12A.1 KTN Schedule 2 DP 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Package A)

The following section presents the assessment of DPs 1, 2, 3 and 4 only; see Table 12.16.2 for details of how each package has been divided.

The components of DP Package A are summarised in Table 12A1.1 below.

Table 12A.1.1 - Schedule 2 DP Package A

DP Package A
1	San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.
2	Castle Peak Road Diversion (Major Improvement)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.
3	KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.
4	KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road)	A1	A road which is an expressway, trunk road, primary distributor road or district distributor road including new roads, and major extensions or improvements to existing road.

12A.2 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. It considers relevant, published studies, such as HK2030 Study, OZPs, and DPA Plans. This information has been considered in relation to the relevant revised RODP of the NDAs and their Layout Plans with the aim of assessing whether the DP can fit into the surrounding setting.

During public consultations people were noted to be specifically concerned about the landscape and visual impacts of noise barrier construction; some people also suggest maximising the greening opportunities. The planning proposal for the NDAs which includes the Schedule 2 DPs therefore aims to minimise the area requiring noise barriers and maximise the greening opportunities to reduce potential landscape and visual impacts.

12A2.1 Design measures adopted within the Schedule 2 Designated Projects

The Schedule 2 DPs form the key infrastructure developments to support the future development and population growth within the KTN and FLN NDAs. KTN and FLN NDAs will provide a mix of housing types as well as basic infrastructure and community facilities. The development opportunities and constraints of the Schedule 2 DPs are presented in Section 2.4.1, these have informed the development and consideration of alternative infrastructure options. A summary of the key design rationale for each project is provided below:

DP1 - San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion

The existing San Tin Highway/ Fanling Highway between San Tin Interchange is anticipated to reach its design capacity by 2029.  In order to sustain the future traffic growth from the development in Northern New Territories, it is proposed to widen the concerned portion from dual 3-lane to dual 4-lane configuration. The alterations to the highway will impact on the alignment of Castle Peak Road which runs parallel to the highway and will require realignment works.

The total length of the route affected is just over 4km and includes five pedestrian over bridges, construction of noise barriers almost along the entire route including two fully enclosed noise barriers. The location and type of noise barriers are shown on Figure 12.51.5 to 10.

As a result of existing underground services, historic buildings, land uses (existing and planned) and protected trees (5no. Old and Valuable Trees) the alignment of the road has been adjusted to minimise conflict with these existing constraints. The preferred design option maintains the five OVTs in their current locations by shifting the Tai Po direction carriageway further north so that the trees are kept within the future soft landscape median. The original dual 3-lane width will become the Yuen Long bound dual 4-lane carriageway and the other 4 lanes shifted to the north side of the trees. The widened Fanling Highway will push north in the adjacent rural development areas. The widened central median creates a substantial area for soft landscaping to assist with the integration of the widened highway, whilst securing the protection of the OVTs.

The expressway will also be very close to the old village houses at Yin Liu. This arrangement will create a very wide central reserve along this section (maximum 27m wide and about 20,500 m² in area) and vast area of developable land (more than 1.5km long) in KTN NDA is taken off.

The diverted Castle Peak Road has also been aligned specifically to avoid encroachment to the graded historic buildings of Enchi Lodge and the Earth God Shrine.

DP3 - KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement)

DP comprises two primary distributor roads (P1 and P2) which form interchange connections with the Fanling Highway to the east and west of KTN NDA. The approximate length of each section is: Road P1 – 880m and P2 1050m (total 1.93km). The works including four roundabouts, noise barriers, enclosed and semi-enclosed noise barriers, one pedestrian footbridge and one vehicle bridge crossing the Sheung Yue River. Noise structures are detailed on Figures 12.51.5 to 10.

The western primary distributor road (Road P1) will branch off from the supplementary interchange near Pak Shek Au. The alignment has been carefully selected to maximise the efficient use of land for housing development to the east, respect burial grounds to the west and avoid the existing Dongjiang water mains. In this case alternative feasible options were not available and a single option is proposed.

The interchange section with the Fanling Highway is intended to provide better accessibility to the NDA and anticipates the future development in LMC Loop. The interchange configuration has been designed to minimise land requirement so that the requirement and extent of engineered structures can be reduced. In addition the design allows the retention of the San Tin Roundabout to assist in reducing the overall disruption during construction.

The eastern dual 2-lane elevated primary distributor road (Road P2) branches off from the proposed Kwu Tung Interchange near Yin Kong, crossing Sheung Yue River and joins another proposed at-grade roundabout, which will become a major junction with the internal roads south of the Kwu Tung Station. This design of this section is principally governed by sensitive air and noise receivers and to further ease pedestrian crossing the road by a link bridge. The alignment has been carefully selected to maximise the land area for housing development, taking into account the wider development constraints.

The interchange section of this road is proposed as the major access from the Fanling Highway to KTN NDA. Along the Fanling Highway section to the south of the NDA, there are many constraints to a new interchange or highway improvement works. Immediately south of the Fanling Highway and on the west side of Sheung Yue River, there are existing residential buildings (Europa Garden Phase 1 and Phase 2). Due to the limited space, it is not feasible to place the interchange along the section next to the development. The Long Valley ecologically sensitive area is located to the east of Sheung Yue River; given this sensitivity no road will pass through or in close proximity of Long Valley. Therefore it is proposed to locate the major interchange at about 400m east of Sheung Yue River, avoiding the Long Valley. It will be an elevated roundabout with slip roads connecting Fanling Highway in all direction movements. It is close to but does not affect the planned CDA zones on the two sides of the expressway. Buildings including the St. Paul’s House of Prayer on the both sides of this expressway section will not be affected. It is also at around 200m away from Yin Kong.

DP 4 - KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road)

The works involve just over 4km of new road infrastructure including one roundabout with pedestrian underpass, noise barriers, semi-enclosed and enclosed noise barriers. Noise structures are detailed on Figures 12.51.5 to 10. Five road sections form the DP; the approximate lengths of each section are: Road D1 – 525m, D2 – 810m, D3 – 925m, D4 - 895m and D5 – 850m.

The distributor roads (Road D1 and D2) will provide direct connectivity between the diverted Castle Peak Road and KTN NDA. The alignment has been developed in parallel to the revised RODP design and considers maximising the efficient use of the land area for housing development. The northern distributor road (Road D3) will provide the east-west connectivity between the two primary distributor roads (P1 and P2). Further north to the western primary distributor road, another district distributor road (Road D4) will gradually go downhill and passes under a 400kV power Over-head (Transmission) Lines (OHL). Further north to the eastern primary distributor road, a district distributor road (Road D5) will gradually goes uphill and passes under a 400kV power OHL. The road generally follows the existing level. Then it turns to the west and goes round the northern side of Fung Kong Shan, forming another junction near the Lo Wu Firing Range. This junction connects with the possible road to the future developments in LMC Loop, and also acts as an entry point to KTN NDA from the north.

12A2.2 Existing Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs)

The review of the OZPs has included a study of the map information as well as the accompanying Notes and Explanatory Statements. The DP sites and study areas have been superimposed onto existing OZPs and DPA Plans to determine the potential influence on the existing zoning. The study areas and site boundaries for DPs 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been combined on Figure 12.50.1.

The KTN DPs 1, 2, 3 and 4 study areas are covered by the following OZP/DPA documents:

· Approved Kwu Tung North OZP No. S/NE-KTN/8.

· Approved Ma Tso Lung and Hoo Hok Wai Development Permission Area Plan No. DPA/NE-MTL/2.

· Approved Ngau Tam Mei OZP No. S/YL-NTM/12.

· Draft Kwu Tung South OZP No. S/NE-KTS/13.

Table 12A.2.1 summarises the areas of existing zoning types which will be directly affected by the site boundary of each DP.

Table 12A.2.1- Schedule 2 Designated Projects 1, 2, 3 and 4

Zoning Type	OZP/DPA number and extent of zoning within the site boundary that will undergo change (ha).	Comments on Major land use changes
DP1 - San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange)
Agriculture (AGR)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.8	Approximately 0.8ha of this zoning type will be modified to the west of Ying Kong on the north side of the Fanling Highway.
Industrial (I)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.8	Approximately 0.8ha of this zoning will be modified to the east of the Home of Loving Faithfulness as it meets the Fanling Highway.
Green Belt (GB)	S/FSS/17 0.7	Approximately 0.7ha of this zoning will be modified on the southern periphery of Hak Ka Wai as it meets the Fanling Highway.
DP2 – Castle Peak Road Diversion
Agriculture (AGR)	S/NE-KTN/8 1.9	Approximately 1.9ha of this zoning type will be modified to the south of Pak Shek Au.
Industrial (I)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.72	Approximately 0.72ha of this zoning will be modified to the south of Tong Kok.
Green Belt (GB)	S/NE-KTN/8 1.9	Approximately 1.9ha of this zoning will be modified to the west of Pak Shek Au as it meets the Fanling Highway.
Comprehensive Development Area (CDA)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.45	Approximately 0.45ha of this zoning will be modified to the east of Pak Shek Au.
Government / Institution / Community (GIC)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.06	Approximately 0.06ha of this zoning will be modified to the south of the Home of the Loving Faithfulness (Dills Corner), east of Ho Sheung Heung Road.
DP3 – KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement
Agriculture (AGR)	S/NE-KTN/8 2.4ha	Approximately 2.4ha of this zoning type will be modified within Pak Shek Au and east of Tong Kok.
Industrial (I)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.3	Approximately 0.3ha of this zoning type will be modified to the west of Yin Kong.
Green Belt (GB)	S/NE-KTN/8 1.4	Approximately 1.4ha of this zoning type will be modified within Pak Shek Au and to the south of Ma Tso Lung landfill.
Comprehensive Development Area (CDA)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.8	Approximately 0.8ha of this zoning type will be modified to the east of Tong Kok.
Open Space (O)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.87	Approximately 0.87ha of this zoning type will be modified to the north of Pak Shek Au.
Open Storage (OS)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.9	Approximately 0.9ha of this zoning type will be modified between Fung Kong Shan and Tong Kok.
DP4 – KTN NDA Road D1 to D5
Agriculture (AGR)	S/NE-KTN/8 1.7	Approximately 1.7ha of this zoning type will be modified, concentrated around Fung Kong Shan and Tung Fong.
Industrial (I)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.5	Approximately 0.5ha of this zoning type will be modified to the south of Tong Kok and to the west of Tung Fong.
Green Belt (GB)	S/NE-KTN/8 1.2	Approximately 1.2ha of this zoning type will be modified, the majority of which is focused around Fong Kong Shan.
Open Storage (OS)	S/NE-KTN/8 3.8	Approximately 3.8 of this zoning type will be modified between Fung Kong Shan and Tong Kok.
Comprehensive Development Area (CDA)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.7	Approximately 0.7ha of this zoning type will be modified to the east of Pak Shek Au and east of Tong Kok.
Government / Institution / Community (GIC)	S/NE-KTN/8 0.3	Approximately 0.3ha of this zoning type associated the Community Sports area west of Tung Fong and a small area of land at the Home of the Loving Faithfulness (Dills Corner), east of Ho Sheung Heung Road.

12A2.3 Summary of land use changes

In summary, the DPs would modify a diversity of land uses throughout their alignment. As a result of their linear nature these traverse numerous planning zones; whilst the overall area affected may not be large the alignment has potential to isolate small areas of the various land uses making them less viable.

In the case of land uses which have already been developed and would normally incorporate road functions such as Industrial, Open Storage and Other Specified Uses; it is considered that this change would be broadly compatible.

The principal conflicts are in relation to the loss of land zoned as Green Belt, Agriculture and Open Space where the impact of the construction works are considered to be largely irreversible. All four DPs pass through these land use types to varying degrees, most of which are relatively small.

The works area for DP3 and DP4 would generate the majority of these conflicts as it passes through Pak Shek Au, Tong Kok and, Tung Fong and Fung Kong Shan areas. The total loss of agricultural zoned land would amount to approximately 4.9ha and 2ha of Green Belt land.

12A.3 Landscape Baseline Conditions

According to the Study Brief (ESB-176/2008) baseline review comprises the identification of all existing LR and LCA within 500m of the DP boundaries.

The overall Study Area for all the DPs is generally natural and rural. Complex LRs can be classified into different major categories, as follows:

LR1 – Channelised Water Course

LR2 – Water Course

LR3 – Water Pond

LR4 – Marsh/ Wetland

LR5 – Plantation

LR6 – Hillside Woodland

LR7 – Lowland Woodland

LR8 – Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic

LR9 – Agricultural Land

LR10 – Open Space/ Recreational Area

LR11 – Urban Development Area

LR12 – Rural Development Area

LR13 – Industrial/ Open Storage

LR14 – Major Transportation Corridor

The LCAs in the study area are classified into major categories as follows:

LCA1 Natural Hillside Landscape

LCA2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape

LCA3 Urban Development Landscape

LCA4 Industrial Landscape

LCA5 Lowland Agricultural Landscape

LCA6 Major Transportation Corridor Landscape

LCA7 Major Water Course Corridor Landscape

The landscape resources and landscape character areas of each NDA are described in further detail below, together with their sensitivity.

12A3.1 Broad Brush Tree Survey

A broad brush tree survey has been carried out within the study area which estimates that around 500 trees will be affected by the proposed development. Major tree species included Acacia confusa, Acacia auriculiformis, Araucaria heterophylla, Bauhinia blakeana, Bombax ceiba, Cassia siamea, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Clausena lansium, Citrus maxima, Dimocarpus longan, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Ficus virens, Ficus microcarpa, Litchi chinensis, Leucaena leucocephala, Macaranga tanarius, Mangifera indica, and Melaleuca quinquenervia. Many trees are found in the foothills of the natural upland, as well as the rural fringe in between different villages and they are generally mature. 

A detailed Tree Felling Application process will be carried out at a later detailed design stage, to finalise tree treatment and allocate compensatory planting areas including available open space, parks and streetscape.

There are five Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs) found in the Study Area, all in KTN (ref. No. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N49, LCSD/ N50, LCSD/ N51) and their locations are illustrated in Figure 12.51.9.

12A3.2 DP Package A Baseline Landscape Resources and Landscape Character Areas

The baseline LRs and LCAs of KTN DPs 1, 2, 3 and 4 are detailed along with their sensitivity in Table 12A.3.1 and 12A.3.2; figures presenting this information are set out below:

· Figure 12.51.1 presents LRs.

· Figures 12.51.5 to 11 presents LRs enlarged plan versions.

· Figures 12.51.30 to 41 for representative images of LRs.

· Figure 12.52.1 presents LCAs.

· Figures 12.52.5 to 6 for representative images of LCAs.

Table 12A.3.1 - Landscape Resources and their Sensitivity- KTN NDA (DP1, 2, 3 and 4)

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 – Channelised Water Course
Refers to modified water courses channelised with concrete or grasscrete, or with gabion-fortified banks, or water courses undergoing such channelisation. This LR includes both large channelised 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 (DP1, 2, 3 and 4) this LR includes sections of Shek Sheung River, Sheung Yue River, San Tin Eastern Main Drainage Channel and main channel along Castle Peak Road and Lok Ma Chau Road. This LR is one of the prominent features within the landscape.
1.2		Shek Sheung River		Medium				Medium				Medium			Medium
Shek Sheung River collects water from the south and flows north, joining Sheung Yue River west of 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 lined, trapezoidal channel, formed for the purpose of flood protection in 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 of lower abundance can also be found, 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.
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.
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 watercourses are mainly vertically-sided concrete channels constructed for irrigation purposes with limited vegetation. The riparian vegetation that does exist 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 for irrigation and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
1.5		San Tin Eastern MDC		Medium				Medium				Medium				Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. San Tin Eastern Main Drainage Channel runs along the west side of San Sham Road form Castle Peak Road to Shenzhen River. It drains water in the low-lying areas at the east of San Tin and Ki Lun Tsuen to the north. The channel is grasscrete banked and trapezoidal in section for the purpose of flood protection. Water partially dries out during the dry season and there is small water channel at the base of the main channel when water flow is low, with grass on either side. Plantation trees scattered along the upper banks include Acacia confuse and Celtis sinensis. This river is reasonably capable of accommodating change 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 this LR includes watercourses running between different rural areas and villages, incorporating streams running off Ki Lun Shan, near Fung Kong, Shek Tsai Leng, Chau Tau, Pak Shek Au, Ngau Tei and around Kwu Tung itself.
2.1		Natural Streams in Kwu Tung		Medium				Medium				Medium			Medium
These streams, connecting with the Sheung Yue River, are located centrally within the 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 has been 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 is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
2.3		Natural Streams at Ki Lun Shan		Medium				Medium				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. These natural streams run off Ki Lun Shan and flow down to the lowland area in the south of KTN NDA Study Area. One of the streams passes through Valais. 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.
2.4		Natural Streams at Ma Tso Lung		High					Medium			Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 riparian vegetation 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 scattered trees.
The main locations of these water ponds within the Study Area of DP1, 2, 3 and 4 include both foothill and lowland areas and are most concentrated in Ho Sheung Heung, Long Valley and Chau Tau.
3.1		Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds		Medium				Medium				Low			High
This LR is located within Ho Sheung Heung agricultural land and forms part of a relatively large continuous area of water ponds although most of these sit outside the Study Area. These ponds retain water most of the time including 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.
3.2		Long Valley Water Pond		Medium				Medium				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. This LR is located within Long Valley agricultural land. Water in the pond 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.
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 as medium.
3.5		Water Ponds beside Kam Hang Road		Medium				Medium				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 during the dry season. The bunds and some areas with shallow water 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.
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 limited size and overgrown vegetation but it is relatively intolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
3.7		Water Ponds at Tit Hang		Low				Medium				Low			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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.
3.9		Kam Tsin Tsuen Pond		Low				Medium				Medium			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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.
3.11		Chau Tau Tsuen Water Ponds		Medium				Medium				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. The ponds of this LR are small in scale associated with Chau Tau Tsuen. The bunds are vegetated by grasses and low shrubs, as well as some trees. They are normally full in the wet season and periodically pumped out by local farmers during the dry season for irrigation. Overall these ponds have medium amenity value and are relatively intolerant to change. This LR’s sensitivity is considered to be high.
KLR 4 – Marsh/ Wetland
Refers to freshwater marsh/ wetland landscape resources, often found at old river meanders which have been truncated during river channelisation 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, this LR is found in Long Valley, along the channelised water courses.
4.1		Marshes in Long Valley		Medium				High				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 and is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.
4.2		Mitigation Wetland		Medium				High				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 channelisation. To mitigate the ecological impact resulting from channelisation, 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 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 this LR includes patches of plantation to the south of Fanling Highway, in the vicinity of Hak Ka Wai and Wai Loi Tsuen. The roadside vegetation associated with this LR also includes 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 along Castle Peak Road (ref. No. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N49, LCSD/ N50, LCSD/ N51) and the trees species are all Melaleuca quinquenervia
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 channelisation. 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 high capacity to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is therefore considered to be medium.
5.2		Plantation in the Vicinity of Hak Ka Wai		Medium				Medium				High			Medium
This area of plantation is largely associated with the narrow Sheung Yue River channel and the villages of Hak Ka Wai 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 of 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, Macaranga tanarius).
This LR has a relatively high capacity to accommodate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
5.4		Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) 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 and reference numbers are. No. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N49, LCSD/ N50, LCSD/ N51). All the trees species are Melaleuca quinquenervia of unknown ages, 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.
This LR has a low capacity to accommodate change and its sensitivity is considered to be 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 (DP1, 2, 3 and 4), this LR is found at the hillsides of Ki Lun Shan, Tit Hang, Fung Kong Shan as well as northwest of Ho Sheung Heung.
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.
6.2		Tai Shek Mo Hillside Woodland	High					Medium				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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.
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 ranging from medium to large sizes. Dominant tree species include both native and exotic ones. 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 and of high quality and it has little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be high.
6.4		Ho Sheung Heung Fung Shui Woodland		High				High				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 recent hill fires. Grasses and shrubs have now colonised the exposed 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 the 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 this LR includes woodlands in lowland areas in Ki Lun Shan, Kam Tsin, Pak Shek Au, Shek Tsai Leng, Tai Tau Leng and North District Hospital.
7.1		Kwu Tung South Road Lowland Woodland		High				Medium				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 nature and of high quality with relatively little capacity to tolerate change. The sensitivity of this LR is high.
7.2		Lowland Woodland in the Vicinity of Kam Tsin		Medium				Medium				Low			High
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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.
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 and a low capacity to tolerate change and it sensitivity is considered to be high.
7.6		Lowland Woodland near Tai Tau Leng		Medium				Medium				Medium			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. This LR refers to a small patch of woodland located near Tai Tau Ling. This woodland patch is largely surrounded by adjacent industrial/ open storage areas and therefore potentially suffered from disturbance by human activities making this resource of lower quality than would normally be expected. Common tree species include Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia confuse and Cinnamomum camphora.
This is a landscape resource of medium quality and has a medium tolerance to change, making its sensitivity medium.
7.7		Lowland Woodland at North District Hospital		Medium				Medium				Medium			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. This LR refers to the small patch of woodland located at North District Hospital. This woodland patches are largely surrounded by residential area and GIC area. Human disturbance is medium. Main species include Leucaena leucocephala, Macaranga tanarius, Acacia confuse, Aleurites moluccana, Ficus microcarpa. This LR has a medium amenity value and medium tolerance to change. 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 (DP1, 2, 3 and 4), this LR is found mainly on hillsides, particularly on the upper areas of Fung Kong Shan, Ki Lun Shan, Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills.
8.1		Ki Lun Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic		Medium				Low				Medium			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. This resource is located on the uplands of Ki Lun Shan and comprises an extensive area. It borders woodlands at the foothills. It is one of the prominent landscape features in the 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.
8.2		Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic		Medium				Low				Medium			Medium
This resource is located on the uphill of Fung Kong Shan. It borders some woodland at the foothills as well as rural development areas. It is maintained by periodic hill fires.
This LR can re-establish itself fairly easily and is therefore considered to be relatively tolerant to change. Its sensitivity is medium.
8.3		Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range 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.
8.4		Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic along Sheung Yue River and Fanling Highway		Low				Low				High			Low
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. These shrublands /grasslands are all located in lowland areas and in the vicinity of artificial resources such as channelised watercourses and highways. They are waste grounds through lack of maintenance and have been gradually colonised by weeds and climbers.
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 access paths. 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 this LR is mainly found in Long Valley, Tong Kok, Tung Fong and Chau Tau.
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 given 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.
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 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 colonise 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 within 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 LR, overall this LR is considered to have medium sensitivity.
9.4		Other Agricultural Lands in KTN & KTS		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 medium value in terms of crop production and is relatively tolerant to change. It is considered to have medium sensitivity.
9.5		Other Orchards Areas in KTN & KTS	Medium					Medium			Medium				Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. This LR refers to several small and fragmented orchard areas in different locations within the study area of KTN & KTS, including around the Ma Tso Lung area and west of Fanling Golf Course. 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 than crops 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 this LR is found at Hong Kong Golf Club, Sheung Shui Community Sports and Lo Wu Saddle Club.
10.1		Hong Kong Golf Club		High				Medium				High			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. Hong Kong Golf Club is located either side of Fan Kam Road. It is a large private golf club with an 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 Halfway House at Hong Kong Golf Club is graded as a Grade II 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.
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
10.3		Lo Wu Saddle Club			Medium			Medium				Medium			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 urbanised 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 it includes Sheung Shui South Urban Area and the existing formation site for the proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station.
11.2		Existing formation site for proposed Kwu Tung MTRC Station		Low				Low				High			Low
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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.
11.3		Sheung Shui South Urban Development Area		Medium			Low					High			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. This LR refers to the urban area to the south of Sheung Shui Station. Buildings in this area are mainly schools, public servant quarters, public housing estates (Yuk Po Court), private housing estates (Venice Garden) and a sports center. Amenity trees and shrubs are planted to enhance the environment. Dominant tree species found in this LR include Ficus microcarpa, Acacia confusa, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Cassia siamea,
This LR has a high ability to accommodate change due to its man-made nature and is considered to have medium sensitivity.
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 narrow 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 basketball 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 (DP1, 2, 3 and 4), this LR is mainly found in Ho Sheung Heung, Long Valley, along Fanling Highway, as well as in the central area of Kwu Tung. This LR also includes water reservoir and rifle range.
12.1		Ho Sheung Heung Rural Development Area		Medium				Medium				Low			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 Hing Temple & Pail 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.
12.2		Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hak Ka 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, Hak Ka 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 historic building. 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.
Hak Ka Wai is a traditional village 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 village is registered as a Grade 1.
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 Hak Ka Wai village, cannot be easily recreated and this LR is relatively intolerant to change. Overall it is considered to have high sensitivity.
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.
Golf Parkview is fairly modern and has a reasonable capacity to accommodate change despite some quality landscaping. Overall this LR is considered to have low sensitivity.
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 grown 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.
12.7		Kwu Tung Fresh Water Service Reservoir		Low				Low				High			Low
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 otherwise limited vegetation diversity.
Due to its low landscape value and high ability to accommodate change, it has low sensitivity.
12.8		Rural Development Area of Europa Garden and Valais		Low				Low				High			Low
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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).
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.
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 football pitch, playground and school in the vicinity.
The rural area in Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang contains loosely grouped village houses in a 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.
12.10		Lo Wu Rifle Range				Medium		Medium				Medium			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. Lo Wu Rifle Range is located between Fung Kong Shan and the Tai Shek Mo mountain. It is a large piece of grassland used by the Police. Many mature trees grow naturally in the surroundings, including Bauhinia blakeana, Macaranga tanarius, Celtis sinensis and Leucaena leucocephala. This LR is a manmade area but it is green land not hard surface and so has a medium tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LR is medium.
12.11		Rural Development Area in Ma Tso Lung				Low to Medium		Medium				Low			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 single storey houses. 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.
12.12		Fanling Lodge				High				Medium		Medium		Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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. Amenity trees and shrubs species 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.
12.13		Chau Tau Rural Development Area		Medium				Medium				Medium			Medium
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. Chau Tau Tsuen is a traditional village in San Tin with settlements of mainly "Man" clan. There is a monumental archway which was completed in 2006 with funding from the village and subsidised by the MTR Company. The ancestral hall was rebuilt in 1925 and 1987 respectively, where worshipping takes place at important festivals. Many houses have been replaced by modern housing blocks of 2-3 storeys. Fruit trees such as Musa x paradisiaca and Dimocarpus longan are commonly found in the village. This is a LR with a medium capacity to tolerate change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.
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 include small roads within them together with some concrete lined drainage channels. There is very little existing vegetation within this LR.
Within the Study Area 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. 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.
13.1		Sheung Shui Industrial Area		Low				Low				High			Low
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. This LR is located along the east boundary of the Study Area and is part of Sheung Shui industrial area. It contains Shek Wu Hui Sewage Treatment Works as well as several warehouses, industrial buildings and open storage areas. 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. 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.
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.
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 an. 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).
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.
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 Study Area. It comprises 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. In addition, drainage channels associated with the roads/highways are considered part of this LR as they are an integral feature of the roadscape. Within the study area of KTN NDA, major transportation corridor also includes the MTRC East Rail.
Within the Study Area, the roadside vegetation associated with this LR also includes five OVTs as detailed in the KLR5 plantation LR (KLR-5.4).
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 considered to be medium
14.2		MTRC East Rail (to/from Lo Wu)			Low			Low				High				Low
This LR sits outside the works area and will not be affected. 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 utilised and well linked but it is man-made with low landscape value and a high ability to accommodate change. Its sensitivity is low.

Table 12A.3.2 – Landscape Resources and their Sensitivity- KTN NDA (DP1, 2, 3 and 4)

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 patches.
Within the Study Area the 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 located.
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 has a low capacity to accommodate change. 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 villages. This LCA is dominated by small to 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 DPs 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 foothills, 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
This LCA sits outside the works area and will not be affected. Refers to urban areas with significant numbers of high rise developments and extensive transport infrastructure. It also contains a 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 municipal landscaping.
Within the Study Area for KTN DPs this LCA is found only in the southeast and includes the high-rise developments such as the Choi Yuen Estate in Sheung Shui
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 channelised water courses. It is commonly 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 channelised river.
Within the Study Area for KTN DPs 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 the 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 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 associated buildings. Within the Study Area for KTN DPs, Fanling Highway is a major transport route stretching in an east west direction located at the south boundary of the Study Area. It has 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 resource is considered to be highly tolerance to change and its sensitivity is medium.
KLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Medium	High	Medium	Medium
Refers to modified water courses channelised with concrete 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 DPs, this LR includes Sheung Yue River, Shek Sheung River and San Tin Eastern Main Drainage Channel. The landscape amenity and significance of this LCA are medium to high. Due to its partially artificial state, it is relatively tolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be medium.

12A3.3 Summary of Baseline Conditions

The LRs within the study area which have been recognised for their higher sensitivity are predominantly natural streams, woodland, marsh/ wetland, selected water ponds. Other resources such as agricultural land and rural development areas may also have high sensitivity due to certain elements or characteristics such as quality of the environment, maturity of landscape planting or historically significant buildings/structures. The baseline conditions for LRs are summarised below.

LRs associated with water are generally considered to have a higher landscape value. All the natural streams (those at Tai Shek Mo (KLR-2.2), Ki Lun Shan (KLR-2.3) and Ma Tso Lung (KLR-2.4) are rated high sensitivity. This rating takes into account the entirety of the water course and the nature of the stream in relation to whether the channel is mainly natural, its seasonality of flow or whether it has sections which have been altered by human activity. The streams in Kwu Tung (KLR-2.1) were generally natural but degraded by pollution, with seasonal flows and some sections fortified by concrete banks such that they were considered less sensitive and rated ‘medium’.

Similarly to watercourses, ponds and marsh/wetland are generally considered a valuable landscape resource as many incorporate natural planting, strengthen rural character and have strong cultural connections in terms of agricultural production and land use pattern. Ponds located at Ho Sheung Heung (KLR-3.1), in Long Valley associated with agriculture (KLR-3.2) and beside Kam Hang Road (KLR-3.5) and in Chau Tau Tsuen (KLR-3.11) are all considered as having ‘high’ sensitivity. In addition all the marsh/wetland areas including those in Long Valley (KLR-4.1) and the mitigation wetland along the Sheung Yue River (KLR-4.2) are all rated with high sensitivity although they do not cover a large area.

Trees are considered as precious LRs which have a vital role in landscape character, diversity, naturalness and maturity of a landscape. As a result all areas of woodland within the NDA (both hillside and lowland) are rated as having ‘high’ sensitivity with the exception of some woodland near Tai Tau Leng (KLR-7.6) and near North District Hospital (KLR-7.7) which have been degraded. In addition, the five OVTs (KLR-5.4) located within the roadside planting near Fanling Highway and Castle Peak road are highly sensitive due to their maturity. Scattered, isolated and small patches of man-made plantation are considered to be less valuable and therefore less sensitive.

KLR8-Shrubland/Grassland Mosaic surrounds the study area, associated with the local hillsides and prominences such as Ki Lun Shan (KLR-8.1), Fung Kong Shan (KLR-8.2) and Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range foothills (KLR-8.3). These LR are generally located on undeveloped areas of natural topography however they are managed using periodic fires, therefore their overall sensitivity is considered to be medium. Areas of shrubland/grassland mosaic are found along the Sheung Yue River and Fanling Highway (KLR-8.4). In this case the LR is established on man-made landscape feature such as road verges or artificial watercourse channels therefore the sensitivity is considered to be low.

While most agricultural LRs have medium sensitivity due to their varying quality and use (vacant or in-use), the agricultural land in Long Valley (KLR-9.1) is a large contiguous area which would be difficult to recreate in Hong Kong due to a lack of similar areas, this agricultural land is therefore recognised as having high sensitivity.

Open Space/ Recreation Area (KLR-10) covers three areas which have been identified as having a medium sensitivity. These are Hong Kong Golf Club (KLR-10.1), Sheung Shui Community Sports (KLR10.2) and Lo Wu Saddle Club (KLR-10.3). Whilst all three LRs are considered to have medium to high amenity value, these are man-made/artificial landscapes are therefore can accommodate change more readily.

Most rural development areas (KLR-12) are identified as having a medium sensitivity as a result of varying quality of built form, vegetation cover and hard landscape treatments. The rural development area in Long Valley, Ying Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hak Ka Wai has a number of historical buildings within it, with the whole of Hak Ka Wai village is designated as Grade 1. This KLR-12.2 is therefore considered to be more sensitive that other rural development areas and has ‘high’ sensitivity.

It should also be noted that there is a considerable amount of open storage/ industrial land within the Study Area which is highly degraded in terms of landscape quality and changeable in terms of characteristics; all of these areas are considered of low quality and sensitivity.

With regards to LCAs, Natural Hillside Landscape (KLCA-1) is considered highly sensitive, largely due to its high landscape quality and inability to accommodate change. The Lowland Agricultural Landscape encompassing the Long Valley area (KLCA-5) similarly has high sensitivity given it includes a large contiguous area of high quality agricultural land in the Long Valley area (see KLR-9.1) and has a low ability to accommodate change. Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA-2) and Major Water Course Corridor Landscape (KLCA-7) have medium sensitivity, largely due to their moderate amenity value and the Major Transport Corridor Landscape (KLCA-6) also has medium sensitivity mainly due to the extensive planting along the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road conferring high greening and lowering this LCA’s ability to accommodate change. Urban Development Landscape (KLCA-3) and Industrial Landscape (KLCA-4) have low sensitivity due to their low landscape quality and high ability to accommodate change.

12A.4 Details of Site Formation Impacts – KTN Schedule 2 DPs 1, 2, 3 and 4

The proposed DPs relate to the provision of new road infrastructure within the KTN NDA together with improvements to existing road and highway provision linking to the site. A summary of the likely site formation impacts for each DP is provided below:

12A4.1 Schedule 2 DP 1 - San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening

Fanling Highway (section between Pak Shek Au Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) is proposed to be widened from the existing dual-three configuration to dual-four configuration. This section of road is mainly at-grade and has bridge structures across Sheung Yue River and Kwu Tung Road. The majority of earthworks works are associated with the western section, especially around the new Pak Shek Au Interchange. Due to the land constraints on the southern side of the highway, the widening would mainly be taken place on the northern side.

Site formation within this works area will require:

Soil stripping and clearance of ground vegetation throughout the works area where this encroaches north into the undeveloped (soft landscape area) along Castle Peak Road.

Felling of trees where the widened corridor will encroach into neighbouring woodland and the current road verge alignments.

Demolition of walls, boundary treatments and structures which line the northern boundary of the DP (along Castle Peak Road).

Demolition/ dismantling of existing road structures such as pedestrian footbridges, signage and road surfaces.

Cutting of slopes and filling of land, in particularly agricultural land and ditches, along the northern boundary of the DP.

Excavation and reconfiguration works within the existing road corridor.

Construction of new road surfaces, vehicular barriers, signage, pedestrian footbridges (5no), central reserves (median) and bridges (crossing Sheung Yue River).

Construction of noise barriers of different height configurations.

Construction of associated surface water drainage infrastructure.

Soil re-profiling and soft landscaping works to verges.

12A4.2 Schedule 2 DP 2 – Castle Peak Road Diversion

The existing Castle Peak Road Kwu Tung Section is a typical single 2-lane carriageway. Pedestrian footpaths are provided on the northern side of Castle Peak Road only. The existing Castle Peak Road - Kwu Tung Section provides access to Kwu Tung North, Ho Sheung Heung and Yin Kong. It connects with the Kwu Tung Road at Pak Shek Au Interchange and through a vehicular bridge near Yin Kong. At the eastern end, Castle Peak Road connects to the Fan Kam Road near Po Shek Wu Interchange. The alignment of Castle Peak Road will be pushed further north towards KTN NDA to accommodate the additional width of the Fanling Highway. Earthworks will be required to bring the diverted and realigned sections of the road up to the same grade as the Fanling Highway.

There are five OVTs found along Castle Peak Road (ref. No. LCSD/ N45, LCSD/ N47, LCSD/ N49, LCSD/ N50, LCSD/ N51). The proposed road works will retain these trees insitu and incorporate them into a widened central median.

Site formation works are broadly similar to DP1 however the scale of the road is much smaller albeit a new road formation rather than widening of existing highway infrastructure; formation works will include:

Soil stripping and clearance of ground vegetation throughout the works area where this encroaches north into the undeveloped (soft landscape area) to the north of the existing road alignment.

Felling of some small areas of trees to the western extent of the scheme around Pak Shek Au and isolated patches along the proposed alignment as it travels east.

Demolition of walls, boundary treatments and structures along the proposed alignment.

Cutting of slopes and filling of land, in particularly agricultural land and ditches throughout the alignment.

Construction of new road surfaces and pedestrian footpaths.

Construction of noise barriers of different height configurations.

Soil re-profiling and soft landscape works to verges.

12A4.3 Schedule 2 DP 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)

Road P1 and P2 are the primary distributor roads connecting to KTN NDA from the Fanling Highway.

An off line at-grade roundabout is proposed to connect the Pak Shek Au Interchange to the west of KTN NDA. The slip road for traffic from Tai Po to Kwu Tung at Pak Shek Au Interchange will be maintained. Its connection with the service roads (Castle Peak Road and Kwu Tung Road) will also remain. The slip road for traffic from Kwu Tung to Tai Po will be diverted to connect with the offline interchange, facilitating the additional slip roads for diverging traffic from Yuen Long. The Pak Shek Au Interchange will connect with the diverted Castle Peak Road though an underpass single 2-lane carriageway beneath these slip roads.

A new grade-separated interchange forming Kwu Tung Interchange, is proposed as the major access from the Fanling Highway to KTN NDA. It will be an elevated roundabout with slip roads connecting Fanling Highway in all direction movements. It is close to but does not affect the planned CDA zones on the two sides of the expressway. Further north, a dual 2-lane elevated primary distributor road is proposed to carry the traffic from this connection point to KTN NDA. The primary distributor road crosses Sheung Yue River and connects to an at-grade roundabout. Portal structure and sufficient headroom will be allowed for the diverted Castle Peak Road to run below, in order to avoid encroachment to the graded historic buildings of Enchi Lodge and the Earth God Shrine.

Site formation works will encompass:

Soil stripping and clearance of ground vegetation to the east and west of the proposed KTN NDA development area through a series land uses including agriculture and hillside woodland.

Felling of woodland areas close to Pak Shek Au.

Demolition of walls, boundary treatments and structures along the proposed alignment.

Cutting of slopes and filling of land, in particularly relating to hillside woodland on the western ranges, streams, a pond and agricultural land and ditches within the works area.

Construction of new road surfaces and pedestrian footpaths.

Construction of noise barriers of different height configurations.

Soil re-profiling and soft landscape works to verges.

12A4.4 Schedule 2 DP 4 – KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road)

DP4 relates to the construction of new district distributor roads within the KTN NDA area. These roads are split into three locations, firstly two branch sections which connect to Castle Peak Road and roads P1 and P2 to the east and west of the site. A separate loop section is proposed which encompasses the northern section of the NDA.

Road D3-5 will be at grade throughout the scheme, matching the finished levels of the development plots to which they provide access, both cut and fill works will be required through the area to achieve the desired vertical and horizontal alignment.

Site formation works will include:

Soil stripping and clearance of ground vegetation throughout the works area including agricultural land and hillside woodland.

Felling of lowland woodland close to Pak Shek Au.

Demolition of walls, boundary treatments and structures along the proposed alignment.

Cutting of slopes and filling of land, in particularly streams, a pond and agricultural land and ditches within the works area.

Construction of new road surfaces and pedestrian footpaths.

Construction of noise barriers of different height configurations.

Soil re-profiling and soft landscape works to verges.

12A.5 Sources of Impacts

During the construction stage, potential landscape and visual impacts will generally result from the following:

· Site clearance including demolition of structures, tree removal/transplantation and other vegetation removal would have a negative landscape and visual impact due the appearance of construction activities and loss of vegetation cover. Demolition of unsightly or temporary structures may generate positive impacts.

· Site formation works including cutting of slopes and filling of land e.g. of farmland, streams would generate negative impacts as a result of the loss of these features of high landscape value.

· Stockpiling of construction and demolition materials, including existing topsoil, storage of construction equipment and mechanical plant would generate negative visual impact as a result of these operations intruding into existing views.

· Construction of at-grade and above ground facilities including, bridges, viaducts, interchanges, roads and noise barriers are likely to generate negative visual impacts as a result of these operations intruding into existing views and the scale of the construction footprint.

· Temporary structures within the Project Site including site offices, boundary fencing/hoarding and parking areas would generate negative visual impact due to generally low aesthetical value of these types of structures.

· Re-alignment of roads would generate negative landscape and visual impacts due to the visibility of construction operations and the scale of the construction footprint.

· Re-alignment, culverting and filling of streams and other watercourses would generate negative impacts due to the loss of visual amenity and natural value provided by these resources.

During the operation phase, potential impacts will result from the following:

· Operation of new roads including intersections and viaducts would generate negative visual impacts due to the potential obstruction of existing views visibility of new structures, and traffic movements.

· Provisions of noise mitigation structures are likely to generate some negative visual impacts due to the appearance of new built form and potential to obstruct existing views. This may be balanced where these barriers may provide screening from visual detractors.

· Residual impacts from loss of trees and vegetation during the construction phase would generate negative landscape and visual impacts in the short term until compensation planting has established and replaced these resources.

· Landscaping operations.

12A.6 Landscape Impact Assessment

The landscape impact assessment has been carried out taking into consideration the baseline LRs and LCAs described in Section 12A.3 and potential impacts described in Sections 12A.4 and 12A.5.

Further details of the potential landscape impacts are provided for each DP below.

The magnitude of change on LRs and LCAs as a result of DP Package A are presented in Tables 12A.6.1 and 12A.6.2 below.

Landscape Impacts are mapped on Figure 12.52.20, 12.52.24 to 31.

Table 12A.6.1 Magnitude of Change on LRs (DP1, 2, 3 and 4)

Note - For LRs where no impact is recorded, these are not shown.

LR Code	Name	DPs and Site No. (Land Use Type*) Impacting LR		Area of LR within study area and within DP boundary (ha) or length (m or Km)			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)
								Construction			Operation			Construction					Operation			Construction		Operation		Construction	Operation
KLR 1	Channelised Water Course
1.2	Shek Sheung River	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section		Study area: 5.7Ha/1.23km DP boundary 0.017ha / 12m			Small	Good			Good		Temporary (Short Term)			Permanent					Reversible			Irreversible		Negligible	Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The LR sits within the construction area of DP1 however there are no direct impacts to the watercourse. As a result, the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be good. The overall magnitude of change for this LR is therefore considered to be negligible during both construction and operation.
1.3	Sheung Yue River	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement		Study area: 11.3ha/1.6km DP boundary 0.20ha / 25m			Small	Good	Good				Temporary (Short Term)				Permanent					Reversible		Irreversible		Negligible	Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The DPs will bridge Sheung Yue River at two locations. DP1 and 2 will jointly cross the river at the same location at the existing crossing point however; a new road bridge parallel to the existing will be constructed to accommodate the realigned / widened road. DP3 will cross the river on a second crossing further to the north. Both projects will require excavation and ground works to construct the abutments and bridge foundations which will disrupt small areas of existing established vegetation and ground levels beyond the upper edge of the riverbank. Taking into account the already significant engineering alterations, numerous precedents for bridges across the river channel, it is considered that the overall compatibility of the proposed DPs with the river landscape would be good in construction and operation. The overall construction footprint of the scheme is very small and will greatly reduce in operation. The overall magnitude of change for this LR is therefore considered to be negligible during both construction and operation.
1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement		Study area: 3.65km DP boundary 80m			Small	Fair		Good		Temporary (Short Term)					Permanent					Reversible	Irreversible		Negligible		Negligible
		This network of watercourse in the Long Valley will be partially affected by the construction of DP1 and DP2 where the widening and realignment works will extend upon existing culverted channel at the junction of Castle Peak Road and Kwu Tung Road. Construction works for DP3 will pass over this watercourse which will require culverting. As this watercourse presently comprises mainly vertically-sided concrete channels, the condition post construction is relatively similar to the existing treatment. As a result the compatibility during construction is considered to be fair and good in operation. Given the small scale nature of the DP works and existing channelised condition, the magnitude of change is considered to be negligible during the construction and operational stages.
KLR 2	Water Course
2.1	Natural Streams in Kwu Tung	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		Study Area: 3830m DP Boundary: 202.4			Small	Poor			Poor			Permanent					Permanent			Irreversible		Irreversible		Intermediate	Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation During construction this LR will be impacted by site formation works such as culverting, diversion (permanent & temporary), filling and vegetation removal predominantly as a result of the wider Schedule 3 development. Where retained the streams would remain in culvert beneath road crossing points. As many of these resources will be lost / disrupted, the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. The overall loss/ interference with these LRs as a result of the road construction is relatively small in comparison to the wider Schedule 3 development. As a result of the overall incompatibility of the DP roads with the LR, the overall magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate during construction and operation.
KLR 3	Water Pond
3.1	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement		Study area: 1.21ha DP boundary 0.25ha			Small	Fair			Fair			Permanent					Permanent			Irreversible		Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation One of the large ponds to the south of Ho Sheung Heung will be impacted by roundabout construction forming part of road P2. Complete filling of the pond will be required during construction in order to form the road foundation, pedestrian footpaths, embankments and external realm space however the majority of these activities will fall under the Schedule 3 works. As a result of the small scale of the works and limited impact as a result of the Schedule 2 packages, it is considered the overall compatibility would be fair during construction and operation. Taking into account that most ponds within this LR will be retained and the limited extent affected by the DP, the magnitude of change is considered to be small in construction and operation.
3.3	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5		Study area: 1.12ha DP boundary: 0.08ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Permanent					Permanent			Irreversible		Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The largest of the ponds within this LR would be impacted by road construction associated with DP 4. Construction works would require partial filling and dewatering of the pond and vegetation clearance would be required. The overall impact of the DP on this resources is limited however, the wider Schedule 3 scheme will require the filling and permanent loss of all of these ponds. The compatibility of the construction and operation works is therefore considered to be poor as a result of the direct loss. Only a relatively small area of one pond would be impacted by the DP therefore, the magnitude of change is considered to be small during construction and operation.
3.6	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion		Study area: 0.23ha DP boundary: 0.05ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Permanent					Permanent			Irreversible		Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The ponds will be impacted by construction of the proposed DP and would require complete filling and vegetation clearance leading to complete loss of the resource. Due to these losses the compatibility of the DP is considered to be poor during construction and operation. The pond area is very small within and area bordered by industrial land and abandoned farmland therefore the magnitude of change is considered to be small in construction and operation.
KLR 5	Plantation
5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section		Study area: 6ha DP boundary: 0.56ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Permanent					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate	Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation As a result if the realignment of the Kwu Tung Road which will shift the current alignment and overpass further to the west, tree felling of existing plantation trees on the roadside embankments will be required. As this road is also elevated, extensive embankment works will be required on either side of the road. As a result of the loss of mature and dense surrounding planting, the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. As a result of the extensive earthworks and overpass construction, the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate during construction and operation.
5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hak Ka Wai	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section		Study area: 10.62ha DP boundary: 0.17ha			Small	Poor			Poor				Permanent				Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Minor realignment of the access road to the north of the Fanling highway will encroach onto this plantation area. Tree felling to allow space for construction works will occur. As a result of the loss if mature trees, the compatibility in construction and operation is considered to be poor. As only a very limited area will be affected, the magnitude of change is considered to be small during both construction and operation.
5.4	Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) Castle Peak Road	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section		0.05ha (crown spread of 5no. trees)			Small	Fair			Good			Temporary Short Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Whilst these trees will be retained within the scheme, construction works to form the widened section of the San Tin and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section will occur directly around the tree trunks to form a planted central reservation. The trees currently grow directly out of the paved area (asphalt) on the boundary of Castle Peak Road and Fanling Highway, surface removal and excavation works will be required. They will also be in the center of a major construction site for an extended period and would be prone to damage. In this case the compatibility of the DP with the trees in construction is considered to be poor. In operation a wide central median area will be provided around the tree which is a significant improvement to their current situation therefore the compatibility in operation is considered to be good. Protection of these trees (including their rootzone) during the construction stage is fundamental to the preservation of this resource. As the trees will not be directly affected and works will occur around trees, the magnitude of change in construction and operation is considered to be small.
KLR 6	Hillside Woodland
6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section		Study area: 29.8ha DP boundary: 0.75ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate	Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Tree felling and slope profiling works will occur to the south of the Fanling Highway in order to construct the junction, roundabout and slip roads connecting to the Pak Shek Au Interchange. As a result of the direct loss of the trees and slope cutting works required, the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. As a result of the relatively small scale and extent of the work entering into this natural area, the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate for both construction and operation.
6.3	Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong	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		Study area: 53.4ha DP Boundary: 1.5ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate	Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The construction of road P1 to the west would pass through this LR. Felling and vegetation clearance would be required throughout the construction corridor; in addition to earthworks affecting the natural topography would be required to achieve the vertical alignment of the road. As a result of the extent of felling that would be required and impact on topography, the overall compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. Whilst the overall area affected is relatively small, the works would intrude directly into this natural area affecting not only natural vegetation but also areas of natural topography, in balance the overall magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate in construction and operation.
KLR 7	Lowland Woodland
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 Diversion 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		Study area: 13.63ha DP boundary: 0.76ha			small	Poor			Poor			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Irreversible		Irreversible		Intermediate	Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The DPs will pass through several patches of this LR to Pak Shek Au. Construction works will require felling and vegetation clearance throughout the construction corridor. Earthworks will also be required to achieve the correct levels. The DPs would require permanent loss of part of this LR therefore the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. Taking into account that the overall area affected is relatively small, the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate in construction and operation.
KLR 8	Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic
8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic	DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5		Study area: 10ha DP boundary: 0.2ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Negligible	Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Part of DP 4 will pass through this LR at the western extent of the northern knoll of Fung Kong Shan and east of the southern knoll of Fung Kong Shan. Construction works will require minor vegetation clearance, soil stripping and excavation throughout the construction corridor. Earthworks will be required to achieve the correct levels. As the existing vegetation throughout this area will be permanently lost, the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. The extent of the development area is very small in comparison to the wider LR throughout the area. In this case the magnitude of change is considered to be negligible during construction and operation.
8.3	Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills	DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement		Study area: 76.5ha DP boundary: 0.04ha			Small	Fair			Fair			Temporary Short Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Negligible	Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Part of DP 3 will be constructed on this LR at the base of the Western Ranges. Construction works will require vegetation clearance, soil stripping and excavation throughout the construction corridor. Cut and fill works will be required to achieve the correct levels. The area affected by the works is very small and will not influence the integrity of the wider resource, therefore the compatibility would be fair in construction and operation. The extent of the development area is very small in relation to the wider LR throughout the area. In this case the magnitude of change is considered to be negligible during construction and operation.
KLR 9	Agricultural Land
9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement		Study area: 23.5ha DP boundary 0.34ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Temporary MediumTerm					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Before crossing Sheung Yue River entering KTN NDA, the DP cuts through a small section of this LR to the south of Long Valley. Construction will involve vegetation clearance, soil stripping and earthworks leading to a permanent loss of part of the LR in operation. In this case the compatibility is considered to be poor during construction and operation. Given the extent of the area is very small within a relative large area of this LR, the magnitude of change is considered to be small in construction and operation.
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		Study area: 11.93ha DP boundary: 2.1ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Temporary Short Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Roads of DP3 and DP4 will pass through a series of agricultural plots which will impact this resource. Construction will involve vegetation clearance, soil stripping and earthworks leading to a permanent loss of part of the LR in operation. In this case the overall compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. Given the scale of the LR which will be affected and the already fragmented nature of the land use in the immediate vicinity, during construction and operation the magnitude of change as a result of the DP works is considered to be small.
9.4	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion		Study area: 18.1ha DP boundary: 0.26ha			Small	Poor			Poor			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent		Reversible			Irreversible		Small	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Small areas of agricultural land will be impacted by the construction of these DPs. Road formation will involve vegetation clearance, soil stripping, cut and fill earthworks leading to a permanent loss of part of the LR in operation. As a result the compatibility of the DP during construction and operation is considered to be poor. Given the small extent of the area involved, the overall magnitude of change during construction and operation is considered to be small during both construction and operation.
KLR 10	Open Space/ Recreational Area
10.2	Sheung Shui Community Sports	DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5		Study area: 10.2ha DP boundary: 0.74ha			Small	Fair			Fair			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation A small area of this LR will be used for construction of the new roads. Construction impacts will result in demolition and removal of existing structures and hard surfaces. Some tree clearance and low level vegetation clearance will be required on the periphery of the site. Road formation will require predominantly fill works in this location. This area has been previously developed and ground levels altered for sports use including buildings and access roads. In this case the overall compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be fair. The majority of the impacts in relation to this LR will be as a result of the wider Schedule 3 work, whilst the Schedule 2 works will affect a much smaller area. As a result, in operation the magnitude of change would be intermediate due to the extent of demolition and filling requirement; this would reduce to small in operation given the previously developed nature of the is LR.
KLR 12	Rural Development Area
12.2	Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hak Ka Wai	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion		Study area 26.9ha DP boundary 0.46			Small	Good			Good			Temporary Short Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible	Negligible		Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Realignment of the existing access road to accommodate the widening of the Fanling Highway and diversion of Castle Peak Road will encroach onto this LR although the existing condition is similar to the proposed works. Some patches of roadside vegetation will require removal. Fill works will be required to achieve the correct levels and the ground currently drops away in these locations. The ground in these areas has been previously disturbed by road construction, drainage works and small development therefore the compatibility is considered to be good in both construction and operation. Given the small scale of the LR affected, established function as a road and limited impact on vegetation, the magnitude of change during construction and operation is considered to be negligible.
12.5	Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway			Study area: 5.3ha DP boundary: 0.08ha		Small	Good			Good			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Reversible	Negligible		Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation As a result of the DP1 widening works, existing pedestrian overpasses will need to be dismantled and replacement bridges constructed to accommodate the additional width. In this location the stairwell section of the overpass sits just inside the LR; the existing structure will be dismantled and replaced like for like. Given a bridge already exists here and will be replaced with an identical structure the overall compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be good. Magnitude of change would be negligible for both construction and operation.
12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway	Study area: 52.6ha DP boundary: 0.26ha				Small	Good			Good			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Reversible	Negligible		Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The construction works for DP1 will encroach into this LR in two places. At Kwu Tung Road to the south of the Fanling Highway the LR will be changed as a result of the road realignment works. Further to the east, a small section of Kam Tsin Road will be upgraded with very minor modifications to the alignment. As in both cases the works are in relation to existing roads and the construction works will not change their form or function in the future, the compatibility in construction and operation is considered to be good. As a result of the very small areas involved and the established function of both areas as roads, the magnitude of change is considered to be negligible.
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 Diversion DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5		Study area: 49.7ha DP boundary: 3.9ha			Medium	Fair			Fair			Temporary Medium Term						Permanent		Reversible		Irreversible	Intermediate		Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The proposed DPs will pass through this resource in several locations. Construction impacts will result in the demolition of structures and buildings, clearance of vegetation and trees. Cut and fill works will be required to achieve the correct road levels throughout the area. The roads will require partial loss of this resource therefore the compatibility is considered to be poor during both construction and operation. As a result of the relatively limited scale of the impacted area as a result of the Schedule 2 works, it is considered that the magnitude of change will be intermediate during construction. As these are previously developed areas, it is considered the magnitude of change would also be intermediate during the operation stage.
KLR 13	Industrial/ Open Storage
13.2	Industrial/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement		Study area: 5.6ha DP boundary: 0.65		Small		Fair			Fair			Temporary Short Term				Permanent				Reversible		Irreversible	Small		Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The proposed DPs will pass through this resource in several locations. Construction impacts will result in the demolition of structures and buildings, clearance of vegetation and trees. Earthworks will be required to achieve the correct road levels throughout the area. Given the current poor condition of this resource as a result of existing clearance of vegetation, extensive formation of hard or un-made surfaces and temporary structures, it is considered the compatibility of the roads during construction and operation would be fair. As a result of the overall small scale of the impacted area, it is considered that the magnitude of change will be small during construction and reduce to Small in operation.
13.3	Industrial/ Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng , Tong Kok and Fung Kong	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion 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		Study area: 35.3ha DP boundary 8.5ha			Medium	Fair			Fair			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate	Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The proposed DPs will pass through this resource in several locations covering an extensive area. Construction impacts will result in the demolition of structures and buildings, clearance of vegetation and trees. Cut and fill works will be required to achieve the correct road levels throughout the area. Given the current poor condition of this resource as a result of extensive clearance, formation of hard surfaces and temporary structures, it is considered the compatibility of the roads during construction and operation would be fair. As a result of the overall medium scale of the impacted area, it is considered that the magnitude of change will be intermediate during construction, reducing to small in operation.
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 Diversion 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		Study area: 54.4ha DP boundary: 2.8ha			Small	Fair			Fair			Temporary Medium Term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Small	Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The proposed DPs will pass through this resource close to Pak Shek Au. Construction impacts will result in the demolition of structures and buildings, clearance of vegetation and trees. Cut and fill works will be required to achieve the correct road levels throughout the area. Given the existing vegetation, formation of hard and un-made surfaces and temporary structures in these areas, it is considered the compatibility of the roads during construction and operation would be fair. As a result of the overall small scale of the impacted area, it is considered that the magnitude of change will be small during construction reducing to negligible in operation.
KLR 14	Major Transportation Corridor
14.1	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads.	DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement		Study Area 49ha / 5.1km DP Boundary 29ha / 4km			Large	Good			Good			Temporary Short term					Permanent			Reversible		Irreversible		Intermediate.	Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation As a result of the Fanling Highway widening works, Castle Peak Road Diversion and construction of Kwu Tung Interchange, an extensive area of the highway will be within the works area. Existing plantation trees on both sides of the Fanling Highway and Castle Peak Road will require felling where the road will be realigned to the north, in addition to space required for pedestrian footbridge and external road connections/junction construction. Construction impacts will also be generated by dismantling of existing structures such as pedestrian bridges, barriers and breaking out of road/ hard surfaces. The majority of the works will involve the reconfiguration of the existing road alignment, drainage provision and reconstruction of highway structures (road barriers, noise barriers etc.) therefore the overall compatibility of the work is considered to be good during construction and operation. Taking into account the large scale of the construction footprint within the existing road corridor, it is considered that the magnitude of change during construction would be intermediate. As the works will form part of the existing highway corridor in the future, the magnitude of change during operation is considered to be negligible.

Table 12A.6.2 Magnitude of Change on LCAs (DP1, 2, 3 and 4)

Note - For LCAs where no impact is recorded, these are not shown.

LCA Code	Name	Site No. (Land Use Type*) Impacting LCA	Area of LCA within study area and within DP boundary (ha)		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)
							Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction			Operation
KLCA1	Natural Hillside Landscape	This LCA is affected by: DP 1, DP 2 , DP 3 & DP 4	Study area: 168.9ha DP boundary: 1.3ha		Small		Poor	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small			Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Road construction works will affect limited area of this LCA across the study area. Around Pak Shek Au, embankment and slope re-profiling works associated with DP1, DP2 and DP3 will affect the lower hillside slopes of Ki Lun Shan and the Western Ranges. Embankment works associated with DP4 will affect the lower slopes of Fung Kong Shan. In all cases, impacts are related to the loss of natural planting and alternations to topography which give this LCA its distinct character. Whilst the extent of the works is small, the works would result in a direct loss of the LR, as a result the compatibility is considered to be poor. Minor roads and engineered embankments are present in the locality of the affected area, in the case the compatibility during operation is considered to be fair. Given the small scale and isolated fragments of the affected areas, located on the fringes of the LCA, the magnitude of change is considered to be small in construction and operation.
KLCA2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	This LCA is affected by: DP 1, DP 2 , DP 3 & DP 4		Study area: 411.3ha DP boundary: 21.6ha	Small	Fair		Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate		Intermediate
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Road construction works throughout this resource will require the demolition of buildings, structures, clearance of vegetation (including trees), breaking out hard surfaces, soil stripping and earthworks. In operation these areas will be replaced with a series of road systems including pedestrian crossing points, footpaths, drainage structures, noise barriers (various types). The road works will affect a large proportion of this character area, introducing more formalised roads into a less formally developed rural area, therefore the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be Fair. As a result of the relatively small scale of the works within the wider LCA, the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate in construction and operation.
KLCA4	Industrial Landscape	This LCA is affected by: DP 1, DP 2 , DP 3 & DP 4	Study Area: 98.5ha DP Boundary 11.95ha		Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible		Negligible	Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Road construction works throughout this resource will require the demolition of buildings, temporary structures, clearance of vegetation (including trees), breaking out hard surfaces, soil stripping and earthworks. In operation these areas will be replaced with a series of road systems including pedestrian crossing points, footpaths, drainage structures, noise barriers (various types). Given the current poor condition and low value of this LCA as a result of extensive clearance, formation of hard surfaces and temporary structures, it is considered the compatibility of the roads during construction and operation would be fair. These areas have been previously developed and significantly altered as a result of open storage functions, the proposed road works would introduce a slightly more formal urban character into this industrial area, in this case the magnitude of change is considered to be negligible in construction and operation.
KLCA5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	This LCA is affected by: DP 1, DP 2 , DP 3 & DP 4	Study Area: 67.1ha DP Boundary: 2.44		Small		Fair	Fair	Temporary Medium Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small			Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation Construction works within the road corridor will require the stripping of soils, clearance of vegetation (including pockets of trees), filling of irrigation ditches and breaking out hard surfaces. Earthworks will also be required to form the correct road levels. In operation this area will be replaced with a series of road systems including pedestrian crossing points, footpaths, drainage structures, noise barriers (various types). These works will result in a small scale permanent loss of this character area therefore the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be fair in construction and operation. As a result of the relatively small area affected by the introduction of this development, the magnitude of change during construction and operation is considered to be small.
KLCA6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	This LCA is affected by: DP 1, DP 2 and DP 3.	Study area: 36.0ha DP Boundary: 29ha / 4km		Medium		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small		Small
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation As a result of the Fanling Highway widening works, Castle Peak Road Diversion and DP3 interchange works an extensive area this character area will be affected. Construction impacts will result in the demolition/ dismantling of existing structures such as pedestrian bridges, barriers and breaking out of surfaces. The majority of the works will involve the reconfiguration of the existing road alignment, drainage provision and highway structures (road barriers, noise barriers etc.) therefore the overall compatibility of the work is considered to be good during construction and operation. Taking into account the majority of the works sit within the existing LCA, it is considered that the magnitude of change during construction would be small during construction and operational stage. As the works will form part of the existing highway corridor in the future and the new road forms would assimilate well into the established character of the LCA.
KLCA7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	This LCA is affected by: DP 1, DP 2 , DP 3	Study Boundary: 5.2ha DP Boundary 0.28ha		Small		Good	Good	Temporary Short Term	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Negligible		Negligible
		Description of Key Impacts during Construction and Operation The DPs will bridge Sheung Yue River at two locations. DP1 and 2 will jointly cross the river at the same location at the existing crossing point however; a new road bridge parallel to the existing will be constructed to accommodate the realigned / widened road. DP3 will cross the river on a second crossing further to the north. Both projects will require excavation and ground works to construct the abutments and bridge foundations which will disrupt existing established vegetation and ground levels beyond the upper edge of the riverbanks. Taking into account the already significant engineering alterations and realignment to the existing channels and numerous precedents of other bridges crossings, it is considered that the overall compatibility of the proposed DPs with the river landscape would be good in construction and operation. The overall construction footprint of the scheme is very small and will reduce significantly in operation whereby the new development would quickly assimilate into the existing LCA. The overall magnitude of change for this LR is therefore considered to be negligible during construction and operation.

12A.7 Summary of key landscape impacts

A summary of the key landscape impacts identified in Tables 12A.6.1 and 12A.6.2 for each DP is provided below.

DP1: San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section

The principal impacts as a result of the highway widening works will occur during the construction stage. The following LRs/LCAs are affected:

· KLR 1.2 Shek Sheung River (within construction boundary, no impact)

· KLR 1.3 Sheung Yue River

· KLR 1.4 Water Course Network in Long Valley

· KLR 2.1 Streams in Kwu Tung

· KLR 5.1 Plantation South of Fanling Highway

· KLR 5.2 Plantation in the vicinity of Hak Ka Wai

· KLR 5.4 Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) Castle Peak Road

· KLR 6.1 Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland

· KLR 7.3 Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok

· KLR 9.4 Other Agricultural Lands in KTN

· K12.2 Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hak Ka Wai

· K12.5 Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club

· K12.6 Kam Tsin Rural Development Area

· KLR 12.9 Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang

· KLR13.2 Industrial/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong

· KLR 13.3 Industrial/ Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong

· KLR 13.4 Industrial/ Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan

· KLR 14.1 Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads.

· KLCA 1 Natural Hillside Landscape

· KLCA 2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape

· KLCA 4 Industrial landscape

· KLCA 5 Lowland Agricultural Landscape

· KLCA-6 Major Transportation Corridor Landscape

· KLCA 7 Major Water Course Corridor Landscape

It is predicted that most impacts will be generated in relation to loss of plantation KLR5.1 and 5.2, hillside woodland KLR6.1, lowland woodland KLR 7.3 and rural development areas KLR 12.2 and 12.9 where tree felling, demolition of buildings, clearance and cut and fill works will be required, resulting in permanent loss of the associated LRs area. The impacts within the industrial areas KLR13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 included within (KLCA 4) are considered minimal due to the existing disturbed nature of the landscape resource. The majority of the works for DP1 will take place within the highway corridor where the construction works, and ultimately the operational widened highway and associated structures are considered to have a good compatibility with the receiving LR and LCA. All other LRs and LCA will only experience very small scale impacts in relation to the development.

DP2: Castle Peak Road Diversion

The principal impacts as a result of the diversion works will occur during the construction stage. The following landscape resources are affected:

· KLR 1.3 Sheung Yue River

· KLR 1.4 Water Course Network in Long Valley

· KLR 3.6 Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au

· KLR 7.3 Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok

· KLR 9.4 Other Agricultural Lands in KTN

· KLR 12.2 Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hak Ka Wai

· KLR 12.9 Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang

·

· KLR13.2 Industrial/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong

· KLR 13.3 Industrial/ Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong

· KLR 13.4 Industrial/ Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan

· LR 14.1 Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads.

· KLCA 1 Natural Hillside Landscape

· KLCA 2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape

· KLCA 4 Industrial landscape

· KLCA 5 Lowland Agricultural Landscape

· KLCA-6 Major Transportation Corridor Landscape

· KLCA 7 Major Water Course Corridor Landscape

As the diverted road will be pushed further north into land uses which have established along the roads existing alignment, numerous LRs are affected albeit in small proportions. It is considered the most impacts will be generated in relation to KLR 2.1, 3.6, 7.3, 9.4 and 12.9 where demolition, tree felling, clearance and cut and fill works will be required resulting in permanent loss of the associated LRs area. The impacts within the industrial areas KLR13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 are considered minimal due to the existing disturbed nature of the landscape resource.

DP3: KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement

The principal impacts as a result of the road P1, P2 and associated interchange works will occur during the construction and operational stages. The following LRs/LCAs are affected:

· KLR 1.3 Sheung Yue River

· KLR 1.4 Water Course Network in Long Valley

· KLR 2.1 Streams in Kwu Tung

· KLR 3.1 Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds

· KLR 6.3 Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong

· KLR 7.3 Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au

· KLR 8.3 Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills

· KLR 9.1 Long valley agricultural land

· KLR 9.3 Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong

· KLR 13.2 Industrial/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong

· KLR 13.3 Industrial/ Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong

· KLR 13.4 Industrial/ Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan

· KLR 14.1 Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads

· KLC 1 Natural Hillside Landscape

· KLCA 2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape

· KLCA 4 Industrial landscape

· KLCA 5 Lowland Agricultural Landscape

· KLCA-6 Major Transportation Corridor Landscape

· KLCA 7 Major Water Course Corridor Landscape

It is considered the most impacts will be generated in relation to KLR 2.1, 3.1, 6.3, 7.3, 9.1 and 9.3 where pond/stream filling, tree felling, vegetation clearance and cut and fill works will be required resulting in permanent loss of the associated LRs area. Whilst the scale of the areas is not vast, the works will reduce and further fragment the extent of these LRs within the vicinity.

DP4: KTN NDA Road D1 to D5

The principal impacts as a result of the road D1 to D5 and associated interchange works will occur during the construction and operational stages. The following LRs/LCAs are affected:

· KLR 2.1 Streams in Kwu Tung

· KLR 3.3 Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds

· KLR 6.3 Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong

· KLR 7.3 Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok

· KLR 8.2 Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic

· KLR 9.3 Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong

· KLR 10.2 Sheung Shui Community Sports

· KLR 12.9 Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang

· KLR 13.3 Industrial Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Fung Kong

· KLR 13.4 Industrial/ Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan

· KLCA 1 Natural Hillside Landscape

· KLCA 2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape

· KLCA 4 Industrial landscape

· KLCA 5 Lowland Agricultural Landscape

It is predicted that most impacts will be generated in relation to KLR 2.1, 3.3, 6.3, 7.3 and 8.2 and 9.3 where pond/stream filling, stream diversion, construction of culverts, tree felling, vegetation clearance and cut and fill works will be required resulting in permanent loss of the associated LRs area. The impacts within the industrial areas KLR13.3 and 13.4 are considered minimal due to the existing disturbed nature of the landscape resource.

12A.8 Significance of landscape impacts before Mitigation

The potential significance of landscape impacts during the construction and operational phases, before mitigation, is provided in Tables 12A.8.1 and 12A.8.2 below. The assessment follows the methodology proposed in Section 12.18 and the matrix provided in Table 12.18.1.

Landscape Impacts are mapped on Figures 12.52.20 and 12.52.24 to 31.

Table 12A.8.1 Significance of landscape impacts on LRs (DP1, 2, 3 and 4)

LR Code	Name	LR Sensitivity (High/ Medium/ Low)	Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible		Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
			Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
KLR 1	Channelised Water Course
1.2	Shek Sheung River	Med	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
1.3	Sheung Yue River	Med	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley	Med	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 2	Water Course
2.1	Natural Streams in Kwu Tung	Med	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 3	Water Pond
3.1	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
3.3	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	Med	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
3.6	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	Med	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
KLR 5	Plantation
5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	Med	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hak Ka Wai	Med	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
5.4	Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) Castle Peak Road	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 6	Hillside Woodland
6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
6.3	Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 7	Lowland Woodland
7.3	Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 8	Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic
8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic	Med	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
8.3	Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills	Med	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 9	Agricultural Land
9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate
9.3	Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong	Med	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
9.4	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	Med	Small	Small	Slight	Slight
KLR 10	Open Space / Recreational Area
10.2	Sheung Shui Community Sports	Med	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight
KLR 12	Rural Development Area
12.2	Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hak Ka Wai	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
12.5	Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	Med	Negligible	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant
12.9	Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang	Med	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate
KLR 13	Industrial/ Open Storage
13.2	Industrial/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Slight
13.3	Industrial/ Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng , Tong Kok and Fung Kong	Low	Intermediate	Small	Slight	Slight
13.4	Industrial/ Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 14	Major Transportation Corridor
14.1	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads.	Med	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Insignificant

In summary for LRs, moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction and operational stage for KLR 6.1 Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland and 6.3 Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong due to felling and localised earthworks for road formation.

Additionally KLR 2.1 Streams in Kwu Tung, 3.1 Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds, 5.1 Plantation South of Fanling Highway, 7.3 Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok, 10.2 Sheung Shui Community Sports, 12.9 Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang, 14.1 Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts during construction. It is anticipated in the case of KLR 10.2 and 14.1 that this would reduce to slight adverse and insignificant respectively in operation due to the previously developed nature of these sites; for the rest the level of impact would remain constant during operation prior to mitigation.

Moderate adverse impacts at construction prior to mitigation are also predicted in relation to KLR 5.4 Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) Castle Peak Road due to their high sensitivity and location within the centre of the proposed DP1 and 2 works area. KLR9.1 Long Valley Agricultural Land would also experience moderate adverse impacts due to the high sensitivity and quality of this resource albeit in a very small area.

The remaining LRs will all experience a slight or insignificant impact at the construction and operational stage.

Table 12A.8.2 Significance of Impacts on LCAs (DP1, 2, 3 and 4)

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

In summary for the LCAs, moderate adverse impacts are predicted during the construction and operational stage in relation to KLCA 1 Natural Hillside Landscape and KLCA 5 Lowland Agricultural Landscape due to the intrusion of the proposed work within these areas of high sensitivity and minimal development.

Moderate adverse impacts will be experienced by KLCA 2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape due to relatively large extent of land affected. In this case the previously developed nature of this LCA means the proposed works would have a better compatibility.

KLCA 4 Industrial landscape would experience negligible impacts due to the degraded nature of this landscape. Whilst it is considered that removal of the industrial functions within the landscape would be a positive measure in terms of improving the quality of this LCA, the road development would be relatively neutral in terms of its influence on character. In conjunction with the wider Schedule 3 developments slight beneficial impacts are predicted.

Impacts in relation to KLCA 6 Major Transportation Corridor Landscape would be slight adverse in the construction stage due to the very large site area that would be affected, in operation the majority of the works sit within the existing highway corridor and would be directly compatible with the established LCA.

KLCA 7 Major Water Course Corridor Landscape would experience insignificant impacts as the works affect a very small area and involve structures, in this case bridges, which are already present in the LCA.

12A.9 Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures for Construction and Operation

The proposed mitigation measures for the Project are described in the following section and summarised in Table 12A.9.1 below. The same table also lists the agents responsible for the capital funding, the implementation and the maintenance of the suggested 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 DPs, with highest priority given to avoidance of impacts. Several alternative layouts/profiles for the Projects have been investigated, taking into account potential L&V impacts, geotechnical constraints, existing settlements and infrastructure, as well as other environmental factors such as cultural heritage, water and noise.

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 categorised separately as ‘design’, ‘construction’ or ‘operation’ 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 after 10 years of operation. Equally, detailed design measures such as fine tuning the footprint and design of a road alignment may reduce construction impacts but will also reduce operation impacts.

The proposed mitigation measures for DP Package A (DP1, 2, 3 and 4) are summarised in Table 12A.9.1 below and described in detail following.

Table 12A.9.1 – Summary of Proposed Mitigation Measures

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

Minimising Topographical Change (MM1)

To minimise landscape and visual impacts, the vertical and horizontal alignment of the at-grade road construction works 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 minimise landform changes and land resumption, whilst 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 landscape and visual assimilation with the surrounding terrain.

This MM has been recommended for natural streams in Kwu Tung (KLR-2.1) where construction of DP3 and 4 would affect the natural land form.

In addition, it is also recommended where works would impact on areas of hillside woodland (KLR 6.3) in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong as these areas contain undulating natural topography.

Detailed Design (Visual) (MM2)

The construction and operational footprint of the road infrastructure components should be kept to a practical minimum. The form, textures, finishes and colours of the proposed road structures such as viaducts, footbridges and noise barriers should aim to be compatible with the existing surroundings. The engineering design should be refined to reduce visual bulkiness and incorporate aesthetically pleasing surface treatments to promote visual amenity. For example, textured finishes for concrete surfaces to assist in breaking up uniform surface treatments on parapet structures should be considered. In addition 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.

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.

MM3 – Open Space Provision

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. 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 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)

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)

Compensatory tree planting for all 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 Felling Removal Application process under ETWBTC 3/2006. Compensatory planting is proposed at the potential open areas such as open spaces, amenity areas, open areas of the streetscapes, as well as the open areas within development lots.

The location of compensatory planting for DP Package A also includes the roadside areas, street tree planting, central medians (within the centre of the Fanling Highway) and any soft landscape areas affected by the works area. Should space allow, the compensatory planting areas (see MM8) may also be able to accommodate some standard tree and shrub compensation.

Compensatory planting for shrub cover should be considered in suitable locations including 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.

Woodland Compensatory Planting (MM8)

Specific Woodland compensatory planting is proposed for any areas of woodland that are unavoidably affected. The location and design of the woodland compensatory planting will principally be within habitats of lower value such as upland grassland. These have been considered both within the NDAs.

The proposed locations are identified, for example, on the foothills of Tai Shek Mo and on Fung Kong Shan in KTN NDA, along Fanling Bypass and a small area in the northern FLN NDA

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)

Where space and appropriate planting conditions allow (i.e. where suitable depth of planting medium is possible, maintenance access available and enough light penetration to ground level), climbing plants should be considered to grow up vertical surfaces such as viaduct piers or noise barriers. The planting once established will assist in breaking up the appearance of uniform engineered structures and surfaces.

Screen Planting (MM11)

Tall screen/buffer trees and shrubs should be planted to assist in screening proposed road corridors and associated above ground structures such as elevated road sections and engineered embankments. 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 and use of 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. (Roadside planting i.e. at the road edge and not in the central divider or road island, is considered part of MM11 Screen Planting). 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.

Marsh/Wetland Compensation (MM13)

Direct loss of marsh and wetland areas caused by the DPs 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 as far as practicable.

Watercourse Impact Mitigation (MM14)

Enhancement Planting along Embankment MM14.3

The proposed DPs do not require channelised watercourses to be modified however DP 1, 2 and 3 all require new crossing points to be constructed over the Sheung Yue River. Where construction works for these new structures interface with the existing channels, such as the abutments, measures to avoid altering the channel should be adopted. Where minor construction works are required 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 condition as far as possible. Measures can include enhancement planting to upgrade the channels as appropriate, including new planting 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.

Avoidance 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.

In relation to Schedule 2 DPs, DP 1, 2 and 3 all require new crossing points to be constructed over the Sheung Yue River. The detailed final design of the crossing points should follow the above guidelines and ensure that no viaduct footings or other structures are places in the river.

Pond Replacement (MM15)

In planning of the revised RODP (including Schedule 2 DPs), impacts to most ponds have been avoided by exclusion from the works area or provision of a suitable zoning that will allow for the ponds to be protected e.g. Agricultural zoning in C2-2 at the north of the proposed LVNP. To help compensate for ponds unavoidably affected by the Project, the principles adopted in the RODP design ensure that new ponds are incorporated. For example the Fung Kong Shan Park in E1-7 of KTN NDA will incorporate a pond. In addition the LVNP 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 minimise glare impact to adjacent VSRs during the construction stage. Shrouded or directional lighting should be considered where appropriate as a general good practice construction measure but especially where works are in close proximity to residential VSRs.

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. It is assumed that the topmost 100mm of soil surface will be topsoil material. This procedure will also minimise the requirement for off-site disposal and associated traffic movements.

For all planting, this should be installed as soon as the areas become available, to achieve early establishment.

12A.10 Significance of Residual Landscape Impacts upon Mitigation

The proposed landscape and visual mitigation measures, as described in Section 12A.9, have been applied to the various impacts and used to identify potential residual impacts.

The potential significance of residual landscape impacts during the construction and operational phases, before and after mitigation at day 1 and year 10, are provided in Tables 12A.10.1 and 12A.10.2. The tables assume that the appropriate mitigation measures have been applied and that the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures would be fully realised and established after 10 years.

Where insignificant impacts have been identified prior to mitigation, mitigation measures are still shown in the table as these would be applied as best practice in the construction and operational stages as part of a consistent design and construction approach.

Landscape mitigation measures are presented on Figures 12.52.50 to 56.

Table 12A.10.1 Residual Landscape Impact on Implementation of Mitigation Measures for LRs

LR Code	Name	Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)		Recommended Mitigation Measures (MM)		Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
		Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation Day 1	Operation Year 10
LR 1	Channelised Water Course
1.2	Shek Sheung River	Insignificant	Insignificant	n/a	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
1.3	Sheung Yue River	Insignificant	Insignificant	4, 14.3, 14.4	6	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
1.4	Water Course Network in Long Valley	Insignificant	Insignificant	4, 14.3	6	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 2	Water Course
2.1	Natural Streams in Kwu Tung	Moderate	Moderate	1,	n/a	Moderate	Slight	Slight
KLR 3	Water Pond
3.1	Ho Sheung Heung Water Ponds	Moderate	Moderate	15	13	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
3.3	Fung Kong Shan Water Ponds	Slight	Slight	15	13	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
3.6	Water Ponds at Pak Shek Au	Slight	Slight	15	13	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 5	Plantation
5.1	Plantation South of Fanling Highway	Moderate	Moderate	1, 4, 5	6, 7	Moderate	Moderate	Insignificant
5.2	Plantation in the Vicinity of Hak Ka Wai	Slight	Slight	1, 4, 5	6, 7	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
5.4	Old and Valuable trees (OVT) Castle Peak Road	Moderate	Moderate	4	4	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 6	Hillside Woodland
6.1	Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland	Moderate	Moderate	1, 4, 5, 6, 8	4, 5, 8	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
6.3	Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong	Moderate	Moderate	1, 4, 5, 6, 8	4, 5, 8	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
KLR 7	Lowland Woodland
7.3	Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok	Moderate	Moderate	1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12	1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12	Moderate	Moderate	Slight
KLR 8	Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic
8.2	Fung Kong Shan Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic	Insignificant	Insignificant	1, 4, 5, 6, 7	1, 4, 5, 6, 7	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
8.3	Shrubland/ Grassland Mosaic in Tai Shek Mo and the Western Range Foothills	Insignificant	Insignificant	1, 4, 5, 6, 7	1, 4, 5, 6, 7	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 9	Agricultural Land
9.1	Long Valley Agricultural Land	Moderate	Moderate	4, 5, 7	4, 5, 7	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
9.3	Agricultural Lands in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok and Tung Fong	Slight	Slight	4, 5, 7	4, 5, 7	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
9.4	Other Agricultural Lands in KTN	Slight	Slight	4, 5, 7	4, 5, 7	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 10	Open Space/ Recreational Area
10.2	Sheung Shui Community Sports	Moderate	Slight	3, 4, 5, 7	3, 4, 5, 6, 7	Moderate	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 12	Rural Development Area
12.2	Rural Development Area in Long Valley, Yin Kong, Tsung Pak Long and Hak Ka Wai	Insignificant	Insignificant	4, 5, 7, 12	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
12.5	Rural Development Area to the North of Hong Kong Golf Club	Insignificant	Insignificant	4, 5, 7	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
12.6	Kam Tsin Rural Development Area	Insignificant	Insignificant	4, 5, 7	n/a	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
12.9	Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang	Moderate	Moderate	1, 4, 5, 7	1, 4, 5, 6, 7	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLR 13	Industrial/ Open Storage
13.2	Industrial/ Open Storage Area in Yin Kong	Slight	Slight	4, 5, 7, 12	4, 5, 7, 12	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
13.3	Industrial/ Open Storage in Shek Tsai Leng , Tong Kok and Fung Kong	Slight	Slight	4, 5, 7, 12	4, 5, 7, 12	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
13.4	Industrial/ Open Storage in Pak Shek Au, Chau Tau and Foothill of Ki Lun Shan	Slight	Insignificant	4, 5, 7, 12	4, 5, 7, 12	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLR 14	Major Transportation Corridor
14.1	Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads.	Moderate	Moderate	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14.5	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14.5	Slight	Slight	Insignificant

Table 12A.10.2 Residual Landscape Impact on Implementation of Mitigation Measures for LCAs

LCA Code	Name	Impact Significance BEFORE Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)		Recommended Mitigation Measures		Residual Impact Significance UPON Mitigation (Substantial/ Moderate/ Slight/ Insignificant)
		Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation Day 1	Operation Year 10
KLCA-1	Natural Hillside Landscape	Moderate	Moderate	1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12	1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12.	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLCA-2	Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape	Slight	Slight	1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8, 11, 12	1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8, 11, 12	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KLCA-4	Industrial Landscape	Insignificant	Insignificant	4, 5, 7, 11, 12	4, 5, 7, 11, 12	Insignificant	Insignificant	Slight beneficial
KLCA-5	Lowland Agricultural Landscape	Moderate	Moderate	4, 5, 7,11, 13, 15	4, 5, 7,11, 13, 15	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
KLCA-6	Major Transportation Corridor Landscape	Slight	Insignificant	4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12	4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
KLCA-7	Major Water Course Corridor Landscape	Insignificant	Insignificant	4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14.3, 14.4	4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant

No substantial adverse impacts have been identified in relation to DP Package A.

Prior to mitigation moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction and operational stage for KLR 6.1 Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland and 6.3 Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong due to high sensitivity of the resource and overall likely scale of felling and earthworks required in order to complete road construction. To avoid damaging a larger proportion of this LR than neccessary, minising the topographical change required to construct the road will limit the level of the impact. In unison, protection and retention of existing trees wherever feasible, combined with tree transplantation, slope landscaping of retaining slopes/embankments and woodland compensatory planting will further reduce the level of impact. It is considered that, post application of mitigation measures, the residual impact significance would remain at moderate during construction and operation (day 1). By year 10 of operation the compensatory planting and slope enhancement will have fully established and reached a level of maturity which would reduce the residual impact to slight.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction and operational stage, prior to mitigation at KLR10.2 Sheung Shui Community Sports as the proposed works will require alot of changes to this area, removing some mature vegetation and requiring demolition works. Mitigation work will primarily focus on replacement of lost trees within the immediate area whereas mitigation for the loss of Open Space will be re-provisioned within the wider NDA development. These combined measure are considered adequate to bring the residual impact to insignificant by year 10.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction and operational stages for KLR3.1 Ho Sheung Heung Ponds prior to mitigation, albeit the majority of the loss of this LR will be as a result of the Schedule 3 works. Although some of the ponds in these areas are permanently lost without direct replacement, the conservation and enhancement of the LVNP will ensure the retention and provision of ponds in this area. In addition one principle of planning the new RODP is to incorporate some new ponds, for example the Fung Kong Shan Park in E1-7 will incorporate a pond. Although this will not directly compensate for the loss of ponds, it will help to 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, the residual impact will be insignificant.

At the construction and operational stages, prior to mitigation, moderate adverse impacts will be experience by KLR 7.3 Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok as a result of felling of trees within this valuable resource. Compensation space will be provided within the road verges, reinstated work areas and within the highway corridor of DP. In this case, moderate impacts will still be experienced post mitigation at the construction operational stages as compensation planting will not have fully established. By operation year 10, this impact will drop to slight as woodland planting matures.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction stage at KLR 12.9 Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang prior to mitigation works. This is as a result of the large area that will be impacted within the LR, inlolving tree felling, earthworks and demolition of buildings. The mitigation in this regard focuses on retention, transplantation and compensation of woodland planting where this has been impacted upon. It is considered, with the mitigation measures suggested this impact can be reduced to slight during construction and eventually to insignificant by year 10, as planting matures are begins to provide sufficient compensation.

KLR 2.1 Streams in Kwu Tung are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction prior to mitigation. This is as a result of disturbance of this LR, albeit in limited extent, due to the Schedule 2 works.

Moderate adverse residual impacts are predicted in the construction stage as the impact on the LR cannot be fully mitigated however, the area affected by the DP works is limited and where retention of the stream is possible then culverting work will be implemented to form crossing points allowing retention of the stream. In this case the operational impact would reduce to slight in operation day 1 and year 10.

It is predicted that moderate adverse impacts would be generated prior to mitigation in relation KLR 9.1 Long Valley Agricultural Land and due to the loss of a small piece of this valuable and sensitive landscape. Careful planning of the revised RODP means 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, mainly due to the Schedule 3 works. There is no direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but direct 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 however; 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 help alleviate impacts on this LR. In addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9) encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by the PlanD with AFCD assistance, 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 this LR will remain the same before and after mitigation.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted during the construction stage in relation to KLR14.1 Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads due to sheer scale of the construction works that will occur within the highway corridor. This would involve extensive excavation, ground works, reconfigurations works and felling of plantation trees which currently line the road (both sides would be affected). During construction, measures to protect existing tree and transplant trees, where feasible, together with provision of compensatory planting is considered to have the capacity to reduce the impacts to slight during construction and eventually insignificant in the operational stage once planting has established and matured.

Moderate adverse impacts are also predicted during construction prior to mitigation in relation to KLR 5.4 Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) Castle Peak Road, as these will sit directly within a major construction site and highway works will be reconfigured around them. In this case mitigation measures applied to protect the trees during the construction stage will reduce the impact to insignificant. In operation the impact will be insignificant as the trees will be retained within a new and widened landscape median in the centre of the road.

Moderate adverse impacts during construction are predicted for LR5.1 Plantation South of Fanling Highway as construction works for the realignment of Kwu Tung Road will require the felling of trees over an area of 0.56ha. This plantation forms the roadside planting on embankment and will be compensated like for like. In this case the impact can be mitigated to insignificant by year ten as replacement planting would directly compensate for the loss of trees.

The remaining LRs will all experience a slight or insignificant impact at the construction and operational stages.

In terms of residual impact on LCAs, moderate adverse impacts are predicted during the construction and operational stage in relation to KLCA 5 Lowland Agricultural Landscape although small area of this LCA is affected by the DP3. The overall loss of agricultural land directly impacts the rural character of the landscape, which is difficult to fully mitigate. As a result it is considered the residual impact post mitigation will remain unchanged.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted for KLCA 1 prior to mitigation due to the interference of natural topography and vegetation as a result of embankment construction and road verges. Given the limited extent of the works on the fringes of the LCA, it is considered careful design of the proposed engineered slopes, protection of vegetation and replanting of slopes can reduce the impact to slight in construction post mitigation and operation da 1. By year 10 establishment of slope planting measures would have reduced the impact to insignificant.

Slight adverse impacts are predicted in construction for KLCA 6 Major Transportation Corridor Landscape due to the sheer scale of the construction footprint. This would involve extensive excavation, ground works, alignment reconfiguration and felling of plantation trees which currently sit within the road verge (both sides would be affected). During construction, measures to protect the planting resources, transplant trees where feasible together with provision of compensatory planting are considered to have the capacity to reduce the impacts. Following application of mitigation this impact would remain as slight during construction; impacts will be insignificant in the operational stage as the development would mainly be within the existing major infrastructure corridor.

Slight adverse impacts are anticipated in relation to KLCA 2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape during construction, prior to mitigation. It is considered that residual impacts in construction and day 1 operation can be mitigated to slight levels through tree preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting given the relatively small areas concerned. Impacts to KLCA 2 would reduce to insignificant during operation (year 10) as compensatory planting will have fully established and reached a level of maturity.

KLCA 4 Industrial landscape and KLCA 7 Major Water Course Corridor Landscape will experience insignificant impacts during both construction and operation due to the existing character and nature of these degraded areas and no direct impact on rivers.

12A10.1Conclusion

Mitigation works in relation to these DPs during the construction stage rely heavily on the minimisation of the footprint of the works area, avoidance of significant topographical changes together with retention and protection of existing trees / vegetation. These measures if deployed have the capacity to reduce, in most cases, the level of residual impact experienced by the LRs and LCAs at the construction stage.

It is not possible to fully mitigate all impacts in relation to loss of mature woodland or tree planting for all LRs and LCAs in the construction period and early operational stages, mainly as long periods of time are required to sufficiently compensate for this type of impact. Providing compensatory measures are applied, in combination with transplantation of existing trees (which can help to accelerate the establishment period), the impacts to LRs affected by these DPs can be reduced to slight or insignificant levels.

On review of the likely residual impacts and possibility to reduce all to slight or insignificant level by operational year 10, it is considered that DPs 1, 2, 3 and 4 would be acceptable in terms of landscape impacts.

12A.11 Visual Impact Assessment

Visual impacts have been assessed for the construction and operational phases of the Schedule 2 DPs with the methodology as set out in Section 12.19.

12A11.1Visual Baseline conditions

The area covered by KTN NDA, of which the schedule 2 DP form part, 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 open storage and industrial uses, surrounded by higher value, natural landscape features, villages and interspersed with agricultural land.

This locality 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 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 providing strong green backdrop. 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 landscape 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 study area 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 the local landscape. The channelised Sheung Yue River and Shek Sheung River are both dominant visual components of the landscape, made more conspicuous by their engineered embankments.

DP1 - San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion.

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. Existing mature tree planting, which runs on either side of the highway and along Castle Peak Road, contains the view to within the highway corridor.

Whilst existing mature tree planting provides important visual amenity and screening, this is an extremely busy multi-lane highway with large junctions which generates a relatively low quality visual environment. Visibility to the wider landscape is generally restricted to glimpse views of the surrounding mountains.

DP3 - KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement (Major Improvement)

This DP comprises two primary distributor roads which form interchange connections with the Fanling Highway to the east and west of the KTN NDA. The western primary distributor road (Road P1) will branch off from the supplementary interchange near Pak Shek Au. The eastern dual 2-lane elevated primary distributor road (Road P2) branches off from the proposed Kwu Tung Interchange near Yin Kong, crossing Sheung Yue River and joins another proposed at-grade roundabout, which will become a major junction with the internal roads south of the Kwu Tung Station.

The Road P1 site occupies level ground to the west of the study area within a predominantly wooded area. The southern half of this works area sits within land used for open storage which is generally more open due to clearance of vegetation and formation of compounds and access tracks. The natural wooded areas provide valuable visual amenity whereas the open storage land general detracts from the quality of the view. At lower levels, long distance views are heavily limited by intervening tree cover.

The site for Road P2 occupies a more developed location in terms of open storage functions and agricultural land. The open storage areas generally detract for the quality of the visual environment and open up shorter to medium length views through the local landscape. The agricultural landscape provides valuable visual amenity and allows longer distance views to the surrounding mountain landscape due to the open nature of these landscapes.

DP 4 - KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road)

These distributor roads (Road D1 and D2) will provide direct connectivity between the diverted Castle Peak Road and KTN NDA and occupy three locations around the study area. Two roads which link to DP3 and DP2 occupy level ground to the south of the study area, north of Castle Peak Road. The site comprises elements of open storage uses which detract for the quality of the visual environment whilst opening up some medium distance views to the surrounding area. Tree cover, especially in relation to the western road, creates strong visual enclosure.

A loop road to the north of the study area encircles Fung Kong Shan. The site comprises a mixture of rural settlements, open storage and woodland areas. At lower levels views are restricted by intervening tree cover. The terrain become slightly more elevated to the north however, views are still restricted by surrounding vegetation. Glimpse views back into the study area are possible, more extensive views are possible from the Fung Kong Shan.

12A11.2Visual envelope

The visual envelope (VE) for these DPs is generally shared with that of the KTN NDA project although this area has been increased slightly to fully incoporate the eastern and western extent of the DP1 road widening works. Generally the viewshed is confined to the north and east by the ridgeline formed by the summits of Cheung Po Tau, Cham Shan, Wa Shan and reaching across to the more distant and easterly Tsung Shan and Mau Tau Leng summits. To the south east the foothills of Lung Shan contain the view while to the southern and western side the VE is contained by the high-rise development of Fanling / Sheung Shui with the mountain range of Tai Shek Mo in the background. The predominantly level landscape means than views from elevated positions can generally see very long distances whereas many ground level views are limited by intervening vegetation cover and built form.

12A.12 Sensitivity of VSRs/VPs

Table 12A.12.1 below details the VSRs/VPs in relation to DP1, 2, 3 and 4 and describes their overall sensitivity. This information is also presented on the following figures:

Figures 12.53.1 Vantage Point (VP) Locations

Figures 12.53.3 to 14 present existing views taken from vantage points throughout the study area looking towards the relevant NDA and the DPs. Given the numerous views that would be possible as a result of the scale of the study area and number of views, for example from a residential tower, representative photographs have been selected that present a typical view from the VSR. 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.

Figures 12.55.1a to 12.55.6b provide respresentative photomontages showing the predicted view from selected viewpoints depicting 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.

Table 12A.12.1 – VSRs and their sensitivity (DP 1, 2, 3 and 4)

VSR CODE	Name	Category of VSR (Strategic/ District/ Local)		Type of VSR	Approximate Closest Viewing Distance (m) to Proposed Schedule 2 DP	Number of Individuals (Very Many/ Many/ Few/ Very Few)	Quality of Existing View (Good/ Fair/ Poor)	Availability of Alternative Views (Yes/ No)	Degree of Visibility (Full/ Partial/ Glimpse)		Duration of view (Long/ Medium/ Short)	Frequency of View (Very Frequent/ Frequent/ Occasional/ Rare)		Sensitivity (Low/ Medium/ High)
	Description of Existing View, particularly toward the Proposed DP
KVP1a	Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing south	District		Recreational	230	Few	Good	Yes	Partial		Short	Occasional		Medium
	Elevated view, orientated south, from hillside north east of Pak Shek Au. An extensive panoramic view is available across the study area in the mid-ground with longer distance views available towards the Sheung Shui/ Fanling Urban area. The landscape appears well wooded and conceals a great deal of development, blurring the transition of the various low level land uses until the view meets the high rise urban development areas. Modern residential developments such as Europa Garden and Valais are more visible due to the block style layout of the houses. The Fanling Highway is well screened within the views as it passes in front of Ki Lun Shan below the Kwu Tung Freshwater Service Reservoir.
KVP1b	Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing northeast.	District		Recreational	230	Few	Good	Yes	Partial		Short	Occasional		Medium
	Alternative angle view from same point as VP 1a facing northeast towards the undulating mountainside of Tai Shek Mo. View is similar in nature with long distance panoramic view across the level landscape over Kwu Tung towards Sheung Shui/ Fanling urban area. Larger scale industrial type development is visible to the north of Tung Fong which detracts from the views and appears out of scale compared to other development due to the extensive roofscape and lack of tree cover.
KVP2 (K22)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic		Recreational	440	Few	Good	Yes	Full		Medium	Occasional		Medium
	The footpath up to the summit from the south is largely through grassland with views to the north being screened by the mountain ridgeline. Electricity pylons extending across this natural landscape are visual detractors close to the footpath route. Views from the summit are panoramic and cover a long distance overlooking a landscape of a semi-rural character with intermitted urban development, 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 undeveloped agricultural land of Long Valley which creates a strong contrast to the high density and high rise Sheung Shui/ Fanling urban area further to the east. Residential housing forming the Valais development and other smaller development around Hang Tau are also visible at the foot of the hill.
KVP3	Pedestrian bridge over Fanling Highway	Local		Travelling	0	Many	Poor	No	Full	Short		Frequent		Low
	Elevated view from pedestrian footbridge over the Fanling Highway provides medium to long distance views along the road, existing mature vegetation on either side contains the view along the carriageway. The view is completely dominated by the wide carriageway and adjacent minor roads (Castle Peak to Kwu Tung Section), generally this is a poor quality visual environment with little amenity. The mature tree cover provides important visual respite within the view albeit screening the more scenic long distance views to the surrounding mountains.
KVP 4 (K18)	Ascot Park Area	Local		Residential - Low Rise	110	Very Many	Fair	No	Glimpse	Long		Occasional		Medium
	This VSR represents residents in low rise developments around Kam Tsin, including Kam Tsin Tsuen, Ascot Park, The Royal Oaks and La Regent Park. Views to the north of these VSRs have 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. The view from upper levels of local houses will be more open over the highway and into the middle of the study area, but the extent will still be partially limited by intervening vegetation cover.
KVP5 (K16)	Tai Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks	District		Residential - High Rise	1000	Very Many	Good	Yes	Full	Long		Very Frequent		High
	Views from the upper storeys of high-rise residential blocks around the area of Tai Ping Estate and The Royal Green have panoramic long distance views. Some apartments at high levels facing west and north west look towards the proposed DP sites; 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 distinctly rural in character. Residents on the western side of the towers have a long distance view along the open corridor formed by the Fanling Highway.
KVP6 (K15)	Choi Po Court / Choi Yuen Estate	District		Residential - High Rise	1050	Very Many	Good	Yes	Full	Long		Very Frequent		High
	The views from these residential buildings including Choi Po Court and Choi Yuen Estate are open and panoramic for those flats at higher levels. Only those apartments facing north west have full and panoramic views towards the DPs 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 Gardens are just visible around Fanling Highway against the green backdrop of Ki Lun Shan.
KVP7 (K13)	Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long	District	Occupational		820	Many	Poor	Yes	Glimpse	Short		Occasional		Low
	Occupational views from the medium rise industrial buildings north of Choi Yuen Road have open, elevated views across 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. The view is predominantly rural in nature. 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.
KVP8	Ying Kong Village	Local		Residential	275	Many	Fair	Yes	Partial	Long		Frequent		High
	Views from edge of agricultural plots fronting Ying Kong Village provide panoramic low level views across farmland; this is crossed by numerous telegraph poles and intermittent agricultural structures which detract from the quality of the views. The dense and uniform screening provided by mature tree planting in the middle ground restricts long distance views however the peaks and ridgeline of mountains in the distance appear above the tree cover, such as the varied and steep terrain of Tai Shek Mo.
KVP9 (K6b)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	Residential - Low Rise		100	Many	Good	No	Glimpse	Long		Rare		High
	View from the southern point of the Tai Shek Mo facing towards the Fanling Highway. At ground level most views are blocked by existing built structures and woodland plantation such as the landscaped trees along the trained Sheung Yue River. Most houses face east but from elevated viewpoints, such as the upper level of local 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.
KVP10 (K5b)	Southern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan – Facing North	District	Recreational (& some Residential & Occupational)		Approx.100m when looking towards both east and south	Few	Good	Yes	Full	Medium			Frequent	Medium
	View from the elevated ground of Fung Kong Shan looking north across the study area towards the mountain backdrop of Tai Shek Mo. Pockets of open storage areas disrupt the rural nature of this view; otherwise the level plains appear natural and undeveloped. The existing electricity pylons nearby and open storage area which cross the view detract from the visual quality. Low scale development in the middle distance is heavily screened by intervening trees.
KVP11 (K4)	Cottage Area (Western Range)	Local	Residential - Low Rise		140	Few	Good	No	Partial	Long			Very Frequent	High
	This VSR is located in a small valley at the eastern foothills of the Western Range, just north east of Tit Hang and south west of the Lo Wu Rifle Range. Views are limited to the south east in the direction of the DPs 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 south 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 open storage area near Tung Fong is a visually detracting element in the mid-distance. Generally the existing view is rural in nature, characterised 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.

Remarks: The approximate closest viewing distance to the proposed schedule 2 DP is measured from the edge of the VSR group to the closest built form proposed within the DP.

12A.13 Magnitude of Visual Change

The potential sources of visual impact due to the Project are described in Section 12A.4 and 5. They will create varying levels of visual impact during the construction and operation phases in relation to each DP, due to factors such as visual obstruction, degradation of the quality of existing views and incompatibility with the surrounding landscape setting. The visual impact assessment considers each DP individually.

The magnitude of visual change is largely dependent on a number of factors as outlined in the methodology. In general, the magnitude of change will reduce the further a VSR is from the Project.

Detailed engineering design of built elements is ongoing at this stage therefore, the structures shown in the photomontages may change as detailed design is refined.

Table 12A.13.1 details the magnitude of change in relation to DPs1, 2, 3 and 4.

Table 12A.13.1 - Magnitude of visual change for VSRs due to Schedule 2 DPs (1, 2, 3 and 4) in 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)
								Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
		Description of Impacts during Construction and Operation
	KVP1a	Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing south	District	DP1, DP2, DP3, DP4	Partial	230	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Small
		DP1 San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion The widening and diversion works associated with DP1 and 2 will be visible appearing from the west (to the right hand side of the view) as the highway runs in front of Ki Lun Shan. This increased visibility will mainly be due to loss of vegetation cover, demolition of structures and further encroachment of the road corridor closer to the viewpoint. Tree clearance works are likely to make the highway corridor more apparent in similar elevated views; at present it is well embedded within woodland cover. Partial views towards new noise barriers which will run up through the central road corridor will be possible together with views of the roofscape of the enclosed noise barrier proposed to the east of the new interchange. Views of new pedestrian crossing points will also be possible. DP3 KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement) The construction of DP 3 road P1 at the bottom of the slope in the foreground will be the most significant in this view due to proximity of the construction footprint and approximate 40m wide construction corridor. Tree felling at the bottom of the slope will open up views of the construction in the short term. The construction footprint becomes wider along the western edge of the DP as the road construction approaches and forms a connection with the Fanling Highway as a result of earthwork cutting works into the lower hillside. This connection comprises an off line at-grade roundabout. The slip road for traffic from Kwu Tung to Tai Po will be diverted to connect with the offline interchange, facilitating the additional slip roads for diverging traffic from Yuen Long. The Pak Shek Au Interchange will connect with the diverted Castle Peak Road though an underpass single 2-lane carriageway beneath these slip roads. The western elevation of several noise barriers will be visible directly opposite the viewpoint running along the road The scale of development is considered to be medium, although the development covers a wide area, the road corridor is narrow and would be less conspicuous as the distance from the VSR increases. The compatibility of the DPs with surrounding landscape is considered to be poor during construction as tree felling will occur and road development will appear in previously less developed areas. The KTN NDA development will occupy a significant proportion of this view in the future and the majority of roads visible during construction will be integrated with the development footprint and no long visible. Sections which sit outside the development will be seen in the context of new urban development, therefore the compatibility during operation is considered to be fair. DP4 KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road) Road D1 which forms part of DP4 would be visible linking DP2 and DP3 (road P1) in the centre of the view moving away from the viewpoint. The construction corridor will be approximately 25m wide. Existing mature vegetation throughout the lowlands in the middle of the views will help restrict the visibility of the development. A semi-enclosed noise barrier and section of vertical constructed along the alignment are likely to be visible. The scale of development is considered to be medium, although the development covers a wide area, the road corridor is narrow and would be less conspicuous as the distance from the VSR increases. The compatibility of the DPs with surrounding landscape is considered to be poor during construction as tree felling will occur and road development will appear in previously less developed areas. The KTN NDA development will occupy a significant proportion of this view in the future and the majority of roads visible during construction will be integrated with the development footprint and no long visible. Sections which sit outside the development will be seen in the context of new urban development, therefore the compatibility during operation is considered to be fair. As a result of the scale of the construction works that would be visible the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate during construction. As the DPs will appear in an area that has seen various types of human development including minor roads, highway infrastructure, urbanisation and farming the magnitude of change during operation is considered to be Small. In the future the DPs will be integrated within the future KTN NDA which will greatly reduce their visibility.
	KVP1b	Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing northeast.	District	DP3, DP4	Partial/Nil	230	Medium	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Small
		DP3 KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement) The northern section of road P1 would be visible at the bottom of the slope forming a junction with DP4. The construction corridor of DP reduces from approximately 50m to 25m wide at this junction, mainly due to the reduced slope cutting required on the western edge of the scheme. Tree clearance and demolition of structures in the foreground will open up some additional views of the construction corridor. Several noise barriers constructed around the junction will also form part of the view. DP4 KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road) DP 4 forms a loop around the north part of the study area in this view; two roads would be visible moving away from the viewpoint and curving around the rear of the Fung Kong Shan visible beyond the Sheung Shui Community Sport. The construction corridor will be approximately 25m wide throughout the loop area, although this does widen in several location where slope cutting operations are required. Existing mature vegetation throughout the lowlands in the middle of the views will help restrict the visibility of the development. Noise barriers constructed at points along the alignment are likely to be screened by existing tree cover. The scale of development is considered to be medium, although the development covers a wide area, the road corridor is narrow and would be less conspicuous as the distance from the VSR increases. The compatibility of the DPs with surrounding landscape is considered to be poor during construction as tree felling will occur and road development will appear in previously less developed areas. The KTN NDA development will occupy a significant proportion of this view in the future and the majority of roads visible during construction will be integrated with the development footprint and no long visible. Sections which sit outside the development will be seen in the context of new urban development, therefore the compatibility during operation is considered to be fair. As a result of the scale of the construction works that would be visible the magnitude of change is considered to be intermediate during construction. As the DPs will appear in an area that has seen various types of human development including minor roads, highway infrastructure, urbanisation and farming the magnitude of change during operation is considered to be Small. In the future the DPs will be integrated within the future KTN NDA which will greatly reduce their visibility.
Y	KVP2 (K22)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	DP1, DP2, DP3 and DP4	Nil	440	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		DP1 San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion The construction works for DP1 will be visible as they pass within the low ground in front of Ki Lun Shan, this will mainly result from tree felling works which will widen the existing infrastructure corridor. Numerous noise barriers and large semi-enclosed noise barrier structures will be visible running almost continuously along the center of the road corridor. The roofscape of the enclosed and semi-enclosed noise barrier structure will coincide with the Valais residential development which can be seen in the center of the view. The road diversion works associated with DP2 are also likely to be visible to the north of the Fanling Highway although the two projects are likely to be perceived as one. DP3 KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement) and DP4 KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road) The construction corridor for DP3 will run along the foot of the western ranges to the west of the proposed NDA development. The construction corridor of DP3 will be around 30-50m wide close to the Fanling Highway to accommodate the interchange works. Views of earthworks cutting against the hillside are likely during construction, the felling of lowland woodland in this area will also open up views. Numerous noise barriers will be constructed within the DP3 and DP4 road corridors, it is likely those along DP3 road P1 as it forms a junction with DP4 will be the most visible. Due to distance, the remaining areas of the road construction will be out of view. The overall compatibility of the DPs during construction and operation is considered to be fair as the works will occupy only a very small part of this view set within an existing infrastructure corridor and wider urbanised areas. The scale of the development in this view is considered to be small as it would form only a very small part of a panoramic view encompassing a landscape which has undergone many types of human influence including minor roads, highway infrastructure, urbanisation and farming. As a result the magnitude of change during construction and operation is considered to be Small. In the future the DPs will be seen in the context of or fully integrated within the future KTN NDA which will greatly reduce their visibility.
	KVP3	Pedestrian bridge over Fanling Highway	Local	DP1, DP2 and DP3	Full	0	Medium	Fair	Good	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Small
		DP1 San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement), DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion and DP3 KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement) Views from the pedestrian bridges crossing the highway will have an uninterrupted view of the construction work. The most dominant new component in this view will be a series of 5m high plus 3m inclined noise barriers which will run throughout the highway corridor, beyond this the elevated Kwu Tung Interchange will appear above the road. The combined construction corridor will be over 100m wide at this point. Tree felling along the northern boundary of the highway is likely to open up glimpse views into the KTN area in the short term. The compatibility of the DPs are considered to be fair during construction, as they will broadly be contained within the existing road corridor albeit the scale of the construction activities will be a visual detractor. The compatibility will improve to good in operation as the DPs would be in keeping within the existing land use and visual expectations of a major road corridor. The scale of the development area is considered to be medium in this views as only a limited portion of the DPs is visible. Taking into account the existing operation of this landscape as a major road corridor and the scale of the construction works that would be visible the magnitude of change during construction is considered to be intermediate. In operation the highway function will not change therefore the magnitude of change during operation is considered to be small.
Y	KVP 4 (K18)	Ascot Park Area	Local	DP1, DP2	Partial	110	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		DP1 San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion The construction of DP1 and 2 works will pass through the centre of this view from west to east, comprising around 200m of the 4km DP works area. Presently the view toward the road corridor is open, with visibility beyond the highway restricted by tree screening along Castle Peak Road. Tree felling as a result of widening works may open up longer distance views from this point. The most dominant visual component of the construction works will be the erection of 5m high plus 3m inclined noise barriers throughout the highway corridor, the elevation of the barrier running along the southern boundary of the highway within the DP works will completely screen views of the highway. Given the limited extent of the DP works area visible from this point the scale of the development would be small. The existing view is principally of the highway corridor, views of this feature will be screened during operation which would benefit the view. In this case the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be fair. As a result of the small scale nature of the development which would mainly be located within the existing highway corridor, the magnitude of change during construction and operation is considered to be small.
	KVP5 (K16)	Tai Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks	District	DP1, DP2, DP3	Partial	1000	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
		DP1 San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion These DPs are likely to be the most dominant component of the view is aligned along the road corridor. The proposed widening works, construction of the 5m high plus 3m inclined noise barriers and fully enclosed noise barrier structures will be visible in the centre of the view although due to distance and intervening tree cover on the south side of the road, these views would progressively disappear. Tree clearance along the northern side of the road will increase the visibility of construction and partially increase the dominance of road infrastructure in the view. DP 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) The majority of DP3 works would be screened by intervening vegetation in views from this point however; glimpse views of the elevated Kwu Tung Interchange roundabout are likely beyond the proposed noise enclosure works as part of DP1. It is considered that the compatibility of these works during the construction and operational stage would be fair as they will be broadly contained within the existing highway corridor which is an established component in the view. As a result of the majority of the works visible in this view taking place within the existing highway corridor scale nature of the works would be small in this view. The magnitude of change is considered to be small during the construction and operational stage. In operation this would reduce to Negligible during operation as these works would rapidly assimilate with the existing road infrastructure context.
Y	KVP6 (K15)	Choi Po Court / Choi Yuen Estate	District	DP1, DP2, DP3 and DP4	Partial	1050	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		DP1 San Tin Highway / Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening (between San Tin Interchange and Po Shek Wu Interchange) (Major Improvement) and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion The widening and road diversion works associated with these DPs would be visible from this point as long distance views are possible along the entire highway corridor. Tree felling works would increase the overall width of the corridor exposing a more of the construction works and road structure. Noise barrier construction throughout the alignment of the highway will be visible together with bulkier forms of the fully enclosed noise barriers. DP3 KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement) and DP4 KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road)The elevated Kwu Tung Interchange roundabout would be the closest point within the DP3 works visible from this point. DP3 would then continue northwards into the KTN NDA area, to meet DP4. The alignment of the road is likely to be visible as it passes through the more open area of the landscape visible in the middle ground. A large proportion of the construction works will be visible from this point, seen within the context of numerous scattered development and large scale linear structures such as the Fanling Highway and local channelised rivers. In this case the compatibility in construction and operation is considered to be fair. Taking into account the small scale nature of these works within a wide landscape view the magnitude of change during construction and operation is considered to be Small.
Y	KVP7 (K13)	Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long	District	DP3, DP4	Partial/Nil	820	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Negligible
		DP3 KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement) and DP4 KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road) Glimpse views of the Kwu Tung Interchange works above the canopy of the existing trees are likely from this viewpoint. DP3 would then continue northwards into the KTN NDA area, to meet DP4. The alignment of the road is likely to be visible as it passes through the more open area of the landscape in the middle ground. Clearance of trees within the construction corridor would also increase the overall visibility of the DPs. Due to elevation of this VSR, a large proportion of the construction and operation works will be screened at a low level. The compatibility in this case is considered to be fair in both construction and operation. Taking into account the scale of the receiving landscape, the context of existing development in the view the magnitude of change during construction is considered to be small. This would reduce to Negligible during operation as it is considered the DPs would quickly assimilate into this view.
	KVP8	Ying Kong Village	Local	DP3	Partial	100	Small	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Intermediate	Small
		DP3 KTN NDA Road P1 and P2 (New Road) and associated new Kwu Tung Interchange (New Road) and Pak Shek Au Interchange Improvement  (Major Improvement) and DP4 KTN NDA Road D1 to D5 (New Road) DP3 will be visible running from the north west to the south east across the centre of this view. Tree felling will open up views along the construction corridor which will be around 50m wide at this point. The road will cross Sheung Yue River in the middle ground of this view therefore the road will become slightly elevated increasing its visibility. A fully enclosed noise barrier will be partly visible beyond the bridge crossing however the majority of the structure is likely to be screened from this point. The compatibility of the DPs during construction is considered to be poor as the construction works will enter into this rural setting. In operation this would reduce to fair as the works would be seen in the context of the development works within the KTN NDA. Taking into account the existing undeveloped nature of the existing view, openness of the agricultural landscape and the small scale nature of the construction works, the magnitude of change during construction is considered to be Intermediate. In operation this would reduce to Small as the construction footprint would reduce and occupy a smaller proportion of the view; i.e. the development would be less conspicuous.
Y	KVP9 (K6b)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	DP3	Partial	100	Small	Fair	Fair	Temporary [Medium]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		The roundabout located at the centre of road P2 would be visible as an elevated embankment within the centre of the view. Clearance works within the construction corridor would be unlikely to open up additional views as the area is already relatively open. 5m high, with 3m inclined noise barriers wrap around the roundabout and these would be the most visible element of the scheme. Additional noises barriers would be visible on the north side of the roundabout gradually disappearing behind existing tree cover at the south of the village. Views from this point will experience relatively close hand views of construction, within an open and developed (surface parking and open storage) landscape, the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be fair. Considering the overall small scale nature of the scheme in this view together with the developed nature of the foreground in the view, the magnitude of change is considered to be small during construction and operation.
Y	KVP10 (K5b north)	Southern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan (facing north)	District	DP4	Nil	Approx.100m when looking towards both east and south	Small	Poor	Poor	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		The construction corridor for DP4 will pass through the valley at the foot of Tai Shek Mo to the east. The construction corridor will be around 35m wide at this point with the road constructed on embankment. There are no above ground structures, such as noise barriers, planned within the section visible from this point. Only a small section of the DP will be visible due to intervening terrain and vegetation cover; however the development will appear within a predominantly undeveloped landscape therefore the compatibility during construction and operation is considered to be poor. As a result of the overall small scale of the development visible from this location, the magnitude of change during construction and operation is considered to be Small.
Y	KVP11 (K4)	Cottage Area (Western Range)	Local	DP3, DP4	Partial/Nil	140	Small	Poor	Fair	Temporary [Short]	Permanent	Reversible	Irreversible	Small	Small
		DP3 and 4 will be constructed at the bottom of the slope in the foreground of the view; the works corridor will be approximately 25m wide at this point with the road being formed on an embankment. During construction, tree felling will open up partial views of the development. There are several small sections of noise barrier planned within this section however; they would be predominantly screened from this point by terrain or existing vegetation. As this construction works will sit within a relatively undeveloped and open view it is considered they will have a poor compatibility during the construction stage. In operation the DP would be seen in the context of the KTN NDA which would completely change the view. In this case the compatibility would become fair as the roads would be integrated within a new urban context. Overall the magnitude of change is predicted to be small during construction and operation due to the limited extent of the works that would be visible.

12A.14 Significance of Visual Impacts

Based on the sensitivity assessment of VSRs as described in Section 12A.12 and the magnitude of change described in Section 12A.13, the potential significance of the unmitigated visual impacts during the construction and operation phases have been calculated in this Section.

Residual impact significance is also determined in this Section, considering the mitigation measures described in full in Section 12A.9.

Based on the sensitivity assessment of KTN VSRs and the magnitude of change they might experience, the potential significance of the unmitigated visual impacts from DPs during the construction and operation are provided in Table 12A.14.1 using the matrix given in the methodology, and taking into account site visits to the area.

Photomontages demonstrating the potential visual impact of the proposed project before and after mitigation from certain VPs are illustrated on Figure 12.55.1a to 6b.

Table 12A.14.1 - Significance of visual impacts for KTN DPs 1, 2 3 and 4

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
KVP1a	Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing south	District	Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight	2, 4, 5, 6, 9 11, 12	2, 9, 11, 12	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
KVP1b	Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing northeast.	District	Recreational	Medium	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Slight	2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 11, 12	2, 9, 11, 12	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
KVP2 (K22)	Ki Lun Shan Footpath	Strategic	Recreational	Medium	Small	Small	Moderate	Slight	2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 11, 12	2, 9, 11, 12	Moderate	Slight	Slight
KVP3	Pedestrian bridge over Fanling Highway	Local	Travelling	Low	Intermediate	Small	Slight	Slight	2, 7, 9, 11, 16, 17	2, 9, 11, 12, 17	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KVP 4 (K18)	Ascot Park Area	Local	Residential - Low Rise	Medium	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	2, 9,7,11	2, 9, 11, 12, 17	Moderate	Moderate	Insignificant
KVP5 (K16)	Tai Ping Area High Rise Residential Blocks	District	Residential - High Rise	High	Small	Negligible	Moderate	Insignificant	2, 4, 11, 16, 17	2, 9, 11, 12, 17	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
KVP6 (K15)	Choi Po Court / Choi Yuen Estate	District	Residential - High Rise	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	2, 4, 9, 11, 12	2, 9, 11, 12, 17	Moderate	Moderate	Insignificant
KVP7 (K13)	Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long	District	Occupational	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant	2, 4, 11, 16, 17	2, 9, 11, 12, 17	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
KVP8	Ying Kong Village	Local	Residential	High	Intermediate	Small	Moderate	Moderate	2, 4, 11, 16, 17	2, 9, 11,12, 17	Moderate	Moderate	Insignificant
KVP9 (K6b)	Ho Sheung Heung	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	2, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17	2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KVP10 (K5b north)	Southern Knoll of Fung Kong Shan	District	Recreational (& some Residential & Occupational)	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	1, 2, 5, 6, 7,11	2, 9, 11, 12,	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
KVP11 (K4)	Cottage Area (Western Range)	Local	Residential - Low Rise	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	2, 4, 6 11, 12	2, 11, 12,	Slight	Slight	Insignificant

No substantial adverse visual impacts have been identified in relation of DP Package A. The significant visual impacts due to each DP are provided below together with a description of the effectiveness of the recommended mitigation measures.

Generally the level of impact during operation will reduce following the construction stage as the footprint of the construction works area is larger and more visible, including activities taking place therein. VSRs which have elevated panoramic views, such as from residential towers, looking towards the DPs will experience slightly more prolonged impacts due to the difficulty in mitigating visibility from these points and the opportunity of viewing several sites at once. VSRs in very close proximity will also experience slightly more prolonged impacts as development works will occupy a greater proportion of the view and be more visible.

Close hand views experienced by VSRs in the vicinity of KVP9 Ho Sheung Heung would experience moderate adverse visual impacts prior to mitigation as a result of the construction and operation DP3, which would appear directly to the south of the village. This is as a result of the high sensitivity of the VSR and relatively close proximity to the construction area. It is considered that the application of mitigation measures, in particularly screen planting, slope planting and vertical greening on noise barriers would provide the necessary enhancements to assist in visually integrating the DP into the landscape setting and help to break up the appearance of built form. In this case, following the establishment of the mitigation planting at year 10, the impact could be reduced to insignificant.

Elevated views from residential towers experienced by VSRs in the vicinity of KVP6 Choi Po Court / Choi Yuen Estate and low level views from KVP8 Ying Kong Village would experience moderate adverse impacts at the construction stage prior to mitigation due to elevated overview of the construction area possible from these points. The operational impact is predicted to remain at moderate in operation prior to mitigation due to the previously less developed nature of the receiving landscape. In both cases the impact would reduce to insignificant by year 10 of operation once screen planting and road greening will have fully integrated and screened the works.

Elevated views experienced by recreational VSRs will experience moderate adverse impacts during construction and operation in relation to KVP1a Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing south and KVP1b Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing northeast as these locations all have an elevated view of the DP works areas, albeit the views are less sensitive and experienced differently to residential VSRs. In both cases it is considered that the construction impact can be reduced to slight in the construction stage through screening mitigation. In operation this can be further reduced to insignificant at operation Day 1 through planting and greening measures to replace the tree canopy cover and screen the appearance of new road infrastructure.

Moderate adverse visual impacts during the construction stage would be experienced by residential views from KVP 5 Tai Ping area High Rise Residential Blocks, prior to mitigation, mainly as they also have a clear overview of the construction area. It is considered the impact would reduce to insignificant post implementation of mitigation during the operational stages as road greening, screen planting and vertical greening of noise barriers which would help to visual integrate the new structures / roadscape into the existing highway corridor setting.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted in relation to KVP11 Cottage Area (Western Range) where the elevation of the VSR allows for an overview into the construction footprint of the DPs. In this case the construction stage is considered to generate the impacts, as in operation the lower level views would be screened by natural intervening cover. The moderate construction impact prior to mitigation can be reduced to slight through screen planting, road greening and vertical greening measures. In year 10 operation the impacts would be insignificant as the DP would be predominantly screened.

Moderate adverse visual impacts would be experienced by KVP4 Ascot Park Area during construction, prior to mitigation due the proximity of the works area. In operation the impact would remain as moderate due to the large scale noise barriers which would be visible on the near side of the road. It is considered that in addition to this screening provided by the proposed structures, screen planting along the fence alignment, vertical greening and detailed design of the barriers to provide a less visually intrusive appearance would further reduce these impacts to insignificant in by operation year 10.

Slight adverse visual impacts are predicted in relation to KVP3 Pedestrian footbridge over Fanling Highway. The addition of tall noise barrier throughout the road corridor will be highly visible and create the most noticeable visual change albeit with a busy highway corridor with a low visual quality. Measures to improve the visual appearance of the new barriers such as reducing the visual bulk, vertical greening, sympathetic and recessive colours will help to reduce the level of impact. Post implementation of screen planting and road greening mitigation measures, it is considered this impact can be reduced to insignificant by year 10 of operation.

Slight adverse visual impacts are also predicted in relation to KVP10, whilst the scale of these impact is relatively small, the works will appear in a previously less developed landscape. The elevation of the VP allows clearer views of the work area therefore it is difficult to fully mitigate potential impacts. It is considered that these impacts would remain at alight adverse during construction and operation day 1, the would drop to insignificant by operation year 10 whereby screening planting and road greening measures will have matured and taken effect.

Views experienced from KVP7 Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long and KVP2 Ki Lun Shan Footpath are predicted to be slight in the construction stages prior to mitigation due to the elevated nature of the view. This level of impact principally relates to the low sensitivity and visual expectation from this VSR. Following mitigation this impact can be reduced to insignificant during the operational stages.

In terms of effectiveness of mitigation measures, it is considered that for visual purposes, improving the appearance of structures (including their placement and land take) together with landscape planting/screening measures can address the visual impacts that will be generated, reducing them to slight or insignificant by operational year 10 or earlier.

In the case of DP Package A, it is considered the potential visual impacts would be acceptable.

12A.15 Conclusion

12A15.1Landscape Character Areas

The main LCA affected in relation to the development of the Schedule 2 DPs is the Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape (KLCA 2). This LCA is impacted, in part, by the construction and operation of all four of the road schemes within DP Package A, although the majority of these impacts are generated by the alignments of the internal distributor roads DP3 and DP4. The impacts associated with DP1 and DP2 are concentrated within the existing highway corridor. This LCA is predicted to experience slight adverse residual impacts at the construction stage irrespective of the design measures which have been adopted in the revised RODP (see Section 12A.2.1) and the recommended construction and operation mitigation measures including tree protection, preservation and transplantation; compensatory planting, compensatory woodland planting; road greening and general good site practice. It is anticipated that the impact significance would reduce to insignificant at year 10 when compensatory planting achieves its full potential.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted for KLCA 1 prior to mitigation due to the interference of natural topography and vegetation as a result of embankment construction and road verges. Given the limited extent of the works on the fringes of the LCA, it is considered careful design of the proposed engineered slopes, protection of vegetation and replanting of slopes can reduce the impact to slight in construction post mitigation and operation da 1. By year 10 establishment of slope planting measures would have reduced the impact to insignificant.

Slight adverse impacts are anticipated in relation to KLCA 2 Rural and Urban Peripheral Village Landscape during construction, prior to mitigation. It is considered that residual impacts in construction and day 1 operation can be mitigated to slight levels through tree preservation, transplantation and compensatory planting given the relatively small areas concerned. Impacts to KLCA 2 would reduce to insignificant during operation (year 10) as compensatory planting will have fully established and reached a level of maturity.

In relation to KLCA 5, the overall loss of agricultural land influences the rural character of the landscape; directly compensating for the loss of this resource is limited by local land availability, demand and suitability. As a result it is considered the residual impact post mitigation will remain unchanged.

Slight adverse impacts are predicted in construction for KLCA 6 Major Transportation Corridor Landscape due to scale of the construction footprint. This would involve extensive excavation, ground works, reconfiguration works and felling of plantation trees which currently line the road (both sides would be affected). During construction, measures to protect the planting resources, transplant trees where feasible together with provision of compensatory planting are considered to have the capacity to address these impacts. Following application of mitigation this impact can be reduced to slight during construction; impacts will be insignificant in the operational stage as the development would be broadly retained with the existing major infrastructure corridor.

KLCA 4 Industrial landscape and KLCA 7 Major Water Course Corridor Landscape will experience insignificant impacts during both construction and operation due to the existing low quality character and degraded nature of these areas and no direct impact on rivers.

12A15.2Landscape Resources

No substantial adverse impacts have been identified in relation to DP Package A.

Prior to mitigation moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction and operational stage for KLR 6.1 Ki Lun Shan Hillside Woodland and 6.3 Hillside Woodland in Ma Tso Lung, Tit Hang and Fung Kong due to high sensitivity of the resource and overall likely scale of felling and earthworks required in order to complete road construction. To avoid damaging a larger proportion of this LR than necessary, minimising the topographical change required to construct the road will limit the level of the impact. In unison, protection and retention of existing trees wherever feasible, combined with tree transplantation, slope landscaping of retaining slopes/embankments and woodland compensatory planting will further reduce the level of impact. It is considered that, post application of mitigation measures, the residual impact significance would remain at moderate during construction and operation (day 1). By year 10 of operation the compensatory planting and slope enhancement will have fully established and reached a level of maturity which would reduce the residual impact to slight.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction and operational stage, prior to mitigation at KLR10.2 Sheung Shui Community Sports as the proposed works will require a lot of changes to this area, removing some mature vegetation and requiring demolition works. Mitigation work will primarily focus on replacement of lost trees within the immediate area whereas mitigation for the loss of Open Space will be re-provisioned within the wider NDA development. These combined measure are considered adequate to bring the residual impact to insignificant by year 10.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction and operational stages for KLR3.1 Ho Sheung Heung Ponds prior to mitigation, albeit the majority of the loss of this LR will be as a result of the Schedule 3 works. Although some of the ponds in these areas are permanently lost without direct replacement, the conservation and enhancement of the LVNP will ensure the retention and provision of ponds in this area. In addition one principle of planning the new RODP is to incorporate some new ponds, for example the Fung Kong Shan Park in E1-7 will incorporate a pond. Although this will not directly compensate for the loss of ponds, it will help to 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, the residual impact will be insignificant.

At the construction and operational stages, prior to mitigation, moderate adverse impacts will be experience by KLR 7.3 Lowland Woodland in Pak Shek Au and Tong Kok as a result of felling of trees within this valuable resource. Compensation space will be provided within the road verges, reinstated work areas and within the highway corridor of DP. In this case, moderate impacts will still be experienced post mitigation at the construction operational stages as compensation planting will not have fully established. By operation year 10, this impact will drop to slight as woodland planting matures.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted at the construction stage at KLR 12.9 Rural Development Area in Shek Tsai Leng, Tong Kok, Fung Kong and Tit Hang prior to mitigation works. This is as a result of the large area that will be impacted within the LR, involving tree felling, earthworks and demolition of buildings. The mitigation in this regard focuses on retention, transplantation and compensation of woodland planting where this has been impacted upon. It is considered, with the mitigation measures suggested this impact can be reduced to slight during construction and eventually to insignificant by year 10, as planting matures are begins to provide sufficient compensation.

KLR 2.1 Streams in Kwu Tung are predicted to experience moderate adverse impacts at construction prior to mitigation. This is as a result of disturbance of this LR, albeit in limited extent, due to the Schedule 2 works.

Moderate adverse residual impacts are predicted in the construction stage as the impact on the LR cannot be fully mitigated however, the area affected by the DP works is limited and where retention of the stream is possible then culverting work will be implemented to form crossing points allowing retention of the stream. In this case the operational impact would reduce to slight in operation day 1 and year 10.

It is predicted that moderate adverse impacts would be generated prior to mitigation in relation KLR 9.1 Long Valley Agricultural Land and due to the loss of a small piece of this valuable and sensitive landscape. Careful planning of the revised RODP means 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, mainly due to the Schedule 3 works. There is no direct compensation for the agricultural land lost but direct 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 however; 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 help alleviate impacts on this LR. In addition, this broad agricultural land category (LR9) encompasses both active and abandoned agricultural land including orchard areas. According to a further review and site inspection in December 2012/January 2013 by the PlanD with AFCD assistance, 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 this LR will remain the same before and after mitigation.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted during the construction stage in relation to KLR14.1 Fanling Highway and nearby associated roads due to sheer scale of the construction works that will occur within the highway corridor. This would involve extensive excavation, ground works, reconfigurations works and felling of plantation trees which currently line the road (both sides would be affected). During construction, measures to protect existing tree and transplant trees, where feasible, together with provision of compensatory planting is considered to have the capacity to reduce the impacts to slight during construction and eventually insignificant in the operational stage once planting has established and matured.

Moderate adverse impacts are also predicted during construction prior to mitigation in relation to KLR 5.4 Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) Castle Peak Road, as these will sit directly within a major construction site and highway works will be reconfigured around them. In this case mitigation measures applied to protect the trees during the construction stage will reduce the impact to insignificant. In operation the impact will be insignificant as the trees will be retained within a new and widened landscape median in the centre of the road.

Moderate adverse impacts during construction are predicted for LR5.1 Plantation South of Fanling Highway as construction works for the realignment of Kwu Tung Road will require the felling of trees. This plantation forms the roadside planting on embankment and will be compensated like for like. In this case the impact can be mitigated to insignificant by year ten as replacement planting would directly compensate for the loss of trees.

The remaining LRs will all experience a slight or insignificant impact at the construction and operational stages.

12A15.3Visual Impact

In summary, no substantial adverse impacts have been identified in relation to DP Package A.

In comparison to the level of visual impact experienced by VSRs in FLN associated with the DP8 Po Shek Wu Interchanges and DP9 &10 Fanling Bypass Works, visual impact in KTN are generally less severe. This is as a result of several factors. In terms of high sensitivity residential VSRs, in KTN these are generally at lower levels (2-3 storey village type housing) with less extensive views of the proposed development or in high rise residential towers with a more strategic overview of the development. In the latter case, these broad panoramic views encompass a huge area whereby the proposed development works would only form a small component. The same is true in relation to high sensitivity recreational views from local prominences such as Ki Lun Shan (KVP2) in that the development forms a very small part of a very large landscape view. The proposed road works are also mainly constructed at-grade which results in them being less conspicuous in the landscape and provides for easy integration of visual mitigation measures such as screen planting, vertical green or road greening.

Generally the level of impact during operation will reduce following the construction stage as the footprint of the construction works area is larger and more visible, including activities taking place therein. VSRs which have elevated panoramic views, such as from residential towers, looking towards the DPs will experience slightly more prolonged impacts due to the difficulty in mitigating visibility from these points and the opportunity of viewing several sites at once. VSRs in very close proximity will also experience slightly more prolonged impacts as development works will occupy a greater proportion of the view and be more visible.

Close hand views experienced by VSRs in the vicinity of KVP9 Ho Sheung Heung would experience moderate adverse visual impacts prior to mitigation as a result of the construction and operation DP3, which would appear directly to the south of the village. This is as a result of the high sensitivity of the VSR and relatively close proximity to the construction area. It is considered that the application of mitigation measures, in particularly screen planting, slope planting and vertical greening on noise barriers would provide the necessary enhancements to assist in visually integrating the DP into the landscape setting and help to break up the appearance of built form. In this case, following the establishment of the mitigation planting at year 10, the impact could be reduced to insignificant.

Elevated views from residential towers experienced by VSRs in the vicinity of KVP6 Choi Po Court / Choi Yuen Estate and low level views from KVP8 Ying Kong Village would experience moderate adverse impacts at the construction stage prior to mitigation due to elevated overview of the construction area possible from these points. The operational impact is predicted to remain at moderate in operation prior to mitigation due to the previously less developed nature of the receiving landscape. In both cases the impact would reduce to insignificant by year 10 of operation once screen planting and road greening will have fully integrated and screened the works.

Elevated views experienced by recreational VSRs will experience moderate adverse impacts during construction and operation in relation to KVP1a Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing south and KVP1b Highpoint above Pak Shek Au, facing northeast as these locations all have an elevated view of the DP works areas, albeit the views are less sensitive and experienced differently to residential VSRs. In both cases it is considered that the construction impact can be reduced to slight in the construction stage through screening mitigation. In operation this can be further reduced to insignificant at operation Day 1 through planting and greening measures to replace the tree canopy cover and screen the appearance of new road infrastructure.

Moderate adverse visual impacts during the construction stage would be experienced by residential views from KVP 5 Tai Ping area High Rise Residential Blocks, prior to mitigation, mainly as they also have a clear overview of the construction area. As the overall visibility of the scheme and construction works would be set within the existing road corridor the impact would reduce to insignificant prior to any mitigation measures being applied. It is considered the impact would reduce to insignificant post implementation of mitigation during the operational stages as road greening, screen planting and vertical greening of noise barriers which would help to visual integrate the new structures / roadscape into the existing highway corridor setting.

Moderate adverse impacts are predicted in relation to KVP11 Cottage Area (Western Range) where the elevation of the VSR allows for an overview into the construction footprint of the DPs. In this case the construction stage is considered to generate the impacts, as in operation the lower level views would be screened by natural intervening cover. The moderate construction impact prior to mitigation can be reduced to slight through screen planting, road greening and vertical greening measures. In year 10 operation the impacts would be insignificant as the DP would be predominantly screened.

Moderate adverse visual impacts would be experienced by KVP4 Ascot Park Area during construction, prior to mitigation due the proximity of the works area. In operation the impact would remain as moderate due to the large scale noise barriers which would be visible on the near side of the road. It is considered that in addition to this screening provided by the proposed structures, screen planting along the fence alignment, vertical greening and detailed design of the barriers to provide a less visually intrusive appearance would further reduce these impacts to insignificant in by operation year 10.

Elevated views experienced by recreational VSR will experience moderate adverse impacts during construction in relation to KVP2 Ki Lun Shan Footpath, albeit the view is less sensitive and experienced differently to residential VSRs. It is considered that the construction impact can be reduced to slight in the construction stage through screening mitigation. In operation this can be further reduced to slight by year 10 of operation through planting and greening measures to replace the tree canopy cover and screen the appearance of road infrastructure. Slight adverse visual impacts are predicted in relation to KVP3 Pedestrian footbridge over Fanling Highway. The addition of tall noise barrier throughout the road corridor will be highly visible and create the most noticeable visual change albeit with a busy highway corridor with a low visual quality. Measures to improve the visual appearance of the new barriers such as reducing the visual bulk, vertical greening, sympathetic and recessive colours will help to reduce the level of impact. Post implementation of screen planting and road greening mitigation measures, it is considered this impact can be reduced to insignificant by year 10 of operation.

Slight adverse visual impacts are also predicted in relation to KVP10, whilst the scale of these impact is relatively small, the works will appear in a previously less developed landscape. The elevation of the VP allows clearer views of the work area therefore it is difficult to fully mitigate potential impacts. It is considered that these impacts would remain at slight adverse during construction and operation day 1, the would drop to insignificant by operation year 10 whereby screening planting and road greening measures will have matured and taken effect.

Views experienced from KVP7 Industrial Zone northeast of Tsung Pak Long and KVP2 Ki Lun Shan Footpath are predicted to be slight in the construction stages prior to mitigation due to the elevated nature of the view. This level of impact principally relates to the low sensitivity and visual expectation from this VSR. Following mitigation this impact can be reduced to insignificant during the operational stages.

In terms of effectiveness of mitigation measures, it is considered that for visual purposes, improving the appearance of structures (including their placement and land take) together with landscape planting/screening measures can address the visual impacts that will be generated, reducing them to slight or insignificant by operational year 10 or earlier.

12A15.4 Cumulative impacts

12A15.5 KTN NDA

The assessment of impacts in relation to LRs and LCAs in this section has considered the construction of the Schedule 2 DPs in isolation so that it is possible to identify and quantify their specific influences and contributions to potential landscape and visual impacts within the wider NDA project. In general the construction footprint of the Schedule 2 DPs is significantly smaller than the Schedule 3 components and the associated impacts on LRs and LCAs are also far smaller. When considered together the impact of the Schedule 2 projects would not alter the outcome of the Schedule 3 assessment as this has taken into the account the same LRs/LCAs within broadly the same study area. It is only on the periphery of the urban area where the Schedule 2 DPs exert an impact on LRs and LCAs beyond the construction footprint of the Schedule 3 works such as to the south of the Fanling Highway. In this case the additional impact, providing mitigation measures are implemented, would prove to be insignificant.

In terms of visual impact, the majority of the DPs will be integrated directly within or around the KTN NDA therefore, will be entirely screened from external views in operation stage. The road infrastructure will appear visually compatible with the new urban development, which will be a far more dominant visual component that the road formation. Elements of DP1 and DP3 where they appear on the periphery of the new development are likely to exert some additional visual pressure on local VSRs, in particularly those which experience vistas along the highway. For example, the interchange works constructed over the Fanling Highway, noise barrier structures are likely to be highly visible, especially from elevated viewpoints. However, it is considered that as these works are focused around the existing major infrastructure corridor, and are significantly lower in height, that these would not generate any further adverse impacts.

12A15.6 Agreement No. CE38/2010(CE) 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 Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai together with its connecting roads and other associated works. This project is remote from these specific DPs and therefore would not generate any additional impact.

12A15.7 Agreement No. CE53/2008(CE) Planning and Engineering Study on Development of Lok Ma Chau Loop - Investigation

The LMC Loop eastern connection road lies outside the study area of KTN NDA; this will link to DP 4 (KTN NDA Road D1 to D5) distributor road south of Ma Tso Lung. This road would basically comprise a continuation of the DP4 works further to the north. If the construction period of the LMC section of the road is concurrent with the DP4 then it is likely the overall construction impact would increase due to the larger footprint. Otherwise it is considered that this would not generate any further impacts.

12A15.8 Widening of Tolo Highway/ Fanling Highway between Island House Interchange and Fanling (Stage 2)

This project will interface with DP1 Fanling Bypass Eastern section to the south east of Fanling. The tentative completion date of the project is from Yr 2015 to Yr 2018 but is still under review by HyD. It is considered that the cumulative impact, should the two projects run concurrently, would not generate any significantly adverse impacts as they would both be contained within the highway corridor and could be managed to reduce impacts through the implementation of mitigation measures.

12A15.9 Construction of cycle tracks and the associated supporting facilities from Sha Po Tsuen to Shek Sheung River.

This project will interface with DP1 San Tin Highway and Fanling Highway Kwu Tung Section Widening and DP2 Castle Peak Road Diversion as it passes to the south of the KTN NDA. It is considered that these cycleway would be highly compatible with the DP works and that no significant negative impacts would be generated.

12A15.10 Overall Conclusion

Landscape and visual mitigation works in relation to these DP during the construction stage rely heavily on the minimisation of the footprint of the works area, avoidance of significant topographical changes together with the retention, protection and compensatory planting of trees / vegetation. These measures if deployed have the capacity to reduce the level of residual impact experienced by the VSRs, LRs and LCAs at the construction stage.

It is not possible to fully mitigate all impacts in relation to loss of mature woodland or tree planting, including the visual amenity/ screening they provide, for all VSRs, LRs and LCAs in the construction period and early operational stage, mainly as long periods of time are required to sufficiently compensate for the associated impacts. Providing compensatory measures are applied, in combination with transplantation of existing trees (which can help to accelerate the establishment period), the impacts to VSRs and LRs affected by these DPs can be reduced to slight or insignificant levels relatively quickly. Road greening measures such as use of climbing plants and verge planting help to break up the uniformity of new road formation and associated structures (such as footbridges), when used in combination with wider screening measures they help to reduce the visual impacts in the early operational stages until tree screens have established and matured.

On review of the likely residual impacts and possibility to reduce all to slight or insignificant level by operational year 10, it is considered that DPs 1, 2, 3 and 4 would be acceptable in terms of landscape and visual impacts.

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^([1]) CEDD/ other government departments will be responsible for funding except where sites are tendered out to private investors, when these investors will be responsible for the funding.

^([2]) The Contractor will be responsible for landscaping during the agreed establishment and maintenance period. Other designated maintenance agents to take up maintenance of landscaping after end of agreed period.

^([3]) AFCD are suggested as the management department for specific woodland compensatory planting as detailed in Chapter 13of the EIA Report.