3	Industrial/Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong	Low	Large (partly beneficial)	Large (partly beneficial)	Slight	Slight beneficial
KLR-13.4	Industrial/Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan	Low	Large (partly beneficial)	Intermediate (partly beneficial)	Slight	Slight beneficial
KLR 14	Major Transportation Corridor
KLR-14.1	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-14.2	MTRC East Rail (to/from Lo Wu)	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant

In summary, in KTN NDA, substantial adverse impacts are predicted at construction for the following five LRs: Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds KLR-3.3, Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong KLR-6.3, Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok KLR-7.3, Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills KLR-8.3, and Sheung Shui Community Sports KLR-10.2. These impacts are predicted to remain substantially adverse at operation prior to mitigation for all these LRs except Sheung Shui Community Sports KLR-10.2 where the land use at operation will be compatible for the some of the area with a new Standard Swimming Pool and Sport Centre (E1-5) such that the impact reduces to moderate at operation prior to mitigation.

There LRs which are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are: KLR-1.4 Water Course Network in Long Valley (Channelised), Streams in Kwu Tung KLR-2.1, Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung KLR-2.4, Water Ponds (Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds KLR-3.1, Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au KLR-3.6), Mitigation Wetland KLR-4.2, OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road KLR-5.4, Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland KLR-6.2, Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland KLR-6.4, Agricultural land (in Long Valley KLR-9.1, in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong KLR-9.3 and others in KTN KLR-9.4), Rural Development Areas (around Ho Sheung Heung KLR-12.1, in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai KLR-12.2 and in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang KLR-12.9), and Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads KLR-14.1. There impacts are predicted to remain moderately adverse at operation for all these LRs.

The remaining LRs will all experience slight adverse impacts or insignificant impacts at construction and operation, with the exception of the Industrial / Open Storage Areas in Yin Kong (KLR-13.2), Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong (KLR-13.3) and Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan (KLR-13.4) where the land use will improve, largely due to residential uses, and the impacts at operation are considered to be slightly beneficial overall.

Table 12.8.6 - Significance of impacts before mitigation on KTN NDA LCAs

LCA Code	Name	LCA Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Magnitude of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible		Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
LCA Code	Name	LCA Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
KLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Substantial	Substantial
KLCA-2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
KLCA-3	Urban Development Landscape	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLCA-4	Industrial Landscape	Low	Intermediate (partly beneficial)	Small (beneficial)	Slight	Slight beneficial
KLCA-5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Medium	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
KLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight

In summary for the LCAs, substantially adverse impacts are predicted at construction and operation before mitigation for Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1) (due to large topographical changes (See Figures 12.11.5a-d) in constructing the water service reservoirs in G1-4 and G1-5, even though the impacted area is relatively small) Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape (KLCA-5) will experience moderate adverse impacts during construction and operation, mainly due to large area of land to be affected by the Project. In addition the Major Transportation Corridor Landscape (KLCA-6) will experience moderate adverse impacts during construction and operation prior to mitigation, mainly due to the potential loss of roadside greening along Fanling Highway.

The remaining LCAs are all expected to experience slight adverse impacts at construction and operation, except the Urban Development Landscape (KLCA-3) which is expected to experience insignificant impacts (as only a small area of within the NDA (the Lo Wu Correctional Institution) and no changes are expected there) and the Industrial Landscape KLCA-4 which is expected to slightly benefit from the Project by operation due to the compatible and possible enhancement of land uses here e.g. industrial/ open storage areas to residential areas.

12.8.2.2 Fanling North NDA

The significance of impacts on FLN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.8.7 and 12.8.8 below and summaries for each provided after the tables.

Table 12.8.7- Significance of impacts before mitigation on FLN NDA LRs

LR Code	Name	LR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Magnitude of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible		Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
		LR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
FLR 1	Channelized Water Course
FLR-1.1	Ng Tung River (Fanling District) (Channelized)	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River (Channelized)	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River (Channelized)	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-1.4	Ma Wat River (Channelized)	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Substantial	Moderate
FLR-1.5	Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land (Channelized)	Low	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
FLR 2	Water Course
FLR-2.1	Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-2.2	Natural Stream at Cham Shan	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Lung Shan	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
FLR 3	Water Pond
FLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-3.2	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-3.3	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-3.4	Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-3.5	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 4	Marsh
FLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley and near Tsung Yeun	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial
FLR 5	Plantation
FLR-5.1	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-5.2	Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR 6	Hillside Woodland
FLR-6.1	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-6.2	Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial
FLR-6.3	Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-6.4	Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
FLR 7	Lowland Woodland
FLR-7.1	Vernon Pass Woodland	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-7.3	Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-7.4	Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-7.5	Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 8	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic
FLR-8.1	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic West of and along Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-8.2	Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-8.3	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan	Medium	Intermedate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-8.4	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial
FLR 9	Agricultural Land
FLR-9.1	Agricultural Land in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-9.2	Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.3	Agricultural Land between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-9.4	Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.5	Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.6	Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Shek Wu San Tsuen	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.7	Agricultural Land in South of Sha Tau Kok Road	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 10	Open Space / Recreational Area
FLR-10.1	North District Sports Ground	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 11	Urban Development Area
FLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-11.2	Sheung Shui Urban Development Area	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant
FLR-11.3	Fanling Urban Development Area	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant
FLR 12	Rural Development Area
FLR-12.1	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-12.4	Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-12.5	Wa Shan Rural Development Area	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLR-12.6	Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-12.7	Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant
FLR-12.8	Rural Development Area around Ma Shi Po	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-12.9	Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural Development Area	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Slight	Slight
FLR 13	Industrial / Open Storage
FLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial/Open Storage Area	Low	Large (partly beneficial)	Intermediate (partly beneficial)	Slight	Slight beneficial
FLR-13.2	Fanling Industrial Area	Low	Small (mainly beneficial)	Small (beneficial)	Slight beneficial	Moderate beneficial
FLR 14	Major Transportation Corridor
FLR-14.1	MTRC East Rail	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-14.2	Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau)	Medium	Small	Negligible	Slight	Slight
FLR-14.3	Fanling Highway	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-14.4	MTRC near Fanling Highway	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant

In summary, in FLN NDA, substantial adverse impacts are predicted at construction for the following four LRs: Ma Wat River (Channelized) (FLR-1.4), Mitigation Wetland (FLR-4.2), Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland (FLR-6.2), and Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan (FLR-8.4). All these will experience substantial adverse impacts at operation also, except Ma Wat River (Channelized) (FLR-1.4) which is predicted to have moderate adverse impacts at operation.

The LRs which are predicted to experience moderately adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are: Water Course through Ma Shui Po Agricultural Land (FLR-1.5), Natural Streams in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land (FLR-2.1), Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen (FLR-2.4),, Hillside Woodland at Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (FLR-6.1) and at Lunch Shan and Wa Mei Shan (FLR-6.4), Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (FLR-7.2) and at Sacred Hill (FLR-7.4), Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan (FLR-8.3), Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land (FLR-9.2), Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land (FLR-9.4), Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan (FLR-9.5), Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yeung, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau (FLR-9.6) and Rural Development Areas in the North of FLN NDA (FLR-12.3) and around Ma Shi Po (FLR-12.8).

The remaining LRs will all experience slight adverse impacts or insignificant impacts at construction and operation, with the exception of all the Industrial / Open Storage Areas i.e. those in Sheung Shui (FLR13.1) and Fanling Industrial Area (FLR13.2), where the land use will improve, largely due to residential uses, and the impacts at operation are considered to be slightly and moderately beneficial overall respectively.

Table 12.8.8 - Significance of impacts before mitigation on FLN NDA LCAs

LR/LCA Code	Name	LR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Magnitude of change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible		Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
LR/LCA Code	Name	LR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
FLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
FLCA-2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
FLCA-3	Urban Development Landscape	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
FLCA-4	Industrial Landscape	Low	Intermediate (partly beneficial)	Small (beneficial)	Slight	Slight beneficial
FLCA-5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate
FLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant
FLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight

Natural Hillside Landscape in the FLN area (FLCA-1), Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape (FLCA-5) and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (FLCA-7) are expected to experience moderately adverse impacts during construction and all will remain so at operation except FLCA-7 which will experience slightly adverse impacts at operation before mitigation.

The remaining LCAs are all expected to experience slight adverse impacts at construction and operation, or insignificant impacts, except the Industrial Landscape (FLCA-4) which is expected to slightly benefit from the Project by operation due to the compatible and possible enhancement of land uses here e.g. industrial/ open storage areas to residential areas.

12.9 Landscape & Visual Mitigation Measures

At the Project planning stage, many factors have been considered to avoid, reduce and/ or help compensate for the potential L&V impacts of the NDAs, with highest priority given to avoidance. Several alternative layouts/profiles for the Project have been assessed, taking into account potential L&V impacts, but also taking account of other considerations such as geotechnical constraints, existing settlements and infrastructure, as well as other environmental factors such as cultural heritage, water, noise etc. A summary of the planning context, framework and concepts that have shaped the revised RODPs, highlighting those that minimize the negative L&V impacts of each NDA, is provided in Section 12.5.2.

As well as the planning principles and concepts outlined above and in Section 12.5.2 (considered as mitigation prior to construction), measures to further avoid, as well as reduce and/or compensate for particular unavoidable impacts during the construction and/or operation of the Project have all been considered, with highest priority given to impact avoidance and reduction.

These proposed mitigation measures should be implemented as early as possible but those listed here have not been categorized separately as ‘design’, ‘construction’ or ‘operation’ mitigation measures due to measures often spanning different phases of the Project. For example soft landscape mitigation measures will be considered during detailed design, most likely be implemented during construction, and their full effect often not appreciated until 10 years on, when the Project is operational. Equally, detailed design measures such as fine tuning the footprint and design of a building may reduce construction impacts but will also reduce operation impacts.

Each NDA has multiple components due to be built in different phases and includes projects designated for stand-alone EIA under Schedule 2 of the EIAO. For each component or phase, all of the proposed mitigation measures should be considered and implemented as appropriate and further details specific to the Schedule 2 DPs can be found in DP Packages 12A-D.

The proposed mitigation measures for the Project are summarized in Table 12.9.1 below and described in detail following. The same table also lists the agents responsible for the capital funding, the implementation and the maintenance of the suggested measures. For the Schedule 2 DPs, these agents may differ and further details of specific mitigation measures for Schedule 2 DPs are provided in DP Packages 12A-D.

Table 12.9.1–Summary of Proposed Mitigation Measures

Mitigation Measure Code	Summary Description	Capital Funding Agency ⁽[4]⁾	Implementation Agency	Post-Construction Maintenance Agency⁽[5]⁾
MM1	Minimum Topographical Change	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	n/a
MM2	Detailed Design - Visual	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	Building proponents/ HyD for noise barriers
MM3	Open Space Provision	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	LCSD
MM4	Tree Protection & Preservation	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	n/a
MM5	Tree Transplantation	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	LCSD
MM6	Slope Landscaping	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	HyD/ LCSD
MM7	Compensatory Planting	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	HyD/ LCSD
MM8	Woodland Compensatory Planting	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	AFCD⁽[6]⁾
MM9	Vertical Greening	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	Building proponents
MM10	Green Roof	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	Building proponents
MM11	Screen Planting	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	HyD/ LCSD
MM12	Road Greening	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	HyD/ LCSD
MM13	Marsh/Wetland Compensation	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	AFCD⁽[7]⁾
MM14.1	Watercourse Impact Mitigation - Reprovision of Natural Stream	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	DSD/ LCSD/ AFCD ⁽[8]⁾
MM14.2	Watercourse Impact Mitigation - Stream Buffer Planting	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	LCSD/ AFCD ⁽[9]⁾
MM14.3	Watercourse Impact Mitigation- Enhancement Planting along Embankment	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	LCSD/ AFCD/ DSD ⁽[10]⁾
MM14.4	Watercourse Impact Mitigation – Avoid Affecting Watercouses	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	n/a
MM15	Pond Replacement	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	LCSD
MM16	Screen Hoarding	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	n/a
MM17	Light Control	Government/ Private Sector	Contractors of the Government/ Private Sector	n/a

· Minimum Topographical Change (MM1)

To minimise landscape and visual impacts, the footprint and elevation of such elements should be optimised to reduce topographical/ landform changes, as well as reduce land take and interference with natural terrain. Where there is a need to significantly cut into the existing landform, retaining walls should be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes and land resumption, while also considering visual amenity. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with the surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain e.g. introduction and continuation of natural features such as spurs and ridges where appropriate, to support assimilation with the hillside setting.

· Detailed Design (Visual) (MM2)

The planning of the revised RODP has considered reducing visual impacts, enhancing visual amenity and keeping visual corridors, as described in Section 12.5.2.

The footprint and massing of development components and the works area should also be kept to a practical minimum and the detailed design of development components for construction stage should follow the Sustainable Building Design Guidelines.

The form, textures, finishes and colours of the proposed development components should aim to be compatible with the existing surroundings. To improve visual amenity, designs should be aesthetically pleasing and treatment of structures also improve visual amenity. For example natural building materials such as stone and timber, should be considered for architectural features, and light earthy tone colours such as shades of green, shades of grey, shades of brown and off-white should also be considered to reduce the visibility of the development components, including all roadwork, buildings and noise barriers. In addition, the design of structures should consider green roofs where feasible, following guidelines laid out in CIBSE HK Branch’s Technical Guidelines for Green Roof Systems in Hong Kong (2011) and ArchSD/Urbis Study on Green Roof Application in Hong Kong (2007) (Also see MM10).

All barriers, particularly noise barriers but also any barriers proposed for ecological impact mitigation, should be kept to a practical minimum, be designed to integrate as well as possible into the surrounding visual context and be as low as practical to minimise blocking views. Noise barrier design, including vertical, cantilever or curved, and noise enclosures including semi-enclosure and full enclosure, at grade and/ or elevated, should follow the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section (GLTM) of the Development Bureau’s Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barriers (April 2012).

Construction time frame should also be considered and designs seek to keep it to a practical minimum.

· Open Space Provision (MM3)

In planning the revised RODP, impacts to most open space/ recreational areas have been avoided. To help alleviate loss of open space unavoidably affected by the Project, the principles adopted in the RODP planning ensure that public open space systems are incorporated and also improve landscape and visual amenity. In KTN NDA, the key open spaces are the east-west running Town Park in the town centre and the Fung Kong Shan Park in the northern part of the NDA as well as a riverside promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River. In FLN NDA, Site C2-8 is proposed as a Central Park and areas along the northern and southern banks of Ng Tung River will be developed into continuous promenades with some Riverside Parks at a number of Sites (e.g. B1-2, B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, D1-2 and D1-3). The public open space within the RODPs will enhance the visual amenity of the area and improve the overall landscape character as well as ensuring no overall loss of open space/ recreational LR.

· Tree Protection & Preservation (MM4)

Exiting trees to be retained within the Project Site should be carefully protected during construction. In particular OVTs will be preserved according to ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 29/2004. Detailed Tree Protection Specification shall be provided in the Contract Specification. Under this specification, the Contractor shall be required to submit, for approval, a detailed working method statement for the protection of trees prior to undertaking any works adjacent to all retained trees, including trees in contractor’s works areas.

A detailed tree survey will be carried out for the Tree Removal Application (TRA) process which will be carried out at the later detailed design stage of the Project. The detailed tree survey will propose which trees should be retained, transplanted or felled and will include details of tree protection measures for those trees to be retained.

· Tree Transplantation (MM5)

Trees unavoidably affected by the Project works should be transplanted where practical. Trees should be transplanted straight to their final receptor site and not held in a temporary nursery as far as possible. A detailed Tree Transplanting Specification shall be provided in the Contract Specification, where applicable. Sufficient time for necessary tree root and crown preparation periods shall be allowed in the project programme.

A detailed transplanting proposal will be submitted to relevant government departments for approval in accordance with ETWBTC 2/2004 and 3/2006 and final locations of transplanted trees should be agreed prior to commencement of the work.

For trees associated with highways e.g. roadside planting along highways, that are unavoidably affected and should be transplanted, HyD HQ/GN/13 ‘Interim Guidelines for Tree Transplanting Works under Highways Department's Vegetation Maintenance Ambit’ should be referred to.

· Slope Landscaping (MM6)

As mentioned in Section 12.5.2.1, site formation has been reduced as far as possible to avoid substantial slope cutting (also see MM1).

Hydroseeding of modified slopes should be done as soon as grading works are completed to prevent erosion and subsequent loss of landscape resources and characters. Woodland tree seedlings and/ or shrubs should be planted where the slope gradient and site conditions allow. In addition, landscape planting should be provided for the retaining structures associated with modified slopes, where conditions allow. All slope landscaping works should comply with GEO Publication No. 1/2011-Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment for Slopes.

· Compensatory Planting (MM7) (For specific woodland compensatory planting, see MM8)

Compensatory tree planting for felled trees shall be provided to the satisfaction of relevant Government departments. Required numbers and locations of compensatory trees shall be determined and agreed separately with Government during the Tree Removal Application process under ETWBTC 3/2006. Based on a very broad brush estimate, 17,000 trees will be affected by the Project of which 30% will be retained/ transplanted. Those unavoidably lost will be compensated for by planting within KTN NDA and FLN NDA to the satisfaction of relevant Government departments as outlined above.

In addition, compensatory planting for shrubs should be considered in suitable locations. Native species such as Melastoma malabathricum, Diospyros vaccinioides, Gardenia jasminoides, Ixora chinensis, Ligustrum sinense, Litsea rotundifolia, Melastoma dodecandrum, Atalantia buxifolia, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Rhaphiolepis indica, and Rhododendron simsii are suggested.

The location of compensatory planting is proposed at the potential open areas such as open spaces, amenity areas, open areas of the streetscapes including roadside planting, as well as the open areas within development lots. Should space allow, the woodland compensatory planting areas (see MM8) may also be able to accommodate some standard tree and shrub compensation.

· Woodland Compensatory Planting (MM8)

Specific woodland compensatory planting is proposed for any areas of quality woodland that are unavoidably affected by the Project.^([11])The compensatory woodland planting will principally be within habitats of lower value such as upland grassland. The proposed locations are identified, for example, on the foothills of Tai Shek Mo, and on the higher ground of Fung Kong Shan in KTN NDA; along Fanling Bypass; and a small area in the northern FLN NDA, as indicated on the Landscape Mitigation Plans in Figures 12.15.0-6 for KTN NDA and 12.16.0-5 for FLN NDA (further detailed zoom in Landscape Mitigation Plans are provided in DP Packages 12A-D).

The total area allocated for compensatory woodland planting is more than 16 ha. This provision allows in part for the fact that it will take some time for the compensatory planting to achieve the landscape and ecological function and value of the area to be lost. In addition, it allows for the fact that not all of the areas identified for planting will prove to be plantable, by virtue of topography and ground conditions and, especially, because though the areas identified are largely grassland it is inevitable that these areas will already support some patches of trees and shrubs which would be inappropriate for further planting.

The intention of the compensatory woodland will be to recreate areas of quality woodland, not necessarily to compensate for loss of trees on a like for like basis. Native tree species are suggested for planting, including Ailanthus fordii, Bischofia javanica, Castanopsis fissa, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum burmannii, Cinnamomum camphora, Xanthoxlyum avicennae, Liquidambar formosana, Sapium discolor, Schefflera heptaphylla and Ilex rotunda. In addition some understory vegetation may be planted including shrubs such as Atalantia buxifolia, Diospyros vaccinioides, Gardenia jasminoides, Ixora chinensis, Ligustrum sinense, Litsea rotundifolia, Melastoma malabathricum, Melastoma dodecandrum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Rhaphiolepis indica, and Rhododendron simsii.

· Vertical Greening (MM9)

Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces where appropriate (e.g. building edges, piers), to soften hard structures and facilities.

· Green Roof (MM10)

Roof greening where appropriate should be established on proposed buildings to reduce exposure to untreated concrete surfaces and particularly mitigate visual impact to VSRs at high levels. Green roofs can also provide attractive landscaping and greening. CIBSE HK Branch’s Technical Guidelines for Green Roof Systems in Hong Kong (2011) and ArchSD/Urbis Study on Green Roof Application in Hong Kong (2007) should be referred to when considering and developing green roofs. These documents provide further details including information regarding structural loading, design, and maintenance etc. considerations as well as providing information on what types of plants might be suitable.

· Screen Planting (MM11)

Tall screen/buffer trees and shrubs should be planted to screen proposed structures such as roads and buildings. This measure may additionally form part of the compensatory planting and will improve compatibility with the surrounding environment and create a pleasant pedestrian environment.

· Road Greening (MM12)

For viaducts, soft landscaping should be provided to soften the hard, straight edges (for climbers used to cover the vertical, hard surfaces of the piers – see MM9 Vertical Greening) and shade tolerant plants should be planted, where light is insufficient, to improve aesthetic value of areas under viaducts. Both at grade planting and use of elevated planters should be considered for the soft landscaping of viaducts, taking into account the preference to minimise the overall viaduct bulk and integrate architectural forms and textural finishes which improve aesthetics.

At grade road planting should be considered along central dividers and on road islands e.g. in the middle of roundabouts. HQ/GN/15 - Guidelines for Greening Works along Highways should be referred to for greening of highways specifically and Development Bureau TCW No. 2/2013 – Greening on Footbridges and Flyovers for footbridges and flyovers.

(Roadside planting i.e. at the road edge and not in the central divider or road island, is considered part of MM11 Screen Planting and might also be part of MM7 Compensatory Planting or MM5 Tree Transplanting (where the transplanted tree is planted)

· Marsh/Wetland Compensation (MM13)

Direct loss of marsh and wetland areas caused by the Project will be mitigated by compensatory habitat and management in the proposed Long Valley Nature Park (LVNP) where there will be some addition of wetland areas.

Also see ‘MM14 Watercourse Impact Mitigation’ as wetland planting should be provided along the embankments and beds of modified watercourses.

· Watercourse Impact Mitigation (MM14)

Watercourses in the Study Area are broadly categorised into channelized water courses (LR1) and non-channelized or more natural watercourse including natural streams (LR2). During the formulation of the RODP, key features, which include the large channelized rivers of Ng Tung, Shek Sheung, Sheung Yue and Ma Wat channel, as well as areas of natural streams have been actively avoided as far as possible as reported in Section 12.5.2; where they cannot be fully avoided, care has been taken to zone the land appropriately to ensure their protection wherever possible. Inevitably, given the nature of the Project, there will be some impacts on watercourses and MM14.1-4 below describe specific measures that can be applied to help mitigate watercourse impacts.

Reprovision of Natural Stream (MM14.1)

Where natural streams are unavoidabley affected along some of their length, they can be diverted to avoid the proposed new developments and retain the integrity of the whole stream. Detailed design of any stream diversion should follow the Guidelines in ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 (Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works) and appropriate construction methods should be used.

Two short stretches of the Ma Tso Lung Stream will be affected by Project in the KTN NDA; by the LMC Eastern Connection Road on the western border of Site F1-3 and further upstream by Site E-2. At both these locations, the affected stream will be reprovisioned and maintain the flow between unaffected sections of the stream. The reprovisioned stream will be provided with a natural bed and banks, as well as having an area of marsh/ pool next to it and trees and shrubs further from the banks. Full details of this stream mitigation are provided in Chapter 13.

Stream Buffer Planting (MM14.2)

Providing a minimum 10 m buffer with planting (where there is a general presumption against any development taking place) along streams where they flow close to developments, confers a degree of protection to the stream course and its associated vegetation.

For the stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen in FLN NDA, changes to the proposed NDA boundary during the revised RODP design have excluded much of this stream from the NDA and within the NDA boundary much of the stream would be located underneath the viaduct for the proposed Fanling Bypass. To the south of the viaduct the stream flows through the area D1-3, zoned as Open Space, prior to joining Ng Tung River. In this Open Space zone a 10m buffer is proposed in which natural vegetation will be retained and enhanced and human activities will be limited in order to avoid direct impacts to the stream bed and to minimise potential indirect impacts to the stream and riparian corridor.

Enhancement Planting along Embankment (MM14.3)

For channelized watercourses, if these are modified, the Drainage Services Department Practice Note No.1/2005 – Guidelines on Environmental Considerations for River Channel Design, should be considered and appropriate mitigation measures included ensuring the new watercourses match the existing as far as possible. Measures can include enhancement planting to upgrade the channels as appropriate, including consideration of wetland planting along embankments where appropriate; as well as consideration of the best materials for the channel lining (e.g. gabion). All measures must also ensure any necessary maintenance work can be carried out and that the channel meets all its requirements for water flow, etc.

For example, a stretch of the Ma Wat River Channel in the south of FLN NDA will have to be diverted for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. This measure will be particularly relevant in this area.

Avoid affecting Watercourses (MM14.4)

At the planning stage care has been taken to avoid affecting watercourses as far as possible. In the detailed design, consideration should again be made of watercourses, to minimise any impacts e.g. at new bridge crossings, viaducts, road alignment etc. Guidelines for this include ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works as well as Building Department (BD) Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 295: Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works.

For example, the stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen in FLN NDA much of the stream is located underneath the viaduct for the proposed Fanling Bypass. In order to avoid impacts to the stream, the detailed final design of the viaduct should follow guidelines and ensure that no viaduct footings or other structures are places in the stream.

Bridges and box culverts should also be used to minimise the necessity of watercourse modification and protect the watercourses where necessary.

· Pond Replacement (MM15)

In planning the revised RODP, impacts to most ponds have been avoided by exclusion from the NDA or suitable zoning that allow for the ponds to be protected e.g. Agricultural zoning in A1-3 and A1-9 in the west of FLN NDA. To help alleviate the loss of ponds unavoidably affected by the Project, the principles adopted in the RODP design ensure that new ponds are incorporated and also improve landscape and visual amenity. For example the Fung Kong Shan Park in E1-7 of KTN NDA will incorporate a pond and the requirement of such re-provision has been stipulated in the planning documents for the formulation of the Preliminary Layout Plan (In addition, the LVNP at C1-9 will ensure the retention and possible provision of ponds as reported in MM13).

· Screen Hoarding (MM16)

Screen hoarding shall be erected along areas of the construction works site boundary where the works site borders with public accessible routes and/or is close to visually sensitive receivers (VSRs), to screen undesirable views of the works site. It is proposed that the screening be compatible with the surrounding environment and where possible, non-reflective, recessive colours be used. Any works areas near the ecological sensitive areas should erect 2m high dull green site boundary fence. Details can refer to the ecological impact assessment (Chapter 13 of the EIA report).

· Light Control (MM17)

Construction day and night time lighting should be controlled to minimize glare impact to adjacent VSRs during the construction stage. Street and night time lighting shall also be controlled to minimize glare impact to adjacent VSRs during the operation phase. This is considered a general measure for good practice.

· Other good practise measures.

For areas unavoidably disturbed by the Project on a short term basis e.g. works areas, the general principle to try and restore these to their former state to suit future land use, should be adhered to.

With regard to topsoil, where identified, it should be stripped, treated appropriately, and where suitable and practical stored for re-use in the construction of the soft landscape works such as roadside amenity strips, and open space sites. For the all planting, this should be installed as soon as the areas become available, to achieve early establishment.

12.9.1 Significance of Residual Landscape Impacts upon Mitigation

Mitigation measures, as described in Section 12.9 above, have been applied to the various impacts and used to calculate the significance of residual impacts for LRs and LCAs. For LRs and LCAs particularly affected by the Project (as summarised after Tables 12.8.5 and 12.8.6 for KTN and Tables 12.8.7 and 12.8.8 for FLN), a brief description of how the measures will mitigate the impacts is provided.

The potential significance of residual landscape impacts during the construction and operational phases, after mitigation at day 1 and year 10, is provided in Tables 12.9.2 and 12.9.3 for KTN and Tables 12.9.4 and 12.9.5 for FLN respectively.

The assessment follows the methodology proposed in Section 12.4 and assumes that the appropriate mitigation measures described in Section 12.9, and listed in the tables according to LRs/LCAs, would be implemented. The assessment also assumes the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures would be fully realized after 10 years.

Figures 12.15.0 (key plan), 12.15.1-6 (zoom ins) and Figures 12.16.0 (key plan), 12.16.1-5 (zoom ins) show the main Landscape Mitigation Plans for the KTN and FLN NDAs respectively, to help illustrate some of the mitigation measures proposed.

12.9.1.1 Kwu Tung North (KTN) NDA

The significance of residual impacts after mitigation on KTN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.9.2 and 12.9.3 below. Brief descriptions of how these measures will mitigate the impacts on the most affected LRs and LCAs is provided after the tables.

Table 12.9.2 – Significance of Residual Impacts Upon Mitigation on KTN NDA LRs

LR Code	Name	Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)		Recommended Mitigation Measures		Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
LR Code	Name	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation (Day 1)	Operation (Year 10)
KLR 1	Channelized Water Course
KLR-1.1	Ng Tung River (Channelised)	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River (Channelised)	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River (Channelised)	Slight	Insignificant	MM14.3, MM14.4	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley (Channelised)	Moderate	Moderate	MM14.4	MM14.4	Slight	Slight	Slight
KLR 2	Water Course
KLR-2.1	Streams in Kwu Tung	Moderate	Moderate	n/a ^([12])	n/a ^([13])	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-2.2	Natural Streams at Tai Shek Mo	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung	Moderate	Moderate	MM14.1, MM14.2, MM14.3, MM14.4	MM14.1, MM14.2, MM14.3, M14.4	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 3	Water Pond
KLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	Moderate	Moderate	MM15	MM13, MM15	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR-3.2	Long Valley Water Ponds	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.3	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	Substantial	Substantial	MM15	MM13, MM15	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
KLR-3.4	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.5	Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.6	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	Moderate	Moderate	M15	MM13, MM15	Moderate	Slight	Slight
KLR-3.7	Water Ponds at Tit Hang	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.8	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.9	Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-3.10	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 4	Marsh
KLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	Moderate	Moderate	MM13	MM13	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR-4.3	Wetland/ Marsh in the Closed Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-4.4	Marsh around Pai Tau Lo and Tsung Yeun	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 5	Plantation
KLR-5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hakka Wai	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-5.4	OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road	Moderate	Moderate	MM4	MM4	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 6	Hillside Woodland
KLR-6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-6.2	Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR-6.3	Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong	Substantial	Substantial	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
KLR-6.4	Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 7	Lowland Woodland
KLR-7.1	Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-7.3	Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok	Substantial	Substantial	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM12	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8, MM12	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
KLR-7.4	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Lowland Woodland	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-7.5	Vemon Pass Woodland	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 8	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic
KLR-8.1	Ki Lun Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Slight	Slight	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-8.3	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills	Substantial	Substantial	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
KLR-8.4	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River, Ng Tung River and Fanling Highway	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-8.5	Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 9	Agricultural Land
KLR-9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7, ^([14])	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
KLR-9.2	Ho Sheung Heung Agricultural Land	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7,⁽¹⁾	Slight	Slight	Slight
KLR-9.3	Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7,⁽¹⁾	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-9.4	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7, ⁽¹⁾	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-9.5	Other Orchard Area in KTN	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7, ⁽¹⁾	Slight	Slight	Slight
KLR 10	Open Space / Recreational Area
KLR-10.1	Hong Kong Golf Club	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-10.2	Sheung Shui Community Sports	Substantial	Moderate	MM3, MM4, MM5, MM7	MM3, MM4, MM5, MM7	Moderate	Slight	Insignificant
KLR-10.3	Lo Wu Saddle Club	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 11	Urban Development Area
KLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-11.2	Existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station	Slight	Slight	n/a	n/a	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 12	Rural Development Area
KLR-12.1	Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Slight	Slight	Slight
KLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.4	Rural Development Area to the East of MTRC East Railway Line	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.5	Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.7	Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.8	Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.9	Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR-12.10	Lo Wu Rifle Range	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.11	Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung	Slight	Slight	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-12.12	Fanling Lodge	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 13	Industrial / Open Storage
KLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR-13.2	Industrial / Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	Slight	Slight beneficial	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Slight	Slight beneficial	Slight beneficial
KLR-13.3	Industrial/Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng , Tong Kok and Fung Kong	Slight	Slight beneficial	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Slight	Slight beneficial	Slight beneficial
KLR-13.4	Industrial/Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan	Slight	Slight beneficial	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Slight	Slight beneficial	Slight beneficial
KLR 14	Major Transportation Corridor
KLR-14.1	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12, MM14.5	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12, MM14.5	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR-14.2	MTRC East Rail (to Lo Wu)	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant

12.9.1.2 Fanling North (FLN) NDA

The significance of residual impacts on FLN NDA LRs and LCAs are detailed in Tables 12.9.4 and 12.9.5 below. Brief descriptions of how these measures will mitigate the impacts on the most affected LRs and LCAs are provided after the tables.

Table 12.9.4- Significance of Residual Impacts Upon Mitigation on FLN NDA LRs

LR Code	Name	Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)		Recommended Mitigation Measures		Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
		Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation (Day 1)	Operation (Year 10)
FLR 1	Channelized Water Course
FLR-1.1	Ng Tung River (Fanling District) (Channelized)	Slight	Slight	MM14.3, MM14.4	MM14.3 , MM14.4	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-1.2	Shek Sheung River (Channelized)	Slight	Slight	MM14.3, MM14.4	MM14.3, MM14.4	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-1.3	Sheung Yue River (Channelized)	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-1.4	Ma Wat River (Channelized)	Substantial	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM14.3	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM14.3	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
FLR-1.5	Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land (Channelized)	Moderate	Moderate	n/a ^([16])	n/a ^([17])	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR 2	Water Course
FLR-2.1	Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land	Moderate	Moderate	n/a ^([18])	n/a ^([19])	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-2.2	Natural Stream at Cham Shan and Wa Shan	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-2.3	Natural Streams at Lung Shan	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-2.4	Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen	Moderate	Moderate	MM14.2, MM14.3, MM14.4	MM14.2, M14.3, MM14.4	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
FLR 3	Water Pond
FLR-3.1	Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley Water Ponds	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-3.2	Water Ponds within the Closed Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-3.3	Fu Tei Au Water Ponds	Slight	Slight	MM13, MM15	MM13, MM15	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-3.4	Water Ponds in Eastern Rural Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-3.5	Wai Loi Tsuen Water Pond	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 4	Marsh
FLR-4.1	Marshes in Long Valley	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant/	Insignificant
FLR-4.2	Mitigation Wetland	Substantial	Substantial	MM13	MM13	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR 5	Plantation
FLR-5.1	Plantation in the Vicinity of Wai Loi Tsuen	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-5.2	Ha Pak Tsuen Plantation	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-5.3	Plantation in the Vicinity of On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 6	Hillside Woodland
FLR-6.1	Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
FLR-6.2	Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland	Substantial	Substantial	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	Moderate	Slight	Slight
FLR-6.3	Ma Wat Wai Hillside Woodland	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-6.4	Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
FLR 7	Lowland Woodland
FLR-7.1	Vernon Pass Woodland	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-7.2	Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8	Moderate	Slight	Slight
FLR-7.3	Hung Kiu San Tsuen Lowland Woodland	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-7.4	Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8	Moderate	Slight	Slight
FLR-7.5	Ling Hill and Ling Shan Tsuen Lowland Woodland	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 8	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic
FLR-8.1	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River and Ng Tung River	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-8.2	Fu Tei Au Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-8.3	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
FLR-8.4	Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan	Substantial	Substantial	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10	Moderate	Slight	Slight
FLR 9	Agricultural Land
FLR-9.1	Agricultural Land in Ho Sheung Heung and Long Valley	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-9.2	Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7, ^([20])	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.3	Agricultural Land between Ng Tung River and Shek Sheung River	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-9.4	Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7, ^([21])	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.5	Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7, ^([22])	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.6	Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yueng, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7	MM4, MM5, MM7, ^([23])	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-9.7	Agricultural Land in South of Sha Tau Kok Road	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 10	Open Space / Recreational Area
FLR-10.1	North District Sports Ground	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 11	Urban Development Area
FLR-11.1	Lo Wu Correctional Institution	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-11.2	Sheung Shui Urban Development Area	Slight	Insignificant	MM2	n/a	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-11.3	Fanling Urban Development Area	Slight	Insignificant	MM2	n/a	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 12	Rural Development Area
FLR-12.1	Rural Development Area in Ngam Pin	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-12.2	Rural Development Area in the Vicinity of Fu Tei Au	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-12.3	Rural Development Area in the North of FLN NDA	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM12	MM1, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM12	Moderate	Slight	Slight
FLR-12.4	Rural Development Area in Sheung Shui Lowland Area	Slight	Slight	MM12	MM12	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
FLR-12.5	Wa Shan Rural Development Area	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-12.6	Lung Yeuk Tau Rural Development Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-12.7	Rural Development Area at Wo Hop Shek and Lung Shan	Slight	Insignificant	MM4, MM5, MM7	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-12.8	Rural Development Area around Ma Shi Po	Moderate	Moderate	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
FLR-12.9	Wu Nga Lok Yeung and Ling Shan Tsuen Rural Development Area	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR 13	Industrial / Open Storage
FLR-13.1	Sheung Shui Industrial/Open Storage Area	Slight	Slight beneficial	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Insignificant	Slight beneficial	Slight beneficial
FLR-13.2	Fanling Industrial Area	Slight beneficial	Moderate beneficial	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Slight beneficial	Moderate beneficial	Moderate beneficial
FLR 14	Major Transportation Corridor
FLR-14.1	MTRC East Rail	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-14.2	Sha Tau Kok Road (Lung Yeuk Tau)	Slight	Slight	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	MM4, MM5, MM7, MM12	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-14.3	Fanling Highway	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
FLR-14.4	MTRC near Fanling Highway	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant

12.9.1.2.3 LCA Impact Ratings Prior to Mitigation

For the LCAs, no substantial impacts are predicted prior to mitigation at construction or operation. Four LCAs are considered to experience moderately significant impacts, including Natural Hillside Landscape in this area (FLCA-1), Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape (FLCA-5), and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (LCA-7).

The majority of the FLCA-1 area will remain unaffected by the Project and where it is affected, the land use is largely compatible, although given the area affected is over 15 ha and there will be topographical changes, the magnitude of change is intermediate. This LCA is highly sensitive the intermediate magnitude of change confers a moderate impact. Areas where the impacts are more obvious are in Site A3-1 where the Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir will be constructed and Site D4-1 where the Fanling North Flushing Water Service Reservoir will be constructed. In both these areas there will be some landform changes. By implementing measures to minimise the topographical changes here and landscape new slopes, as well as generally implementing tree preservation, protection, transplantation and compensation where necessary, as well as providing road greening to the affected roads and considering green roofs, including landscaping of the reservoir roof and surrounding reservoir structures, the impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and remain slight at operation day 1 and year 10.

Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2) will experience moderate impact during construction and operation before mitigation. Approximately 30 ha of this LCA is affected by sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA e.g. mainly a Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex, low density residential sites with buildings up to 15 storeys high, a water service reservoir at Table Hill, as well as roads etc. and the magnitude of change is large. This LCA has medium sensitivity and the impact significance before mitigation is moderate. The change to this LCA from a general rural/ urban peripheral village landscape to an urban landscape is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas.

The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green corridors, consideration of green roofs, provision of adequate space for soft landscaping in developments and alongside roads, careful selection of form, textures and finish colours. There are some trees within this LCA and therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them (including in woodland areas), will slightly reduce the impact. Part of the compensatory planting and road greening may also serve as screen planting, but any additional screen planting will also add to the general green nature of the LCA and help alleviate the impact. Although the impact is alleviated, the residual impacts are predicted to remain moderate throughout the Projects construction and operation.

The Lowland Agricultural Landscape in this area (FLCA-5) is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before any mitigation measures. Careful planning of the revised RODP means large areas at Sites A1-3 and A1-9 to the northwest of the NDA are designated to remain as agricultural land but other areas of agricultural land in FLCA-5 will be irreversibly lost. There is no direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees and, where unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting which will only mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP is a key component of the Project with preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area and considered to go some way to help alleviate impacts on agricultural land. In addition, this LCA encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, in the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found to be potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, however, the significance of impact on this LCA will remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore the impact will remain moderate throughout.

The Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (FLCA-7) is predicted to experience moderate impacts during construction which drop to slight at operation. This LCA mainly refers to the Ng Tung River and Ma Wat River Channel and the Ng Tung River will be largely unaffected by the Project, if not enhanced by the provision of waterside promenade and some parks along its length. The impact is therefore mainly due to the diversion of the Ma Wat River for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate at construction when the diversion takes place but the river is already channelized and at operation will flow through a similar channelized section. By ensuring measure for careful modification of the channelized river channel are implemented the impact on this LCA is considered to reduce to slight at construction and insignificant by day 1 of operation.

Impacts prior to mitigation are slight for the remaining LCAs in this area, namely Urban Development Landscape (FLCA-3), and Major Transportation Corridor Landscape (FLCA-6), and all drop to insignificant by year 10 of operation with mitigation measures. The exception is Industrial Landscape (FLCA-4) which will experience a slight beneficial impact from the Project by day 1 of operation.

12.10 Visual Impact Assessment Methodology

According to the Study Brief (ESB-176/2008) requirement, the area for the visual impact assessment shall be defined by the visual envelope from the NDAs and associated infrastructure works. Within the defined visual envelope, key groups of visually sensitive receivers (VSRs) have been identified, with regard to views from ground level and elevated vantage points. The views of these VSRs are described and the sensitivity of each VSR evaluated. The overall visual character of each NDA has also been broadly defined before considering the visual compatibility of the Project within its surroundings and the existing and planned setting as well as the Project’s obstruction and interference with the key views of the adjacent areas. An assessment of the visual impact of the Project on the identified VSRs has then been undertaken within each NDA, for both construction and operational phases of the Project. Further details on the visual impact methodology are found as follows.

12.10.1 Visual Envelope – GIS Analysis

According to EIA requirement, the assessment area for the Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) should extend from the Project Site up to the visual envelope. The area within the visual envelope is considered the area that could potentially see the Project, and defines the limit of its visibility. Defining an appropriate visual envelope is the starting point to understand the visual impacts of the proposed NDAs, and it will vary depending on the nature and scale of the structures within the NDA(s).

An initial visual envelope has been determined for each NDA by using GIS analysis, inputting known data regarding the proposed built structures to model the area that can potentially see the developments. It should be noted that the GIS analysis uses topographic data as a baseline, disregarding existing built forms and vegetation which reduce the actual visual envelope. The GIS generated visual envelopes are shown in Figures 12.18.0 and 12.19.0 but the actual visual envelope will be smaller than that shown when screening from existing built forms and vegetation has been taken into account.

For the NDA visual envelope figures generated by GIS analysis, building data for some land sites have not been finalised; either there are no building heights, or no footprint of the built structures. The GIS analysis considers plots where the heights of built structures are known and in the absence of a final built structure footprint, uses a best approximation; it, excludes land sites with no reliable data regarding built structures. There are data for all the higher rise buildings, which have the potential to cause the most visual impact. Since the land sites with limited data are expected to comprise low rise buildings, they will have limited visual impact by comparison to the high rise facilities included in the analysis and the visual envelope is considered to be comprehensive.

12.10.1.1 Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI)

In addition to the GIS analysis described above, the parameters of human vision must also be considered when determining visual impacts. If the visual envelope defines the limit of visibility, the Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) is instead the extent to which the proposed NDAs would exert some visual impact on VSRs. The limit of the ZVI is defined as that point past which the NDAs would have an insignificant effect on the view. The ZVI is explained further below and Figures 12.18.1 and 12.19.1 help illustrate the Primary ZVI.

As VSRs are located further away from the NDA(s), the visual impact of the NDA(s) on the VSRs will decrease, until the NDA is no longer visible. However, before the point of non-visibility is reached, the NDA structures will have reduced in scale such that they no longer exert a significant visual impact and they are essentially indistinguishable within their surroundings. The larger and denser the structures of the NDA, the more extensive the ZVI will be because the structures may be visually apparent from a greater distance away. High rise structures are the main visual influencers, although lower rise ones also exert a degree of influence.

The ZVI is therefore an area that is most likely to be visually impacted by the NDAs although particularly sensitive locations beyond the ZVI may still need to be reviewed. The visual impact of a development can be quantified by reference to the degree of influence on a person’s field of vision referencing the typical parameters of human vision based on anthropometric data([25]⁾. These data provide a basis for assessing and interpreting the impact of a development by comparing the extent to which the development would intrude into the central field of vision (both vertically and horizontally).

12.10.1.2 Vertical Field of View

The typical line of sight for humans is considered horizontal (0°) and a person’s natural line of sight is normally approximately a 10° cone of view below the horizontal if standing, or 15° if sitting. (See Figure 12.17.1)

Figure 12.17.1 - Vertical field of view

Objects which take up 5% of this cone of view (5% of 10° = 0.5°) would only take up a small proportion of the vertical field of view, and are only visible when focused on directly. Objects that take up such a small proportion of the vertical view cone are generally indistinguishable from the existing environment when placed within a disturbed or man-modified landscape.

Given the varying number and heights of built structures in the NDAs, the tallest building in each NDA has been chosen as a reference point for assessing the visual impact based on vertical field of view. The highest structures are approximately 110 m in KTN and FLN NDAs. Table 12.10.1 shows the relationship between the impact of a new structure and the distance of an observer from the structure, considering what proportion of the vertical line of sight it occupies.

Table 12.10.1 - Visual impact based on vertical field of view

Vertical Line of Sight	Impact	Distance from an Observer to a: a) ~110 m tall structure in KTN NDA; b) ~110 m tall structure in FLN NDA
< 0.5° of vertical angle	Insignificant A thin line in the landscape.	a) > 12.5 km b) > 12.5 km
0.5° – 2.5° of vertical angle	Potentially noticeable The degree of visual intrusion will depend on the development’s ability to blend in with the surroundings.	a) ~0.2 – 12.5 km b) ~0.2 – 12.5,k m
> 2.5° of vertical angle	Visually evident Usually visible, however the degree of visual intrusion will depend of the width of the object and its placement within the landscape.	a) < 0.2 km b) < 0.2 km

Vertical Line of Sight

Impact

Distance from an Observer to a:

a) ~110 m tall structure in KTN NDA;

b) ~110 m tall structure in FLN NDA

< 0.5° of vertical angle

Insignificant

A thin line in the landscape.

a) > 12.5 km

b) > 12.5 km

0.5° – 2.5° of vertical angle

Potentially noticeable

The degree of visual intrusion will depend on the development’s ability to blend in with the surroundings.

a) ~0.2 – 12.5 km

b) ~0.2 – 12.5,k m

> 2.5° of vertical angle

Visually evident

Usually visible, however the degree of visual intrusion will depend of the width of the object and its placement within the landscape.

a) < 0.2 km

b) < 0.2 km

These calculations suggest distances at which the magnitude of visual change caused by the NDAs will reduce. As shown in Table 12.10.1 these calculations suggest that the impact of a 110 m tall building in KTN and FLN NDAs would reduce to insignificant at about 12.5 km away, as they would form less than 5% or 0.5° of the vertical field of view.

12.10.1.3 Horizontal Field of View

The central field of vision for most people covers an angle of between 50° and 60°. Within this angle, both eyes observe an object simultaneously. This creates a central field greater than that possible by each eye separately. This central field of vision is termed the 'binocular field' and within this field images are sharp, depth perception occurs and colour discrimination is possible. These physical parameters are illustrated in Figure 12.17.2 below.

Figure 12.17.2 - Horizontal field of view

The visual impact of a development will vary according to the proportion in which a development impacts on the central field of vision. Developments which take up less that 5% of the central binocular field, are usually insignificant in most landscapes (5% of 50° = 2.5°).

Each NDA is comprised of a number of different built structures, with clusters of buildings in each land site and varying separation distances between buildings and land sites. It would not be accurate to examine the entire width of the NDA when reviewing the horizontal field of view. This effect can also be demonstrated by the example of a farm fence that may be many kilometres in width, yet as one moves further away becomes less apparent, until at some distance it is not possible to separate this element from the horizontal plane of the landscape. In assessing the visual impact of the NDAs the widest continuous or near continuous structure of cluster of buildings has been considered. It is therefore assumed that the largest horizontal components are clusters of buildings ~200 m across in KTN and FLN NDAs. Table 12.10.2 shows the relationship between the impact of new structure(s) and the distance of an observer from the structure(s) considering what proportion of the horizontal line of sight it occupies.

Table 12.10.2 - Visual impact based on horizontal field of view

Horizontal Field of View	Impact	Distance from an Observer to ~200 m wide structure(s) in KTN NDA and FLN NDA
<2.5° of view	Insignificant The development will take up less than 5% of the central field of view. The development, unless particularly conspicuous against the background, will not intrude significantly into the view. The extent of the vertical angle will also affect the visual impact.	>2.3 km
2.5° – 30° of view	Potentially noticeable The development may be noticeable and its degree of visual intrusion will depend greatly on its ability to blend in with its surroundings.	~0.1 – 2.3 km
>30° of view	Potentially visually dominant Developments that fill more than 50% of the central field of vision will always be noticed and only sympathetic treatments will mitigate visual effects.	< 0.1 km

As shown in Table 12.10.2, these calculations suggest that the impact of proposed new structures would reduce to insignificant at approximately 2.3 km, when they would form less than 5% or 2.5° of the horizontal field of view.

It is stressed that these ranges for both vertical and horizontal fields of view, only provide a guide for the visual impact assessment and other factors must be considered, such as the context of the existing landscape and climatic conditions.

12.10.1.4 Surrounding Landscape

The extent of a ZVI differs in the context of different landscapes. A ZVI in a man-modified landscape is different to a ZVI in a pristine landscape or landscapes where there are no apparent signs of human influence. This is because in landscapes that appear ‘natural’ or pristine, a man made element can visually influence the landscape for as long as a viewer can discern that newly introduced element. A man made element in a pristine landscape irrevocably changes a pristine landscape from natural to man modified. Therefore, ZVIs in pristine areas are extended to the limit of human visibility. However, in man modified landscapes, in which there are other existing built forms or modifications to the landscape, the ZVI extends to that distance at which the new structures become minor elements in the landscape to all but the most sensitive of viewers.

Since landscape surrounding the proposed NDAs has all been modified by man, the new NDA structures will generally integrate with their surrounding and therefore be much less apparent at a distance than if the landscape was pristine.

12.10.1.5 Climatic Conditions

Climatic conditions that reduce the visibility of the project might also be considered (e.g. cloud cover, rainfall, poor air quality) but for a worse case visual impact scenario, clear viewing conditions have been assumed.

Although analysis from the vertical field of view would suggest the ZVI should extend to approximately 12.5 km in KTN and FLN NDAs, noting observers closer to the NDAs will be more significantly visually affected than those farther away, the man made nature of the surrounding landscape with high numbers of people present, particularly in KTN NDA and FLN NDA, and the screening effect of any local vegetation and planting, it is suggested that the focus of selecting areas of VSRs within the ZVI be on those closer to the NDAs. A ‘Primary Zone of Visual Influence’ has therefore been included in Figures 12.18.0 and 12.19.0 and Figures 12.18.1 and 12.19.1, to help illustrate the areas where VSRs may be most affected.

12.10.2 Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) & Vantage Points (VPs)

Having determined the assessment area for the Visual Impact Assessment, VSRs have been identified within the ZVI of the Project. In some circumstances, VSRs have been identified beyond the ZVI to recognise the visual impact (or lack of) on specific locations of particular sensitivity.

· Within the ZVI, VSRs have been selected considering locations that are either particularly visually sensitive (see below regarding the ‘Type’ of VSR) or indicative of the visual impact for a number of locations that have been identified as VSRs and selecting the best representative area i.e. one VSR might represent a number of viewers in different high rise flats in a similar area and at a similar distance to the development. Existing vegetation, buildings and housing orientation and any other factors blocking views towards the proposed NDAs have been assessed during site visits and the selected VSRs are considered to represent the full range of viewers within the ZVI and include those that would potentially be worst affected by the Project. The selected VSRs are mapped in Figures 12.18.0 and 12.19.0 for KTN and FLN NDAs respectively, while Figures 12.18.1 and 12.19.1 provide more detail of VSRs and VPs in the Primary ZVI for each NDA. The existing views from the VSRs are described for each VSR in Table 12.11.2 for KTN NDA and Table 12.11.3 for FLN NDA. These tables also report the VSR sensitivity.

Photographic records helping to illustrate the existing views from each VSR are presented in Figures 12.20.1-12.20.24 for KTN NDA, Figures 12.21.1-12.21.30 for FLN NDA. It should be noted for each VSR there are likely to be a number of existing views and the photographic records try to represent views in the general direction of the NDAs. However, access could not be gained to all VSRs, especially for private residential developments, and therefore the representative photographs may have been adjusted if necessary and represent the best alternative e.g. photographs may have been taken from a publically accessible ground level where there was no access to higher levels of a private residential development. The alternative viewing angles for these representative photographs were chosen as they share the most similar view towards the NDA as the inaccessible location, and hence best represent the VSR group. Where no view towards the NDA was evident at ground level, the existing photograph helps illustrate how ground level views are largely blocked e.g. by other structures or vegetation.

· Vantage Points or Viewpoints (VPs) were selected from key VSRs within the ZVI, from which to develop photomontages and help illustrate the visual change that would be brought about by the proposed development in NDAs. VSRs were grouped into ‘Strategic’, ‘District’ and ‘Local’ (as explained further in Section 12.11) and VPs selected to ensure each VSR group is represented and in combination they give a good overall representation of how the NDAs will appear to viewers both near and far and of different sensitivities. Photomontages have been prepared from the VPs to conceptually illustrate the visual impacts, both unmitigated and mitigated at Day 1 and Year 10 of operation and supplement the visual changes described in the text. The photomontages are presented in Figures 12.22.1-12.22.14 for KTN NDA and Figures 12.23.1-12.23.16 for FLN NDA. The VP photograph illustrating the existing view uses the photographic record from the corresponding VSR and therefore selection of this best representative view follows the same criteria as described for VSRs above.

· Having selected the VSRs, their sensitivity is quantitatively and qualitatively assessed, influenced by a number of factors including the following:

- Type of VSR. VSRs are categorized according to whether the viewer is at home, at work or school, at play or leisure, or travelling. (Ranked by the major VSR types, as described below)

Residential VSRs – These VSRs are people living in the area and who view the proposed NDA from their homes. They are considered the most sensitive VSRs due to the character of the view from their homes having a substantial effect on their perception of quality and acceptability of their home environment and general quality of life.

Occupational VSRs – These VSRs are people working or in education in the area, who view the proposed NDA from their workplace or education centre. Visual amenity is in general not considered a top priority within the average workplace and these VSRs are considered to be relatively less sensitive than residential VSRs as their view will have a less important, although still material, effect on their perception of quality of life. The degree to which this applies to workers depends on whether their location is industrial, retail or commercial. The VSRs in industrial areas, such as factories, are generally considered to be the least sensitive, due to the relatively low quality of their existing view in an industrial area.

Recreational VSRs – These VSRs are people engaging in recreational activities such as hikers on established trails and footpaths, people participating in team sports at recreation grounds or at leisure. Sensitivity of these VSRs depends on duration of stay, nature of the activity and how enclosed the location is.

Travelling VSRs – These VSRs are people travelling on public roads and railways, both in public and private vehicles and on foot. They have varying sensitivity depending on the speed, nature and frequency of travel, but are generally considered to be transitory to the area with less regard for the surrounding views and with low sensitivity.

- Number of individuals. (Ranked as very many, many, few or very few)

- Quality of existing view (Ranked as good, fair or poor)

- Availability of alternative views. (Ranked as yes or no)

- Degree of visibility. (Ranked as full, partial or glimpse)

- Duration of view. (Ranked as long, medium or short)

- Frequency of view. (Ranked as frequent, occasional or rare)

· The sensitivity of each VSR is based on the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:

High: The VSR is highly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.

Medium: The VSR is moderately sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.

Low: The VSR is only slightly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.

12.10.3 Visual Impact Assessment

Visual impacts have been assessed for the construction and operational phases of the Project in each of the NDA Study Areas and associated Schedule 2 DP areas according to the methodology and processes as follows.

· Identification of potential sources of visual impacts. These are the various elements of the construction works and operational procedures that could generate visual impacts.

· Rating of the magnitude of visual change, which is quantified as far as possible and depends on a number of factors including the following.

· Distance between the closest source of impact and the VSR (Given in meters)

· Scale of the development. This is assessed using a number of factors, including: absolute dimensions of new built structures visible to the VSR; relative dimensions of the new built structures compared to other structures visible to the VSRs in their existing view (Ranked as small, medium or large)

· Potential blockage of view. (Ranked as full, partial or nil)

· Duration of the impacts. (Ranked as temporary [short/medium term] or permanent)

· Compatibility of the Project and associated works with the existing and planned landscape in the vicinity. (Ranked as good, fair or poor)

· Reversibility of change (ranked as reversible or irreversible).

· The magnitude of change caused by visual impacts on each VSR, is based on the values of all the above factors in totality and classified as follows:

Large: The VSRs would suffer a major change in their viewing experience

Intermediate: The VSRs would suffer a moderate in their viewing experience

Small: The VSRs would suffer a small change in their viewing experience

Negligible: The VSRs would suffer no discernible change in their viewing experience

· Identification of potential visual mitigation measures, to reduce the significance of visual impacts to acceptable levels during design, construction and operation of the Project and its associated works, have been considered. The mitigation measures proposed are not only concerned with damage reduction but will also include consideration of potential enhancement of existing visual (and landscape) quality. Mitigation measure may take the form of

· Adopting alternative designs or revising the basic engineering and / or architectural design, to prevent and / or minimize adverse impacts. Alternative alignment(s), design(s) and construction methods that avoid or reduce the identified landscape impacts have been evaluated for comparison before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts.

· Remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of physical, engineering and building features; and

· Compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape design measures (e.g. tree planting, creation of new open space etc.) to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term impacts.

To ensure their effectiveness throughout the construction and operational phases of the Project and associated works, the relevant responsible parties for the on-going management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures have been provisionally identified. Approval-in-principle to the initial capital funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the proposed mitigation measures is being sought from the appropriate authorities, according to the principles in ETWB TCW No. 2/2004.

· Prediction of visual impact significance before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures. By understanding the magnitude of visual change caused by the various impacts and the sensitivity of the various VSRs, it is possible to categorize impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 12.10.3 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely insignificant, slight, moderate, and substantial, depending on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of change and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of VSR.

Table 12.10.3 - Relationship between receptor sensitivity and magnitude of change in defining impact significance

		Receptor Sensitivity (of VSR)
		Low	Medium	High
Magnitude of Change	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
	Small	Slight	Slight/ Moderate	Moderate
	Intermediate	Slight/Moderate	Moderate	Moderate/ Substantial
	Large	Moderate	Moderate/ Substantial	Substantial

The four thresholds for the degree of significance are explained below. All impacts are assumed to be adverse in the text of the Report, unless specifically identified otherwise.

Substantial: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will cause significant deterioration or improvement in existing visual quality

Moderate: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing visual / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality

Slight: Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposed Project will cause a barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in existing visual quality

Insignificant: The impact will cause no discernible change in the existing visual quality

· To help illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed visual mitigation measures, photomontages from selected Vantage Points (VPs) looking towards the Project have been prepared. The photomontages illustrate:

· Existing conditions;

· Day 1 of Operation Phase without Mitigation Measures;

· Day 1 of Operation Phase with Mitigation Measures; and

· Year 10 of Operation Phase with Mitigation Measures.

These photomontages are presented in Figures 12.22.1-14 for KTN NDA and Figures 12.23.1-16 for FLN NDA.

· Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts. An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts in accordance with the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, namely:

· Beneficial - if the project will complement the landscape and visual character of its setting, will follow the relevant planning objectives and will improve overall and visual quality;

· Acceptable if the assessment indicates that there will be no significant effects on the landscape, no significant visual effects caused by the appearance of the project, or no interference with key views;

· Acceptable with mitigation measures if there will be some adverse effects, but these can be eliminated, reduced or offset to a large extent by specific measures;

· Unacceptable if the adverse effects are considered too excessive and are unable to mitigate practically;

· Undetermined if significant adverse effects are likely, but the extent to which they may occur or may be mitigated cannot be determined from the study. Further detailed study will be required for the specific effects in question.

12.11 Visual Baseline Conditions

Both NDAs cover a total area of approximately 614 ha in the north-eastern part of the New Territories. Some Schedule 2 DPs extend outside the NDA boundaries and these are considered in DP Packages 12A-D. All areas are relatively near the border with China and generally have a rural/semi-developed nature in stark contrast to the city of Shenzhen visible across the border. The general visual baseline conditions for each NDA are described in Section 12.11.1 for KTN NDA and Section 12.11.2 for FLN NDA. An overall description of the areas’ visual amenity and character is given first, before detailing the VSRs relevant to the NDA and describing their sensitivity.

VSRs and VPs have been grouped into ‘Strategic’, ‘District’, or ‘Local’ levels as detailed in Table 12.11.1. The groupings are described below.

· Strategic VSRs are those viewers generally at high elevations and far from the NDA areas such that views give a general overview of a large part, if not all, of the NDA and surrounding areas. The Strategic VSRs are mainly recreational viewers. VPs are all on hiking trails, mainly at lookout points or pavilions but also at important peaks and are selected to give a general visible impression of the NDA(s) as a whole.

· District VSRs are generally found at slightly higher elevations, but closer to the NDAs and have a less extensive view or only see part of the NDAs. The District VSRs are both residential and occupational viewers at high levels of buildings, and recreational viewers on hiking trails. The corresponding VPs are from flats, industrial buildings and on hiking trails and have been selected to provide a range of closer views of large sections of the NDAs.

· Local VSRs are found within an NDA boundary or at low levels reasonably close to or within the NDAs. Their views are often restricted to their local area. VSRs are of all types. Corresponding VPs within the NDAs are both at ground level and higher elevations, whereas those outside the NDAs are generally at ground level. These VPs have been selected both to illustrate restrictions in views not apparent from the Visual Envelope, as well as to provide some insight into what changes viewers both within and close to the NDAs might experience.

Table 12.11.1 - Details of local, district and strategic VSRs/VPs in each NDA (Refer to Figures 12.18.0 and 12.18.1 for KTN locations, and Figures 12.19.0 and 12.19.1 for FLN locations)

		VSR/VP
NDA	Local	District	Strategic
KTN	K1; K4; K6a (F26); K6b; K7a (F27); K7b; K8; K9; K10; K11; K12; K14; K17; K18; K19; K20; K23	K3; K5a (to north and to south); K5a/b (to east); K13; K15; K16; K21	K2a (to south west); K2b (F30) (to south east); K22 (F28); K24 (just west of F29)
FLN	F1; F2; F4; F5; F6; F8; F9; F10; F12; F13; F14; F16; F17; F19; F21; F22; F23; F24; F26 (K6a); F27 (K7a)	F7; F11; F15; F18; F20; F25	F3; F28 (K22); F29 (just east of K24); F30 (K2b) (to south east)

Note: VSR shown in bold indicate a photomontage has been prepared from this location i.e. it is also a VP

Considering the long time frame over which the NDAs will be implemented, impacts on ‘future’ VSRs, such as those at the proposed Liantang Border Control Point, have not been assessed. Without knowing which ‘future’ VSRs will exist when construction for the NDAs starts and finishes, impacts cannot be assessed.

12.11.1 Kwu Tung North NDA

The area covered by KTN NDA is around 450 ha and is bound by: the Closed Area Boundary to the north; Shek Sheung River to the east; Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road to the south; and Pak Shek Au and Tit Hang villages to the west. The landscape character of the area can be broadly described as a low value, rural lowland area predominantly used for low value open storage and industrial uses, surrounded by higher value, natural landscape features, villages and agricultural land.

This NDA is fairly enclosed by prominent green hill ranges in close proximity on three sides: the ridges of Tai Shek Mo to the north; Lok Ma Chau range to the west (Western ranges); and Ki Lun Shan and Ki Lun Shan Au to the south. The lower lying Ma Tso Lung valley runs between Lok Ma Chau range and Tai Shek Mo while between Lok Ma Chau range and Ki Lun Shan there is lower land containing Pak Shek Au village and the Fanling Highway. To the east of the NDA, the land is generally flatter and more open until past the urban area of Sheung Shui, where the hill range including Cham Shan and Wa Shan is visible. Fung Kong Shan is also a prominent hill in the middle of this NDA, increasing the general green aspect of the area. Hill slopes are undisturbed and mainly vegetated by grass and scrub vegetation with trees found principally in the foothills and major valleys. Villages such as Kam Tsin and Ho Sheung Heung have been established at the base of the foothills with clusters of trees or woodland on the lower slopes.

The central southern and south eastern parts of this NDA are generally flat with the central southern part being more developed and the south eastern part made up of the predominantly agricultural Long Valley. The Long Valley is a significant rural feature of this area with high landscape value, made up of a mix of active and inactive agricultural land, some ponds, small areas of marsh and mitigation wetlands with limited built structures. The central southern part of the NDA is more developed, made up of mixed land uses such as small residential developments, scattered villages, agricultural lands, rural areas and rural industries including vehicle repair, construction material storage and container storage. Villages, such as Yin Kong Village and Ho Sheung Heung are generally made up of traditional houses with no high rise structures, complementing the rural surroundings. Rivers and streams are also important features of this NDA. Sheung Yue River is a channelized river that runs in a southwest to northeast direction along the western side of Long Valley until it joins Shek Sheung River, another channelized river but far wider, and this river binds the NDA.

While this NDA is predominantly rural in nature, the Fanling Highway in the south is a major road with heavy traffic and with Castle Peak Road running parallel; these combined transport routes form a prominent linear, urban feature cutting through the landscape. There are also high voltage power lines running across the western and northern parts of the area, and in between the Fung Kong Shan knolls. In addition, at the visual envelope boundary to the eastern part of the NDA, the low to medium rise industrial area of Sheung Shui is visible as well as some of the high rise development in north Sheung Shui and Fanling. Although the urban sprawl of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is generally not visible from most of this NDA, some high rise structures in the city do protrude into skyline in places.

At lower levels, visual access to the NDA site is severely interrupted by intervening obstacles. This is particularly true of the existing development and vegetation lining the Fanling Highway which screens views from the south and the existing wooded knolls at Pak Shek Au which restricts views from the west of this position. The landform, vegetation and built development of Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen serve to screen low-level views from the north. Whilst low level views from the east are severely interrupted by the development associated with the Yin Kong area and the large scale commercial/industrial and utility development lining the MTRC East Rail to Lo Wu.

In consideration of the whole development in its entirety, it should be noted that the likely visual impacts would be apparent at two levels; firstly, due to the development as a whole, and secondly, due to the individual elements of the project that have been designated within KTN NDA. The visual amenity for each view varies according to a number of factors described in the methodology and the predicted level of visual impact will therefore vary between VSRs.

Table 12.11.2 below details the VSRs in the KTN NDA ZVI and describes their overall sensitivity. Figures 12.20.1-24 present photographic records from one location within each VSR, looking towards the relevant NDA. Since access could not be gained for all VSRs, especially for private residential developments, the representative viewing locations may have been adjusted if necessary, as described in the methodology. Bearing in mind most VSRs will have various views, and considering access was not always available, the selected photographs are considered the best alternative that represents the typical view of the VSRs.

Table 12.11.2 - List of the visual sensitive receivers and their sensitivity- KTN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.18.0 and Figure 12.18.1 for VSR/VP locations and Figures 12.20.1-24 for representative photographs of the existing view from a location within each VSR/VP towards the KTN NDA)

Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest built structure proposed within the NDA.

VSR Code	Name	VSR Category(Strategic/ District/ Local)	Type of VSR	Approximate Closest Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m)	Number of Individuals (Very Many / Many / Few / Very Few)	Quality of Existing View (Good/Fair / Poor)	Availability of Alternative Views (Yes / No)	Degree of Visibility (Full / Partial / Glimpse)	Duration of view (Long, Medium, Short)	Frequency of View (Very Frequent / Frequent / Occasional / Rare)	Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)
VSR Code	Description of Existing View, particularly toward the Proposed NDA
K1	Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	20	Few	Good	No	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	High
K1	In the mid-distance, the high hills of the Western Range (including Ma Tso Lung) to the west, Tai Shek Mo to the north east and knolls of Fung Kong Shan to the south frame the views from Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen. Through one narrow viewpoint to the northwest between the hills, the high rise buildings of Shenzhen are visible in the background. Generally the view is of a rural landscape, characterized by hills vegetated with shrubland and grassland and wooded valleys and knolls, although the existing high voltage power lines serve as a visually detracting element in the background. Houses predominantly face south west with most of their direct view encompassing the proposed NDA, although low level views (as shown in Figure 12.20.1) are largely blocked by vegetation and existing built structures.
K2 (F30)	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout	Strategic	Recreational	380	Very Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium	Occasional	Low
K2 (F30)	The main track to the summit of Tai Shek Mo is an old road overgrown with vegetation. It is located on the east side of the hill and the high and thick vegetation along it, as well as the existing topography (Tai Shek Mo spur south), block views to the south and southwest towards the Kwu Tung Area. At the summit, there is a panoramic view and in the background to the southeast the high rise buildings of the Fanling/ Sheung Shui urban area are visible. The Lo Wu Correctional Institution can be seen through vegetation at the base of the hill in this direction, with the Long Valley area agricultural fields clearly visible in the middle distance. Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River are also visible meandering through the landscape. Alternatively facing north, being right on the Closed Area Boundary and at elevation, there are clear views into China and the high rise urban area of Shenzhen, contrasting starkly with the small rural area of HKSAR at the foot of the hill and south of the border. This track is only accessible by foot and not used frequently. Other trails on the hillside do not appear to be well used either, suggesting very few visitors pass this way and is largely why this VSR has low sensitivity.
K3	Western Range - Lok Ma Chau Footpath	District	Recreational	550	Very Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium	Occasional	Low
K3	The trail to the ridgeline of Lok Ma Chau is not readily accessible due to overgrown vegetation at lower levels. Once above the shrubline however, views are panoramic in all directions. From the high point, views north and west are characterized by the green, natural landscape of Hong Kong contrasting with the urban sprawl of Shenzhen and its high rise buildings north of the border. Views east and south, in the direction of the proposed KTN NDA, take in the grasslands of the Lok Ma Chau ridgeline and other nearby hills in the foreground. These hills partially block some views down to the lower ground where KTN NDA will be. The lowland is visible and generally has a green aspect, with intermittent buildings. The higher density new low-rise development areas of Valais and Europa Gardens are also visible. To the east, the high rise buildings of Sheung Shui and Fanling urban area are prominent in the background. Given this area is so inaccessible and very few people use the trail, the sensitivity is low.
K4	Cottage Area (Western Range)	Local	Residential - Low Rise	20	Few	Good	No	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	High
K4	This VSR is located in a small valley at the eastern foothills of the Western Range, just north east of Tit Hang and south west of the Lo Wu Rifle Range. Views are limited to the south east in the direction of the KTN NDA with the Western Range rising behind, blocking views to the north west. In the mid-distance, Tai Shek Mo summit and ridgeline frame the view from north east to east. To the east, the view is partially blocked by the knolls of Fung Kong Shan but some of the Kwu Tung Area is visible and in the background the urban sprawl of Fanling/ Sheung Shui is evident. To the south, the existing industrial area near Tung Fong is a visually detracting element in the mid-distance. Generally the existing view is rural in nature, characterized by mixed-use cottage areas, interspersed by mature trees and small copses and the wooded foothills of Tai Shek Mo in the foreground. Residents in these settlements have their low level views largely blocked by vegetation (e.g. small copses) and existing built structures.
K5a	Northern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan	District	Recreational (& some Residential & Occupational)	Approx. 70m when looking north; 150m when looking southwest	Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium	Frequent	Medium
K5a	Elevated views from Fung Kong Shan northern knoll are framed by hills in most directions including the Western Range and Tai Shek Mo across the north. Also facing north, some Shenzhen high rise buildings are visible in the distance. The high rise buildings of Fanling/ Sheung Shui are evident in the background to the south east. The existing electricity pylons nearby and the open industrial area at the southern base of the knoll are visually detracting elements to the view which in general is green from the shrubland and grassland of the hills. Facing south the view is partially blocked by the southern knoll, but Ki Lun Shan can be seen above this in the distance and Wu Tip Shan to the distant south east. The low lying ground visible around the knoll is rural with some evidence of urban development and low rise residencies. People in the area will be visitors on the trails but also workers at the industrial areas and some residents. VSRs at the lower ground levels will have views towards the KTN NDA partially blocked by existing vegetation, natural topography and built structures, but at high levels have full views in many directions. The ridgeline is not easily accessible however, with no clear path
K5b	Southern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan	District	Recreational (& some Residential & Occupational)	Approx.70 m	Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium	Frequent	Medium
K5b	Fung Kong Shan ridgeline runs in an inverted C shape from north, via northeast, to south and the ridgeline is not easily accessible with no clear path and much vegetation. The elevated view from the southern knoll is framed by hills in most directions. Although the view north is partially blocked by the northern ridge, some Shenzhen high rise buildings are still visible in the background. Ki Lun Shan can be seen in the background facing south while to the south east high rise buildings of Fanling/ Sheung Shui urban area are evident with Wu Tip Shan in the far distance. The existing electricity pylons nearby and open industrial area at the northern base are both visually detracting elements to the view which in general is green from the shrubby grassland of the hills. The low lying ground makes up a large part of the view and is rural with some evidence of urban development and low rise residencies in places. Fanling Highway can also just be made out in the middle distance. VSRs at the lower ground levels will have views towards the KTN NDA partially blocked by existing vegetation, natural topography and built structures, although at high levels they will have full views in many directions.
K6 (K6a is the same location as F26 but different view)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	Residential - Low Rise	100	Many	Good	No	Glimpse	Long	Occasional	High
K6 (K6a is the same location as F26 but different view)	The topography of Tai Shek Mo and a Fung Shui Woodland knoll west of Ho Sheung Heung block views to the north and west for most of this VSR group. At ground level most views are blocked by existing built structures and vegetation, including the landscaped trees along the trained Sheung Yue River. Most houses face east, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the higher levels of the three storey houses and the slightly elevated Chung Kuk Path, there are some glimpses to the southeast of the Long Valley area with the open agricultural land and some of the high-rise buildings of Sheung Shui/Fanling over the trees in the background. KTN NDA mainly lies to the west of this settlement on the other side of the Tai Shek Mo foothills and the Fung Shui Woodland knoll, with views blocked by the natural topography, but also some developments are to the south and east of southern areas of the village. .
K7 (K7a is the same location as F27, different view)	Tsung Yuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	300	Few	Good	No	Glimpse	Long	Occasional	Medium
K7 (K7a is the same location as F27, different view)	The topography of Tai Shek Mo and trees lining the road, both to the west of Tsung Yuen, block views to the north and west of this VSR. At ground level most views east are blocked by existing tall trees in the foreground. Most houses face east-west, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the higher levels of the three storey houses, the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Work may be visible to the south east as well as glimpses of the open agricultural land east of the village and some of the high rise buildings of Sheung Shui/Fanling in the background. KTN NDA mainly lies to the west of this settlement and views are largely blocked by the natural topography, vegetation and existing buildings.
K8	MTR East Rail line north of Sheung Shui cycle track	Local	Travelling	750	Very Many	Fair	Yes	Glimpse	Short	Occasional	Low
K8	Travellers along this section of the MTR have intermittent views through track side vegetation, of a rural nature, including Long Valley, to the west and the more urban and industrial areas of Sheung Shui to the east. They may intermittently have view to Tai Shek Mo and its foothills above the vegetation at lower levels. These VSRs will be travelling at high speed and will generally be commuters with less of an interest in the view, as well as tourists with more of an interest. Their views will be constantly changing as they travel along the rail line.
K9	Long Valley Villages	Local	Residential - Low Rise	70	Many	Good	No	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
K9	Views north and west from Yin Kong and other houses in the Long Valley area are predominantly of the traditional agricultural fields of the Long Valley with the upland areas of Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range also visible in the background. Electricity pylons are visible in the middle distance to the north and the medium rise Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works is also visible. To the north east, the high rise buildings of Sheung Shui are visible above the vegetation in the middle distance, with the green hills of Wa Shan and Tsung Shan behind in the far distance.
K10	Cycle track along riverside near Long Valley	Local	Travelling (& Recreational)	70	Few	Good	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Medium
K10	This cycle track runs along Sheung Yue River to the west of Long Valley area and has intermittent vegetation along its embankments which screens much of the ground level view west towards the KTN NDA. The trained river is visible through the vegetation screen but only some higher structures are visible above tree level including the Tai Shek Mo peaks in places. From this track the MTR East Rail control compound is visible in the middle distance. There is an easterly view over the agricultural land of Long Valley and green hills visible to the north west and south east in the far distance. Electricity pylons and a small number of Shenzhen high rise buildings over the tops of the hills can also be made out in the distance. In general the views for this VSR are rural in nature with urban elements evident at some points but not that pronounced. VSRs travelling along the track will be moving relatively slowly so their duration of any particular view is medium.
K11	Cycle track west of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works	Local	Travelling (& Recreational)	500	Few	Fair	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Low
K11	This cycle track runs along Shek Sheung River east of Long Valley. In the foreground the trained river is visible, with the intermittent vegetation along the embankment and blocking much of the ground level view to the west such that Long Valley is not clearly visible although the green hills of Tai Shek Mo are visible in the background. The track runs along an industrial area to its east, with views through the embankment vegetation including that of the medium rise Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works and MTRC East Rail line in the foreground, with some of the high rise buildings of the urban area visible in the background. VSRs travelling along the track will be moving relatively slowly so their duration of any particular view is medium.
K12	Tsung Pak Long	Local	Residential - Low Rise	570	Few	Good	No	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	Medium
K12	Views from Tsung Pak Long are partially blocked by existing village vegetation lining a channelized water way to the west and Fanling highway to the south. Various hills are visible in the background; Ki Lun Shan to the south west, the Western Range to the west and Tai Shek Mo further north. Houses generally do not face west towards the KTN NDA and views from ground level are fairly confined by built structures and vegetation but at elevated levels and facing the right direction, the rural character of Long Valley may be more evident to the west. Also at higher levels, the industrial area is visible to the north, the low rise village of Tai Tau Leng to the east and glimpses of Hong Kong Golf Course (Fanling) over Fanling Highway to the south.
K13	Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long	District	Occupational	820	Many	Poor	Yes	Full	Short	Occasional	Low
K13	Views from the medium rise industrial buildings north of Choi Yuen Road have open views at elevated levels of the traditional agricultural fields of the Long Valley and the low-rise residential development of Tsung Pak Long and Yin Kong to the west and southwest and this view is predominantly rural. Workers in these factories will be concentrating on their work inside the buildings, not the views outside. They have limited windows facing out in the direction of the KTN NDA area so will only get glimpse views.
K14	Tai Tau Leng	Local	Residential - Low Rise	1000	Few	Good	No	Glimpse	Long	Frequent	Medium
K14	The view west towards Long Valley from Tai Tau Leng is largely blocked by existing vegetation around the village, the small, wooded knoll to the west of the village. The traditional village of Tsung Pak Long is visible in this direction too, blocking low level views beyond. Otherwise the views are similar to those from Tsung Pak Long; generally of a more rural nature west and urban nature east but in general houses do not directly face the KTN NDA area.
K15	Choi Po Court / Choi Yuen Estate	District	Residential - High Rise	1050	Very Many	Good	Yes	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
K15	The views from these residential buildings including Choi Po Court, and Choi Yuen Estateare open and panoramic for those flats at higher levels. Only those apartments facing north west have full and panoramic views towards KTN NDA with no alternative, although other residents may face away from the area. For those facing north west, in the foreground the industrial zone between Choi Yuen Road and the MTR East Rail line is a prominent feature, continuing north east to include the industrial zone east of the railway with the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works. The Lo Wu Correctional Institution is also visible in this direction, at the foot of Tai Shek Mo, and in the far distance the high rises of Shenzhen are visible. The view spanning west is more rural, with Tai Tau Leng and Tsung Pak Long in the foreground and the open agricultural fields of Long Valley behind, with the Western Range in the background. Further west the new developments of Valais and Europa Garden are just visible around Fanling Highway against the green backdrop of Ki Lun Shan.
K16	Tai Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks	District	Residential - High Rise	1000	Very Many	Good	Yes	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
K16	Views from the higher levels of high-rise residential blocks around the area of Tai Ping Estate and Royal Green, including Ching Ho Estate have panoramic, open views. Some apartments at high levels facing west and north west look towards the proposed KTN NDA site; for these residents other high rise blocks or industrial areas and Fanling Highway are prominent features of the existing view but there are also significant open areas with low lying woodlands and some low-rise residential areas which are markedly rural in character. Of all the residents in these high rise apartments, only about a fifth are at high enough levels and facing in the right direction have views of the proposed KTN NDA site.
K17	Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling	Local	Recreational	350	Many	Good	Yes	Glimpse	Medium	Occasional	Low
K17	Due to the low lying nature of the golf course, extensive trees within the golf course, woodland around the village in Kam Tsin and screen planting along Castle Peak Road and Fanling Highway (all to the north of this VSR), views north towards the proposed KTN NDA are blocked by trees and vegetation. The golf course is only accessible to members but many members use the golf course. The views from the golf course are fairly self-contained characterized by the greens, fairways, bunkers and landscaped planting including patches of tall woodland. Since viewers have transient views as they go round the golf course, are concentrated on landscaped views within the site and are unlikely to be able to see the KTN NDA, they are considered low sensitivity.
K18	Ascot Park Area, Kam Tsin	Local	Residential - Low Rise	225	Very Many	Fair	No	Glimpse	Long	Occasional	Medium
K18	This VSR represents residents in low rise developments around Kam Tsin, including Kam Tsin Tsuen, Ascot Park, Royal Oaks and La Regent Park. Views to the north for these viewers are partially blocked due to a number of factors. These include low lying topography; many houses in close proximity shielding each other’s views; landscaping including screen planting along the roads; and Fanling Highway to the north. At the elevated levels of the houses, more open views north towards the KTN NDA may be possible, but will still be partially screened by vegetation and have Fanling Highway in the foreground.
K19	Existing Road Bridge link over Fanling Highway	Local	Travelling	50	Very Many	Fair	Yes	Full	Short	Occasional	Low
K19	This VSR represents views travelling along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road, whether by vehicle or on foot. For vehicles travelling along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road, the view north is contained by the existing development lining the roads (such as Dills Corner Garden) and low rise buildings along Castle Peak Road as well as by tree and shrub planting along the roads. The view is characterized by these elements and the existing highway structures such as the footbridge north of Valais housing development. For pedestrians using the footbridge, the highway and road with their associated traffic form visually detracting elements in the foreground and the peaks of the Western Ranges are just visible in the background over the greenery of the roadside planting.
K20	Valais & Europa Garden New Residential Development Area	Local	Residential - Low Rise	150	Many	Fair	No	Glimpse	Long	Frequent	High
K20	This VSR represents residents in low rise residential development to the south of Fanling Highway, including Valais and Europa Garden. These viewers have no view north due to the tall noise barriers erected along the Highway and landscape planting shielding the view of the barriers themselves. Although access to the developments is limited to residents only, it is assumed that the top floors of these low rise developments, if facing the right direction, may see over the noise barriers to the KTN NDA in the north. This view is dominated by Fanling Highway in the immediate foreground with the roadside planting and for some the mature trees and small copses, that are features of the Dills Corner Garden, are also visible.
K21	Kwu Tung Service Reservoir	District	Recreational	300	Very Few	Good	Yes	Glimpse	Medium	Occasional	Medium
	There is a panoramic view from this location that is partially blocked by vegetation along the path and around the reservoir when facing north. This view includes the Western Range and Tai Shek Mo in the background, with some of the high rise buildings of Shenzhen visible in the far distance beyond these hills. From this elevated location, the foreground view is of the valley floor of Fung Kong, Kwu Tung, Long Valley, Hang Tau Tai Po, Kam Tsin. Valais and scattered low rise villages with tree clusters are also visible from south towards north.

K22 (F28)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Recreational	650	Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium	Occasional	Medium
K22 (F28)	The footpath up to the summit from the south is largely through grassland with the main screen to the view north being the ridgeline itself. Power pylons are also visually distracting elements close to the footpath. The footpaths on the north Ki Lun Shan are restricted by tall vegetation as they reach lower ground. From the summit, the views are open and panoramic and generally of a semi-rural character with evidence of urban developments, particularly the high rise structures of Shenzhen across the border in the middle and far distance. Generally facing north, north east, the rural Kwu Tung District is clearly visible along with the agricultural land of Long Valley in marked contrast to the Sheung Shui/ Fanling urban area which is evident further east partially blocking the green hills beyond. Valais housing and developments around Hang Tau are other man-made elements at the foot of the hill. The alternative views facing south, south west is similarly mixed, with river channelization work scaring the landscape at the foot of the hill, Lok Ma Chau Border Crossing a distinct complex nearby and a large expanse of open, lowland which stretches to the Pearl River Estuary and is generally green with some housing developments.
K23	Chau Tau Village	Local	Residential - Low Rise	270	Few	Good	No	No view of NDA area	Long	Rare	Low
K23	Views east from Chau Tau Village are contained by the village structures and vegetation themselves as well as Lok Ma Chau foothill and Ki Lun Shan. Electricity pylons are also distinct elements running across the view nearby. Most houses actually face south west and many look over a large agricultural plot of land immediately in front of the village but even at the eastern edge of the village looking east, views of the KTN NDA area are not possible due to natural topography and vegetation. These residents are therefore found to be outside the zone of visual influence of the KTN NDA.
K24 (just west of F29)	Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park	Strategic	Recreational	2100	Many	Good	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Medium
K24 (just west of F29)	There is an open and panoramic view of the KTN NDA to the north west from a high point on the trail along Kei Lak Tsai. Visitors travelling past Wu Tip Shan Lookout further west along the footpath will reach this point. From this elevated location, the northern section of the KTN NDA is screened by the southern foothills of the Tai Shek Mo mountain range. Views are contained by the uplands of the Western Range and Ki Lun Shan to the northwest. Within this view, the open agricultural area of Long Valley and the cottage areas in Kwu Tung such as Ho Sheung Heung and Tung Fong are just visible, but the high rises of Sheung Shui urban area, including Ching Ho Estate, are very prominent to the north of the view. Fanling Highway and Valais are also visible but blend fairly well with Hong Kong Golf Club (Fanling) and the general rural landscape due to their distance from this VSR and landscaping of these built structures.

Table 12.11.3 - List of the visual sensitive receivers and their sensitivity- FLN NDA (Refer to Figure 12.19.0 and Figure 12.19.1 for VSR/VP locations and Figures 12.21.1-30 for representative photographs of the existing view from a location within each VSR/ VP towards the FLN NDA)

Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest built structure proposed within the NDA.

VSR Code	Name	Category of VSR (Strategic/ District/ Local)	Type of VSR	Approximate Closest Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m)	Number of Individuals (Very Many / Many / Few / Very Few)	Quality of Existing View (Good / Fair / Poor)	Availability of Alternative Views (Yes / No)	Degree of Visibility (Full / Partial / Glimpse)	Duration of view (Long, Medium, Short)	Frequency of View (Very Frequent / Frequent / Occasional / Rare)	Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)
VSR Code	Description of Existing View, particularly toward the Proposed NDA
F1	Cottage Area Lining Fu Tei Au Road	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Within NDA (approx. 20 m from closest building)	Few	Good	Yes	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	High
F1	Many disparate residencies line Fu Tei Au Road and there are many residencies at Hung Kiu San Tsuen. This VSR group's ground level views in most directions are partially blocked by patches of woodland and planted trees along the Ng Tung River banks to the south. The views are characteristically urban fringe and over the top of the foreground vegetation, some high rise buildings of the Sheung Shui /Fanling urban area are visible in the background and in places, the open storage area just south of Ng Tung River in the middle distance.
F2	Existing Settlements around Sheung Shui Wa Shan	Local	Residential - Low Rise	30	Few	Good	Yes	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	High
F2	There are many scattered residential buildings around Sheung Shui Wa Shan, east of Ng Tung River and contained by the green hills of Cheung Po Tau, Cham Shan and Wa Shan rising up immediately behind the village to the north east. Facing west and south the view is mixed, with agricultural fields and some open storage. The views are partially shielded by planted trees along the river bank and also by vegetation between residential buildings, but the high rise buildings of the Sheung Shui/ Fanling urban area are visible in the distance looking towards the NDA. Visually detracting elements include the re-trained Ng Tung River and the existing open storage facilities at the other side of the river which serves as port backup and where many containers are kept.
F3	Tsung Shan, High Hill	Strategic	Recreational	650	Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium	Occasional	Medium
F3	View from Tsung Shan ridgeline, including High Hill, are panoramic with the foothills of Wa Shan partially blocking the views to the south west. From this elevated location, the firing range at the foothill of Tsung Shan is clearly visible immediately below in the foreground, with rural landscape of agricultural fields extending beyond the foothills. In the middle distance the Fanling/ Sheung Shui urban area is distinct with its high rise buildings and in the far distance, facing south west, the peaks of Lung Shan and Kei Lak Tsai are visible. Alternative views to the north and east from this ridgeline are more rural in nature, overlooking Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling area including some villages and with some of the Shenzhen high rise buildings also visible in the far distance.
F4	Siu Hang San Tsuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	200	Few	Good	No	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	High
F4	Views to the north of Siu Hang San Tsuen and Siu Hang Tsuen are contained by the green hills of Tsung Shan rising up immediately behind the villages. To the west views are partially blocked by the foothills of Wa Shan but to the south the view is fairly open. At ground level, vegetation partially blocks the view but at higher elevations, the existing rural landscape of agricultural fields on the far side of Ng Tung River and bisected by Ma Wat River channel characterise the landscape. The high-rise buildings of the Sheung Shui / Fanling urban area are clearly visible in the middle distance serving as a backdrop to this rural area.
F5	Kan Lung Tsuen Area	Local	Residential - Low Rise	150	Few	Good	No	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	High
F5	Views from Kan Lung Tsuen and San Uk Tsuen are partially blocked by existing village houses and structures as well as vegetation including trees along the river channel to the north. In green hills of Tsung Shan contain the rest of the view north and Lung Shan contains the view to the south with some high rise buildings of the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area are visible above the screening vegetation. At higher elevations the existing rural landscape of agricultural fields on the far side of Ma Wat River Channel are more clearly visible although the Sheung Shui/Fanling high rises are still prominent in the background.
F6	Sha Tau Kok Road	Local	Travelling	Within NDA (Road itself affected. Approx. 20 m from closest building)	Very Many	Fair	Yes	Glimpse	Short	Occasional	Low
F6	Travellers moving west along Sha Tau Kok Road towards the Fanling urban area have their views fairly contained by the extensive roadside planting. The road is fairly straight, directing the line of sight to the high rise Fanling buildings in the distance. Above the roadside vegetation, there are intermittent views of the roadside development and in the distance the green Tsung Shan ridgeline is visible to the north, Kei Lak Tsai in Lam Tsuen Country Park to the south west and Lung Shan in Pat Sin Leng Country Park to the south east.
F7	Ma Wat Tsuen Area	Local & District	Residential - Low Rise	100 (50 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion)	Many	Good	Yes	Partial	Long	Frequent	High
F7	There are a number of villages at the north west base of Lung Shan before Sha Tau Kok Road, such as Ma Wat Tsuen, Tsz Tong Tsuen, Tung Kok Wai, Ma Wat Wai, Wing Ning Wai and Wing Ning Tsuen. The green hills of Lung Shan, rising up to the south of these villages, contains the view and at ground level the view is partially blocked by other village buildings, vegetation and small coppices. At higher elevations, the medium rise commercial / industrial area at On Lok Tsuen is partially visible to the west with the high rise buildings of the Sheung Shui / Fanling urban area clearly visible in the middle distance. Most houses face north or north west and in these directions, the middle distance is characterised by rural village houses and associated vegetation, while in the background the natural uplands of the Wa Shan mountain range and Tsung Shan are visible, with a small number of very high rise structures in Shenzhen in the far distance.
F8	Shung Him Tong	Local	Residential - Low Rise	400 (60 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion)	Very Few	Fair	No	Partial	Long	Frequent	High
F8	Views from Shung Him Tong north west extend over Ma Wat River Channel to the medium rise commercial / industrial area at On Lok Tsuen. The view to the FLN NDA is filtered by existing vegetation in the foreground and certain existing high rise buildings at Fanling are visible above the vegetation, but the proposed Fanling Highway would pass close to this VSR. To the north, the uplands of Wa Shan and Tsung Shan are just visible.
F9	Heritage Trail (South of Sha Tau Kok Road)	Local	Recreational	150 (100 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion)	Few	Fair	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Medium
F9	Views along the Heritage trail change along the route but generally to the west, in the direction of the NDA, they extend over a rural landscape of agricultural fields to Ma Wat River Channel in the foreground. The Lung Shan mountain range dominates the view south east. Looking north, the natural uplands of Wa Shan and Tsung Shan are in the background. The trail is predominantly along low lying ground and at certain points the large medium-rise commercial/ industrial area near On Lok Tsuen is visible, as is Sha Tau Kok Road, but these are often blocked by vegetation and other village structures. The high-rise buildings of Sheung Shui / Fanling urban area are also visible in the background at certain points along the route. In general views along this trail are mixed, being largely rustic at close range and taking in ancient buildings, but with elements of urban development clearly evident in the middle to far distance.
F10	Po Kat Tsai	Local	Residential - Low Rise	1000	Very Few	Good	Yes	Glimpse	Medium	Frequent	Low
F10	Views west to the FLN NDA from Po Kat Tsai are limited; in the foreground is an area of wetland bordered by tall, mature woodland. In one direction, the high rise buildings of Belair Monte development are visible. Alternative surrounding views are agricultural in nature with the green hillside of Lung Shan extending up behind the village to the south.
F11	Belair Monte & Regentville	District	Residential - High Rise	70	Very Many	Good	No	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
F11	There are a number of high rise residential buildings in this area including Belair Monte and Regentville. Views at ground level are blocked by buildings and existing vegetation whereas apartments at elevated levels and facing north will have a view towards the proposed FLN NDA. Regentville apartments may have their view partially blocked by other high rise in the vicinity, but Belair Monte apartments are on the edge of the urban development with clear views. Their current view north is very rural and green in nature, with agricultural land interspersed with houses and small village areas and parts of Ng Tung River channel also visible. In the background the green Tsung Shan and Wa Shan hills are evident with wooded lower slopes and shrubland near the summits. Some very high rise buildings in Shenzhen are also visible behind the background hills, in the far distance.
F12	Wing Fai Centre & Wing Fok Centre	Local	Residential - High Rise	70	Very Many	Good	No	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
F12	There are a number of high rise residential buildings in this including Wing Fai Centre and Wing Fok Centre. Views at ground level are blocked by existing vegetation whereas flats at elevated levels and facing north will have a view towards the proposed FLN NDA. This view currently is rural and green in nature, with agricultural land interspersed with houses and small village areas and parts of Ng Tung River channel also visible. In the background the green Tsung Shan and Wa Shan hills are evident with wooded lower slopes and shrubland near the summits. Two very high rise buildings in Shenzhen are also visible behind the background hills, in the far distance.
F13	Fanling Garden	Local	Residential - Low Rise	200	Many	Fair	Yes	Glimpse	Long	Frequent	Medium
F13	Only the northern units of Fanling Garden have northerly views and these are dominated by the Police Quarters in the foreground and some large trees also partially blocking. This view is contained by the high rise Wing Fok Centre on the north eastern side and the high rise of Noble Hill on the north western side. At the higher elevations, some distant green hills are just seen in the background marked with electricity pylons. Alternative views south are also dominated by high rise buildings, although the hill of Kei Lak Tsai and Lung Shan are just visible from higher elevations. In general the views from Fanling Garden are fairly contained within the complex with only partial views beyond.
F14	Good View New Village/ Ling Shan Tsuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	120	Many	Fair	Yes	Partial	Long	Frequent	Medium
F14	This area is comprised mainly of 3-storey village houses. Those facing north east at Good View New Village have their views partially blocked by tall trees along the Ma Sik Road but otherwise have partial views of a rural landscape on Ng Tung River floodplain area which is agricultural and green with few built structures and Wa Shan in the background. The cement buildings of the incomplete Wu Nga Lok Yeung development are partially visible among this rural landscape in the foreground and serve as a visually distracting element. The blocks of Noble Hill and Wing Fok Centre can be seen in the background to the north west and north east respectively.
F15	Noble Hill	District	Residential - High Rise	100	Many	Good	No	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
F15	The lower levels of Noble Hill have views north partially blocked by existing vegetation. Although access was not granted, it is expected that residents at higher levels with a north and north west view have open views to the existing rural landscape of agricultural fields, small villages and cottage areas and partial views of Ng Tung River and its associated vegetation. Cham Shan / Wa Shan would be visible in the background and these hills are characterized by wooded lower hill slopes with the summits of the mountains being covered in shrubland. In general the views towards the NDA area are currently green and rustic.
F16	Fanling Wai	Local	Residential - Low Rise	420	Many	Fair	Yes	Glimpse	Long	Frequent	High
F16	Fanling Wai has a fairly dense layout of residencies and views are therefore partially blocked by other village structures and vegetation. A limited number of houses face the North District Park to the west and those facing north have their views framed by the high rise blocks of Noble Hill and Wing Fok Centre to the west and east respectively. Views from higher floors are also partially blocked to the north by a small patch of woodland on the other side of the Jockey Club Road to the village. Generally views are limited to within the village area.
F17	North District Park	Local	Recreational	420	Many	Good	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Medium
F17	The North District Park has fairly contained views within the park itself, with tall trees and other landscaped vegetation. It has partial views to the north of the high rise Tin Ping Estate and Noble Hill towers are partially visible to the north west in the background but otherwise not much is currently visible over the tree line.
F18	Ka Fuk Estate Area	District	Residential - High Rise	750	Very Many	Fair	No	Partial	Long	Frequent	High
F18	Residencies located between Fanling Highway and Pak Wo Road including the high rise Ka Fuk Estate and medium/high rises of Vienna Garden, Cheerful Park etc., for north facing flats at higher elevations, the views are over Sheung Sui/Fanling urban area in the foreground with glimpses of the Wa Shan and Tsung Shan ranges in the background. The foreground views have conspicuous numbers of high rise buildings including Noble Hill, Tin Ping Estate, Wing Fok Centre although the greenery of North District Park and urban landscaping is also evident.
F19	On Kwok Villa	Local	Residential - Low Rise	120	Many	Good	No	Partial	Long	Very Frequent	High
F19	The ground level views from On Kwok Villa are largely blocked by existing structures and vegetation. To the north west and south west, Woodland Crest and Tai Ping Estate high rise blocks dominate the view. To the east however, at higher elevations, the views are more open, with glimpses out over the rural landscape of the Ng Tung River floodplain and beyond to the Cham Shan / Wa Shan ranges in the background.
F20	High Rise Residential buildings around Tin Ping Estate	District	Residential - High Rise	250	Very Many	Good	No	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
F20	The Tin Ping Estate spans a large area with a number of residential blocks and Woodland Crest is another high rise residential complex nearby. For those flats in this area facing north east towards the proposed FLN NDA, at high levels the view is generally open and panoramic. Some blocks will have their views north east partially blocked by the towers of Noble Hill and high rise developments are evident in the foreground to middle distance. Ng Tung River and surrounding floodplain dominates the view however, with a rural landscape of agricultural fields, small villages and copious patches of woodland. Green hills are clearly visible in the background, including Tsung Shan range and Lung Shan.
F21	North District Sports Ground	Local	Recreational	320	Many	Fair	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Medium
F21	North District Sports Ground has views north east towards the proposed FLN NDA already containing noticeable high rise buildings such as Woodland Crest, Tin Ping Estate and Tsui Lai Garden. The existing trees along Tin Ping Road also interrupt the low-level view to the north of the facility.
F22	Tsui Lai Garden	Local	Residential - High Rise	140	Very Many	Good	No	Full	Long	Very Frequent	High
F22	For those flats in Tsui Lai Garden facing north east towards the proposed FLN NDA, at high levels the view is generally open and panoramic. The towers of Woodland Crest are evident in the middle distance to the east but otherwise the view spans out over Ng Tung River and its surrounding floodplain with a rural landscape of agricultural fields, small villages and copious patches of woodland. Green hills are clearly visible in the background, including Wa Shan and Tsung Shan range. The port backup facilities in the foreground to the north are visually detracting elements visible from this location.
F23	Fung Kai Area	Local	Recreational (& Occupational & Travelling)	170	Many	Fair	Yes	Glimpse	Medium	Occasional	Low
F23	There are some glimpse views east from the Fung Kai area towards the FLN NDA. Users of the playground, students, workers and pedestrians in this area have glimpse views towards FLN NDA to the north and northwest. Currently these are of the existing agricultural fields in the Ng Tung flood plain area with its scattered settlements. These VSRs are generally at ground level and from this level, vegetation screens most low level views, although Cham Shan / Wa Shan ranges can be seen in the distance above the trees.
F24	Sheung Shui Wai Area	Local	Residential - Low Rise	90	Many	Fair	No	Glimpse	Long	Frequent	Medium
F24	Sheung Shui Wai also known as Sheung Shui Heung comprising Man Kok Village, Ha Pak Tsuen, Wai Loi Tsuen, Mun Hau Tsuen, Chung Sum Tsuen, Sheung Pak Tsuen, Tai Yuen Tsuen, Po Sheung Tsuen and Hing Yan Tsuen has a high density of houses as well as landscaping, meaning most low level views are partially or fully blocked by other houses or vegetation. The area is bordered by a low rise industrial area to the south west but views in this direction are also blocked by mature trees. To the north east of the area, in the direction of FLN NDA, glimpses of the medium rise Fung Kai Secondary School and open storage area are possible from higher elevations of a small number of houses to the north and east of the area. Glimpses of agricultural landscape near Ng Tung River may also be possible, with the continued greenery of the Cham Shan / Wa Shan ranges in the background.
F25	Industrial Zone SW of Sheung Shui Wai	District	Occupational	520	Very Many	Fair	No	Partial	Medium	Frequent	Low
F25	This industrial zone has a view east of the traditional village of Sheung Shui Wai in the foreground, partly screened by existing trees. The high rise buildings of Sheung Shui/Fanling are visible over the tree line as well and in the distance the Cham Shan / Wa Shan ranges are visible.
F26 (K6a)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	Residential - Low Rise	600	Many	Good	No	Glimpse	Long	Occasional	Medium
F26 (K6a)	The topography of Tai Shek Mo and Fung Shui Woodland west of Ho Sheung Heung block views to the north and west of this VSR. At ground level most views are blocked by existing built structures and vegetation, including the landscaped trees along the trained Sheung Yue River. Most houses face east, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the higher levels of the three storey houses and the slightly elevated Chung Kuk Path, there are some glimpses through to the FLN NDA area which is relatively far away. In this view, the high-rise buildings of Sheung Shui/Fanling can be seen over the trees in the background.
F27 (K7)	Tsung Yuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	500	Few	Good	No	Glimpse	Long	Occasional	Medium
F27 (K7)	The topography of Tai Shek Mo and trees lining the road, both to the west of Tsung Yuen, block views to the north and west of this VSR. At ground level most views east are blocked by existing tall trees in the foreground. Most houses face east-west, but from elevated viewpoints, such as the higher levels of the three storey houses, views south east, towards the FLN NDA area may include glimpses of the open agricultural land east of the village as well as the Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works in the background. This view also already includes the high-rise buildings of Sheung Shui/ Fanling in the background.
F28 (K22)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Recreational	2350	Few	Good	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Medium
F28 (K22)	The footpath up to the summit from the south is largely through grassland with the main screen to the view north being the ridgeline itself. Power pylons are also visually distracting elements close to the footpath. The footpaths on the north Ki Lun Shan are restricted by tall vegetation as they reach lower ground. From the summit, the views are open and panoramic and generally of a semi-rural character with evidence of urban developments, particularly the high rise structures of Shenzhen across the border in the middle and far distance. Generally facing north, north east, the rural Kwu Tung District is clearly visible along with the agricultural land of Long Valley in marked contrast to the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area which is evident further east partially blocking the green hills beyond. Valais housing and developments around Hang Tau are other man-made elements at the foot of the hill. The alternative views facing south, south west is similarly mixed, with river channelization work scaring the landscape at the foot of the hill, Lok Ma Chau Border Crossing a distinct complex nearby and a large expanse of open, lowland which stretches to the Pearl River Estuary and is generally green with some housing developments.
F29 (east of K24)	Wu Tip Shan Lookout	Strategic	Recreational	1450	Many	Good	Yes	Full	Short	Occasional	Medium
	The path up to Wu Tip Shan Lookout is lined by high shrubland, screening most views, but at the lookout itself, there are open and panoramic views to the north and east. The Sheung Shui / Fanling urban area, with its many high rise buildings and the MTR East Rail line, is prominent in the middle distance, split by greener area comprised to the agricultural land west of Ng Tung River. From this elevation, the hills of Cham Shan, Wa Shan and Tsung Shan are visible behind the urban area, and the view extends to Shenzhen beyond, as well as the NENT landfill and green hills of Wo Keng Shan. The floodplain of Ng Tung River within this view adds to the natural character of the landscape, even though small village areas are visible. The Fanling Highway with Fanling Golf Course and its isolated woodland to the south mark the foreground views.


F30 (K2)	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout	Strategic	Recreational	1750	Very Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium	Occasional	Low
F30 (K2)	The main track to the summit of Tai Shek Mo is an old road overgrown with vegetation. It is located on the east side of the hill and the high and thick vegetation along it, as well as the existing topography (Tai Shek Mo spur south), block views to the south and southwest towards the Kwu Tung Area. At the summit, there is a panoramic view and in the background to the southeast the high rise buildings of the Fanling/ Sheung Shui urban area are visible. The Lo Wu Correctional Institution can be seen through vegetation at the base of the hill in this direction, with the Long Valley area agricultural fields clearly visible in the middle distance. Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River are also visible meandering through the landscape. Alternatively facing north, being right on the Closed Area Boundary and at elevation, there are clear views into China and the high rise urban area of Shenzhen, contrasting starkly with the small rural area of HKSAR at the foot of the hill and south of the border. This track is only accessible by foot and not used frequently. Other trails on the hillside do not appear to be well used either, suggesting very few visitors pass this way and is largely why this VSR has low sensitivity.

Table 12.12.1 - Magnitude of visual change for VSRs due to KTN NDA

Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest built structure proposed within the NDA.

VP (Yes [Y]/ blank)	VSR Code (Code for other NDA)	Name	VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local)	Key Designated Projects (DPs)/ Sites with Structures causing Visual Impact (Land Use Type)*	Blockage of View (Full/ Partial/ Nil)	Approximate Closest Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m)	Scale of Development (Large/ Medium/ Small)	Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good /Fair /Poor)		Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/Medium term], Permanent)		Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible)		Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
		Name	VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local)		Blockage of View (Full/ Partial/ Nil)		Scale of Development (Large/ Medium/ Small)	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
		Description of Impacts during Construction and Operation
Y	K1	Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen	Local	D1-14 (G); F1-3 (OU-R&D); G1-4 (G), G1-5 (G)	Partial	20	Intermediate	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		In general, views at low levels looking south towards KTN NDA are blocked by existing vegetation and built structures, so no noticeable change in view is expected for ground level views in this direction. Many of the sites close to this VSR will experience no change (e.g. Lo Wu Firing Range at G1-1 and G1-2, and green belt at F1-5 and F1-6). From elevated levels (e.g. in the 3-storey houses) and those at the periphery of the village, it is likely that the Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development in F1-3 (which reach up to 10 storeys high) will be evident over the vegetation and partially block the view. Further south the tops of buildings in the site reserved for government use (D1-14) may be visible through gaps between buildings in F1-3 and existing vegetation; the location of building(s) in D1-14 is currently not available but built structure(s) will be up to 8 storeys high and may cause small changes in visual amenity from elevated viewpoints in the village. Similarly the water service reservoirs in G1-4 and G1-5 may be visible in the background of elevated viewpoints looking southeast. During construction, earthworks and construction machinery will largely be blocked by existing vegetation but scaffolding will become visible above the vegetation. In addition the earthworks associated with the construction of the water service reservoirs in G1-4 and G1-5 may be visible in the distance. Overall, as the existing vegetation and built structures will generally shield low level views to the proposed development, it is anticipated that an intermediate change in view will be experienced during both construction and operation.
Y	K2a	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards KTN NDA)	Strategic	A-site high rise buildings in KTN NDA	Partial	380	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		For these sections of the footpath with views looking towards the KTN NDA, only a small part of the tops of high rise buildings in KTN NDA will be visible behind the green knoll of Tai Shek Mo. These will not be dissimilar to existing views of high rise buildings in Shenzhen in the distance. This VSR is anticipated to have little discernible change due to KTN NDA during both construction and operation and therefore, the magnitude of change due to KTN NDA will be small during both stages.
Y	K2b (F30)	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards KTN & FLN NDA)	Strategic	A-Sites and D-Sites high rise buildings in KTN NDA & Entire FLN NDA	Partial	380 from KTN NDA & 1750 from FLN NDA	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		For the sections of the footpath with views both to the KTN and FLN NDA, much of the KTN NDA will be blocked by the ridges and foothills of Tai Shek Mo itself and only the tops of high rise buildings in KTN NDA will be visible behind the Tai Shek Mo Ridgeline. Existing views looking down to the Sheung Shui/ Fanling Urban Area, Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River will remain unchanged by KTN NDA. Much of the KTN NDA area visible to this VSR will experience no discernible change (e.g. Lo Wu Correctional Institution at G1-8; natural vegetation in G1-3; Lo Wu Saddle Club in G1-6 and G1-7; agricultural land in C1-6, C2-2, C2-4 and C2-5; and the majority of Long Valley Nature Park at C1-9). Although the closest built structure in the KTN NDA is approximately 380 m away, this is the service reservoir in G1-4 and is unlikely to be visible immediately below the lookout and blocked by the higher ridges. Most of the KTN NDA structures causing visible change, such as higher rise residential buildings in A-sites and D-sites, are much further away such that only a small change in view is anticipated due to KTN NDA. Most of FLN NDA will be visible to the south east of this VSR in the distance (over 1.7 km away) (also detailed in Table 12.12.2). It will largely blend with the existing urban view of the Sheung Shui/Fanling area but there will be some loss of visual access to greenery and a moderate change in view is anticipated during both the construction and operation phases due to FLN NDA. Visual impacts from the construction phase will generally result from earthworks as well as scaffolding and construction machinery as they become visible in the distance. Overall the existing green ranges in the foreground and high rises in Shenzhen looking to the north in the background will remain unchanged and it is not considered that cumulatively FLN and KTN NDAs confer more than an intermediate change in view at this VSR during construction and operation. Visual impacts from the construction phase will generally result from site formation works, scaffolding and construction machinery that become visible in the distance. Overall the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate during construction and operation.
Y	K3	Western Range -- Lok Ma Chau Footpath	District	F1-3 (OU-R&D); A-Sites & E-Sites in southwest NDA; G1-4 (G), G1-5 (G)	Partial	550	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		The panoramic view along the footpath looking down to the existing rural agricultural landscape will generally become an urbanized area due to the Project. Built structures such as high rise residential buildings up to 35 storeys at A3-3, A2-2, A1-2 & A2-7 as well as a lower hospital and polyclinic at B2-2, will largely block the existing view of the green lowland beyond the ridgeline and integrate the urbanized view with the small portion of Fanling/Sheung Shui urban area visible on the skyline behind the proposed KTN NDA. The Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development within F1-3 (buildings up to 10 storeys high), at the foothill of Tai Shek Mo, will not be compatible with the existing agricultural view in that area and also change the view. Visual changes during construction will be similar to during operation with a little additional impact expected from earthworks, scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery. Thus the magnitude of change will be intermediate during both stages for this VSR.
Y	K4	Cottage Area (Western Range)	Local	DP4 Road D1 to D5; A-Sites & E-Sites in southwest NDA; A2-2 (PRH), A3-3 (PRH), A3-6 (R2); E1-2 (E), E1-3 (G), E1-4 (E), E1-5 (G-REC), E1-6 (G); F1-3 (OU-R&D), F1-1 (G-REC)	Partial	20	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		The cottage area at the eastern foothill of the Western Range will be situated within the boundary of KTN NDA area. Some of the houses will be adjacent to the built structures in the NDA. Houses at the northern part of this VSR will be close to the Sports Ground/Complex at F1-1 with built structures up to 3 storeys high, the Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development in F1-3 (which reach up to 10 storeys high) as well as the new distributor road. A major change in view is predicted for VSRs in this area due to the proximity of these built structures. For houses at the southern part of the VSR, E1-2 (Primary school with built structures up to 8 storeys high), E1-3 (proposed for district headquarters, district headquarters associated married staff quarters, divisional police station and reprovisioning of Fan Garden Junior Police Officer’s quarters, with built structures between 5 and 20 storeys high), E1-4 (proposed for secondary school up to 8 storey tall), E1-5 (proposed swimming pool and sports centre with built structures up to 5 storey tall), and E1-6 (proposed for fire station cum ambulance depot with buildings up to 9 storeys high) will be found to the south eastern side of the area and the high-rise structures of A3-3 and A2-2 (up to 35 storeys tall), A3-6 (up to 20 storeys high) will also be prominent in the background. The existing distant view of the Fanling/Sheung Shui urban area will be blocked by the new development. Although residents at this VSR have their low level views largely blocked by vegetation and existing built structures, a major change in view is still expected. Overall, it is predicted that a major change in view will generally be experienced during both the construction and operation phases. Visual impact from the construction phase will mainly be caused by earthworks, particularly cut and fill for the proposed Sports Ground/Complex at F1-1, filling at E1-2 and cut at E1-6. Erection of scaffolding and installation/ operation of construction machinery will also be apparent both at an immediate distance and from far away. Potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation may also be a source of impact. It is therefore expected that the magnitude of change will be large for both stages for this VSR.
Y	K5a	Northern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan	District	DP4 Road D1 to D5; A3-6 (R2), A3-3 (PRH), A2-2 (PRH); E1-3 (G), E1-4(E), E1-6 (G); E1-7(O); D1-12 (G-REC), D1-13 (G-REC), D1-14 (G); F1-1 (G-REC), F1-3 (OU-R&D); G1-4 (G), G1-5 (G)	Partial	Approx. 70m when looking north; 150m when looking southwest	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		VSRs up at the top of the northern knoll of Fung Kong Shan will generally have all round views with the proposed KTN NDA in sight. For views looking north, the site area reserved for government with buildings up to 8 storeys high (location of buildings yet to be determined) at D-14 is closest, bordering the proposed new ‘DP4 Road D1 to D5’ at the foot of the knoll and the potential activity centres (up to 5 storeys high) at D1-12 and D1-13 will also be evident at the north eastern foot of the knoll. Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development in F1-3 (up to 10 storeys high) will be visible and the proposed Sports Ground/Sports Complex (up to 3 storeys high) at F1-1 will also be partly visible also. Further east across the lowland, the construction of the service reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 within the green belt site (G1-3) will cause a change in view, especially during construction since significant site formation is necessary. This would involve major earthwork operations to form the level platform for the reservoir areas and permanent removal of the natural hillside, replacing it with slopes and level areas of an engineered and un-natural appearance. Due to the scale of operations the construction works are likely to be visible together with the construction movements to handle the large amounts of cut material taken from the hillside. However views to these reservoir areas are not visible from the entire northern knoll as some are partially obscured by vegetation, higher areas of the knoll and the southern knoll. The tops of built structures at D1-11 (up to 20 storeys high) may also be visible but much of these buildings will be blocked by the southern knoll. A moderate to large change in view is generally expected for these viewing directions at this VSR. For views looking south, the built structures of A3-3 (up to 35 storeys) and A3-6 (up to 20 storeys), will dominate the view. The existing industrial area located at the foothill of the knoll will be converted to an open space and cycle park (E1-7) which is a positive change. The southern knoll of Fung Kong Shan in the foreground will remain unchanged, and the ridgeline of Ki Lun Shan and Wu Tip Shan will still be partially visible in the distance. At certain locations on the knolls, views towards KTN NDA may be partially blocked by the existing vegetation, natural topography and built structures. Changes in views for this viewing direction will vary depending on the viewing location. During construction visual changes will be evident from large cutting earthworks for site formation at G1-4 and G1-5 when building the service reservoirs, cut and fill site formation necessary at F1-1 and at E1-6 as well as D1-12 and D1-13, where a small hill will be removed. During operation the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 are expected to cause less visual impact than during construction, but overall to consider worst case scenario, the magnitude of change will be large for this VSR at construction and operation.
Y (K5a/b)	K5b	Southern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan	District	DP4 Road D1 to D5; A2-2 (PRH), A2-4 (HOS), A2-5 (R1c), A2-7 (PRH), A2-9 (R2), A3-3 (PRH), A3-4 (E) A3-6 (R2),; D1-11 (R3), D1-7 (R2) E1-5 (G-REC), E1-6 (G), E1-7 (O); F1-3 (OU-R&D); G1-4 (G), G1-5 (G)	Partial	Approx.70 m	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		VSRs up at the top of the southern knoll of Fung Kong Shan will generally have all round views that include the proposed KTN NDA. For views north, a very small portion of the Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development in F1-6 (up to 10 storeys high) will be visible in some areas behind the northern knoll of Fung Kong Shan. The existing industrial area located at the foothill of the knoll will be converted to an open space and cycle park (E1-7) which is a positive change. The view of Lo Wu Rifle Range in the middle distance will remain unchanged but the construction of the service reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 within the green belt site (G1-3) and below Tai Shek Mo will cause a change in view, especially during construction since significant site formation is necessary. This would involve major earthwork operations to form the level platform for the reservoir areas and permanent removal of the natural hillside, replacing it with slopes and level area of a engineered and un-natural appearance. Due to the scale of operations the construction works are likely to be highly visible together with the construction movements to handle the large amounts of cut material taken from the hillside. However views to these reservoir areas are not visible from the entire southern knoll as some are partially obscured by vegetation, higher areas of the knoll and the northern knoll. Looking further east, the built structures of D1-11 and D1-7, both for medium density residential up to 20 and 25 storeys respectively, will be visible just at the foothill of the knoll. To the west, the most prominent change will be due to high rise buildings (up to 35 storeys) in to the north of site A3-3 nearby. The fire station cum ambulance depot at E1-6 (up to 9 storeys high) may be visible in this direction. For viewers on the west of the summit as they look down to the adjacent lowland, the school buildings up to 8 storeys high in A3-4 may be visible as well as the swimming pool and sports centre (up to 5 storeys) in E1-5. For views south, the existing Fung Kong Industrial area will become an urbanized and the built structures of A3-6 and A2-9 (both up to 20 storeys), A3-3, A2-2 and A2-7 (all up to 35 storeys), A2-5 and A2-4 (both up to 30 storeys), will dominate the view, changing it from a largely rural context to high-rise urban environment. Overall, it is expected that VSRs at this location will have a large change in view during both the construction and operation phases. Visual impact from the construction phase will mainly be caused by earthworks particularly for the construction of the reservoirs. In addition scaffolding and installation/operation of other construction machinery will cause impacts at this stage. It is therefore expected that at worst the magnitude of change will be large for both stages for this VSR.
Y (K6b)	K6 (F26)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	D1-5 (R4), D1-7 (R2), possibly G1-5 (G)	Nil	100	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		In general, views towards KTN NDA at this VSR are blocked by the natural topography in the area. Most of the adjacent land will remain unchanged (e.g. D1-8 green belt) and no discernible change in view is anticipated for the majority of these VSRs. However, residents at the southern portion of Ho Sheung Heung will be adjacent to a site (D1-5) proposed for village resite (up to 3 storey buildings) and will have views above the vegetation of some of the new buildings (up to 25 storeys) in the adjacent D1-7 which will cause a greater change in view than experienced by most residents in other areas of the village. There is a chance that some VSRs in this area may be able to see the proposed freshwater service reservoir in G1-5, but the trees lining Chung Kuk Path behind the village will act as a screen protecting most ground level views up to this. Overall, it is expected that on average, most VSRs will experience a small change in view during both the construction and operation. Visual impact from the construction phase will mainly be caused by scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery, and the potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation and it is anticipated that minimal site formation works will be visible. To reflect the worst change in view experienced by viewers close to the high rise buildings in D1-7 the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate for both stages for this VSR.
Y	K7	Tsung Yuen	Local	Possibly G1-5 (G)	Nil	300	Small	Good	Good	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
	(F27)	(Note K7a is the same location as F27, but different view) Most views towards the KTN NDA are blocked by the natural topography in the area, and no discernible change in view is anticipated during both the construction and operation stages. However, there is a chance that some VSRs at the north of the village may be able to see the proposed freshwater service reservoir in G1-5, but the trees lining Ho Sheung Heung road behind the village will act as a screen protecting most ground level views up to this. Therefore, the magnitude of change is expected to be small at worst and more likely to be negligible for this VSR.
	K8	MTR East Rail line north of Sheung Shui cycle track	Local	Eastern portion of the KTN NDA; Possibly G1-5 (G)	Partial	750	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Intermittent glimpses of the proposed KTN NDA may be visible for viewers on the train, through the track side vegetation. The majority of the proposed NDA will be screened by the Long Valley which is reserved for a Nature Park (C1-9) or will be left as agricultural land (C1-6, C2-2, C2-4). The knoll reserved as green belt (D1-8) and the Tai Shek Mo range will also block views to KTN NDA for this VSR although the water reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly visible in the distance. As VSRs will be travelling at high speed and the NDA is located at a distance, it is predicted that only a very small change in view may be experienced in the operation stage, when some structures in the NDA may be visible through/above the existing vegetation. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from the erection of scaffolding and possibly installation/operation of some construction machinery such as cranes in the distance. It is therefore expected that travellers on the MTR will have a small change in view in the middle distance during both construction and operation.
	K9	Long Valley Villages	Local	DP3 Road P1, P2 and DP5 New sewage pumping stations (SPS) B3-5 (OU-C,R&D), B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); C1-3 (CDA) A1-9 (R2), D1-7 (R2), Possibly G1-5 (G)	Partial	70	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		In general, VSRs at this location are expected to have an intermediate change in view when looking west during the operation stage as the existing rural landscape will become an urbanized town in the middle distance, but the open panoramic view of the Long Valley agricultural land in the foreground and view to the Tai Shek Mo range in the background will remain unchanged although the water reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly visible in the distance. The commercial research and development buildings (up to 10 storeys high) of B3-5 and B3-8, and B3-12 will be visible reasonably close by on the other side of the new DP3 road. Residential blocks up to 20 storeys high in A1-9 and 25 storeys high in D1-7 may also protrude into the skyline in the middle distance. An intermediate level of visual impact is also predicted from the construction phase, with the erection of scaffolding become visible in the distance but no major earthworks visible. The villagers of Yin Kong in C1-4, may be affected during construction by the separate project for a commercial development around Enchi Lodge, including village houses up to 3 storeys and a one storey car park, but this is similar to the existing village and compatible. Overall the magnitude of change is predicted to be intermediate during both construction and operation in this area.
Y	K10	Cycle track along riverside near Long Valley	Local	DP3 Road P1, P2 and DP5 New SPS B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-2 (OU-C,R&D), B3-5 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); A1-9 (R2), A2-7 (PRH), A2-9 (R2), A3-3 (PRH); D1-2 (OU-RAF), D1-5 (R4) D1-7 (R2), Possibly G1-5 (G)	Partial	70	Large	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		Views along the cycle track will vary from open agricultural landscape further north to the more built environment at the southern portion of KTN NDA. Hotel and conference facilities and post office up to 10 storeys tall (B3-8) and other commercial, research & development buildings up to 10 storeys tall (B3-2, B3-5, B3-12), residential buildings up to 20 storeys high (A1-9, A2-9), up to 35 storeys high (A2-7, A3-3) and up to 25 storeys high (D1-7) will dominate the view at the southern part of Sheung Yue River looking west from the cycle track. The village type development (up to 3 storeys high) at D1-5 may also be visible through breaks in the vegetation and the water reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly visible in the distance on the Tai Shek Mo foothill. Although trees are planted along the embankment and screen most of the views at ground level, it is expected that a large portion of these built elements will still become visible above the vegetation line, especially for those that are adjacent to the cycle track (mainly commercial, research and development). To the east of the cycle track however, the Long Valley area will largely be preserved in C1-9 and C1-6 and no change in view is anticipated. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from some site formation fill work on the other side of the river channel, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation. Therefore, the magnitude of change is expected to be intermediate during both construction and operation.
	K11	Cycle track west of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works	Local	DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement; D1-5 (R4), D1-7 (R2), A2-9 (R2), A1-9 (R2); B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12(OU-C,R&D); Possibly G1-5 (G)	Partial	500	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Views along the cycle track will vary from open agricultural landscape to the a more built environment, when travelling from north to south and vegetation such as trees planted along the embankment of Shek Sheung River or in the adjacent land, will partially screen low level views. Higher levels of the high and medium rise residential blocks in A1-9, A2-9 (up to 20 storeys high), and D1-7 (up to 25 storeys high) and commercial, research and development buildings in B3-8 and B3-12 (up to 10 storeys high) are likely to become visible above the existing vegetation line as viewers head south, but these would be in the distance as the whole Long Valley ‘Nature Park’ at C1-9 will act as a buffer between the cycle track and KTN NDA development although the water reservoir at G1-5 may be faintly visible in the distance. As most views of the proposed KTN NDA at this VSR will be shielded by vegetation, only a small change is expected in terms of visual amenity during the construction and operation stages. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by scaffolding and possibly construction machinery installation/ operation (such as cranes) in the distance. The magnitude of change will be small during both construction and operation.
	K12	Tsung Pak Long	Local	DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; A1-6(R1c), A1-8 (HOS), A1-9 (R2), A2-7 (PRH), A2-9 (R2); B3-5 (OU-C,R&D), B3-8 (OU-C,R&D), B3-12 (OU-C,R&D); Possibly G1-5 (G)	Nil	570	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Views looking towards the proposed KTN NDA are largely contained by the existing tall trees planted in and around the village, and most houses to not face in the direction of KTN NDA. At higher levels of the houses, the top floors of the high rise buildings in the KTN NDA, such as in A1-9, A2-9 (up to 20 storeys high), A1-6, A1-8 (up to 30 storeys high), A2-7 (up to 35 storeys high) may become visible and possibly the tops of commercial, research and development buildings (up to 10 storeys) in B3-5, B3-8, B3-12), but these would be in the distance as the whole Long Valley ‘Nature Park’ at C1-9 will act as a buffer between this village and KTN NDA development. Also in the far distance the topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may also be visible to this VSR. As views of the proposed KTN NDA at this VSR will be largely shielded by vegetation, only a small level of change is expected in terms of visual amenity during the construction and operation stages. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by scaffolding and possibly construction machinery installation/ operation (such as cranes) in the distance. The magnitude of change will be small during both construction and operation.
	K13	Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long	District	Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs, particularly DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway, and DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement	Partial	820	Large	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		The proposed KTN NDA will become visible in the panoramic view, behind the agricultural fields of the Long Valley, which is designated to be a Nature Park. The view is expected to change during both the construction and operation stages, due to the general mass of built elements becoming visible above the existing vegetation and changing much of the rural landscape in the Kwu Tung area. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by earthworks, as well as scaffolding and construction machinery installation/ operation in the distance. In the distance the topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may also be visible. Noting the VSR is of occupational use and the industrial buildings within this area have limited windows facing the direction towards the KTN NDA as well as the distance from the NDA, the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate for both construction and operation.
	K14	Tai Tau Leng	Local	DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway and DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement	Nil	1000	Small	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
		Views looking towards the proposed KTN NDA are largely screened by the vegetation around the village, the wooded knoll to the west (C1-5 designated to remain as green belt) as well as Tsung Pak Long village. The village is also at least 1 km from the nearest proposed structures of KTN NDA and houses do not, in general, directly face the KTN NDA area. It is anticipated that no discernible change in views will generally be experienced during both construction and operation phases due to the KTN NDA although some change is likely due to DP1 and DP8. The magnitude of change due to the KTN NDA is anticipated to be negligible in both stages.
Y	K15	Choi Po Court/Choi Yuen Estate	District	Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs, particularly DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway, and DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement	Partial	1050	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		For elevated views at this VSR, the entire area of the KTN NDA will be visible in the middle distance but this only affects a moderate extent of the existing panoramic view. The industrial zone and the MTR East Rail line will still be the prominent features in the foreground at this VSR, as well as the view of the rural landscape of Tai Tau Leng and Tsung Pak Long, and the open agricultural fields of Long Valley which will all remain unchanged. In the distance, the high rise structures in Shenzhen will still be visible behind the Tai Shek Mo range. However the general mass of the KTN NDA will be visible, especially the higher buildings, and in the distance the topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may also be visible, so an intermediate change in view is predicted. For VSRs at lower levels, it is expected that the change in view will be much smaller as their views to the NDA may be obstructed by existing vegetation and other built structures in the neighbourhood. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by earthworks, scaffolding and construction machinery installation/ operation in the distance. Overall, it is predicted that an intermediate change will be experienced at this VSR during both construction and operation.
	K16	Tai Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks	District	Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs, particularly DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway, and DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchange Improvement	Partial	1000	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Generally, only residents that are at high levels facing west and north west will have views towards KTN NDA. Where not blocked by Choi Yuen Estate in front, it is expected that the built elements of the NDA will be visible in the middle distance, behind the green Long Valley area. Distant views of high-rises buildings in Shenzhen will still be visible behind the Western Ranges and Tai Shek Mo. As the proposed NDA is also located at a distance from this VSR and much of the view falls outside the NDA and will not be changed by it (e.g. Hong Kong Golf Club), it is anticipated that only small changes will be experienced during both the construction and operation phases. In the distance the topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may be slightly visible, mostly at construction, and other visual impacts at the construction phase will be caused by scaffolding and construction machinery operation. Therefore, the magnitude of change will be small during both construction and operation.
	K17	Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling	Local	None	Nil	350	Small	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
		As this VSR is located on low lying ground with extensive landscaping including trees within and around the area of the golf course, views to the proposed KTN NDA will be completely shielded by the existing vegetation. It is therefore anticipated that no discernible change in views will be experienced during both construction and operation phases. Hence, the magnitude of change will be negligible in both stages.
Y	K18	Ascot Park Area	Local	DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; B3-2 (OU(C,R&D), B3-12 (OU(C,R&D)	Nil	225	Small	Fair	Good	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		This VSR represents residents in low rise developments around Kam Tsin, including Kam Tsin Tsuen, Ascot Park, Royal Oaks and La Regent Park. Buildings in this area are located on the low lying ground in clusters and low level views looking towards the proposed KTN NDA are largely blocked by existing vegetation, built structures, screen planting along the roads in the area and the Fanling Highway located just to the north. At elevated levels of most of the 3-storey houses, views to the proposed KTN NDA may also be screened by the existing vegetation, other buildings and the highway such that only a few houses may have a slightly open view looking towards the NDA. It is anticipated that only the tops of some higher structures in the southern KTN NDA, such as the commercial, research and development building in B3-2 and B3-12 (up to 10 storeys high) and residential blocks in D1-7 (up to 25 storeys high) may be visible and at worst cause a small change in view in anticipated. Change will be the same at construction and operation and is considered small.
Y	K19	Existing Road Bridge Link over Fanling Highway	Local	DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion; Southern A-Sites; B-Sites.	Full	50	Large	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Large	Large
		This VSR represents views travelling along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road, whether by vehicle or on foot. Currently travellers along the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road have their view contained by the roadside vegetation but noise barriers are proposed along this section within KTN NDA and will change these views. The noise barriers are at least 5m vertical, some with additional 3m cantilever and a proposed full enclosure of approximately 190 m length connecting to a proposed semi enclosure of approximately 110 m length (all approximately 7.5 m high) proposed over Fanling Highway just north of the current Europa Garden Phase 1. Along with the changes caused by the DPs, the magnitude of change is considered large for these viewers. For the small number of pedestrians using the footbridge it is anticipated that a large change in visual amenity will also be experienced. To the north west, the high rise residential blocks of in A sites (rising to between 20 and 35 storeys), and the hospital at B2-2 (up to 10 storeys), schools at B2-5, B2-6 and B2-7 (up to 8 storeys), social welfare facilities and sports complex at B2-8 (up to 10 storeys), a CDA development at B2-10 (up to 20 storeys), the commercial, research and development buildings (up to 10 storeys) at B sites, will protrude above the existing vegetation line of the roadside planting. In addition, the glimpse views of the Western Range in the background will also be blocked by the new structures. Some view corridors along e.g. B2-13 and B2-9 designated for open space. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from any tree removal associated with the works, noise barrier erection, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation. Overall the magnitude of change is expected to be large for both construction and operation.
	K20	Valais & Europa Garden New Residential Development Area	Local	DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway; Southern A-sites; B-sites.	Partial	150	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Low level views at this VSR looking towards the proposed KTN NDA are completely blocked by the existing planted trees along the road and Fanling Highway as well as some areas where tall noise barriers already exist along Fanling Highway. The construction of some new noise barriers, (including the proposed full enclosure of approximately 190 m length connecting to the proposed semi enclosure of approximately 110 m length (all approximately 7.5 m high), just north of Europa Garden Phase I, as well as adjoining proposed single-leaver cantilever noise barriers up to 5 m high with a 3 m bend), may cause some change in view as they are constructed. There are some tall vertical noise barrier walls in front of Europa Garden and Valais already, protecting these residencies from the traffic noise so at operation the new noise barriers will be fairly compatible with the existing view. Residents with views that could look over the existing and proposed noise barriers and vegetation may have partial views of the proposed KTN NDA. It is generally predicted, however, that a large amount of the visual impacts caused by the proposed NDA will be screened from VSRs in this area. Should the tops of any high rise structures be visible above screening elements in the foreground for these views (e.g. the residential blocks of A Sites (rising to between 20 and 35 storeys), and commercial, research and development buildings at B Sites (all up to 10 storeys), these are not predicted to cause large changes to the view. Therefore the magnitude of change is considered to be small for both construction and operation stages.
	K21	Kwu Tung Service Reservoir	District	Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs	Partial	300	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		The entire area of KTN NDA will be partly visible in the middle distance for this VSR. The open panoramic view to the east, and distant view of Tai Shek Mo will remain largely unaffected although in the distance the topographical changes to cut out the reservoirs at G1-4 and G1-5 may also be slightly visible. The views down to the residential developments including Europa Garden and Valais will remain unchanged in the foreground. Since the path up to the reservoir is surrounded by quite dense vegetation, only glimpse views through the vegetation to the overall KTN NDA are predicted. Visual changes during construction will mainly be caused by the earthworks, scaffolding and installation/ operation of construction machinery in the distance. Overall the magnitude of visual change will be small during both construction and operation.
Y	K22 (F28)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs	Partial	650	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		The entire area of KTN NDA will be visible to this VSR at high levels, turning the existing flat rural landscape currently existing in the KTN area, into an urbanized town area. The existing open view looking over the green ranges in the foreground, residential development and Sheung Shui/ Fanling urban area in the background to the east, and high rise buildings in Shenzhen in the far distance will remain unchanged. To the north of the NDA and more distance in this view, the Research and Development structures in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development within F1-3 (up to 10 storeys high) will be visible as the main higher structures in that area, whereas closer the higher rise blocks of A Sites (between 20 and 35 storeys) and B Sites (all up to 10 storeys, with one site up to 20 storeys) will form the main bulk of buildings that cause visual change. Visual impacts from the construction phase will result from general earthworks throughout the NDA, scaffolding and installation/ operation of construction machinery in the distance. Overall, the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate for both stages at this VSR.
	K23	Chau Tau Village	Local	None	Nil	270	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Negligible	Negligible
		As Chau Tau village residents’ views are blocked by other village structures, vegetation and natural topography to the east of the village, general views in this VSR are limited to within the village area and KTN NDA is not predicted to be visible at all. It is therefore anticipated that no discernible change will be experienced in terms of view during both construction and operation stages. The magnitude of change due to KTN NDA will therefore be negligible during construction and operation.
Y	K24	Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park	Strategic	Entire area of KTN NDA and associated DPs	Partial	2100	Medium	Poor	Poor	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		The entire KTN NDA will be visible in the distance and given the closest structures are over 2km away, KTN NDA will not be highly visible and individual buildings may not be distinguishable. It will however, differ from the existing largely low-rise and green rural character of the view in this direction and it is anticipated that an intermediate change in view will be experienced during both the construction and operation phases. Visual impacts from the construction phase will generally result from earthworks, scaffolding and installation/ operation of construction machinery in the distance. Therefore, the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate for both phases.

*Code Land Use Type

A Amenity

AGR Agriculture

C Commercial

CA Conservation Area

CDA Comprehensive Development Area

E Education

G Government

G(REC) Government Recreation

GB Green Belt

HOS Home Ownership Scheme

IC Institution / Community

O Open Space

OU(C,R&D) Other Specified Uses - Commercial, Research & Development

OU(DCS) Other Specified Uses - District Cooling System

OU(FR) Other Specified Uses - Firing Range

OU(NP) Other Specified Uses - Nature Park

OU(PFS) Other Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station

OU(POFEFTS) Other Specified Uses - Parking and Operation Facilities for Environmentally Friendly Transport System

OU(R&D) Other Specified Uses - Research & Development

OU(RAF) Other Specified Uses - Railway Associated Facilities

OU(RCP) Other Specified Usese – Refuse Collection Point

OU(SPS) Other Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station

OU(STW) Other Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works

OU(VC) Other Specified Uses - Visitor Centre

OU(VMCCS) Other Specified Uses - Vegetable Market and Credit Co-operative Society

PRH Public Rental Housing

PRH(Local Rehousing) Public Rental Housing (Local Rehousing)

R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest density

R1(With Commercial) Residential Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial

R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium density

R2(With Commercial) Residential Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial

R3 Residential Zone 3 - low density

R4 Residential Zone 4 - very low density

RR4 Rural Residential (lower density & building height than R) – lowest density

V Village Type Development

Table 12.12.2 - Magnitude of visual change for VSRs due to FLN NDA

Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the proposed NDA is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest built structure proposed within the NDA.

VP (Yes [Y]/ blank)	VSR Code (Code for other NDA)	Name	VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local)	Key Designated Projects (DPs)/ Sites with Structures causing Visual Impact (Land Use Type)*	Blockage of View (Full/ Partial/ Nil)	Approximate Closest Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m)		Scale of Development (Large/ Medium/ Small)		Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good /Fair /Poor)					Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/Medium term], Permanent)				Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible)				Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible
		Name	VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local)		Blockage of View (Full/ Partial/ Nil)			Scale of Development (Large/ Medium/ Small)		Construction			Operation		Construction		Operation		Construction		Operation		Construction		Operation
		Description of Impacts during Construction and Operation
	F1	Cottage Area Lining Fu Tei Au Road	Local	DP7 Utilization of Treated Sewage Effluent; DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; DP11 SWHSTW – Further Expansion; DP13 New SPS A1-2(G), A1-5(A), A1-6(OU-SPS), A1-8(G)	Partial	Within NDA (approx. 20m from closest new building)		Small		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
	F1	Many of the cottages in this VSR lie within the NDA and some may be removed e.g. at site A1-8 designated for a Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex where extensive cut and fill is required for site formation. For those VSRs remaining in this area, many lie in or partly in A1-3 and A1-9, which are designated to remain unchanged as ‘Agricultural’ and the Man Ming Temple in A1-4 will also remain unaffected. The peripheral cottages will, however, be adjacent to two small sites proposed for a future pumping station for Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works(A1-2) (likely to be approximately 5 m high); and a sewage pumping station up to 5 m high (A1-6). Eastern cottages will be adjacent to the Police Driving and Traffic Training Complex with buildings in A1-8 which will reach up to 7 storeys high and will cause the most change the current view. On the other side of Ng Tung River from these cottages, the proposed and upgrading of SWHSTW expansion at A2-3may be visible to cottages near the river but A1-5 is designated as ‘Amenity’ and planting along the river cycle path may partially block these views. Low level views in most directions are generally blocked by existing patches of woodland and vegetation, and therefore low-level views of the proposed new developments will be screened. Given some buildings may rise to seven storeys near some cottages, the tops of these buildings are likely to be visible close by and there will be some changes to views from some cottages. Views to the south of Ng Tung River further away will be shielded by planted trees along the river banks and the high rise structures of Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area will remain visible in the background. During construction earthworks, particularly site formation in A1-8, and construction machinery will largely be blocked by existing vegetation but scaffolding will become visible above the vegetation. It is anticipated that on average small changes will be experienced during both construction and operation and the magnitude of change will be small for both phases.
Y	F2	Existing Settlements around Sheung Shui Wa Shan	Local	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section, D13 New SPS; A1-11(G), A3-1(G); B-Sites	Partial	30		Medium		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
	F2	These VSRs are likely to see the residential blocks south of Ng Tung river as the most visible new structures. Those closest to the river and about 150m across the water from the closest VSR, rise up to 25 storeys (e.g. the first line of buildings in B2-6, B2-11, B3-2), and taller buildings reaching up to 35 storeys will be visible behind these (e.g. in B2-7, B2-12 and B3-3). These new structures will block the existing view to Tsui Lai Garden which is currently visible in the skyline and only a small portion of the existing view to the Sheung Shui urban area will remain visible. Many of the new buildings lie on the open storage facilities for keeping containers to the south of Ng Tung River that is currently diminishing the visual amenity in the area, and could be said to improve this area although the structures will be higher than currently, and therefore more visible. Part of this open storage area is due to be rezoned for open space near to the river (B2-1, B2-8, B2-10, B3-1), so visual quality here is predicted to improve. Some of these sites will fall partially on land that is currently agricultural or marsh however, so the land will be irreversibly converted and any views to these areas are expected to diminish in quality. Additionally residential buildings north of the river on the same side as these VSR may be visible. New residential buildings in B1-7 will rise up to 15 storeys and those in B1-9 up to 12 storeys and are likely to be visible to those settlements facing south and south east. 3 storey houses in B1-8 may also be visible to VSRs close to this site. This area is currently agricultural or wooded so will undergo large change and given the potential proximity of the closest VSRs, they will likely experience a large change in view. The new Fanling Bypass Western Section (DP9) and its interchange will also pass by fairly close to some of these settlements. Much of this land is currently rural in nature and these viewers will be affected by filling in of a river meander in A1-11 and the earthworks and construction of the at grade bypass but at operation since the bypass is at grade the change of view is likely to diminish as it is screened from lower levels by natural vegetation. Apart from earthworks required to build the Fanling Bypass Western Section, the cut works required to construct the Fresh Water Service Reservoir at A3-1 may also be visible in the distance during construction, but will not be prominent. Otherwise no significant earthworks will be visible for the main NDA area during construction and the main impacts at this stage will be from construction machinery and scaffolding and then the built structures as they become visible. Given some screening by existing vegetation among the residential buildings, and some amenity planting and open space buffering along the river (e.g. in B1-2, B1-5 and B-10), the key change is likely to be from the high rise structures in B-Sites protruding into the skyline. It is anticipated that the magnitude of change will be large during both construction and operation.
Y	F3	Tsung Shan, High Hill	Strategic	DP9&10 Fanling Bypass Western & Eastern Sections; B-Sites, C-Sites and D-Sites	Partial	650		Medium		Fair			Fair		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F3	Part of the existing view to high rise buildings in the Fanling/Sheung Shui urban area will be blocked in the middle distance for these recreational VSRs, by the built structures in B and D Sites, mainly for residential buildings up to 12 (e.g. B1-9), 20 (e.g. B1-7, B3-9, D2-2, D2-4) , 25 (e.g. D2-6) and 30 (e.g. D2-9) storeys high. Some public housing reaching up to 35 storeys high may be visible behind in the distance (e.g.B2-12, B3-3) and some higher residential blocks in D-sites behind lower buildings near the river (e.g. D3-1b, D3-3, D3-4. The Fanling Bypass will also become visible to these recreational VSRs in the middle distance. The peaks of Lung Shan and Kei Lak Tsai will still be visible in the distance and other existing views looking down towards the firing range and the rural area around Siu Hang San Tsuen will also be unaffected by the proposed FLN NDA. As the FLN NDA is located at a distance from the VSR, it is anticipated that the VSR will only experience an intermediate change in view in the operation phase. Only an intermediate change in view is also predicted during the construction phase, when scaffold and construction machinery may be visible above the ridgeline of Wa Shan. Therefore the magnitude of change will be intermediate for both construction and operation.
	F4	Siu Hang San Tsuen	Local	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; D- Sites	Partial	200		Medium		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F4	In general, views at ground level in the village will be partially shielded by existing vegetation and no major change in view is expected at this level. However, for elevated views looking to the south towards the proposed FLN NDA , the residential buildings in D2-9 (up to 35 storey high), D2-4 (up to 20 storeys) and D2-6 (up to 25 storeys) and possibly D3-3, D3-4, D3-7 (all up to 30 storeys), will block the existing view of the high-rise buildings in the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area and the existing view of agricultural fields on the far side of Ng Tung River will become urbanized. Some of this agricultural area is designated for open space use (e.g. D2-8, D2-10) and in conjunction with the agricultural land to the north of Ng Tung River outside the NDA boundary, will act as a buffer before the high rise buildings. The Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) will also be visible to these VSRs, being elevated in their view. A view corridor along D2-7and D2-8, and along D2-5 and D3-5, linking this area to the Sheung Shui/Fanling urbanised area behind, is maintained with the current NDA design giving some visual relief from the new building massing. Some relief is also provided by the stepped building heights and the fact that the agricultural land immediately to the south will remain unchanged. During construction, earthworks, scaffolding and construction machinery may be visible in the distance and overall it is anticipated that the magnitude of change will be intermediate for both construction and operation.
Y	F5	Kan Lung Tsuen Area	Local	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6; D- Sites	Partial	150		Large		Poor			Poor		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
	F5	Views looking at the open agricultural area to the west of the VSR will be changed by high-rise buildings up to 35 storeys high (D2-9), medium density residential buildings up to 20 storeys high (D2-12), as well as the reprovisioning of the existing North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products (DP12 at D1-6). Views looking north to the foothills of Wa Shan will remain unaffected. Although bamboo is planted along the south-western boundary of Kan Lung Tsuen as a visual buffer between FLN NDA, the mass of new buildings in the NDA will still generally still dominate the view, being fairly close to this VSR. The new elevated Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and associated noise barriers will also be visible just west of Ma Wat River Channel. Although the building locations for sites D2-14 and D2-15, reserved for government uses, are currently not available, it is expected that the proposed buildings will be up to 10 storeys high and therefore may be visible to some viewers in the south of this VSR group. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from earthworks, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation and from the residential buildings during operation. Overall the proposed FLN NDA involves significant land use changes in the area and the magnitude of change is anticipated to be large during both construction and operation.
	F6	Sha Tau Kok Road	Local	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6 (G); D2-9 (PRH), D2-12 (R2), D2-14 (G), D2-15 (G)	Nil	Within NDA (Road itself affected. Approx. 20 m from closest building)		Small		Poor			Good		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Small
	F6	Glimpses of the new high rise residential buildings in D2-9 and D2-12 (up to 35 and 20 storeys respectively) as well as buildings of up to 10 storeys in the sites reserved for government uses (D2-14 and D2-15) may be visible in between gaps of the planted roadside trees for viewers travelling along this road. The reprovisioning of the existing North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products at D1-6 (DP12) is also right next to the road and may be visible. The road itself will be affected by the new Lung Yeuk Tau interchange with the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) and it is likely that during construction, impact will be greater than during operation. Visual impact during construction will largely be due to road works associated with the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section as well as scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation As views along Sha Tau Kok Road are fairly contained by the extensive roadside planting, only intermittent views of the roadside developments will be visible above the roadside vegetation line. Noting also most of the VSRs will be at low levels, highest if travelling on double-decked buses, no elevated views over the vegetation are expected. Overall, it is predicted that the magnitude of change will be intermediate during construction and small during operation.
Y	F7	Ma Wat Tsuen Area	Local & District	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6 (G); D2-12(R2), D2-9(PRH)	Partial	100 (50 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion)		Medium		Fair			Fair		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
	F7	In general, for viewers at higher levels, the panoramic view looking northeast from this area will remain open and unaffected by the proposed FLN NDA, with rural village houses in the fore- and middle-ground, and the natural uplands of the Wa Shan range and Tsun Shan visible in the background. Only the built structures of D2-9 and D2-12 (up to 35 and 20 storeys high respectively) will be visible at a distance parallel to the existing industrial area at On Lok Tsuen. The high rise structures in Shenzhen in the background will be blocked for most viewers at higher levels. For viewers at lower levels, their view towards the FLN NDA will be largely blocked by existing buildings and vegetation especially that planted along Sha Tau Kok Road. Sites D2-14 and D2-15, reserved for government uses with buildings up to 10 storeys high, and the North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products will be reprovisioned at D1-6 are expected to be shielded by the existing vegetation. Visual impacts from the construction of FLN NDA itself will mainly be due to scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery but the diversion of the Ma Wat River Channel, including excavation of the new channel and building of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, including site clearance, erection of the piers and structure are all predicted to cause a large change in view, particularly for those residencies further north and west of the area, nearest the new developments. The magnitude of change due to Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and Ma Wat River diversion, both associated with the FLN NDA, is therefore anticipated be large for both construction and operation
	F8	Shung Him Tong	Local	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; D2-12(R2), D2-9(PRH)	Partial		400 (60 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion)		Large		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
		Views from this VSR towards the main FLN NDA are largely shielded by existing shrubland and trees in the vicinity, and only a small portion of the higher levels of new residential buildings in D2-9 and D2-12 (up to 35 and 20 storeys high respectively) may be visible above the existing vegetation and high rise buildings. Sites D2-14 and D2-15, reserved for government uses with buildings up to 10 storeys high, and the North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products that will be reprovisioned at D1-6 are expected to be shielded by the existing vegetation. This VSR is, however, very close to the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) and to the Mat Wat River Diversion which will pass close by the periphery of the residential area. Visual impacts from the construction of FLN NDA itself will mainly be due to scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery in distance but the diversion of the Ma Wat River Channel, including excavation of the new channel and building of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, including site clearance, erection of the piers and structure are all predicted to cause a large change in view, particularly for those residencies further west of the area, nearest these new developments. The magnitude of change due to Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and Ma Wat River diversion, both associated with the FLN NDA, is therefore anticipated be large for both construction and operation
	F9	Heritage Trail (South of Sha Tau Kok Road)	Local	DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, DP12 Reprovision of Temporary Wholesale Market at D1-6(G); D2-9 (PRH), D2-12 (R2), D2-14 (G), D2-15 (G), D3-7 (R1c)	Partial	150 (100 to Ma Wat River Channel Diversion)		Large		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
		The existing view looking at rural village houses in the foreground and the Tsung Shan range in the background will generally remain unobstructed along the length of this VSR due to screening by existing vegetation and buildings, however, tops of the higher rise new buildings at the south-eastern tip of the FLN NDA may become visible at some points along the route (e.g. D2-9 up to 35 storeys high, D3-7 up to 30 storeys high and D2-12 up to 20 storeys high). In addition, buildings in D2-14 and D2-15, reserved for government uses with buildings up to 10 storeys high, and the North District Temporary Wholesale Market for Agricultural Products that will be reprovisioned at D1-6 may be partially visible at some points along the route. This VSR is, however, very close to the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10) and to the Mat Wat River Diversion which will pass close by the trail for about 500 m and will be apparent in their view west. Most heritage buildings are close to the trail itself however and the new developments will not block this VSR group’s view of them. Visual impacts from the construction of FLN NDA itself will mainly be due to scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery in distance but the diversion of the Ma Wat River Channel, including excavation of the new channel and building of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section, including site clearance, erection of the piers and structure are all predicted to cause a large change in view to these viewers as they follow the Heritage Trail. The magnitude of change due to Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and Ma Wat River diversion, both associated with the FLN NDA is therefore anticipated be large at both construction and operation.
	F10	Po Kat Tsai	Local	D- Sites	Nil	1000		Small		Good			Good		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
		Views to the proposed FLN NDA are limited from this VSR, since they are screened by the mature woodland. It is possible that the tops of some high rise residential blocks in D- Sites may be visible from this VSR and therefore, the magnitude of change must be considered small for this area rather than negligible.
Y	F11	Belair Monte & Regentville	District	D-Sites	Full	70		Large		Poor			Poor		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
		The proposed FLN NDA involves significant changes in terms of land use in this area and a major change in view is expected during both the construction and operation phases for this VSR, particularly for residents facing north towards FLN NDA. The existing open, rural land to the north will become urban with many high rise residential blocks (e.g. D3-6, D3-7, D2-12 and D2-9, between 20 and 35 storeys high) and supporting facilities (e.g. schools at D3-11, D3-12 up to 8 storeys high). For residents at elevated levels, their views to Tsung Shan and Wa Shan will be largely blocked with some partial views through gaps between the buildings and along the view corridors created by D2-3, D3-5 and D2-8 for open space use. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from the site formation in the D Sites, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machineries, and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation. The magnitude of change will be large both during construction and at operation for this VSR.
	F12	Wing Fai Centre & Wing Fok Centre	Local	D- Sites	Full	70		Large		Poor			Poor		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
		The proposed FLN NDA involves significant changes in terms of land use in this area and a major change in view is expected during both the construction and operation phases for this VSR, particularly for residents facing north towards FLN NDA. The existing open, rural land to the north will become urban with many high rise residential blocks (e.g. D3-6, D3-7, D2-12 and D2-9, between 20 and 35 storeys high) and supporting facilities (e.g. schools at D3-11, D3-12 up to 8 storeys high. For residents at elevated levels, their views to Tsung Shan and Wa Shan will be largely blocked with some partial views through gaps between the buildings and along the view corridors created by D2-3, D3-5 and D2-6 for open space use. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from the extensive earthworks and site formation in the D sites, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machineries, and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation. The magnitude of change will be large both during construction and at operation.
	F13	Fanling Garden	Local	D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c)	Partial	200		Small		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
		Built structures for residential buildings up to 30 storeys high in D3-1 may be visible above the Fan Garden Government Police Married Quarters or in the gap between those buildings and Wing Fok and Wing Fai Centres for viewers on the top floors of flats in Fanling Garden facing towards FLN NDA. The existing view of the residential developments in the distance will remain unchanged and views from the lower levels of this VSR are largely shielded by existing trees and other buildings nearby, so again will not be affected by the NDA. Therefore only a small change in view for residents on the higher floors is anticipated during both construction and operation with visual impacts from the construction phase mainly caused by scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery in the distance. The magnitude of change will be small for both phases.
Y	F14	Good View New Village/ Ling Shan Tsuen	Local	D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c) D3-8 (PRH)	Full	120		Large		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
		Noting residents in this area are mainly living in 3-storey village houses, their views are largely screened by the roadside plantings along Ma Sik Road and only the houses at the north of the villages will have any view towards the NDA. For residents with a view the scale of the high rise residential buildings in D3-1 and D3-8 (all up to 30 storeys) will largely block views north and appear to be large scale compared to houses in the adjacent neighbourhood. However, the roadside planting does screen much of these views and sites D3-2 and D3-9 are designated as amenity areas which will allow for further planting. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from earthworks, any necessary tree removal, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation. It is therefore anticipated that the magnitude of change will be intermediate during both the construction and operations.
Y	F15	Noble Hill	District	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section, DP10 Fanling Bypass Eastern Section; B1-7 (R2), B1-9 (R3), B3-3 (PRH), B3-6 (R2c), B3-7 (R2), B3-9 (R2), B3-12 (E); C2-5 (G), C2-6 (G), C2-7(E), C2-9(E), C2-8 (O); D2-2 (HOS), D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c)	Full	100		Large		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
		Residents at low levels of this VSR have their views towards the NDA partially blocked by existing vegetation and some existing buildings such as Woodland Crest, so many of the proposed new structures are unlikely be visible. However, for views at higher levels, high rise structures in B and D Sites will be visible to the north and east as well as the new Fanling Bypass (both western and eastern sections) across Ng Tung River. Closer by the lower rise buildings of the Clinic and Sports Centre in C2-5, C2-6 will also be visible. Directly to the north and adjacent to Noble Hill, site C2-8 is designated as a Town Park with multiple sporting facilities and will be visible in the foreground as residents look down and this change in view is fairly compatible with the existing green nature of the view. The Town Park will also ensure the line of sight between Noble Hill and the ridgeline of Cham Shan and Wa Shan remains intact. Visual impacts during construction will mainly be caused by earthworks and site formation including the removal of trees, but also by scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery. Overall the magnitude of change is predicted to be intermediate for both construction and operation for this VSR.
Y	F16	Fanling Wai	Local	D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c) D3-8 (PRH)	Nil	420		Small		Good			Good		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
	F16	As residents’ views in this VSR are largely blocked by other village structures and vegetation, general views are limited to within the village area. Jockey Club Road and many existing structures lie between this VSR and the NDA but the tops of residential high rise blocks in D3-1 and D3-8 (all up to 30 storeys high) may become visible to viewers at higher levels of a few houses in the area, especially those facing north. Overall, it is anticipated that at worst the magnitude of change will be small during both construction and operation.
Y	F17	North District Park	Local	D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c) D3-8 (PRH)	Partial	420		Small		Fair			Good		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
	F17	Views for this VSR are contained by tall trees and landscaped vegetation within the park itself and most views towards the proposed FLN NDA are predicted to be shielded from sight. The tops of some high rise blocks (e.g. in D3-1 and D3-8, all up to 30 storeys), may become visible above the existing vegetation line in some views. It is predicted that at worst only a small change in view will be experienced during both construction and operation phases and the magnitude of change will be small.
	F18	Ka Fuk Estate Area	District	D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c), D3-8 (PRH)	Partial	750		Medium		Fair			Fair		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
	F18	For residents with views facing towards FLN NDA, glimpses of the Wa Shan and Tsung Shan ranges in the background will be partially blocked by the residential blocks in D3-1 and D3-8 (all up to 30 storeys) in the distance. Existing views of the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area in the foreground and other high rise buildings including Noble Hill, Tin Ping Estate and Wing Fok Centre will remain unchanged in the middle distance. Only viewers at higher levels will note any discernible change in view and visual impacts during construction will mainly be caused by scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery in the distance. It is therefore anticipated that overall the magnitude of change will be small during both the construction and operation phases.
	F19	On Kwok Villa	Local	DP13 New SPS in C2-3 (OU-SPS) C2-8 (O), C2-5 (G), C2-6 (G), C2-7 (E), C2-9 (E); D2-2(HOS), D3-1a (R1),D3-1b (HOS), D3-1c (R1c).	Partial	120		Medium		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F19	On Kwok Villas are quite low rise and their views north to the NDA are largely blocked by the higher rise Woodland Crest buildings. At lower levels of the villas, views are fairly contained by vegetation also. To the east and adjacent to On Kwok Villa, site C2-8 is designated as a Town Park with multiple sporting facilities and will be visible to residents but this change in view is fairly compatible with the existing green nature of the view. The Town Park will also ensure the line of sight between this VSR and the ridgeline of Tsung Shan Range remains intact. Residents facing northeast may see the new SPS (DP13) in C2-3 (up to 5 m tall), Clinic and Sports Centre buildings in C2-5 and C2-6 which are up to 5 storeys high and possibly the schools which will be up to 8 storeys high in C2-7 and C2-9. Those houses facing east may have views of the higher rise structures in D2-2 and D3-1 (up to 20 and 30 storeys respectively) at least 400 m away. Visual impacts during construction will mainly be caused by nearby earthworks for C2-8 site formation including the removal of trees, but also by scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery in the distance. Overall, it is anticipated that the magnitude of change will be intermediate during both construction and operation.
Y	F20	High Rise Residential Buildings around Tin Ping Estate	District	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section B-sites; C2-5 (G), C2-6 (G); , C2-7 (E), C2-8 (O) C2-9 (E); D- Sites Possibly A3-1	Partial	250		Large		Poor			Fair		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Large		Large
		Views for this VSR are assumed to be from higher levels of the high rise residential blocks, but will vary depending on the orientation of the flats. For residents with views looking east towards the proposed NDA, their panoramic view of the agricultural fields, small villages and patches of woodlands in the middle distance will be changed to new high rise buildings in D Sites (reaching up to 35 storeys high) and lower buildings in C2-5 and C2-6 designated for a Clinic and Sports Centre (up to 5 storey) and schools in C2-7 and C2-9 in the middle distance. The Town Park to be created in C2-8 will also be apparent before all these buildings, maintaining a sense of open space and greening and glimpses of the green hills in the background will remain visible in the distance although for some flats slightly lower down, view of distant hills and ridgelines may be blocked. For residents with views facing north towards the proposed NDA, views are already partially blocked by existing buildings such as Nobel Hill, but the existing landscape behind is largely rural in nature and visible. This will become urbanized and majority of the built structures located at the western portion of the NDA will be visible, especially the high rise blocks such as in B2-7, B2-12, and B3-3 all which have buildings up to 35 storeys, as well as 20 storey buildings in e.g. B3-6, B3-9. Some viewers with view to Table Hill may be able to see the Fresh Water Service Reservoir in A3-1. Views in this direction will be less changed than those facing east (described above) since the NDA is that much further away and there are more existing buildings in the foreground. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally result from earthworks and vegetation clearance, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation, as well as the site formation works necessary for the service reservoir in A3-1. Overall, it is anticipated that the magnitude of change will to be large during construction and operation.
Y	F21	North District Sports Ground	Local	B3-3(PRH), B3-6(R2c) and B3-9 (R2)	Partial		320		Small		Fair		Fair			Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
		In general, views at low levels in this area will be screened by trees planted around the sports ground and other buildings in the neighbourhood and views to the north and east towards the proposed FLN NDA are largely already blocked by the existing high rise buildings such as Woodland Crest, and Tin Ping Estate. Only a small change in view may be experienced by viewers at higher levels of the stand, due to some high rise structures such as the residential blocks in B3-3, B3-6 and B3-9 being visible in gaps between the buildings. There are unlikely to be additional impacts during construction, but scaffolding and the installation /operation of construction machinery may be visible in the distance. The magnitude of change is predicted to be small during both construction and operation.
	F22	Tsui Lai Garden	Local	DP9 Fanling Bypass Western Section; B-Sites	Partial		140		Medium		Poor		Fair		Temporary [Medium]			Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F22	Views at lower levels are generally unaffected by the proposed FLN NDA as they will be screened by existing vegetation and other built structures, such that no discernible change in their view is anticipated. However, the open and panoramic views looking at the existing rural landscape of agricultural fields, small villages and patches of woodland from higher levels will likely be changed by FLN NDA for residents facing north, north east as part of this land will change in use to the urban development of the NDA. The general mass of buildings in B-Sites will dominate the view with a number of residential blocks reaching up to 35 storeys high (B2-7, B2-12, B3-3) but glimpses of the green hills in the background will still remain visible in the distance through view corridors that are maintained between the buildings. Visual impact from the construction phase will generally be from site formation works, scaffolding, installation/operation of construction machinery, and potential light glare from the construction site during night time operation. Overall, it is anticipated that the magnitude of change is will be intermediate during construction and operation.
	F23	Fung Kai Area	Local	B- Sites	Partial		170		Medium		Fair		Fair		Temporary [Short]			Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F23	VSRs in this area are generally at ground level, with their views to the proposed FLN NDA screened by the existing surrounding vegetation, such that no discernible change in their view is anticipated. However, noted that some of the viewers from the school area along Jockey Club Road and off Fung Nam Road will likely have elevated views that look over the existing vegetation and towards the proposed NDA, it is predicted that buildings in many B-Sites, especially the higher rise structures of which there are many, will likely be visible, and will cause a moderate change in view. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by site formation works, scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery. It is expected that the magnitude of change will be intermediate during both construction and operation.
Y	F24	Sheung Shui Wai Area	Local	B- Sites	Partial		90		Medium		Fair		Fair		Temporary [Short]			Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F24	VSRs in this area have fairly contained views and so for viewers at lower levels, views are either partially or fully blocked by other buildings or mature vegetation in the area and very little change in view is predicted. Only the tops of some of the very high rise structures such as the public housing developments in B2-7, B2-12 and B3-3 (up to 35 storeys ) and B2-6, B2-11(up to 25 storeys) may be visible above the existing building/vegetation line, in the distance. For these higher level VSRs (e.g. at the top of the 3-storey village houses) that have views looking towards FLN NDA, a moderate change in view is predicted. Views through to the Cham Shan/Wa Shan ranges in the background will remain from many angles as view corridors between the buildings are incorporated into the NDA building placement. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by some views of site formation works, scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery and overall the magnitude of change is predicted to be intermediate for construction and operation.
	F25	Industrial Zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai	District	DP11 SWHSTW – Further Expansion; B- Sites	Partial		520		Small		Fair		Fair		Temporary [Short]			Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F25	Low level views at this area are largely screened by existing trees and other buildings and no change in view at this level is therefore expected. The majority of the high rise structures in the western portion of the FLN NDA will likely be visible from this VSR at elevated levels however. Key built structures including, B2-7, B2-12, and B3-3 for public rental housing (up to 35 storeys) and medium density residential (up to 20 storeys), will be visible above the vegetation line in the distance. Views to the Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area and the Cham Shan/Wa Shan range will remain unaffected. A moderate change is therefore expected. . Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused by some views of site formation works, scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery and overall the magnitude of visual change is predicted to be intermediate during construction and operation.
Y	F26 (K6a)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	B2-7 (PRH), B2-12 (PRH), B3-3 (PRH)	Partial		600		Small		Good		Good		Temporary [Short]			Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
	F26	These VSRs are far from FLN NDA (although within the KTN NDA) and views at ground level are largely contained by existing built structures and vegetation in the area so that no discernible change in view is expected at this level. A small portion of the high rise public housing blocks in e.g. B2-7, B2-12 and B3-3, up to 35 storeys high, may be visible at elevated levels of some houses facing east, however, above the vegetation line in the distance. At worst, a small change in view is expected for residents with such views within this VSR. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be from scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery and overall, it is predicted that at worst the magnitude of visual change due to the FLN NDA will be small during construction and operation.
	F27 (K7a)	Tsung Yuen	Local	B3-3 (PRH), B2-7(PRH), B2-12(PRH)	Nil		500		Small		Good			Good		Temporary [Short]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Small		Small
	F27	(Note F27 is the same location as K7a, but different view) Ground level views at this area are generally blocked by tall trees surrounding the village, and the proposed FLN NDA is predicted to be screened from sight by the trees and other buildings such that no discernible change in view is anticipated at lower levels. For some of the 3-storey village houses with elevated views looking towards the proposed FLN NDA, the tops of high rise public housing blocks in B3-3, B2-7 and B2-12 (up to 35 storeys high) may be visible in places and a small change in view is expected. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be from scaffolding and installation/operation of construction machinery and overall, it is anticipated that the magnitude of change will be small during construction and operation.
Y	F28 (K22)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Entire Area of FLN and KTN NDAs	Nil		2350		Small		Fair			Good		Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F28	Although the mass of new FLN NDA buildings will be generally visible to this VSR, only a few buildings may be distinguishable from the existing built up area of Sheung Shui/Fanling. Overall it will be hard to distinguish the new buildings from existing and it is anticipated that very little if any discernible change in views will be experienced during both construction and operation phases due to FLN NDA. The existing open view looking over the green ranges in the foreground, residential development and Sheung Shui/Fanling urban area in the middle ground, and high rises in Shenzhen in the background will remain unchanged and the key change for these VSRs will come from KTN NDA as described previously and in Section 12.12.1.3. Thus, the magnitude of change due to just FLN NDA will be small, but given these VSRs can see KTN closer by, the overall magnitude of change experienced by these VSRs is predicted to be intermediate.
Y	F29 (East of K24)	Wu Tip Shan Lookout	Strategic	Entire Area of FLN NDA	Partial		1450		Medium		Fair	Fair				Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F29	Although the mass of new FLN NDA buildings will be generally visible to this VSR, only a few buildings will be distinguishable from the existing built up area of Sheung Shui/Fanling. The high rise buildings in D-Sites in the east of the NDA will be visible below Wa Shan and further west some high rise buildings from B-Sites will also be visible. The current green space and view to the green foothills between higher rise structures in the north and south of Sheung Shui and Fanling will however be largely blocked by new built structures such as the lower rise C-Site buildings. The distant view of high rise buildings in Shenzhen will remain. Visual impacts from the construction phase will mainly be caused when scaffolding and construction machinery become visible in a distance. In terms of visual amenity there will be some loss of visual access to greenery during both the construction and operation phases and overall the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate for both phases.
Y	F30 (K2)	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards KTN & FLN NDA)	Strategic	Entire Area of FLN NDA & A- Sites high rise buildings in KTN NDA	Partial		1750 from FLN NDA and 380 from KTN NDA		Medium		Fair	Fair				Temporary [Medium]		Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate		Intermediate
	F30	The entire FLN NDA will be visible in the distance from this VSR, and it will largely blend with the existing urban view of the Sheung Shui/Fanling area. This VSR is over 1.7 km from the proposed FLN NDA, but there will be some loss of visual access to greenery and a moderate change in view is anticipated during both the construction and operation phases. For the sections of the footpath with views both to the KTN and FLN NDA, much of the KTN NDA will be blocked by the ridges and foothills of Tai Shek Mo itself and only the tops of high rise buildings in KTN NDA will be visible behind the Tai Shek Mo Ridgeline (also detailed in Table 12.12.1). Existing views looking down to the Sheung Shui/ Fanling Urban Area, Ng Tung River and Sheung Yue River will remain unchanged by the KTN NDA. Much of the KTN NDA area visible to this VSR will experience no discernible change (e.g. Lo Wu Correctional Institution at G1-8; natural vegetation in G1-3; Lo Wu Saddle Club in G1-6 and G1-7; agricultural land in C2-2, C2-4 and C2-5; and the majority of Long Valley in C1-9 and C-6). Although the closest built structure in the KTN NDA is approximately 380 m away, this is the service reservoir in G1-4 and most of the structures causing visible change, such as higher rise residential buildings in A-sites, are much further away such that only a small change in view is anticipated due to the KTN NDA Overall the existing green ranges in the foreground and high rises in Shenzhen looking to the north in the background will remain unchanged and it is not considered that cumulatively the FLN and KTN NDAs confer more than an intermediate change in view at this VSR during construction and operation. Visual impacts from the construction phase will generally result from site formation works, scaffolding and construction machinery that become visible in the distance. Overall the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate during construction and operation.

*Code Land Use Type

A Amenity

AGR Agriculture

C Commercial

CA Conservation Area

CDA Comprehensive Development Area

E Education

G Government

G-REC Government Recreation

GB Green Belt

HOS Home Ownership Scheme

IC Institution / Community

O Open Space

OU-C,R&D Other Specified Uses - Commercial, Research & Development

OU-DCS Other Specified Uses - District Cooling System

OU-FR Other Specified Uses - Firing Range

OU(NP) Other Specified Uses - Nature Park

OU-PFS Other Specified Uses - Petrol Filling Station

OU-POFEFTS Other Specified Uses - Parking & Operation Facilities for Environmental Friendly Transport System

OU-PTD Other Specified Uses - Parking and Operation Facilities for Environmentally Friendly Transport System

OU-R&D Other Specified Uses - Research & Development

OU-RAF Other Specified Uses - Railway Associated Facilities

OU(RCP) Other Specified Usese – Refuse Collection Point

OU-SPS Other Specified Uses - Sewage Pumping Station

OU-STW Other Specified Uses - Sewage Treatment Works

OU(VC) Other Specified Uses - Visitor Centre

OU(VMCCS) Other Specified Uses - Vegetable Market and Credit Co-operative Society

PRH Public Rental Housing

PRH(Local Rehousing) Public Rental Housing (Local Rehousing)

R1 Residential Zone 1 - highest density

R1c Residential Zone 1 - highest density - with commercial

R2 Residential Zone 2 - medium density

R2c Residential Zone 2 - medium density - with commercial

R3 Residential Zone 3 - low density

R4 Residential Zone 4 - very low density

V Village Type Development

VY (Yes [Y]/ blank)	VSR Code (Code for other NDA)	Name	VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local)	Key Sites/Designated Projects (DPs)/ Sites with Structures causing Visual Impact (Land Use Type)*	Blockage of View (Full/ Partial/ Nil)	Approximate Closest Viewing Distance to Proposed NDA (m)	Scale of Development (Large/ Medium/ Small)	Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (Good /Fair /Poor)	Duration of Impact (Temporary [Short/ Medium term], Permanent)	Reversibility of Change (Reversible/ Irreversible)	Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
Y	K2 & F30	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout	Strategic	Entire FLN NDA; A-Sites and D-Sites high rise buildings in KTN NDA	Partial	380 (from KTN NDA) 1750 (from FLN NDA)	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		Most of FLN NDA will be visible to the south east of this VSR and will cause an intermediate magnitude of visual change in itself, as detailed in Table 12.12.2. Conversely, much of the KTN NDA will be blocked by the ridges and foothills of Tai Shek Mo itself and this NDA is thought to confer a small change in view from this VSR, as detailed in Table 12.12.1. Although the closest built structure in KTN NDA is approximately 380 m away, this is the service reservoir in G1-4 and most of the structures causing visible change, such as higher rise residential buildings in A-Sites and D-Sites, are much further away. Overall the existing green ranges in the foreground and high rises in Shenzhen looking to the north in the background will remain unchanged and it is not considered that cumulatively FLN and KTN NDAs confer more than an intermediate change in view at this VSR during construction and operation. Visual impacts from the construction phase will generally result from site formation works, scaffolding and construction machinery that become visible in the distance. Overall the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate during construction and operation.
Y Y	K22 & F28	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Entire KTN NDA area; FLN NDA: mainly B-Sites and D-Sites	Nil	650 (from KTN) 2350 (from FLN)	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		Views vary depending where the VSRs are along the footpath and at what elevation. Generally once at the summit of Ki Lun Shan and along the ridgeline, views north east look over KTN NDA fairly close by, whereas FLN NDA is much further away, to the east. Many of the higher rise buildings within the south of KTN will be prominent in the view as described in Table 12.12.1 but much of the Long Valley area will remain visible. Individual buildings within FLN NDA will hardly be distinguishable, but rather the general higher rise building massing will be evident in the B-Sites and D-Sites as described in Table 12.12.2. Although the change due to FLN alone is small and the change due to KTN is intermediate, much of the rural aspect of the area remains and all key mountains remain visible. Visual impacts from the construction phase will generally result from site formation works, scaffolding and construction machinery. Overall the magnitude of change is anticipated to be intermediate during construction and operation.
Y Y	K24/ F29	Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park including Wu Tip Shan Lookout	Strategic	Entire area of KTN NDA from certain locations on the path; Entire area of FLN NDA from other locations on the path.	Partial	1450 (from FLN NDA) 2100 (from KTN NDA)	Medium	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		Views vary depending where the VSRs are along the footpath and at what elevation. The entire KTN NDA will generally be visible in the far distance from certain locations further west, while the entire FLN NDA will be visible from other locations, such as the Wu Tip Shan lookout point. Each NDA is thought to cause an intermediate change if view as described in Tables 12.12.1 and 12.12.2 but as this VSR is located at a distance from the two proposed NDAs and much of the surrounding landscape will not change in appearance due to this Project. The combined effect of the NDA will still cause an intermediate change in view. Visual impacts from the construction phase will generally be resulted from scaffolding works and construction machineries that become visible in a distance. Overall the magnitude of change from both NDAs is anticipated to be intermediate for construction and operation.
Y	K6 & F26	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	KTN: Possibly G1-5 (G), D1-7 (R2), possibly G1-5 (G); FLN: B2-7 (PRH), B2-12 (PRH), B3-3 (PRH)	Nil	100 (from KTN NDA) 600 (from FLN NDA)	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Intermediate
		Only the southern residencies of Ho Sheung Heung will have views to KTN NDA and as described in Table 12.12.1, but to take account of the worst case scenario here the magnitude of change for these VSRs is considered intermediate. The tops of some high rise structures in B-sites in FLN NDA may be visible to some other VSRs here, as described in Table 12.12.2, but these will be in the far distance and unlikely to increase the magnitude of visible change any further. Overall, to reflect the worst change in view experienced by viewers close to the high rise buildings in D1-7 of KTN NDA, the magnitude of change from both NDAs is anticipated to be intermediate for construction and operation
Y	K7 & F27	Tsung Yuen	Local	KTN: Possibly G1-5 (G); FLN: B3-3 (PRH), B2-7(PRH), B2-12(PRH)	Nil	300 (from KTN NDA) 500 (from FLN NDA)	Small	Good	Good	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		Only a few VSR in Tsung Yuen may have views to the Fresh Water Service Reservoir in G1-5 at KTN NDA as described in Table 12.12.1, and this will cause very little change to their views. The tops of some high rise structures in B-Sites in FLN NDA may be visible to some other VSRs here, facing in the opposite direction, as described in Table 12.12.2, but these will be in the far distance and cause a small change in view at worst. No KTN NDA and FLN NDA structure can be seen in the same field of vision and therefore, the overall the magnitude of change from both NDAs is anticipated to be small for construction and operation.

VSR Code (Code for other NDA)	Name	Category of VSR (Strategic/ District/ Local)	VSR Type	VSR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible	Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)	Recommended Mitigation Measures	Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
K1	Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen	Local	Residential	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM6, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12 MM17	Moderate	Slight/ Moderate	Slight
K2a	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards KTN NDA)	Strategic	Recreational	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
K2b (F30)	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (Looking towards KTN & FLN NDA)	Strategic	Recreational	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
K3	Western Range -- Lok Ma Chau Footpath	District	Recreational	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
K4	Cottage Area (Western Range)	Local	Residential	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, MM11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM6, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12 MM17	Substantial	Moderate	Moderate
K5a	Northern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan	District	Recreational	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM15, MM17	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM15, MM17	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate	Moderate
K5b	Southern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan	District	Recreational	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM15, MM17	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM15, MM17	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate	Moderate
K6	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	Residential	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM7, MM11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM7, MM11, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
K7	Tsung Yuen	Local	Residential	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM6	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
K8	MTR East Rail line north of Sheung Shui cycle track	Local	Travelling	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM6, MM11, MM17	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
K9	Long Valley Villages	Local	Residential	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
K10	Cycle track along riverside near Long Valley	Local	Travelling/ Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM14.3, MM17	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
K11	Cycle track west of Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works	Local	Travelling/ Recreational	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM6, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM14, MM17	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
K12	Tsung Pak Long	Local	Residential	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM6, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM14, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
K13	Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long	District	Occupational	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM6, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Slight	Slight	Slight
K14	Tai Tau Leng	Local	Residential	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
K15	Choi Po Court/Choi Yuen Estate	District	Residential	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM17	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
K16	Tai Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks	District	Residential	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM6, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
K17	Hong Kong Golf Course, Fanling	Local	Recreational	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
K18	Ascot Park Area	Local	Residential	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM7, MM11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM7, MM11, MM12, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
K19	Existing Road Bridge Link over Fanling Highway	Local	Travelling	Low	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7 MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12 MM17	Moderate	Slight/ Moderate	Slight
K20	Valais & Europa Garden New Residential Development Area	Local	Residential	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
K21	Kwu Tung Service Reservoir	District	Recreational	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Slight	Slight	Slight
K22 (F28)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM17	MM1, MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
K23	Chau Tau Village	Local	Residential	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
K24	Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park	Strategic	Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight

VSR Code (Code for other NDA)	Name	VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local)	VSR Type	VSR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)	Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)	Recommended Mitigation Measures	Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation Day 1	Operation Year 10
F1	Cottage Area Lining Fu Tei Au Road	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 MM6, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
F2	Existing Settlements around Sheung Shui Wa Shan	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8 MM9, MM11, MM12, MM14, MM17	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
F3	Tsung Shan, High Hill	Strategic	Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
F4	Siu Hang San Tsuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
F5	Kan Lung Tsuen Area	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM14.3, MM17	Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate
F6	Sha Tau Kok Road	Local	Travelling	Low	Intermediate	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM17	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
F7	Ma Wat Tsuen Area	Local & District	Residential - Low Rise	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM14.3MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12 MM14.3, MM17	Substantial	Moderate/Substantial	Moderate
F8	Shung Him Tong	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM14.3 MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM14.3 MM17	Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate
F9	Heritage Trail (South of Sha Tau Kok Road)	Local	Recreational	Medium	Large	Large	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, M11, MM14.3 MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM14.3 MM17	Moderate	Slight/ Moderate	Slight
F10	Po Kat Tsai	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
F11	Belair Monte & Regentville	District	Residential - High Rise	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Substantial	Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial
F12	Wing Fai Centre & Wing Fok Centre	Local	Residential - High Rise	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Substantial	Substantial	Moderate
F13	Fanling Garden	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM11, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
F14	Good View New Village/ Ling Shan Tsuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Moderate	Slight/ Moderate
F15	Noble Hill	District	Residential - High Rise	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate
F16	Fanling Wai	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
F17	North District Park	Local	Recreational	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
F18	Ka Fuk Estate Area	District	Residential - High Rise	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM17	Slight	Slight	Slight
F19	On Kwok Villa	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
F20	High Rise Residential Buildings around Tin Ping Estate	District	Residential - High Rise	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate
F21	North District Sports Ground	Local	Recreational	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM7, MM17	MM2, MM7, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
F22	Tsui Lai Garden	Local	Residential - High Rise	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate/ Substantial	Moderate/ Substantial	MM2, MM4, M11, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
F23	Fung Kai Area	Local	Recreational (& Occupational & Travelling)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, M11, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
F24	Sheung Shui Wai Area	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, M11, MM16, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM9, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
F25	Industrial Zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai	District	Occupational	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM11, MM17	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
F26 (K6)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
F27 (K7)	Tsung Yuen	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	MM2, MM17	MM2, MM17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
F28 (K22)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
F29	Wu Tip Shan Lookout	Strategic	Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4,MM5, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight
F30 (K2)	Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout	Strategic	Recreational	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	MM2, MM4, MM17	MM2, MM4, MM5, MM7, MM8, MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12, MM17	Moderate	Slight	Slight

Table 12.12.6 - Significance of visual impacts for identified VSRs affected by both KTN NDA and FLN NDA

VSR Code
(Code for other NDA)

Name

VSR Category (Strategic/ District/ Local)

VSR Type

VSR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)

Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)

Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)

Recommended Mitigation Measures

Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)

Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation

Construction

Operation Day 1

Operation Year 10

K2 & F30

Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout

Strategic

Recreational

Low

Intermediate

Moderate

MM2,
MM4,
MM17

MM2,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8,
MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12,
MM17

Moderate

Slight

K22 & F28

Ki Lun Shan Footpath

Strategic

Recreational

Medium

Intermediate

Moderate

MM2,
MM4,
MM17

MM2,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8,
MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12,
MM17

Moderate

Slight

K24/ F29

Kei Lak Tsai Footpath in Lam Tsuen Country Park including Wu Tip Shan Lookout

Strategic

Recreational

Medium

Intermediate

Moderate

MM2,
MM4,
MM17

MM2,
MM4, MM5, MM6, MM7, MM8,
MM9, MM10, MM11, MM12,
MM17

Moderate

Slight

K6a & F26

Ho Sheung Heung

Local

Residential

High

Intermediate

Moderate

MM2,
MM17

MM2,
MM7,
MM17

Moderate

Slight

K7a & F27

Tsung Yuen

Local

Residential

Medium

Small

Slight

MM2,
MM17

Slight

Insignificant

12.13 Conclusion – Schedule 3 DP

There have been many considerations when developing the revised RODP, including the landscape and visual aspects of the Project. Given the generally rural nature of the NENT, development of the NDAs will lead to land use changes which will fundamentally change the landscape and visual character of the area, but right from the planning stage, measures have been taken to mitigate landscape and visual changes.

Each NDA has been carefully planned to achieve the distinct landscape characteristic of a new town and care has been taken to establish a network of linked open spaces, accommodating a number of parks, plazas, squares, green amenity strips and landscape corridors, to create ‘green’ new communities and partly compensate for any loss of such existing open spaces or other relevant landscape resources due to the developments. Figures 12.9.0, 12.9.3-5 and Figures 12.10.0.1-2, 12.10.3-5 help to highlight some planning considerations for KTN and FLN NDAs respectively. Particular care has been taken to minimize site formation and achieve an ultimate cut/ fill balance as far as possible. In addition drainage levels of the ultimate development scenario have been considered and in general, low-lying areas will be filled to an elevation just above the flood levels of the ultimate scenario.

For the VIA in particular, it is relevant to note that detailed architectural designs of all built elements in the NDAs have not been finalised at this stage of the development programme. Therefore the built structure forms and masses (including for buildings, reservoirs etc.) shown in all the photomontages and drawings are illustrating maximum building heights and the currently suggested reservoir designs, which are likely to reflect the worst case scenario. These photomontages and drawings have helped to assess the magnitude visual change and significance of impact for various VSRs and the actual visual impacts are expected to reduce when the design of building and reservoir forms, finishes and colours have been refined at the detailed design stage taking into account that proper design control measures would be imposed where necessary.

Despite this careful initial design of the NDAs, some impact from the Project is inevitable and the potential landscape and visual impacts from the construction phases of the various components of the NDAs generally result from: site clearance including demolition of structures and tree removal/transplantation; site formation works including cutting (e.g. slope formation for reservoir formation) and filling (e.g. of streams and agricultural land); stockpiling of construction and demolition materials; construction of at-grade and above ground built structures including residential blocks, government/ institutional facilities, bridges, viaducts, interchanges, roads, slip roads, noise barriers and faunal barriers; temporary structures within the Project Site including site offices and parking areas; and re-alignment of roads, streams and watercourses. During operation, potential impacts are likely to result from the existence and operation of these built structures including new roads, intersections, viaducts and any associated noise barriers. There will be some residual impacts that occurred during construction, such as the loss of trees and vegetation that will continue to cause impact at operation. Equally, planting carried out during construction of general landscaping works will have an impact during operation as will the implementation of the careful planning measures, such as provision of open spaces, green belt areas, etc.

The sections below summarise the outcomes of the LVIAs for each NDA. Cumulative impacts with other relevant projects are then discussed before reaching an overall conclusion for the Schedule 3 LVIA for this Project. Full details of the LVIAs for Schedule 2 DPs associated with the NDAs are reported in DP Packages 12A-D in Section 12.14 onwards.

12.13.1 KTN NDA

KTN NDA is planned with a town centre based around the proposed station and focused on transit oriented development. Figure 12.9.0 illustrates this, with the Town Centre & North Residential Area at the centre around the proposed Kwu Tung station, comprised mainly of higher rise residential blocks. The Commercial, Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area, south of the Town Centre & North Residential Area is conveniently near the main existing transport linkage in the area (Fanling highway). A Research and Development Area at the north of the NDA will provide land for research and development uses in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop and a sports ground/sport complex. This NDA has large areas where little development will take place, specifically the Long Valley Ecological Area which is recognised as a major asset bestowing a unique green, open aspect; the two key green knolls at the centre of the NDA, those of Fung Kong Shan and the knoll to the west of Ho Sheung Heung (comprised mainly of fung shui woodland) which will be entirely preserved; and the Hilly Terrain Area in the west which will all be designated as Green Belt. Tai Shek Mo to the north east of the NDA will also be largely preserved within the Government Facility Area where existing facilities such as the Lo Wu Correctional Institution and Firing Range will remain but two new service reservoirs and their associated access road will be built here, causing some landform changes.

As well as dividing the KTN NDA into specific areas, the layout design uses a stepped building height profile throughout to integrate better into the rural character of the surrounding areas. Therefore the high density developments will be concentrated around the proposed Kwu Tung Railway Station, where residential buildings will reach up to 35 storeys high, and building density and height will drop gradually towards the periphery. Additionally site coverage restrictions have been considered and adopted in the allocation of land uses in order to avoid excessive building bulk, increase visual interest and give a more visually amenable appearance, and generally help integrate the new development with the existing local context and development.

The design of KTN NDA includes a green network centred on the Fung Kong Shan and Cycle Park, which features a pond at the centre of Fung Kong Shan. A wide green corridor also divides the Town Centre & North Residential Area from west to east and links up the Green Belt zone in Pak Shek Au with the Long Valley Nature Park, and the north-south space corridors between buildings link Kwu Tung South with the Fung Kong Shan Park. Once landscaped this green corridor will add to the green network. Additionally Sheung Yue River, flowing across the eastern corner of the NDA, has been maximised as an amenity feature by placing a riverside promenade along its western side which also serves as an important open space with good views to the Long Valley Nature Park on the opposite bank of the river.

Not only does the green network provide green relief to the NDA, but the corridors provide visual relief and by providing visual linkages to e.g. hilly backdrops, the visual corridors provide a sense of space. Similarly the preservation of the open area of Long Valley not only serves to retain its ecological/landscape value but allows distant views out from the NDA. Additionally, the positions of the building blocks have been designed to maintain view corridors and building separation and set back have been incorporated to achieve better visual permeability. There are buffer areas between major roads and proposed developments also, to help mitigate potential visual impacts through the creation of space but also allowing for screen and roadside planting in these areas.

Figures 12.9.3-5 help to highlight these key planning considerations for KTN NDA.

Overall in KTN NDA, with regards to site formation, the eastern portion west of the Sheung Yue River is generally low-lying and subject to residual flood risk and filling is proposed in this area up to the existing river bank level. On the western portion some excavation is required with extensive excavation at the service reservoir sites but in general KTN NDA will require a net general fill import after the refinement.

Landscape Character Areas and Landscape Resources

In terms of the LCAs in KTN NDA, the main LCA affected by the Project is the Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1) (see Figure 12.13.0). Due to large topographical changes currently necessary to construct the water service reservoirs, even though the impacted area is relatively small, Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1) will experience intermediate magnitude of change. This LCA has high sensitivity and hence the impact significance is substantial. Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also mitigate the impact to this LCA by creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces, where appropriate, could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection, preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact on this LCA is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and slight at day 1 operation when soft landscape is in place. Although the soft landscaping measures will have matured and the impact be reduced further, it is not considered sufficient to be rated insignificant by year 10 of operation and therefore the residual impacts at this time remain slight.

Three other LCAs in this area are considered to be moderately affected by the Project before mitigation and these include Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape in this area (KLCA-5) and Transportation Corridor Landscape (KLCA-6).

For the Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA-2) over 30 ha of land in this LCA will be affected by sites designated for land use that is not compatible with the current LCA (e.g. high rise public rental housing, high density residential developments sometimes with commercial enterprises, comprehensive development areas, and recreational activity buildings including a swimming pool complex. This changes the area from a general rural/ urban peripheral village landscape to an urban landscape, giving a large magnitude of change. This LCA has medium sensitivity, and the Project avoids affecting historic buildings and key areas such as Ho Sheung Heung and Ying Yong, so the impact significance before mitigation is moderate. The change to this LCA is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green corridors, consideration of green roofs, provision of adequate space for soft landscaping in developments and alongside roads, careful selection of form, textures and finish colours. There are some trees within this LCA and therefore measures to protect and preserve them, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected trees, or compensate for them (including in woodland areas), will slightly reduce the impact. Part of the compensatory planting and road greening may also serve as screen planting, but any additional screen planting will also add to the general green nature of the LCA and help alleviate the impact. Although the impact is alleviated, the residual impacts are predicted to remain moderate throughout the construction and operation of the Project.

The Lowland Agricultural Landscape in this area (KLCA-5) is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before any mitigation measures. Careful planning of the revised RODP means much of the agricultural land in this area, particularly in Long Valley and around Ho Sheung Heung will not be affected but other areas of agricultural will inevitably be affected and permanently lost.

There is no direct compensation for the loss of agricultural land but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees and where unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting, which could mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP and preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area, as well as zoning of large sites C2-2 and C1-6 to the north and south of LVNP as agricultural land, is considered to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land. By year 10 of operation the actively managed LVNP will confer some positive impact on this LCA. In addition, this LCA encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, in the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found to be potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, however, the significance of impact on this LCA will remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore the impact will remain moderate throughout the construction and operation of the Project. Despite this, it is notable that a large area of this LCA in the eastern portions of the NDA, where it is associated with the Long Valley Ecological Area, will not be changed by the Project.

Transportation Corridor Landscape (KLCA-6) is also moderately affected by the Project prior to mitigation, largely due to impacts on Fanling Highway and nearby associate roads (KLR-14.1), particularly the potential loss of roadside planting. Implementing measures to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate them will reduce this impact. In addition, since there will be a number of noise barriers along roads, measures to design these sensitively and provide vertical greening, as well as provide roadside greening will also mitigate the impacts to this LR. Therefore the significance of the impact is considered to drop to slight at construction and operation day 1 and be insignificant by year 10 when soft landscaping measures will have had time to mature and confer their full effect.

Residual impacts at construction and operation are predicted to be insignificant for the other LCAs in this area, namely Urban Development Landscape (KLCA-3), and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (KLCA-7). The exception is the Industrial Landscape (KLCA-4) which is considered to experience a slight benefit through the removal of low quality open storage landscape to higher quality residential and commercial uses.

A number of LRs in the KTN NDA will not be affected by the Project, falling in Green Belt zones, sites that will remain the same etc, and no LRs are predicted to be substantially affected once mitigation measures have all been implemented. LRs particularly affected by the Project at construction before mitigation in KTN NDA, which experience substantial adverse impacts, include four LRs detailed below. In addition, the residual impact for some of the LRs that are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction and operation before mitigation are also discussed.

Although the planning of the revised RODP has avoided a number of water ponds, the Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds (KLR-3.3) comprising a relatively large pond area of approximately 1.12 ha and with medium sensitivity will be unavoidably filled during construction of the NDA and remain so at operation and the significance before mitigation is considered to be substantial since all these ponds are lost. Although these ponds are lost, the conservation and enhancement of the LVNP will ensure the retention and provision of some ponds in this area. In addition one principle of planning for the NDA is to incorporate some new ponds, for example ‘there will be a new pond in Fung Kong Shan Park, near their original pond locations. Although this will not directly compensate for the lost ponds, it will alleviate the impact. The requirements of such re-provision have been stipulated in the planning documents for the formulation of the Preliminary Layout Plan. Therefore although these particular ponds at Fung Kong Shan are irreversibly lost, at construction and operation day 1, the residual impact significance is considered to reduce to moderate, and by year 10 when the nearby Fung Kong Shan pond is established and the ponds in the LVNP have had time to confer a positive effect, the residual impact is considered to drop to slight.

Although much of the Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong (KLR-6.3) is on land zoned green belt so it will not be affected, some will be affected by land designated for incompatible uses such as for research and development in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development, a fire station cum ambulance depot, a standard swimming pool, residential housing and roads. Woodland in these areas is likely to be adversely impacted with trees being cleared during site clearance and site formation in the construction phase. Measures to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact from substantial to moderate. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. During operation, the land use in these sites will have changed completely and the effect of the same mitigation measures will ensure the impact remains moderate at day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and the residual impact will reduce to slight.

About 2 ha of the 13.63 ha of Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok (KLR-7.3) that falls within the RODP boundary is on land zoned for compatible uses (e.g. Green Belt) so it will not be affected. The majority of this LR, however, will be affected by such developments as the potential District Cooling System (DCS), roads and their associated amenity areas, part of a hospital, a public transport interchange, as well as residential and school developments which are all incompatible with the current landscape resources. While parts of the residential development complexes include open spaces between buildings, some trees in this LR will be lost during site clearance and formation works and the DCS construction will require significant landform changes as it is currently located on a small knoll. This large change to an LR considered to be highly sensitive means there is a substantial impact prior to mitigation. Measures to protect and preserve trees, transplant and actively compensate trees with woodland plantation will reduce this impact. Additionally, for the DCS area, minimization of topographical changes in the detailed design stage and landscape treatment of any slopes formed will also reduce the impact. Therefore the residual impact upon mitigation for this LR is considered to reduce from substantial to moderate at day 1 of operation and with the compensatory woodland planting reaching its full potential, to reduce to slight by year 10 of operation.

Most of the Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills (KLR-8.3) will not be affected by the Project as it falls either outside the RODP boundary or on green belt. Two sites designated for water ‘service reservoirs’ however are located in this LR, and will require considerable site formation with cut/ fill slopes of up to 38 m for the Flushing Water Service Reservoir and up to 53 m for the Fresh Water Service Reservoir, all with maximum 40 degree slope steepness. The magnitude of change is therefore considered to be large. This LR has medium sensitivity and although the area affected is relatively small (under 4 ha), the impact is considered substantial prior to mitigation, largely due to the topographical changes to two adjacent foothill areas (See Figures 12.11.6-7). Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also mitigate the impact to the shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof itself) by creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection, preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact on this LR is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and operation day 1. With soft landscaping maturing and conferring greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered to reduce to slight.

The impact on Sheung Shui Community Sports recreational area (KLR-10.2) is predicted to be substantial at construction but to reduce to moderate at operation prior to mitigation. This drop of impact from construction to operation is due to some of the land use at operation being compatible with the current LR e.g. a new Standard Swimming Pool and Sports Centre at E1-5 providing a recreational area and creating similar LR value to the NDA. Mitigation measures to protect and preserve the few trees in this LR, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will slightly reduce the impact. Moreover the planning of the revised RODP avoids impacts to most open space/ recreational areas and the principle adopted in the RODP planning ensures that public open space systems are incorporated. In KTN NDA, the key open spaces are the east-west running Town Park in the town centre and the Fung Kong Shan Park in the northern part of the NDA as well as a riverside promenade along the western side of Sheung Yue River. Sports grounds are designated at B2-8, E1-5 and F1-1. The public open space within the RODPs will ensure no overall loss of open space/ recreational LR and will help to mitigate the impact on KLR-10.2. Therefore the significance of impact is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and slight at operation day 1, becoming insignificant by year 10.

The LRs which are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are elaborated below.

The Water Course Network in Long Valley (Channelised) (KLR-1.4) is an integral part of the Long Valley Agricultural area and hence has high sensitivity. It is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project. The majority of this LR falls in Site C1-9 designated to become the LVNP and will not be adversely affected by the Project. Where the channels converge and link to an existing box culvert in the south, however, the water course will be diverted into box culverts as the land is designated for commercial, research and development uses. An active management plan for the LVNP in C1-9 is proposed which will generally enhance and protect this area and in so doing, it is likely that this LR passing through C1-9 will be protected. Overall with the diversion of some sections of this LR into box culverts the significance of impact is considered to drop to slight at construction and remain slight throughout operation.

The Streams in Kwu Tung (KLR-2.1) are predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before mitigation. These streams are located in the central area of KTN NDA and pass through villages including Fung Kong, Tung Fong, Tong Kok and Shek Tsai Leng such that while upstream sections are natural and with seasonal flow, some sections are fortified by concrete banks with grey water flowing and they are considered of poor quality and to have medium sensitivity overall. They will be affected by many different development uses including buildings for residential, public rental housing, a primary school and commercial, research & development. Site formation works for these developments means that these streams will be filled and permanently lost at construction. Given the medium sensitivity of this LR and the large magnitude of change experienced, the significance of the impact is considered to be moderate before mitigation. Given the streams are permanently lost the significance of the impact is considered to remain as moderate, even at year 10 of operation. Nevertheless, in formulating the revised RODP care has been given to preserving the more natural streams within the NDA, such as Ma Tso Lung stream (part of KLR2-4), so that within the whole NDA, key streams are conserved. For Ma Tso Lung stream in particular, which has high sensitivity and is of high ecological value in parts, the upper and middle sections and tributaries have been avoided by zoning the area as Green Belt and a 15-30 m buffer zone (in Site F1-3) to restrict development. The boundary of Site F1-3 has also been adjusted to protect the stream’s riparian vegetation. The overall significance of the Project’s impact on KLR-2.4 is considered moderate at construction and operation before mitigation. Some short meanders of the stream in Site F1-3 and a section in Site E1-2 will still require diversion to protect the stream during site formation works and the stream diversion will be carefully designed to retain the natural stream bank and bed. At Site F1-3, an area of marsh/ pool is designated next to the stream, with trees and shrubs further from the bank, overall preserving, if not enhancing, these stream sections. Consideration will be made to further reducing any impact on the stream e.g. through fine tuning of the LMC Eastern Connection road alignment and placement of buildings within F1-3. As such, the residual impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, and become insignificant by year 10 when the buffer planting will have matured to its full potential and the diverted sections of stream be fully established.

Most ponds in the KTN NDA Study area will not be affected by the Project but there are two areas where ponds are considered to be moderately affected before mitigation (i.e. Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds (KLR3.1) and Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au (KLR-3.6)). The Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds (KLR-3.1) are rated highly sensitive and most of them will remain in the NDA but one reasonably large and one small pond south of Ho Sheung Heung will be affected by residential and road developments and filled during site formation. This is considered an intermediate change leading to moderate significance of impact before mitigation. The small Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au (KLR-3.6) are rated as having medium sensitivity and will be lost during site formation for a hospital and road resulting in large change and moderate significance of impact before mitigation. Although some of the ponds are lost, the conservation and enhancement of the LVNP will ensure the retention and provision of some ponds in this area. Moreover the layout of the revised RODP incorporates some new ponds, for example a new pond at Fung Kong Shan Park in E1-7. Although this will not directly compensate for the lost ponds, it will alleviate the impact. Therefore although some ponds are irreversibly lost, at construction and operation day 1 the residual impact significance is considered to reduce to slight, and by year 10 when any ponds in the RODP have had time to establish and the enhanced ponds in the LVNP have had time to confer a positive effect, although the impact will have reduced further, the residual impact is still rated slight.

Although most of Mitigation Wetland (KLR-4.2) will not be affected by the Project, this is rated a highly sensitive resource and will experience a moderate change as a small area of it will be irreversibly lost during site formation for amenities and commercial, research and development uses. Some of this LR falls within the LVNP and will be conserved and enhanced therefore ensuring the retention of these mitigation wetland areas and their possible enhancement. Therefore although a particular small area of mitigation wetland is irreversibly lost, at construction and operation day 1, the residual impact significance is considered to reduce to slight, and by year 10 when wetland and some marshes in the LVNP are enhanced and confer a positive effect, the residual impact will be insignificant.

OVTs along Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road (KLR-5.4) are a highly sensitive resource and although all these trees will be retained, given there is a possibility they may be indirectly affected during construction works along the roads, a worst case scenario is used to conclude they may experience a small change and therefore gives a moderate significance of impact. By ensuring careful tree preservation measures are put in place to protect these trees, they should not be affected by the Project and the significance of residual impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1 and be insignificant by year 10 of operation.

Most of Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland (KLR-6.2) is outside the RODP boundary and a small section east of Fung Kong Shan falls within land designated as green belt; woodland here will not be affected by the Project. However, roughly 0.5 ha of this LR lies within a site designated as a potential activities centre where adverse impact by site formation and tree clearance is expected. Woodland in these areas is likely to be adversely impacted during site clearance and site formation in the construction phase and measures to protect and preserve trees, as well as transplant and actively compensate them with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact. The compensatory woodland planting will principally be within habitats of lower value such as upland grassland and the proposed locations are identified, for example, on the foothills of Tai Shek Mo and on the higher ground of Fung Kong Shan in KTN NDA; along Fanling Bypass; and a small area in the northern FLN NDA, as indicated on the Landscape Mitigation Plans in Figures 12.15.0-6 for KTN NDA and 12.16.0-5 for FLN NDA. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. The impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, and become insignificant by year 10 when the compensatory woodland planting will have matured to its full potential.

The majority of Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland (KLR-6.4) will not be affected by the Project as it falls within an area zoned as ‘green belt’. Tiny patches on the border of the woodland area may be affected by proposed residential development and a road. Measures to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate them with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact from moderate to slight at construction and day 1 operation. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and the residual impact will reduce to insignificant.

A number of agricultural land LRs are predicted to be moderately affected by the Project, namely Long Valley Agricultural Land (KLR-9.1), Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong (KLR-9.3) and Other Agricultural Lands in KTN (KLR-9.4). Careful planning of the revised RODP means that most of the agricultural land in Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung will not be affected. Large areas of other agricultural LRs, however, will be affected and permanently lost. There is no direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees in such LRs and where unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting which could mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP and preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area, as well as zoning of large sites C2-2 and C1-6 to the north and south of LVNP as agricultural land, is considered to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land. In addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9) encompasses both existing active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, the amount of active agricultural land affected by the Project in KTN NDA is approximately 4 ha. According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, currently, there are 4,071 ha of abandoned agricultural land in Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and as such, the affected agricultural land only represents a small percentage of active agriculture land in Hong Kong. In the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site in the above mentioned site inspection. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, the significance of impact on agricultural land in most of these areas will remain the same before and after mitigation. In Long Valley however, since this is the area where the LVNP will be actively managed and the positive effects of this measure conferred best, the impact will reduce to slight by year 10 of operation.

One large Rural Development Area (in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang (KLR-12.9)) and two small Rural Development Areas (around Ho Sheung Heung KLR-12.1, and in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hakka Wai KLR-12.2), would experience moderately significant impacts due to the Project. The Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang (KLR-12.9), is a core LR at the centre of KTN NDA with medium sensitivity. The magnitude of change is large due to the large area affected by the Project. Small areas of this LR and will not be affected, such as those falling in Sites designated as 'green belt'. Most of the LR, however, will undergo change to an urban development area with more facilities than previously, such as a swimming pool complex, fire station cum ambulance depot, schools and residential developments. During construction site formation works at all these sites will cause large changes and at operation, when all the new structures are built, the changes will still be large. At Ho Sheung Heung (KLR-12.1) most of the village will remain unaffected or with compatible land use (e.g. D1-9 for village type development and D1-4 for very low density residential), but just a small area to the south will be developed into part of a denser high rise residential Site (D1-7). In KLR-12.2 it is unlikely this are will be affected by the Project as although it falls within the RODP, land uses are compatible. The Site C1-4 is designated as village type development and a precautionary ‘small’ magnitude of change has led to this highly sensitive LR having a ‘moderate’ significance of impact.

The loss of this LR type is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green corridors and open space spines. There are some trees within this LR and therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will slightly reduce the impact. Equally the roadside planting, which may form part of the compensatory planting, will also enhance the greenery of the LR and provide the new landscape corridors. Given all these considerations, for both KLR12.1 and KLR12.2 (the smaller affected areas) the residual impact upon mitigation is considered to reduce from moderate to slight at construction and day 1 of operation. As no land use change is envisaged for KLR-12.2, the impact is considered to reduce further to insignificant by year 10 here, whereas at KLR-12.1 it will remain slight. The residual impact upon mitigation for KLR12.9 is considered to remain at a moderate rating throughout the Project.

Fanling Highway and nearby associate roads (KLR-14.1) is considered to undergo intermediate change, largely due to the impacts on its associated roadside planting and channels. Implementing measures to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensate them will reduce this impact. In addition, since there will be a number of noise barriers along these roads, measures to design these sensitively and provide vertical greening, as well as provide roadside greening will also mitigate the impacts to this LR. Therefore the significance of the impact is considered to drop to slight at construction and operation day 1 and be insignificant by year 10 when soft landscaping measures will have had time to mature and confer their full effect.

A number of LRs will not be affected by the Project, and for remaining LRs which are affected, slightly adverse or insignificant residual impacts are predicted by day 1 of operation (continuing to be insignificant throughout operation), but with the proper implementation of the suggested mitigation measures. The exception to this is for the industrial/ open storage LRs which will experience benefits due to the Project; many of these areas that are of poor quality will be transformed into well planned developments of higher quality with amenity planting e.g. residential areas or potential activity centres.

Visual Impact

From a visual perspective, three strategic VSRs were selected to assess the overall impact of KTN NDA from sites farther away that would get a good overall view towards the NDA (see Figure 12.18.0). These included the Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout to the north east of the NDA (K2) (Looking both south west towards KTN NDA and south east to take in both the FLN NDA and KTN NDA), Ki Lun Shan Footpath (K22) to the far south west of the visual envelope and Kei Lak Tsai Footpath (K24) far away to the south east in Lam Tsuen Country Park. With all the planning mitigation measures described incorporated into revised KTN RODP (e.g. view corridors, green network, stepped building heights, setbacks from buildings, buffer zones), as well as construction and operation mitigation measures such as appropriate treatment of building façades, light control and general soft landscaping including slope landscaping, green roofs, road greening, screen planting, vertical greening as well as tree protection, transplantation and compensation, KTN NDA is predicted to cause a slight impact at year 10 to these viewers. For those viewers on the Tai Shek Mo Footpath and Lookout, KTN NDA in itself is predicted to cause insignificant visual impact at year 10, but since these VSRs will normally be able to see FLN NDA also, overall the residual visual impact at year 10 will be slight by year 10 of operation.

Seven VSRs in the visual assessment give a district perspective of KTN NDA and none of these will be substantially affected by the new development. One of these, recreational (and some residential and occupational) viewers on the northern and southern knolls of Fung Kong Shan (K5) are predicted to experience moderate to substantial residual visual impacts during construction as the new buildings surrounding, and reasonably close to, Fung Kong Shan will change the outlook for viewers at these locations. Being within the NDA itself, the viewers on the knolls of Fung Kong Shan will still be close to a lot of the new development at operation, but since this area is one of the suggested woodland compensation areas, this should provide some screening for views out to KTN NDA from here. The careful detailed design of the NDA, preserving view corridors to Fung Kong Shan, as well as the development of the Fung Kong Shan and Cycle Park at the low-lying centre of the knolls, enhancing an area currently used for open storage and industrial use, will all help mitigate the visual impact here. Also considering few people actually climb to the top of Fung Kong Shan where these views are best, the significance of the visual impact at this VSR is predicted to drop to moderate at year 10 of operation.

Three district VSRs will experience moderate residual visual impacts during construction despite mitigation measures; the recreational viewers on the footpaths of the Western Range near Lok Ma Chau (K3); residential viewers in high rise blocks such as Choi Po Court and Choi Yuen Estate (K15); and residential viewers in high rise blocks in the Tai Ping Area (K16). Panoramic views from the Western Range of green lowland in the direction of the NDA will be largely blocked by new structures. Residents at higher levels of Choi Po Court and Choi Yuen will be able to see the entire KTN NDA in the middle distance although much of their view, such as of Long Valley, will remain unchanged and viewers at lower levels are unlikely to be able to see the new structures. Views for residents at higher levels of high-rise blocks in the Tai Ping area will have similar views, but given their immediate foreground view takes in the Fanling Highway close by as well as the high rise buildings around Choi Yuen Estate, the change in view cause by KTN NDA will be less evident. Overall these three district VSRs are predicted to see intermediate changes in their views except those in the Tai Ping Area high rise buildings, who are predicted to see small changes in their views. Visual impacts to the VSRs will reduce to slight in operation by implementing mitigation measures to provide visual amenity.

The residents in high rise blocks such as Choi Po Court and Choi Yuen, being that much further from the NDA will also experience a slight visual impact by year 10 of operation (reduced from moderate at day 1) once the soft landscape measures have matured and convey their full mitigation.

The other two district VSRs, being the recreational viewers around Kwu Tung Service Reservoir (K21) and workers in the Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long (K13), will experience slight residual visual impacts from construction onwards. The recreational viewers around Kwu Tung Service Reservoir will experience only small changes in their views, whereas the workers in the Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long will see the general mass of new buildings beyond the Long Valley area and some of their views of rural landscape will possibly be blocked, therefore causing an intermediate change in view. Since these workers have low sensitivity to their viewing experience however, the significance of the impact is still slight.

Fifteen VSRs in the visual assessment give a local perspective of KTN NDA and four of these are predicted experience insignificant impacts due to the Project. Only one group of VSRs will be substantially affected by the new development; residents of the cottage area at the eastern foothill of the Western Range (K4). These residents are within the boundary of KTN NDA area and some of the houses will be adjacent to the built structures in the NDA. Houses at the northern part of this VSR will be next to a site proposed for a sports ground/sports complex with buildings up to 3 storeys and close to the site proposed for Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development which reach up to 10 storeys high, and a major change in view is predicted. Similarly houses at the mid and southern part of this area, will be close to a proposed fire station cum ambulance depot with buildings up to 9 storeys high, the proposed district headquarters and police facilities with buildings between 5 and 20 storeys high, a school up to 8 storeys high and a standard swimming pool & sports centre up to 5 storeys high. Many of them will be near the new distributor road also, as well as being able to see the new higher-rise residential blocks up to 35 storeys tall behind, though the residents can still enjoy some sky view and Ki Lun Shan at the south is visible. Overall the views of these highly sensitive VSRs will be largely blocked, the quality of their views will largely be diminished and they will experience substantial impact during construction. In fact, residents at this VSR have their low level views largely blocked by vegetation and existing built structures. At operation, considering the planning mitigation measures (e.g. set back and buffer zones between the buildings) and with the appropriate construction and operation mitigating measures in place, including appropriate façade treatment of the buildings, screen planting, road greening as well as possibly vertical greening and green roofs, the impact is predicted to drop to moderately significant at day 1 onwards.

Six local VSRs, are predicted to experience moderate residual visual impacts at construction: residents in Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen (K1); residents in Ho Sheung Heung (K6); residents in the Long Valley Villages (K9); residents in Valais and Europa Garden New Residential Development Area (K20); travellers along the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak road and over the existing road bridge link over (K19); and cyclists or pedestrians travelling along the cycle track along the riverside near Long Valley (K10). New noise barriers are proposed along this section of the Fanling Highway and works will be carried out to the expressway. Travellers along the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road are right next to these works. In addition proposed new tall buildings in the Commercial, Research & Development Area/ Community Facilities Area, Town Centre & North Residential Area will be highly visible (particularly from the footbridge), so these VSRs will experience a large change to their views. The travellers along Fanling Highway, Castle Peak Road and over the existing road bridge link are considered to have low sensitivity and with appropriate treatment of the noise barriers and other mitigation measures mentioned, the significance of residual impacts to this VSR are expected to reduce from moderate (unmitigated) to slight/moderate at operation day 1, and as the soft landscaping mitigation measures mature, drop to slight by year 10. The highly sensitive residents of the Long Valley villages and medium sensitive travellers along the cycle track alongside the riverside are predicted to experience moderately significant visual impacts at day 1 of operation. Their change in view is intermediate due to the commercial, research and development buildings (all up to 10 storeys high) being evident reasonably close by and residential blocks up to 20 storeys high protruding into the skyline in the middle distance. The villagers of Yin Kong may also be affected by the proposed residential development around Enchi Lodge, including village houses up to 3 storeys high and a 1 storey car park, although this is compatible with the village and so impacts will be mainly during construction. Considering the planning mitigation measures (e.g. set back and buffer zones between the buildings) and with the appropriate construction and operation mitigating measures in place, including appropriate façade treatment of the buildings, screen planting, road greening as well as possibly vertical greening, green roofs and slope landscaping, the visual impact will be ameliorated and is predicted to be slightly significant at year 10 of operation. For residents in Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen, Ho Sheung Heung and Valais and Europa Garden New Residential Development Area, the residual visual impacts are considered to drop to slight at day 1 of operation already and remain slightly significant at year 10. The residents of Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen on the northern boundary of the NDA will be affected mainly by the proposed Research and Development buildings in support of Lok Ma Chau Loop Development which are up to 10 storeys high and very near the village. However given these viewers are mostly at low levels where existing vegetation and existing structures contain the views, the visual changes are only expected to be intermediate here and the significance of visual impact is expected to be slight by year 10 of operation. For residents of Ho Sheung Heung, those further south in the village will experience changes in view due to some of the new buildings (up to 25 storeys) in the adjacent D1-7. Some residents adjacent to a site (D1-5) proposed for village resite (up to 3 storey buildings) may also experience slight changes in view. Overall a very few residents are expected to experience intermediate changes in view, but given the high sensitivity of this VSR, the impact significance before mitigation is moderate. Since most viewers in this VSR will experience less change and with mitigation such as detailed design considerations as well as soft landscaping to screen views of the new structures, the significance of visual impact is expected to reduce to slight by day 1 of operation.

All ten other VSRs are predicted to experience insignificant residual visual impacts at year 10 of operation.

Overall, the design of the KTN NDA has retained much of the high-quality landscape in the area and minimized impacts on features that provide the valley with strong visual quality (i.e. preservation of all the natural upland areas including Fung Kong Shan and the wooded knoll adjacent to Pak Shek Au as well as conservation of the Long Valley area), to retain much of the existing natural view of the areas. The buildings arrangement and the open space areas will allow for view corridors through to the natural uplands. The location and scale of the proposed development will inevitably result in significant and permanent changes to the existing character of the visual amenity currently enjoyed by the identified VSRs. The majority of these VSRs are villages, many of which will be in close proximity to the NDA. The quality of their views towards the upland areas is high and views towards the rural / industrial development on the lowland areas are generally of a lower quality. The main impacts will arise from the complete change in character from a low-rise rural landscape to high-rise, urban environment and the new development will also be visible from high-rise residential blocks on the northern and western periphery of Sheung Shui and Fanling Area. Given the nature of the Project to create new urban areas, the change is inevitable, but given all the planning considerations and careful implementation of the mitigation measures, most VSRs affected by KTN NDA will experience slight or insignificant residual visual impacts by year 10 of operation.

12.13.2 FLN NDA

FLN NDA is designed as a riverside community to maximise the amenity of having a river flowing through it. The revised RODP design divides the NDA into four character areas (See Figure 12.10.0.1-2). There is a Government Facilities Zone in the northwest which has a large area designated to remain untouched as ‘Agricultural’ land use. The Government Facilities Zone adjoins the West Residential Area in the west which is separated from the District Centre in the southeast by a Civic and Recreation Area reserved for a Central Park, clinic, social welfare and recreational facilities.

As well as dividing FLN NDA into specific areas, the buildings are designed such that those with the highest density and heights are concentrated within the West Residential and District Centre areas on the southern banks of Ng Tung River and so that the intensity and building heights drop gradually as they get closer to Ng Tung River and the Civic and Recreation Area.

An open space system has also been incorporated in the NDA planning to provide a continuous green network across the neighbourhood and create convenient accesses to the riverside promenade either from the NDA development or the existing Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town. The riverfront promenade along Ng Tung River has been planned to be an important element of the open space system in FLN NDA and will also be linked all the way to Long Valley in KTN. In addition, green spines are provided to connect the residential areas to the promenade and Central Park, providing not only green linkages to the recreational resources, but also important physical and visual relief to the residential developments in the NDA as well as existing residential neighbourhoods in the Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town.

The riverside location and the linear configuration of the NDA mean that there is a wealth of opportunity for attractive views and breezeways under the prevailing north-easterly wind and the riverside parks along Ng Tung River and in the Central Park provide visual and spatial relief in the NDA, with the low rise Central Park providing a large-scale visual and physical break between the two high rise residential neighbourhoods. The Central Park and the north-south running green spines also serve as major view corridors to protect the long-range views toward the hilly slopes in the north.

Figures 12.10.3-5 help to highlight some of these key planning considerations for FLN NDA.

Overall in FLN NDA, the whole area along Ng Tung River is generally low-lying and subject to residual flood level. Filling is proposed up to the existing river bank level and overall FLN NDA will require a net general fill import. The reservoirs in this NDA have been situated to be close to existing reservoirs, where the land has already undergone some modification and the impacts are not as apparent as in KTN NDA.

Landscape Character Areas and Landscape Resources

In terms of the LCAs in FLN NDA, no LCAs are considered to be substantially adversely affected by the Project. The main LCAs affected include Natural Hillside Landscape in this area (FLCA-1), Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (FLCA-2), Lowland Agricultural Landscape (FLCA-5), and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (LCA-7) (see Figure 12.14.0).

The majority of the FLCA-1 area will remain unaffected by the Project and where it is affected, the land use is largely compatible, although given the area affected is over 15 ha and there will be topographical changes, the magnitude of change is intermediate. This LCA is highly sensitive the intermediate magnitude of change confers a moderate impact. One area where the impact is more obvious is in Site D4-1 where the Flushing Water Service Reservoir will be constructed and there will be some topographical changes. By implementing measures to minimise the topographical changes here and landscape new slopes, as well as generally implementing tree preservation, protection, transplantation and compensation where necessary, as well as providing road greening to the affected roads and considering green roofs, including soft landscaping of the reservoir roof, the impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and remain slight at operation day 1 and year 10.

The necessity of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green corridors, consideration of green roofs, provision of adequate space for soft landscaping in developments and alongside roads, careful selection of form, textures and finish colours. There are some trees within this LCA and therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them (including in woodland areas), will slightly reduce the impact. Part of the compensatory planting and road greening may also serve as screen planting, but any additional screen planting will also add to the general green nature of the LCA and help alleviate the impact. Although the impact is alleviated, the residual impacts are predicted to remain moderate throughout the Projects construction and operation.

The Lowland Agricultural Landscape in this area (FLCA-5) is predicted to be moderately affected by the Project before any mitigation measures. Careful planning of the revised RODP means large areas at Sites A1-3 and A1-9 to the northwest of the NDA are designated to remain as agricultural land but other areas of agricultural land in FLCA-5 will be irreversibly lost. There is no direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees and, where unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting, which will only mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP is a key component of the Project with preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area and considered to go some way to help alleviate impacts on agricultural land. In addition, this LCA encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, in the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found to be potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, however, the significance of impact on this LCA will remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore the impact will remain moderate throughout.

Impacts prior to mitigation are slight for the remaining LCAs in this area, namely Urban Development Landscape (FLCA-3), and Major Transportation Corridor Landscape (FLCA-6) and all drop to insignificant by year 10 of operation with mitigation measures. The exception is Industrial Landscape (FLCA-4) which will experience a slight benefit from the Project by day 1 of operation.

A number of LRs in FLN NDA will not be affected by the Project, falling in sites which will remain the same, e.g. Green Belt zones. No LRs are predicted to be substantially affected once all mitigation measures have been implemented. LRs particularly affected by the Project at construction before mitigation in FLN NDA, three LRs detailed below. The residual impact for some of the LRs that are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction and operation before mitigation are also discussed.

The Ma Wat River (Channelized) (FLR-1.4) is predicted to be substantially affected by the Project before mitigation during construction and moderately so during operation, largely due to the fact that it will be diverted to allow for the construction of the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section (DP10), but will remain as a channelized river i.e. retain the same land use. The Drainage Services Department Practice Note No.1/2005 – Guidelines on Environmental Considerations for River Channel Design, should be considered at the detailed design of the new river channel to ensure it matches the existing as far as possible as well as implementing enhancement planting along the new channel including the consideration of wetland planting along embankments where appropriate. The most appropriate materials for the channel lining should also be considered (e.g. gabion). Given these measures, the significance of impact is considered to reduce from substantial to moderate at construction and although the impact will have been partly mitigated at day 1 of operation, it is still considered to be moderate. By year 10 of operation, it will have reduced to slight. Full details of impact and mitigation can be found in DP Package 12D.

Planning of the revised RODP has taken care to place much of the Mitigation Wetland in FLN NDA (FLR-4.2). Nevertheless, it is estimated that at worst just under half this LR will be adversely affected by the Project where the Sites are designated for incompatible uses such as a police facility or residential uses etc. Although the absolute area potentially lost is under 3 ha, this is a highly sensitive resource and not widely common, so this is considered to be a large change and the significance of the impact on this LR before mitigation is substantial. Setting up of the LVNP will help mitigate the impact. This LVNP will be under management and the land there, including marsh and wetland areas, will be enhanced, with a slight increase in wetland areas. Therefore although some mitigation wetland is irreversibly lost in FLN NDA, considering the LVNP enhancement, at construction and operation day 1, the residual impact significance is considered to reduce to moderate. By year 10 when wetland and some marshes in the LVNP confer their full positive effect, the residual impact will have reduced further, but is still considered to be moderate.

Although a relatively small area of Cham Shan and Wa Shan Hillside Woodland (FLR-6.2) is affected by the Project, the change caused is considered large principally due to the number of trees that may be adversely affected. Since the sensitivity of this LR is high, the significance of impact is substantial at construction and operation prior to mitigation. Measures to protect and preserve trees as well as transplant and actively compensated trees, including with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact from substantial to moderate. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. During operation, the land use will have changed but given the area affected is small and with the implementation of the same mitigation measures the impact will be slight at day 1 of operation. By year 10 of operation, the compensatory woodland planting is considered to have reached its full effect and although the residual impact will have reduced further, it is still considered to be a slight impact.

A very small area (under 1.5 ha) of Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Lung Shan (FLR-8.4) will be affected by the Fanling North Flushing Water Services Reservoir in the southeast of the NDA and experience site formation changes as a result of the reservoir construction. Site formation is required with cut/ fill slopes of up to 62 m for the reservoir, reducing to an exposed slope of up to 56 m at completion as some of the slope will be covered by the reservoir. Although the area affected is relatively small and final land topography similar to existing (See Figure 12.12.7), the magnitude of change is considered to be large. This LR has medium sensitivity and the impact is substantial prior to mitigation, mainly due to the landform changes (also see Figure 12.12.9). Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also help to mitigate the impact to the shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof itself) by creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection, preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact on this LR is considered to reduce to moderate at construction and slight at operation day 1 (the topography will be similar to the existing as there is a steep slope in this area already, as shown in Figure 12.12.7). Although soft landscaping will mature and confer greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered to remain as slight by year 10.

The LRs which are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction before mitigation are elaborated below.

The Water Course through Ma Shi Po Agricultural Land (Channelized) (FLR-1.5) although it is only of medium sensitivity, will be totally lost prior to mitigation and therefore suffer moderate impact. Given this watercourse is permanently lost, and will not be reprovisioned (only a drainage system will be provided) the significance of the impact is not considered to reduce and therefore will remain as moderate, even at year 10 of operation.

The Natural Stream in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land (FLR-2.1) is predicted to be unavoidably affected by the Project, filled and permanently lost, hence undergoing large change. This stream, however, largely flows through developed areas and is near an open storage area. It has become degraded by pollution as well as having banks in some sections fortified with concrete. Therefore the stream has medium sensitivity and the significance of impact is considered moderate before mitigation. The residual impact on this particular stream cannot be directly mitigated and therefore the significance of impact will remain moderate since as it will be permanently lost.

The Natural Streams at Siu Hang San Tsuen (FLR-2.4) will suffer a small change due to the Project (where it flows under the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section) and given this LR has high sensitivity, this is considered a moderately significant impact. The affected stream at Siu Hang San Tsuen in FLN NDA, has largely been protected by changes to the proposed NDA boundary during the planning of the revised RODP with much of this stream excluded from the NDA. However the stretch of this stream within the NDA boundary would be located underneath the viaduct for the proposed Fanling Bypass Eastern Section. To the south of the viaduct the stream flows through the area D1-3, zoned as Open Space, prior to joining Ng Tung River. In this Open Space Zone a 10m buffer is proposed in which natural vegetation will be retained and enhanced and human activities will be limited in order to avoid direct impacts to the stream bed and to minimise potential indirect impacts to the stream and riparian corridor. At detailed design, in order to avoid impacts to the stream, the detailed final design of the viaduct should follow guidelines such as ETWB Technical Circular (Works) No. 5/2005 Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works as well as Building Department (BD) Practice Note for Authorized Persons and Registered Structural Engineers 295: Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works. This will ensure that no viaduct footings or other structures are places in the stream and overall the impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, becoming insignificant by year 10 of operation.

Only a very small area (under 0.5ha) of Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works Hillside Woodland (FLR-6.1) and even smaller area of Hillside Woodland at Lung Shan and Wa Mei Shan (FLR-6.4) are adversely affected by the Project and there is potential loss of trees in these areas leading to a small change to the LRs. Given these LRs are considered highly sensitive, the significance of the impact before mitigation is moderate. Woodland in these areas is most likely to be adversely impacted during site clearance and site formation in the construction phase and measures to protect and preserve trees, as well as transplant and actively compensate them with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact. Since this LR is on hillside, measures to landscape any slopes that are constructed will also help reduce impacts. The impact is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1, and become insignificant by year 10 when the compensatory woodland planting will have matured to its full potential.

Two lowland woodland LRs are considered the experience moderately significant adverse impacts due to the Project; the Lowland Woodland at Fu Tei Au and Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works (FLR-7.2) where under 2 ha of the LR is adversely affected, and the Sacred Hill Lowland Woodland (FLR-7.4), where just over 1 ha is adversely affected, due to incompatible land uses, including a police driving and traffic complex, residential and educational developments etc. Measures to protect and preserve trees, transplant and actively compensate trees, including with woodland plantation, will reduce this impact and the residual impact upon mitigation for these LRs is considered to reduce to slight at day 1 operation. With the compensatory woodland planting reaching its full potential by year 10 of operation, the impact will reduce further but the significance is still considered to be slight.

A very small area (under 1 ha) of Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic at Cham Shan and Wa Shan (FLR-8.3) will be affected by part of the Fanling North Fresh Water Services Reservoir in the north of the NDA and its access road. This LR will experience site formation changes as a result of the construction of the reservoir and access road. The reservoir requires site formation with cut/fill slopes of up to 24 m, reducing to an exposed slope of up to 18 m at completion. Although the area affected is relatively very small, the magnitude of change is considered intermediate given the landform changes (See Figures 12.12.6 and 12.12.8). This LR has medium sensitivity and prior to mitigation the impact significance is moderate at construction and operation. Design of the reservoirs is not finalised and their final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes for the road and reservoir construction. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof and the surrounding reservoir structures will also help to mitigate the impact to the shrubland/ grassland here (no trees will be planted on the roof itself) by creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection, preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact on this LR is considered to reduce to slight at construction and operation day 1. With soft landscaping maturing and conferring greater mitigation by year 10 of operation, the impact is considered to reduce to insignificant by year 10.

A number of agricultural land LRs are predicted to be moderately affected by the Project, with large changes in Fu Tei Au Agricultural Land (FLR-9.2), Tin Ping Shan Tsuen Agricultural Land (FLR-9.4) and Agricultural Land in Wu Nga Lok Yeung, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau (FLR-9.6), and an intermediate change in Agricultural Land at Sheung Shui Wa Shan (FLR-9.5) mainly due to the small area affected. Careful planning of the revised RODP means large areas at Sites A1-3 and A1-9 to the northwest of the NDA are designated to remain as agricultural land but in other areas of this LR in FLR-9.2, FLR-9.4, FLR-9.6 and FLR-9.5, agricultural land will be irreversibly lost. There is no direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but mitigation includes the possible preservation and protection of any trees in such LRs and where unavoidably affected, transplantation or compensatory planting which will only mitigate the impact very slightly. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project. The setup of the LVNP is a key component of the Project with preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area, and considered to go some way to alleviate impacts on agricultural land. In addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9) encompasses both existing active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, the amount of active agricultural land affected by the Project in FLN NDA is approximately 24 ha. According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, there are 4,071 ha of abandoned agricultural land in Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and as such, the affected agricultural land represents a small percentage of active agriculture land in Hong Kong. In the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site in the above mentioned site inspection. The major cluster (34 ha) is found at Kwu Tung South. Since there is no direct mitigation for the loss of agricultural land, the significance of impact on agricultural land in these LRs will remain the same before and after mitigation and therefore the impact will remain moderate throughout.

Rural Development Areas in the North of FLN NDA (FLR-12.3) and around Ma Shi Po (FLR-12.8) are moderately affected by the Project prior to mitigation. A small area of FLR-12.3 will be affected by site A3-1, which is proposed as the Fanling North Fresh Water Service Reservoir, and its access road. The LR here is mainly composed of the existing Firing Range with Fresh Water Service reservoir underneath and its access road, and has undergone some site formation already for the construction of these structures. The proposed highest cut/ fill slopes for the new developments will be 24 m with a maximum 40 degree angle for all slopes and the exposed slope at completion will be up to 18 m high. There will therefore be some topography changes in this area as Figures 12.12.6 and 12.12.8 help illustrate and despite the area affected being small, the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate at construction and operation prior to mitigation. This LR has medium sensitivity so the impacts significance is moderate. Design of the reservoir is not finalised and the final design should consider minimizing changes to the land form and interference with natural terrain. Retaining walls should also be considered as well as cut slopes, to minimize landform changes. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be a visually interesting landform, compatible with surrounding landscape and to mimic the natural contouring and terrain. Landscaping of the reservoir roof (no trees will be planted on the roof itself), the surrounding reservoir structures and the access road will also mitigate the impact thereby creating a green vegetated area rather than hardscape surface. Planting of climbers to grow up vertical surfaces where appropriate could also soften any wall structures. By implementing all these measures as well as taking care to landscape any slopes that are formed and implement protection, preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting for trees, the impact on this LR is considered to reduce to slight by operation day 1. By year 10 of operation, when all mitigation measures will have matured and confer their full effect, the impact is considered to reduce further, but still be rated slight.

All the Rural Development Area around Ma Shi Po (FLR-12.8) falls within the RODP boundary and will be affected by the Project that are largely incompatible with this LR, such as buildings for government uses, general clinic/ health centre, residential developments, schools and road. This LR has medium sensitivity and the area of this LR lost is approximately 13 ha. Overall the significance of the impact is considered to be moderate before mitigation. The loss of this LR is inevitable given the nature of the Project to provide new town areas. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the revised RODP and the future detailed design of elements are means by which this impact can be avoided and alleviated e.g. through provision of green corridors. There are some trees within this LR and therefore measures to protect and preserve these, as well as transplant any unavoidably affected, or compensate for them, will slightly reduce the impact. Equally the roadside planting, which may form part of the compensatory planting, will also enhance the greenery of the LR and provide the new landscape corridors. Although the residual impact upon mitigation for this LR is considered to reduce slightly, the rating is still considered to remain moderate at all stages of the Project.

A number of LRs will not be affected by the Project, but for remaining LRs which are affected, slightly adverse or insignificant residual impacts are predicted by day 1 of operation with the proper implementation of the suggested mitigation measures, except for the industrial/ open storage LRs which will experience benefits due to the Project.

Visual Impact

From a visual perspective, four strategic VSRs were selected to assess the overall impact of FLN NDA from sites farther away that would get a good overall view towards the NDA (see Figure 12.19.0). These included the Tai Shek Mo Footpath & Lookout (F30) to the north west of the FLN NDA visual envelope (Looking south east to take in both FLN and KTN NDAs), Ki Lun Shan Footpath (F28) far away to the south west of the visual envelope (with KTN also visible closer by), Wu Tip Shan Lookout (F29) to the far south and Tsung Shan, High Hill (F3) closer by to the north east of the visual envelope. All these sites are predicted to have recreational viewers.

With all the planning mitigation measures described incorporated into the revised FLN RODP (e.g. comprehensive green network, visual connections, graduation of building heights, setbacks from buildings, buffer zones) to increase its compatibility with the surrounding environment, as well as general construction and operation mitigation measures such as appropriate treatment of building façades, light control and general soft landscaping including green roofs, road greening, screen planting, vertical greening, tree protection, transplantation and compensation, slope greening, FLN NDA is predicted to cause a slight impact at year 10 to all these viewers. Viewers at Ki Lun Shan footpath are far away and only have a number of places on the footpath where there are views to FLN NDA that are not obstructed by the vegetation. With mitigation at year 10 although FLN NDA is thought to be insignificant to them visually, KTN NDA will be more prominent closer by and the significance of the visual impact experienced is still predicted to be slight.

Five VSRs in the visual assessment give a district perspective of FLN NDA: higher rise Belair Monte & Regentville (F11), Noble Hill (F15), Ka Fuk Estate Area (F18) and around Ting Ping Estate (F20), as well as workers in the industrial zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai (F25).

Two of these VSR groups, ‘Belair Monte & Regentville’ and ‘High Rise Residential Buildings around Tin Ping Estate’, are predicted to experience substantial residual visual impacts at construction and substantial or moderate/substantial residual visual impacts at operation day 1. VSRs in Noble Hill are also predicted to experience moderate/ substantial residual visual impacts at construction and operation day 1, upon implementation of mitigation measures. These three worst affected district VSR groups are all high rise residential blocks relatively close the NDA with high sensitivity. These three VSRs groups generally have open existing views over the green rural area south of Ng Tung River which will undergo significant land use change to become an urban area with many high rise residential blocks and supporting facilities, although preservation of a large woodland area between On Kwok Villa and Noble Hill and the roadside trees along Ting Ping Road help to soften the visual intrusion of the NDA development. Residents of Noble Hill will be relatively less affected as their views towards the Town Park(which is slightly more compatible with the existing view) will be closer in their line of sight. The planning of view corridors to allow views out to the green hills north of the river, setbacks, buffers will all help to mitigate the visual impact. Some of the soft landscaping in the open spaces surrounding the residential blocks, in particular the open space strip at Site D3-5 at the northwest of Belair Monte and Regentville, where extensive soft and hard landscaping will be provided by planting significant trees and vegetation as well as providing a water feature, will also be significant in mitigating the visual impact, Given these considerations, by year 10, when soft landscape measures convey their full mitigation effect and provide visual relief, the significance of impacts will reduce to moderate (F15 and F20) or moderate/substantial (F11).

One other district VSR group is predicted to experience moderately significant impacts still at year 10 of operation; the residents of traditional village houses around Ma Wat Tsuen Area who are also considered highly sensitive to change. They will mainly be affected by changes in their views caused by the high rise residential buildings up to 35 storeys high in the District Centre area at the east of the NDA which will partially block their distant views. Although magnitude of change in view for this VSR group is intermediate, given their highly sensitive nature, the significance of impact is moderate and is not thought to reduce significantly over time.

Residual impacts on the remaining two district VSRs at year 10 of operation are slight after mitigation for residents in the Ka Fuk Estate area who are highly sensitive but experience only a small change in view, and insignificant for workers in the Industrial Zone southwest of Sheung Shui Wai who have low sensitivity and experience intermediate change in view which over time will be mitigated by the design and soft landscaping measures described previously.

Twenty VSRs in the visual assessment give a local perspective of FLN NDA and in addition residents in the lower rise Ma Wat Tsuen Area (F7) have a local perspective for those living near the Ma Wat River Channel but a district perspective for those further away, such as the VP selected to give an overview for photomontage. One of these VSRs is predicted to experience almost no change due to the Project (residents around Po Kat Tsai (F10)) and seven in total are predicted to experience insignificant residual impacts by year 10 of operation.

Three groups of local VSRs and the local/district VSR will be substantially affected by the new development at construction, even upon implementation of mitigation measures these are residents in the Kan Lung Tsuen traditional village area (F5), residents in the Wing Fai and Wing Fok Centres (F12) and residents in Shung Him Tong (F8) as well as residents in the lower rise Ma Wat Tsuen Area (F7). All these VSR groups are just outside FLN NDA and are highly sensitive. For F5 and F12, views of open agricultural area will undergo major change to a high rise (up to 35 storeys) urban area for residents in the Kan Lung Tsuen traditional village area. Although views north to the foothills of Wa Shan will remain unaffected, the mass of new high rise buildings in the NDA is nearby and will generally dominate views. The new elevated Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and associated noise barriers will also change their view noticeably. The significance of the residual impacts for these viewers in F5 will remain substantial at day 1 of operation. Residents in the Wing Fai and Wing Fok Centres are also close by the District Centre area where high rise residential buildings up to 35 storeys, and two schools up to 8 storeys, are proposed close-by along Ma Sik Road. These residents of F12, like those of F5, will be affected largely by the change in view from a rural to an urban area, although the proposed lower rise schools would provide a visual break between the high rise residential buildings. The significance of residual impact is predicted remain substantial at operation day 1 after implementing mitigation measures, including, road greening as well as façade treatment, and visual planning measures described previously (e.g. view corridors, green network, etc.). Two view corridors to the green hills at north of Ng Tung River will provide visual relief for the residents. In addition, soft landscaping measures such as screen planting, green roof, vertical greening and compensatory planting will all be fully effective by year 10 of operation providing visual relief and at this point the significance of residual visual impact will reduce to moderate for these two VSRs. Residents in the lower rise Ma Wat Tsuen Area (F7) and in Shung Him Tong (F8), although they will not be affected much by the developments in the FLN NDA itself, will experience large changes in view due to the Fanling Bypass Eastern Section and the diversion of the Ma Wat River Channel as these new developments (both associated with FLN NDA) run close to the western edge of this village areas and will be apparent in their view, especially the elevated Fanling Bypass. Mitigation measures to protect and preserve any trees in this area which might block views of the Fanling Highway, as well as any planting to screen views would help mitigation these impacts during construction and additionally any measures directed at alleviating the visual impact of the Fanling Bypass, such as sensitive detailed design of any noise barriers, vertical greening of viaduct piers or other visible structures and roadside greening would all help alleviate the visual impact experienced by these VSR groups. Similarly by sensitive detailed design of the Ma Wat River Channel diversion, to ensure it matches the existing as far as possible and its visual amenity is improved by such means as enhancement planting to upgrade the channels as appropriate, the visual impact of this development will be improved. Therefore significance of the residual impacts for these views is considered to reduce to moderate/ substantial at day 1 of operation, and moderate by year 10 when all soft landscaping measures have had time to mature and confer their full effect.

Ten local VSR groups are predicted to experience moderate residual visual impact during construction, but all of these will reduce to only slightly significant by year 10 of the FLN NDA operation with the exception of VSRs in the Good View New Village and Ling Shan Tsuen (F14) who may still experience slight to moderately significant impacts at year 10.

For all other local VSR groups, the significance of residual visual impact caused by FLN NDA after mitigation during construction is considered to be slight and reduce to insignificant by year 10 of operation.

The existing landscape features and general planning considerations outlined in Section 12.5.2 have guided the location of FLN NDA, however, the development of FLN NDA will lead to a fundamental change in the character and extent of the existing views, and change in visual amenity. Medium and long distance views of a rural landscape characterized by low-lying traditional agricultural fields and village areas will be replaced by a large scale, urban area with a strong vertical habit and views of the uplands to the north of the Fanling / Sheung Shui urban area will also be interrupted by the proposed new structures. Given the nature of the Project to create new urban areas, the change is inevitable, but given all the planning considerations and careful implementation of the mitigation measures, most VSRs affected by FLN NDA will experience slight or insignificant residual visual impacts by year 10 of operation.

12.13.3 Cumulative Impacts

The Project is targeted to start advance works and the first stages of construction in 2017 ^([26]) and be finalised in 2029 according to the current construction programme (See Chapter 2). Chapter 2 of the EIA Report also evaluates potential concurrent projects, as summarised in Section 2.2, Table 2.12 and concludes that a number of these projects should be assessed for cumulative impacts. The Schedule 2 DPs within, and associated with, the KTN and FLN NDAs might also be considered concurrent projects, but these are fully evaluated in DP Packages 12A-D.

Further review in Section 12.3.2 shows that just two separate projects should be reviewed for cumulative impacts with the Project in the Schedule 3 Impact Assessment, and further analysis on these is provided below.

Agreement No. CE53/2008(CE) Planning and Engineering Study on Development of Lok Ma Chau Loop – Investigation

The Development of the Lok Ma Chau (LMC) Loop comprises the buildings, landscape and supporting infrastructure within and adjacent to the site (See Figures 2.21 and 2.22). The LMC Loop project is a joint study between Hong Kong and Shenzhen of an 87 ha site to the northwest of the KTN NDA, bounded by the new and old channel of the Shenzhen River. The focus of the LMC Loop Study is to develop the site for higher education, high tech research & development and the cultural and creative industries. The overall objective is to formulate a comprehensive development plan for the site with a view to creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly, energy efficient and people oriented community.

The LMC Loop Eastern Connection Road (ECR) connects to KTN NDA; where it links with the KTN NDA road R1 south of Ma Tso Lung. The construction programmes of the projects are likely to be run concurrently and therefore the cumulative landscape and visual impact has been assessed for both construction and operational phases below, using the information available regarding the LMC Loop project. Note that the LMC Loop EIA has been formally submitted to EPD and at the time of writing is still under consideration[1] and therefore not final.

In terms of landscape, LRs within the LMC Loop project area with relatively higher sensitivity include mixed woodland, fishponds, natural streams, natural rivers and marsh and the LCAs with relatively higher sensitivity are all lowland rural landscape in various locations. It is predicted that the LMC Loop project will only substantially affect marsh LR in the Loop area and this will be alleviated through appropriate mitigation including the establishment of an Ecological Area and creation of a new marshland area, such that overall the impact will not be significant. Neither the area of marsh affected nor the Ecological Areas fall within the NENT NDA, and no cumulative impact is predicted for this LR. The LRs where the projects connect are principally shrubland and woodland with some lowland areas near the stream in that area being seasonally marsh/wetland. With the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures for each project, the cumulative LR impacts are considered to be acceptable. The key mitigation measure for this area will be the integration, as far as technically feasible, of the new roads with the existing lowland landscape, the preservation of trees and woodland as far as possible given all technical considerations and roadside planting.

In addition both projects, prior to mitigation, have notable impacts on less developed lowland rural LCAs and ‘Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape’ LCA. Although cumulatively a greater area of this LCA type will be affected, both projects will implement relevant mitigation (such as careful detailed design, protecting, preserving, transplanting and compensating for trees; compensating specifically for any areas of woodland unavoidably affected and greening roads) such that overall at year 10 of operation the impacts are acceptable. Since the projects do not overlap, it is considered that cumulative impacts on LCAs are acceptable with the implementation of mitigation measures.

In addition the LMC Loop project will change the visual amenity of the area due to the implementation of the proposed developments and the road connection networks. It is likely that only people at the LMC border control point and residents of Ha Wan Tsuen and LMC village would be significantly affected by the LMC Loop project and none of these VSRs have views to the Project so will not suffer any cumulative impact. In general the LMC Loop project is shielded from view from the Project, with the Western Ranges generally blocking lower level views between the two areas. Only VSRs to the south east of the LMC Loop project and north-west of KTN NDA will have views of both projects, where the topography is flatter. These VSRs include residents of Shun Yee San Tsuen and Ma Tso Lung San Tsuen and the change in view they experience is likely to be slightly larger if considering both projects together. However, relevant mitigation measures such as the responsive design of road connecting the two projects (alignment responding to the lowland context of the area), landscaping measures such as screen planting, vertical greening and green roofs to soften the built and engineering structures as well as tree preservation and roadside planting will all help to alleviate the visual impacts to slight or insignificant levels and overall the cumulative visual impacts from these two projects are considered to be acceptable with mitigation.

These two projects do not overlap in area, but do connect via the ECR. Although no cumulative impacts are predicted with the implementation of relevant mitigation measures, it is advised that a coordinated approach be undertaken between these projects, to reduce potential impacts in terms of both magnitude and the period of disturbance during construction.

Construction of cycle tracks and the associated supporting facilities from Sha Po Tsuen to Shek Sheung River (EIA 159/2008)

Figures 2.21 and 2.22show the location of this project in relation to the KTN and FLN NDAs development. Based on current information, the proposed extent of cycle track works within the KTN and FLN NDAs Study Area is limited and the majority of the works area will be reinstated to its original status or new amenity area. The project also proposed measures to minimise potential impacts on landscape resources such as watercourses and existing trees by review the alignment and location of associated facilities, through limiting necessary crossing over the river or drainage channels including Kam Tin River and Sheung Yue River, and preserving wooded knolls including those adjacent to Kwu Tung. Planting of large feature and ornamental trees following the completion of the construction phase of the project, is also proposed to create an instant greening effect and enhance the streetscape of Castle Peak Road, San Tin Tsuen Road, San Tin and Fanling Highways etc.. There is a 5-20m buffer zone between Resting Stations and major roads (such as Castle Peak Road and Fanling Highway) and their scale is minimised, all to provide a better visual integration between proposed facilities and their neighbourhood rural fringe landscape characters.

Therefore it is considered that this project will not lead to further degradation of either the landscape character or visual amenity of the Project.

12.13.4 Overall Conclusion

This Section provides the overall conclusion of the Schedule 3 LVIA for KTN and FLN NDAs.

In general, rural and urban peripheral villages is the major landscape resources and landscape character area which experience substantially significant impacts before the implementation of mitigation measures and agricultural land will generally experience moderate impacts. Most of the high density residential buildings and other associated facilities are proposed on these landscapes and the impact significance is generally predicted to still be moderate there after 10 years of operation.

Other landscape resources which also experience moderate levels of impact even after the implementation of mitigation measures, include streams in Kwu Tung (KLR2.1) and the Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang (KLR-12.9) in KTN NDA, and in FLN NDA include Natural Streams in Tin Ping Shan Agricultural Land (FLR-2.1) as well as agricultural land in Ting Ping Shan Tsuen (FLR-9.4) and Wu Nga Lok Yeung, Siu Hang San Tsuen, Siu Hang Tsuen and Lung Yeuk Tau (FLR-9.6). These streams and the agricultural land will be permanently lost permanently during construction and therefore the impact will stay moderate during operation. The loss of agricultural land has been carefully studied for this Project and the setup of the LVNP and preservation and even enhancement of agricultural land in that area, as well as zoning of large sites to the north and south of LVNP as agricultural land, is considered to go some way to help alleviate impacts on agricultural land. In addition, the LVIA assessment has included both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas in its classification of agricultural land an according to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by PlanD with assistance from AFCD, the amount of active agricultural land affected by the Project is approximately 28 ha. According to the AFCD Annual Report 2011-2012, there are 4,071 ha of abandoned agricultural land in Hong Kong and 734 ha of active agricultural farmland and as such, the affected agricultural land only represents a small percentage of active agriculture land in Hong Kong. In the surrounding areas of the Project, 160 ha of land have been found potentially suitable for agricultural rehabilitation/re-site, the major cluster (34 ha) being found at Kwu Tung South. Given all these considerations, and understanding the need of the Project, the significance of impacts on agricultural land are thought to be acceptable.

For the rural development area in KTN NDA, over 30 ha will change land use and despite careful planning and implementation of mitigation, the change to an urban landscape is hard to mitigate for. The need of the Project is explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and the planning of the RODP and the future detailed design of elements are key means by which this impact can be alleviated.

Most of the other landscape impacts can be reduced to slight and insignificant after the implementation and full establishment of mitigation measures.

Given the proposed development involves major land use changes for a new town development in an existing rural area, it is inevitable that visual (and some landscape) impacts caused by such major development cannot be fully reduced and remain at a certain level at some locations even after implementation of all possible mitigation measures, including minimizing topographical change, detailed design of the built structures to ensure compatibility of the proposed development with the existing surroundings, tree protection, preservation and transplantation as well as compensatory planting, woodland compensatory planting, screen planting to buffer structures from views, decorative hoarding to screen undesirable views of work sites, light control within construction sites and at operation to reduce light glare that could potentially cause visual disturbance to VSRs at night time, provision for green roofs and vertical greening to soften hard surfaces on built structures in sight. Particular care has been taken to conserve the Long Valley area with its agricultural land and ponds. This will also help mitigate for any marsh and wetland loss due to the Project that will occur under the Long Valley Nature Park Management Plan. Additionally the NDAs have been carefully designed to try and avoid natural watercourses by avoiding development at the most sensitive streams or designating protective zoning to preserve them, and designating buffer areas along key stretches. In view of the nature of the development, it is generally fair to accept that some of the impacts cannot be fully reduced and will only remain at a certain level for some areas. Nevertheless, such residual impacts are predicted to be acceptable with implementation of the proposed mitigation measures as the changes in land uses gradually adapt to the existing rural context. Besides, residual impacts are generally only slight or insignificant for the majority of the other LRs, LCAs and VSRs within the NDAs as a large extent of the impacts caused by the developments will be reduced or eliminated by the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures.

It is therefore anticipated that given the need of the Project as explained in Chapters 1 and 2 and assuming the implementation of the measures described, the overall residual landscape and visual impacts from the Project are considered acceptable. Therefore the Project is ‘acceptable with mitigation measures’ in accordance with the EIAO TM Annex 10.

12.14 LVIA for Schedule 2 Designated Projects – General Introduction

The following sections (12A, 12B, 12C and 12D) identify the potential landscape and visual impacts associated with the Schedule 2 Designated Projects (DPs) forming part of the NDAs within KTN and FLN, in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance. Construction and operation phase impacts have been assessed.

The assessment includes:

· a list of the relevant environmental legislation, standards and guidelines;

· a definition of the scope and contents of the Study including a description of the assessment methodology;

· a review of the relevant planning and development control framework;

· a baseline study providing a comprehensive and accurate description of the baseline landscape and visual character, including sensitivities of potentially sensitive receivers (SRs);

· identification of potential landscape and visual impacts and prediction of their sensitivity, magnitude and potential significance, before mitigation measures;

· identification of the significance of potential residual landscape and visual impacts;

· recommendation of appropriate mitigation measures and associated implementation programmes; and

Colour photographs showing baseline conditions are provided along with other illustrative materials and potential impacts are clearly mapped. The mitigation measures proposed for the potential impacts identified are described and illustrated with annotations, with cross referencing between text, tables and illustrations. To help support conclusions, photomontages are provided from selected, representative Vantage Points (VPs), to offer comparison between existing views; proposals on Day 1 of operation without mitigation, on Day 1 of operation with mitigation and at Year 10 of operation with mitigation.

12.15 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines

The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to this LVIA associated with the construction and operation of the Schedule 2 DPs: