9. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

9.1 Introduction

This section of this report focuses on the potential landscape and visual impact arising from the Project, which involves upgrading the remaining sections of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road to a standard single two-lane carriageway, with the associated improvement of pedestrian facilities and provision of public transport laybys. In accordance with the criteria and guidelines stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM and EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2010 “Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the EIAO”, the landscape and visual impacts during the construction and operation phases are assessed.

The aim of this section is to gain an insight to the future outlook of the area affected so as to assess whether the Project can fit into the surrounding setting based on a comparison of the scenarios with and without the Project. This is achieved through outlining the landscape baseline conditions of existing Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs), the visual amenity, Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs), the planning and development control frameworks, and further identifying in detail any potential impacts arising from the Project. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts of the Project with other existing, committed and planned developments in the assessment are also assessed. Lastly, the report provides recommendations for mitigation measures in order to alleviate the impacts during the construction and operation phase and the residual effect apparent after the implementation of mitigation measures.

9.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards, Guidelines and Criteria

The criteria and guidelines for evaluating and assessing the landscape and visual impacts include the following:

Legislation and Planning Standards

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499 S.16) and the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 10 and 18

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note No.8/2010 “Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the EIAO”

· Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131)

· Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance, 2004

· Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines Chapter 4 and Chapter 11

· Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap.96)

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

Technical Circulars/ Guidelines

· Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 7/2015 – Tree Preservation

· Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 2/2012 – Allocation of Space for Quality Greening on Roads

· Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 6/2015 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features

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

· Environment, Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) No. 29/2004, Registration of Old and Valuable Trees, and Guidelines for their Preservation

· GEO publication No. 1/2011 - Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment for Slopes (2011)

· Guiding Principles on Use of Native Plant Species in Public Works Project issued by the Greening, Landscape and Tree management Section. Development Bureau

· General Specifications for Civil Engineering Works (2006 Edition) by CEDD

· Nature Conservation Practice Note No.2 (Revised June 2006), Measurement of Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) – by AFCD

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

Other Reference Information and Planning Studies

· Landscape Character Map of Hong Kong (2005 Edition)

· The Outline Zoning Plan under the Town Planning Ordinance (Cap. 131)

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

9.3 Assessment Methodology

9.3.1 General

The project is a designated project by virtue of Item Q.1 of Schedule 2, Part 1 of the EIAO, and the methodology adopted for the Project conforms to the requirements of the EIAO. The methodology consists of the following tasks:

· Review of the Planning and Development Control Framework

· Baseline study of landscape and visual resources and character

· Landscape impact assessment

· Visual impact assessment

· Recommendations of mitigation measures and implementation programme

· Identification of residual impacts

The assessment area for the landscape impact assessment shall include areas within 100m from the boundary of the Project while the assessment area for the visual impact assessment is defined by the Visual Envelope (VE). The landscape and visual impact study boundaries area shown in Figure 9.1 respectively.

9.3.2 Landscape Impact Assessment

The assessment of landscape impacts has involved the following procedures:

1. Identification of the baseline landscape resources and landscape characters area found with the Landscape Impact Assessment Area

The landscape baseline study identifies all LRs and LCAs located within 100m of the Project Boundary using a combination of desktop study and site verification.

The Project Boundary has been divided into broad units of similar character based on a process of landscape characterisation which draws on the information gathered in the desktop study and site surveys. In addition, the Planning Department “Study of Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong” is also considered. Typical elements which contribute to the landscape character include:

· Local topography;

· Woodland extent and type;

· Other vegetation/ ground cover types;

· Built form (including scale and appearance);

· Patterns of settlement;

· Wildness.

· Land use;

· Scenic spots;

· Details of local materials, styles, streetscapes condition;

· Prominent watercourses;

· Cultural and religious features;

2. Broad Brush Tree and Vegetation Survey

For Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment purposes, a broad brush tree and vegetation survey was carried out within 100m assessment area to estimate the vegetation cover and landscape features under each LR from 100m of the Project Boundary by reviewing the latest aerial photographs and based on the findings from a number of site visits during a detailed tree survey within and in the vicinity of the Project Boundary undertaken from September to November 2018 and ecological surveys from September 2018 to May 2019. It should be worth to note that those trees and vegetations outside the Project Boundary would not be affected by the Project during both the construction and operation phases as all the construction works will be carried out within the Project Boundary. The findings of the survey are discussed in Section 9.5.3 of this Report.

As trees located within Project Boundary may be directly affect by the construction works, a detailed tree survey was carried out for trees within Project Boundary according to DEVB TC(W) No. 7/2015.

The purpose of those surveys are to identify the numbers of existing trees, dominant species, maturity, rarity and any plant species of conservation interest (including Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs), Potentially Registrable OVT (POVT) or rare/ protected species) and areas for tree preservation and landscape restoration. Detailed tree schedule and tree photos are given in Appendix 9.1 and Appendix 9.2 respectively. Location plans of surveyed trees within Project Boundary with tree IDs are shown in Figure 9.7.

3. Assessment of the degree of sensitivity of the LRs

A qualitative description of LCAs and LRs has been provided and their extent quantified either by area or length. The sensitivity of the LCAs and LRs are evaluated and rated taking into account the following criteria:

· whether the landscape character/ resource is common or rare;

· whether it is considered to be of local, regional, national or global importance;

· whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations/ requirements relating to the resource;

· the quality and condition of the resource;

· the maturity of the resource; and

· the capacity of the landscape character/ resource to accommodate change.

Based on the above factors, the sensitivity of LRs and LCAs are classified as follows:

High	LR or LCA of high quality and value, which is sensitive to even relatively small changes
Medium	LR or LCA of moderate quality and value, which is reasonably tolerant to change
Low	LR or LCA with low quality and value, which is largely tolerant to change

4. Assessment of the magnitude of changes to LRs and LCAs

The assessment of “Magnitude of Change” for landscape impacts considers the following factors:

· the physical extent of the impact;

· the landscape context of the impact; and

· the time-scale of the impact - temporary (short, medium or long term) or a permanent reversible/ irreversible change.

The magnitude of change is considered separately for the construction phase and operation phase. Based on the above factors, the magnitude of change is classified as follows:

Large	LR or LCA will suffer a major change
Intermediate	LR or LCA will suffer a moderate change
Small	LR or LCA will suffer a barely perceptible change
Negligible	LR or LCA will suffer no discernible change
Nil	No change on the landscape resources

5. Determination of the significance of the landscape impacts in relation to LRs and LCAs

The degree of significance of landscape impact is derived from the magnitude of change in which the Project will causes to the existing landscape context and its ability to tolerate change i.e. its condition, quality and sensitivity. This allows for a comparison between the landscapes that would have existed in the absence of the Project with that of the predicted result of the implementation of the project.

The matrix below shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds which are rated as significant, moderate, slight or negligible depending on the combination of the nil/negligible/small/intermediate/large magnitude of change and low/medium/high degree of sensitivity of the landscape resource/character. The impacts may be beneficial or adverse.

Significant	Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a significant deterioration/improvement to the existing landscape quality
Moderate	Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a noticeable deterioration/improvement to the existing landscape quality
Slight	Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a barely perceptible deterioration/improvement to the existing landscape quality
Negligible	No perceptible change in the existing landscape quality

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

9.3.3 Visual Impact Assessment

The assessment of visual impacts has involved the following procedures:

1. Identification and Plotting of the VE

The assessment area for the visual impact assessment is defined by the VE which includes all the points from which the Project may be visible, comprising the viewshed formed by natural/ manmade features such as ridgelines, built form or areas of woodland/ large trees. This area is identified through a combination of detailed field surveys, desktop study and review of aerial photography.

2. Identification of the VSRs within the VE

These include the people who would work, reside, be at leisure, travel through the VE.

3. Assessment of the degree of sensitivity to change of the VSRs

The degree of sensitivity of VSRs depend on the type of VSRs which can be categorized into the following:

· Views from residences: the most sensitive of receivers due to the high potential of intrusion on the visual amenity and quality of life

· View from workplaces/institutional and educational buildings - moderately sensitive as the attractiveness will have a less important, although still material, effect on their perception of their quality of life.

· Views from recreational landscapes - including all areas apart from the above e.g. public parks, recreation grounds, trails, cultural sites etc. sensitivity of this group depends on the length of stay and nature of activity e.g. sitting in a park as opposed to an active sporting pursuit;

· Views from public roads and railways - including vehicle travellers and pedestrians with transitory views

Other factors as required by EIAO GN 8/2010, the assessment of sensitivity is also based on:

· Quality and value of existing views

· Availability and amenity of alternative views,

· Duration or frequency of view

· Estimated number of receiver population

· Degree of visibility.

· Location and direction of its view relative to the Project

Typical viewpoints from within each of the visually sensitive groups are identified and their views are described. Both present and future (planned visually sensitive receivers) are considered.

Based on the above factors, the sensitivity of the VSRs are classified as follow:

High	The VSR is highly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.
Medium	The VSR is moderately sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.
Low	The VSR is only slightly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.

4. Assessment of the magnitude of change to VSRs

Magnitude of change to an existing view can be determined by a number of interrelated factors, including:

· compatibility of the Project with the surrounding landscape and visual context;

· duration of impacts under construction and operation phases;

· scale of development;

· reversibility of change;

· viewing distance; and

· potential obstruction of view

Based on the above factors, the magnitude of change to the views are classified as follows:

Large	The VSRs would experience a major change in their viewing experience / The majority of viewers are affected / Project nature is not compatible to existing visual context / works area located in the foreground of the visual context
Intermediate	The VSRs would experience a moderate change in their viewing experience / Many viewers are affected / Project nature is fairly compatible to existing visual context / works area located in the middle ground of the visual context and not immediately adjacent to VSRs or their views are already partially screened by existing topography, built structures or vegetation
Small	The VSRs would experience a small change in their viewing experience / Few viewers are affected / Project nature is compatible to existing visual context / works area located in distance to VSRs
Negligible	The VSRs would experience no perceptible change in their viewing experience/ Very few viewers are affected / No discernible change in visual context

5. Determination of the significance of visual impacts in relation to VSRs

By considering both the magnitude of change and the sensitivity of change of the VSRs, the visual impact is derived. The matrix below shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, which are, rated as significant, moderate, slight or negligible depending on the combination of the negligible/small/intermediate/large magnitude of change and low/medium/high degree of sensitivity of the landscape resource/character. The impacts may be beneficial or adverse.

Significant	Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a significant deterioration/improvement to the existing visual quality
Moderate	Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a noticeable deterioration/improvement to the existing visual quality
Slight	Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project would cause a barely perceptible deterioration/improvement to the existing visual quality
Negligible	No perceptible change in the existing visual quality

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

9.3.4 Overall Result of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise of the impacts according to the criteria in Annex 10 of the TM-EIAO will be conducted. The overall assessment is made on the development based on the identified landscape and visual impacts described in below table:

Overall Result of LVIA Assessment	Description
Beneficial	The impact is beneficial if the Project will complement the landscape and visual character of its setting, will follow the relevant planning objectives and will improve overall and visual quality
Acceptable	The impact is acceptable if the assessment indicates that there will be no significant effects on the landscape, no significant visual effects caused by the appearance of the Project, or no interference with key views.
Acceptable with Mitigation Measures	The impact is acceptable with mitigation measures if there will be adverse effects, but these can be eliminated, reduced or offset to a large extent by specific measures.
Unacceptable	The impact is unacceptable if the adverse effects are considered too excessive and are unable to mitigate practically.
Underdetermined	The impact is underdetermined if significant adverse effects are likely, but the extent to which they may occur or may be mitigated cannot be determined from the study. Further detailed study will be required for the specific effects in question.

9.4 Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

9.4.1 Review of Existing OZPs

In order to help determine if the Project fits into the wider landscape context, existing planning studies and documents have been reviewed. The assessment does not consider all the zoning areas on the OZP but those that are 100m from the Project Boundary. The location of these zoning areas is shown on Figure 9.6. The review considered the following factors of the identified planning designations:

· Zoning areas which would be physically affected by the Project in which the implementation of the Project would lead to loss of the area

· The potential degradation of the landscape setting of an area which might affect the landscape planning designation but not loss in area

· The visual amenity enjoyed by future residents or users

· General fit of the Project into this future landscape

The landscape relevant zoning within the assessment area include the following:

· Kam Tin North OZP (S/YL-KTN/9);

· Kam Tin South OZP (S/YL-KTS/15);

· Pat Heung OZP (S/YL-PH/11);

· Shek Kong OZP (S/YL-SK/9); and

· Lam Tsuen OZP (S/NE-LT/11)

Table 9.1 Review of the Existing Planning and Development Control Framework

Land Use Zonings	Landscape Planning, Design and Conservation Intention of Zoning	Potential Impacts of the Project	Mitigation Measures and Future Outlook of the Area with the Project
Kam Tin North OZP (S/YL-KTN/9);
Village Type Development (V)	This zone consists of Wing Lung Wai and Tsz Tong Tsuen settlements and reflects the existing village settlements. The planning intention of this zone showcases the land considered suitable for village expansion.	The proposed road upgrading works will not directly affect this zone.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Residential (Group C) 2 (R(C)2)	This zone consists of Seasons Villas and Seasons Monarchs low-rise residential development. This zone is intended primarily for low-rise, low-density residential developments where commercial uses serving the residential neighborhood may be permitted.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway, the provision of pedestrian footpath and the construction of a proposed retaining wall and noise barriers.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting, treatment of slopes and retaining wall and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Residential Group D (R(D))	This area encompasses Pang Ka Tsuen and Shek Kong San Tsuen low-rise village development. This zone is intended primarily for improvement and upgrading of existing temporary structures within the rural areas through redevelopment of existing temporary structures into permanent buildings. It is also intended for low-rise, low-density residential developments subject to planning permission from the Town Planning Board.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Open Space (O)	Two areas abutting Kam Tin Road are zoned “O” to cater for needs of the local population. This zone is intended primarily for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses serving needs of residents as well as the general public.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Government, Institution or Community (G/IC)	This zone encompasses the existing clinic to the south of Kam Tin Road near the Shek Kong Barracks. This zone is intended primarily for the provision of Government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Other Specified Uses (OU)	This zone consists of a Petrol Filling Station, which is situated to the south of Kam Tin Road near Shek Kong Barrack. It is intended primarily for the provision of petrol filling station.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Conservation Area 1 (CA(1))	The planning intention of this zone is to conserve the ecological value of wetland. The primary intention is to discourage development unless it is required to support the conservation of the wetland or the development is an essential infrastructure project with overriding public interest.	The proposed road upgrading works will not directly affect this zone.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Kam Tin South OZP (S/YL-KTS/15);
Residential Group D (R(D))	This zone encompasses Ng Ka Tsuen low-rise residential development. This zone is intended primarily for improvement and upgrading of existing temporary structures within the rural areas through redevelopment of existing temporary structures into permanent buildings. It is also intended for low-rise, low-density residential developments subject to planning permission from the Town Planning Board.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Village Type Development (V)	This zone encompasses Tsz Tong Tsuen Village settlement. The planning intention of this zone is to reflect existing and other villages, and to provide land considered suitable for village expansion and reprovisioning of village houses affected by Government project.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Pat Heung OZP (S/YL-PH/11);
Open Storage (OS)	This zone consists of the area of Wang Toi Shan Tsoi Yuen Tsuen and to the south of Kam Tin Road at the south-eastern corner of the area. This zone is intended primarily for the provision of land for appropriate open storage uses and to regularize the already haphazard proliferation of open storage uses.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Village Type Development (V)	This zone encompasses Leung Uk Tsuen, Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen and Wang Toi Shan village settlement. The planning intention of this zone is to reflect existing and other villages, and to provide land considered suitable for village expansion and reprovisioning of village houses affected by Government project.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Government/Institution/Community (G/IC)	This zone encompasses Pat Heung Fire Station and Pat Heung Police Station. This zone is intended primarily for the provision of Government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents. It is also intended to provide land for uses directly related o or in support of the work of the Government, organizations social services to meet community needs, and other institution establishments.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Conservation Area (CA)	This zone encompasses the foot of Lam Tsuen Country Park. The planning intention is this zone is to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area for conservation, educational and research purposes and to separate sensitive natural environments such as Country Park from adverse effect of development	The proposed road upgrading works will not directly affect this zone.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.

Residential (Group D) (R(D))	This zone is currently occupied by open storage yards, temporary structures for domestic and workshop uses, village houses, vacant farms and fallow agricultural land. This zone encompasses This zone is intended primarily for improvement and upgrading of existing temporary structures within the rural areas through redevelopment of existing temporary structures into permanent buildings. It is also intended for low-rise, low-density residential developments subject to planning permission from the Town Planning Board.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Other Specified Uses (OU)	This zone is intended primarily for the provision of a film studio.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Agriculture (AGR)	This zone is intended primarily to retain and safeguard good quality agricultural land/farm/fishponds for agricultural purposes. It is intended to retain fallow arable land with good potential for rehabilitation for cultivation and other agricultural purposes.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.

Shek Kong OZP S/YL-SK/9
Government/Institution/Community (G/IC)	This zone consists of The Kadoorie Institute – Shek Kong Centre The University of Hong Kong. This zone is intended primarily for the provision of Government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents. It is also intended to provide land for uses directly related or in support of the work of the Government, organizations social services to meet community needs, and other institution establishments.	The proposed road upgrading works will not directly affect this zone.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Conservation Area (CA)	This zone encompasses the slope in the north-eastern and southern parts of the area for giving added protection to Lam Tsuen Country Park. The planning intention in this zone is to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features or topographical features of the area for conservation, education and research purposes and to separate sensitive natural environments such as Country Park from adverse effect of the development.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath, construction of retaining wall and the regrading of existing slopes.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting, treatment of slopes and retaining wall and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Industrial Group D (I(D))	This zone encompasses Wong Chuk Yuen, to the north of Lam Kam Road and east of Kam Tin Road. This zone intended primarily for industrial uses that cannot be accommodated in conventional flatted factories due to extensive lands and/or high ceiling requirement. It is also intended for the redevelopment of existing informal industrial uses, which are operated in workshop premises in rural area, to properly designed permanent.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting, treatment of slopes and retaining wall and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.

Village Type Development (V)	This zone encompasses Sheung Tsuen village settlement. The planning intention of this zone is to reflect existing and other villages, and to provide land considered suitable for village expansion and reprovisioning of village houses affected by Government project.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Open Space (O)	The zone is intended primarily for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents as well as the general public.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the widening of the carriageway and the provision of pedestrian footpath.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Lam Tsuen OZP No. S/NE-LT/11
Green Belt (GB)	The planning intention of this zone is primarily for defining the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas by natural features and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets. This is a general presumption against development within this zone.	The proposed road upgrading works will not directly affect this zone.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Government/Institution/Community (G/IC)	This zone is intended primarily for the provision of Government, Institution, or Community facilities serving the needs of the residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory. It is also intended to provide land for uses directly related to or in support of the work of the Government, organizations providing social services to meet community needs, and other institutional establishments.	The proposed road upgrading works will not directly affect this zone.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.

9.5 Baseline Study: Landscape Resources and Landscape Areas

This section comprises of the identification and evaluation of the sensitivity of Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) within the landscape impact assessment study boundary of 100m from the Project Boundary of the Project, which are presented in Figure 9.2 and Figure 9.3 respectively. Aerial photos of the LCAs are presented in Figure 9.4.

9.5.1 Landscape Resources

Key LRs have been identified and described as below together with the findings of broad brush tree and vegetation survey. The locations of the key LRs and aerial photos are shown in Figure 9.2.

1. LR1 Major Road Corridor (~5.7ha within 100m assessment area)

This LR refers to the major roads including Kam Tin Road, Lam Kam Road and smaller adjacent side roads that are used for transportation and residential access. The Project will mainly affect Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road. Generally, LR1 does not comprise any vegetation cover and are predominantly formed of engineered structures and modified slopes. Existing roadside plantation and noise barriers are found alongside the carriageway forming part of the mitigation measures implemented when the road was first upgraded. These trees are important to the landscape and visual amenity of the road corridor and are further described in LR3. Given the nature of the road corridor, it has relatively low landscape and amenity value. Furthermore, due to its existing engineered structures, it has a high ability to accommodate change and thus a low sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

2. LR2 Agricultural Fields (~2.2ha within 100m assessment area)

Agricultural fields that are associated with adjacent village settlements are found scattered in the assessment area. These agricultural fields are dominated by approximately 30% of weedy trees and shrubs and 70% of agricultural field. Due to the disturbed nature of the agricultural field areas and the decrease in agricultural activities, this has led to the degradation in the value of this resource. Thus, the landscape and amenity value of LR2 is generally considered to be low with a medium ability to accommodate change and a low sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

3. LR3 Roadside Plantation (~1.6ha within 100m assessment area)

LR3 refers to the planting along the road corridors of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam road and some of the adjacent side roads. The majority of trees is located alongside the northbound and southbound of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road within the Project Boundary with approximately 20% of weedy grass, 20% of shrubs with the planters and 60% of roadside trees, which include a total of 1199 trees from 76 tree species. These trees are mainly planted ornamental plant and dominated by fast growing exotic species. None of the roadside trees recorded are listed or qualified to be registered in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees. Given the importance of this LR to the landscape and visual amenity of the road corridor it is considered to have a low ability to accommodate change and a high sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

4. LR4 Residential Settlements (~36.0ha within 100m assessment area)

Residential settlements are found along the road corridor in lowland landscape and comprise both village settlements and private residential settlements. They are characterized by extensive groups of 3-storey town houses and are a combination of traditional dwellings with newer type developments. This LR is mainly paved with concrete or bitumen and thus have limited vegetation cover which is approximately 20% of the LR area. The existing vegetation within this LR is primarily weedy grass and herb located on the periphery of the village houses and residential low-rise residential buildings. Given the nature of the existing developments, LR4 is considered to have a relatively low value. Furthermore, as much of it is already developed, it has medium ability to accommodate change and medium sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

5. LR5 Hillside and Mixed Woodland (~16.8ha within 100m assessment area)

The north east of the assessment area comprises mixed woodland that are dispersed along with village settlements near the foothills of Lam Tsuen Country Park and foothills of the natural upland near Kadoorie Farm and near Detention Compound of Planning Department. . LR5 covers approximately 95% area of lower hill slopes with trees in high density located on natural and man-made slopes and 5% area of stream courses in the upland areas. It comprises secondary woodland, which includes a combination of native trees, and plantation woodland. LR5 is characterized as the rural landscape in Shek Kong and Pat Heung District and some of it is classified as ‘Conservation Areas’ protected under the proposals for the development of the NWNT. One individual of Aquilaria sinensis (as shown in Figure 9.7o) is found at the slope opposite to HeliServices (Hong Kong) Limited at Lam Kam Road within LR5 but outside the Project Boundary. Meanwhile, an individual of Ficus microcarpa (T0671 as shown in Figure 9.7o) with DBH of 1237mm is found within LR5 and the Project Boundary near CHA 45+50 at Lam Kam Road. A tree group (TG1 as shown in Figure 9.7q) of approximately 500 individuals of trees is identified at the slope near Kadoorie Farm at Lam Kam Road. The landscape and amenity value of this LR is high and it has medium ability to accommodate change and has high sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

6. LR6 Developed Rural Land (~50.5ha within 100m assessment area)

This area includes a combination of development types including the conversion of agricultural fields to open storage, the facilities associated with institutional uses such as Shek Kong Barracks, light industrial buildings, junkyards and the conversion of agricultural fields and natural rivers to the Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) depot. The existing plantation consists of approximately 30% of LR6 including a mixture of tree and shrub as amenity planting in institutional facilities. The replacement of the agricultural fields and rivers by these developments has significantly degraded the landscape and visual amenity of the area thus LR6 is considered to have a low value and have a high ability to accommodate change and a low sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

7. LR7 Grassland/Shrubland Mosaic (~12.3ha within 100m assessment area)

There are mainly two types of grassland/shrubland mosaic. One is from abandoned agricultural fields in which natural succession has led to the growth of grass and shrubs while the second is found on the lower hill slopes adjacent to mountain and hill ranges. LR7 consists of approximately 30% of grassland and 70% of shrubland with trees. An individual of Ficus microcarpa (T1372 as shown in Figure 9.7d) with DBH of 1221mm is found within LR7 and the Project Boundary near CHA 8+10 at Kam Tin Road. A tree group (TG2 as shown in Figure 9.7p) of approximately 350 individuals of trees is identified at the slope near Detention Compound of Planning Department at Lam Kam Road. LR7 is considered to have a medium ability to accommodate change and medium sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

8. LR8 Modified Watercourses (~2.2ha within 100m assessment area)

Sections of Kam Tin River within the assessment area has been modified in phases since 1990s to solve the flooding problems in these areas. This has led to the loss of the meandering form that once characterized the river and riverside vegetation. Mitigation measures including the planting of new trees and shrub areas have been implemented. Approximately 10% of LR8 consists of vegetation such as trees and weedy grass next to the watercourses. Although engineering works largely disturbs these watercourses, they are scenic elements in the local landscape. This resource is considered to have medium ability to accommodate change and medium sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

9. LR9 Open Spaces and Sports Fields (~1.9ha within 100m assessment area)

LR9 includes a number of open spaces and sport facilities found in Shek Kong Barracks, and parks such as Sheung Tsuen Park and Sheung Tsuen Sitting-out Area. These areas are characterized with traditional open space type landscapes with closely mown and manicured lawn. The vegetation within LR9 consists of approximately 70% of the area including planted trees and shrubs with planters as amenity planting. Although these facilities are in developed areas, they are considered to have low ability to accommodate change and have a high sensitivity to change in landscape resource.

ID No.	Landscape Resource	Quality of Landscape Resource (High/Medium/Low)	Importance and Rarity (High/Medium/Low)	Ability to accommodate Change (High/Medium/Low)	Local Significance of Potential Change (High/Medium/Low)	Regional Significance of Potential Change (High/Medium/Low)	Maturity (High/Medium/Low/NA)	Sensitivity to Change (High/Medium/Low)
LR1	Major Road Corridor	Low	Low	High	Low	Low	N/A	Low
LR2	Agricultural Fields	Low	Low	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Low
LR3	Roadside Plantation	Medium	High	Low	High	Medium	Medium	High
LR4	Residential Settlements	Low	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	High	Medium
LR5	Hillside and Mixed Woodland	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	High	High
LR6	Developed Rural Land	Low	Low	High	Low	Low	Low	Low
LR7	Grassland/Shrubland Mosaic	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	Medium	Medium
LR8	Modified Watercourses	Medium	Medium	Medium	Low	Low	Low	Medium
LR9	Open Spaces and Sports Fields	Medium	Medium	Low	High	Medium	Medium	High

ID No.	Landscape Character	Quality of Landscape Resource (High/Medium/Low)	Importance and Rarity (High/Medium/Low)	Ability to accommodate Change (High/Medium/Low)	Local Significance of Potential Change (High/Medium/Low)	Regional Significance of Potential Change (High/Medium/Low)	Sensitivity to Change (High/Medium/Low)
LCA1	Pang Ka Tsuen Lowland Rural and Low-Rise Residential Landscape	Medium	Low	High	Low	Low	Low
LCA2	Kam Tin Lowland Rural Landscape	Medium	Low	High	Low	Low	Low
LCA3	Shek Kong Barracks Landscape (Shek Kong)	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
LCA4	Kam Tin Modified Water Course Landscape	Medium	Low	High	Medium	Medium	Medium
LCA5	Shek Kong Lowland Rural Landscape	Medium	Low	High	Low	Low	Low
LCA6	Lam Tsuen Country Park Hillside Landscape	High	Medium	Low	High	High	High
LCA7	Sheung Tsuen Lowland Rural Landscape	Medium	Low	High	Medium	Low	Medium
LCA8	Shek Kong Barracks Landscape (Shek Kong Tsuen)	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
LCA9	Kwun Yam Shan Upland and Hillside Landscape	High	Medium	Low	High	High	High
LCA10	Kwun Yam Shan Miscellaneous Rural Fringe Landscape	Low	Low	High	Low	Low	Low
LCA11	Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road Corridor	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
LCA12	Wang Toi Shan Village Landscape	Medium	Low	High	Low	Low	Low

9.5.3 Tree and Vegetation Survey Findings

Tree and Vegetation outside the Project Boundary

Tree and vegetation survey outside the Project Boundary was conducted by reviewing the latest aerial photographs and based on the findings from a number of site visits during a detailed tree survey within and in the vicinity of the Project Boundary undertaken from September to November 2018 and ecological surveys from September 2018 to May 2019. It should be worth to note that those trees and vegetations outside the Project Boundary would not be affected by the Project during both the construction and operation phases as all the construction works will be carried out within the Project Boundary. Table 9.4a summarises the findings of the surveys.

Table 9.4a Tree and Vegetation within each LR outside the Project Boundary

Landscape Resources	Trees	Shrubs	Weedy Grass
Landscape Resources	Percentage Area of the LR
LR1 Major Road Corridor	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR2 Agricultural Fields	Approximate 5%	Approximate 10%	Approximate 15%
LR3 Roadside Plantation	Approximate 60%	Approximate 20%	Approximate 20%
LR4 Residential Settlements	Nil	Approximate 10%	Approximate 10%
LR5 Hillside and Mixed Woodland	Approximate 85%	Approximate 5%	Approximate 5%
LR6 Developed Rural Land	Approximate 15%	Approximate 15%	Nil
LR7 Grassland/Shrubland Mosaic	Approximate 25%	Approximate 45%	Approximate 30%
LR8 Modified Watercourses	Approximate 5%	Nil	Approximate 5%
LR9 Open Spaces and Sports Fields	Approximate 20%	Approximate 50%	Nil

Only one tree individual, namely Aquilaria sinensis, is protected species under Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) which was found within the 100m assessment area but outside the Project Boundary. Location of this individual is shown in Figure 9.7o and survey information is given in Appendix 9.1.

Tree within the Project Boundary

As trees located within Project Boundary may be directly affected by the construction works, a detailed tree survey according to DEVB TC(W) No. 7/2015 was undertaken and a total of 2049 trees are found within the Project Boundary. As such, 1199 trees from 76 tree species have been recorded alongside the northbound and southbound of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road within the Project Boundary. Aside from the trees along both sides of the road, two clusters of trees are surveyed in form of tree groups. A total of 850 trees were found from two tree groups near Kadoorie Farm and near Detention Compound of Planning Department. According to the latest available engineering information, both tree groups would not be in direct conflict with the upgrading works. Locations of surveyed roadside trees and two tree groups within the Project Boundary are shown in Figure 9.7.

Most of the trees recorded are planted ornamental plant and dominated by fast growing exotic species. Dominant tree species include Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana, Acacia confusa, Celtis sinensis and Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa. None of the tree recorded are listed or qualified to be registered in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees within the Project Boundary.

Two individuals of Ficus microcarpa, i.e. T1372 with DBH of 1221mm and T0671 with DBH of 1237mm, are found during the tree survey. These trees are considered as potential OVTs with significant tree size. Locations of these two individuals are shown in Figure 9.7d and Figure 9.7o respectively.

The surveyed trees are found in the roadside of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road, as well as the foothills of the natural upland near Kadoorie Farm and near Detention Compound of Planning Department and they are generally semi-mature to mature. The location of LRs is shown in Figure 9.2 and Figure 9.7 shows the location of the surveyed trees. The number of trees, majority and maturity of species within each LR are presented in Table 9.4b below. The detailed tree schedule and tree photos shall be referred to Appendix 9.1 and Appendix 9.2 respectively.

Table 9.4b Trees within each LR within the Project Boundary

Landscape Resources	Number of Trees within each Landscape Resource	Majority of Species	Maturity of Species
LR1 Major Road Corridor	Nil	N/A	N/A
LR2 Agricultural Fields	Nil	N/A	N/A
LR3 Roadside Plantation	376	Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana, Celtis sinensis	Medium
LR4 Residential Settlements	50	Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana	Medium
LR5 Hillside and Mixed Woodland	774	Acacia confusa, Celtis sinensis, Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa	Low to Medium
LR6 Developed Rural Land	73	Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana	Low to Medium
LR7 Grassland/Shrubland Mosaic	776	Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. Cumingiana, Aporusa dioica, Machilus chekiangensis	Low to Medium
LR8 Modified Watercourses	N/A	N/A	N/A
LR9 Open Spaces and Sports Fields	N/A	N/A	N/A
Total Number of Trees within the Project Boundary	2049 (1199 roadside trees and 850 trees in two tree groups)

Tree Survey Report

A detailed tree survey report will be prepared and submitted for approval by the relevant government departments in accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 7/2015, ‘Tree Preservation’ during the detailed design phase of the Project. Thus, more detailed information will be used to identify further opportunities for preservation of additional trees.

9.6 Baseline Study: Visual Envelope and Visually Sensitive Receivers

This section comprises the identification and evaluation of the sensitivity of visually sensitive receivers (VSRs) for visual characters and resources within the Visual Envelope (VE).

9.6.1 Existing Visual Context

9.6.1.1 Visual Envelope

The VE includes all the areas from which the Project can be completely visible, partly visible, which is usually defined by natural ridgeline, man-made features, road infrastructures etc. The VE is largely limited by existing vegetation, infrastructures and the development of the road corridor. Thus, most of the engineering structure will be visible to village houses that are directly adjacent to the road alignment and vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road. As a result, the VE is confined to the area that is with relatively close proximity to the proposed road alignment. However, with distance, elevated views are available of the road alignment from surrounding upland areas associated with Lam Tsuen Country Park, although the road corridor only form a small component of these views. The extent of the VE and the location of the identified VSRs are indicated on Figure 9.5.

9.6.1.2 Visual Characters and Resources

The Project is located in an area that is sparsely built with low-rise residential developments, village houses and industrial land use. The Project Boundary is the existing road corridor immediately next to low-density residential developments and village houses, open storage yards, temporary structures for car repairing workshop and carparks, and infrastructure such as Shek Kong Barracks and XRL depot. Hence, the Project is compatible with visual characters of the surrounding environment.

The key visual characters and resources within the VE are indicated in Figure 9.14 and includes:

· Industrial buildings, open storage, open carpark and vacant land;

· Residential developments and village houses;

· Roadside vegetation, green slopes and open space (i.e. park and leisure area);

· Shek Kong Barracks, Shek Kong Camp, XRL depot and Shek Kong Airfield;

· River;

· Ridgelines; and

· Road corridor

Among the identified key visual resources, ridgelines and roadside vegetation/green slopes are considered as the most sensitive visual resources and have high amenity value to the VSRs. The visual system between VSRs and the visual resources, such as the sensitivity and the ability to accommodate change, of the Project is assessed in Table 9.5 below.

9.6.2 Visually Sensitive Receivers

The VSRs identified within the VE are grouped according to village settlements, housing developments, vehicle travellers, pedestrians and occupational receivers whom have a view of the proposed road widening works. The selected VSRs are representative of the views available at each location and include the following:

· VSR1 Residents of Kiu Tau Tsuen

· VSR2 Residents of Pang Ka Tsuen

· VSR3 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks (eastbound)

· VSR4 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks

· VSR5 Kam Tin Clinic

· VSR6 Residents of Shek Kong San Tsuen

· VSR7 Residents of Seasons Villas

· VSR8 An education centre within Shek Kong Barracks

· VSR9 Residents of Leung Uk Tsuen

· VSR10 Residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen

· VSR11 Residents of Green Villa

· VSR12 Pat Heung Police Station

· VSR13 Residents of Wang Toi Shan Yau Uk Tsuen

· VSR14 Residents of Wang Toi Shan San Tsuen

· VSR15 Residents of Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen

· VSR16 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui (eastbound)

· VSR17 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong

· VSR18 Residents of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui

· VSR19 Home for aged named Evergreen International (HK) Association

· VSR20 Residents of Pine Hill Villa

· VSR21 Residents of Cheung Uk Tsuen

· VSR22 Residents of Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen

· VSR23 Sheung Tsuen Park

· VSR24 Residents of Wong Chuk Yuen

· VSR25 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)

· VSR26 Residents of Lui Kung Tin

· VSR27 Residents of Shek Kong Village

· VSR28 Visitors to Kadoorie Farm

· VSR29 Trail walkers in Lam Tsuen Country Park

· VSR30 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road to the south of Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)

· VSR31 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (westbound)

· VSR32 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (eastbound)

· VSR33 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Seasons Villas (eastbound)

· VSR34 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road near Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen

The identified VSRs and the sensitivity of their views towards the proposed scheme are briefly described below.

VSR1 Residents of Kiu Tau Tsuen, VSR2 Residents of Pang Ka Tsuen, VSR6 Residents of Shek Kong San Tsuen

These VSRs have glimpsed views of the Project due to the existence of roadside vegetation, structures along the road corridor and adjacent to the village settlements. Views are largely restricted to the houses on the periphery of the settlements due to the low-lying nature of the landscape context and the density of the existing development. Despite the restricted nature of available views of the road the sensitivity of these VSRs is high.

VSR3 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks (eastbound), VSR4 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks

VSR5 Kam Tin Clinic and VSR8 An education centre within Shek Kong Barracks

These VSRs have glimpsed views of the Project due to the existence of vegetation within the individual sites, wall/fencing along the boundary of each site. VSR5 has relatively low sensitivity to change and VSR8 has medium sensitivity to change due to the different number of people potentially viewing the Project from the respective locations.

VSR7 Residents of Seasons Villas

The views for residents to the east of the development are screened with existing vegetation while residents to the west have partial views of the road corridor. These views are also partially blocked by the intervening vegetation and structures. Despite the extent of the available view this VSRs have a high sensitivity to further change, as they are residential.

VSR9 Residents of Leung Uk Tsuen, VSR12 Pat Heung Police Station, VSR13 Residents of Wang Toi Shan Yau Uk Tsuen, VSR14 Residents of Wang Toi Shan San Tsuen, VSR15 Residents of Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen, VSR18 Residents of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui and VSR19 Home for aged named Evergreen International (HK) Association

The extent and nature of the views among these VSRs are largely similar by having glimpsed views of the Project except for VSR18, which has a partial view. It is due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSRs, boundary walls and other intervening structures. The quality of the existing views range from fair to poor and are generally available to an intermediate number of people with the exception of VSR15 and VSR18 which have a larger number of VSRs. Views of the road corridor are largely restricted to buildings on the edge of settlements adjacent to the road. Therefore, despite the similarity in the character of the views, the residential VSRs have a high sensitivity to change due to the frequency of views whereas VSR12 and VSR19 (both Occupational VSRs) have a sensitivity of low and medium respectively.

VSR10 Residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen

Residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen are adjacent to the XRL depot and due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSR, boundary walls and other intervening structures, there is only a glimpsed view of the Project. The views are available to a few number of people however due to the frequency of views (duration/frequency of views to the Project from the VSRs) and the residential nature of this VSR, the sensitivity to change is assessed as high.

VSR11 Residents of Green Villa

Due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSR, boundary walls and other intervening structures, there is only a glimpsed view of the Project. The views are available to an intermediate number of people however due to the frequency of views and the residential nature of this VSR, the sensitivity to change is assessed as high.

VSR16 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui (eastbound) and VSR17 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Wong

VSR20 Residents of Pine Hill Villa, VSR21 Residents of Cheung Uk Tsuen and VSR22 Residents of Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen

The extent and the nature of the views available to these VSRs are largely similar ranging from partial to glimpsed views of the Project. Due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSRs, boundary walls and other intervening structures, there is only a glimpsed to partial view of the Project. The quality of the existing views range from fair to poor and are generally available to an intermediate to large number of people. Therefore despite the restricted view of the Project, the sensitivity of these VSRs is high as they are residential and the frequency of views.

VSR23 Sheung Tsuen Park

The recreational users of the park will have partial views of the Project due to the screening effect of the boundary wall and vegetation surrounding the park. Thus, the sensitivity of the views available to these VSRs will medium due to the combination of the relative number of people who use the park, the frequency of their views and screening effect of the intervening obstacles.

VSR24 Residents of Wong Chuk Yuen, VSR26 Residents of Lui Kung Tin and VSR27 Residents of Shek Kong Village

The extent and nature of the views among these VSRs are largely similar by having glimpsed views of the Project. Due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSRs, boundary walls and other intervening structures, there is only a glimpsed view of the Project. Therefore, despite the restricted view of the Project, the sensitivity of these VSRs is high as they are residential and the frequency of views.

VSR25 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound), VSR30 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road to south of Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound), VSR31 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (westbound), VSR32 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (eastbound), VSR33 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Seasons Villas and VSR34 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road near Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen

These VSRs have full view of the existing road corridor. The view is characterized by the existing road and its associated structures, roadside vegetation and provides occasional views for few to intermediate number of people. Therefore given the nature of this view, it will have a low sensitivity to further change. At the eastern end of the road alignment there is a greater prevalence of roadside slope features due to the more undulating nature of the existing topography. In some locations these features dominate existing views for vehicle travellers and pedestrians. Therefore given the nature of this view, it will have a low sensitivity to further change.

VSR28 Visitors to Kadoorie Farm and VSR29 Trail walkers in Lam Tsuen Country Park

The extent of the view of the Project available to visitors of Kadoorie farm is partial which is largely screened by the existing topography and vegetation both within the Farm and along the roadsides. Therefore given the restricted nature of the existing view and the extent of the visible works, the sensitivity of the views available to VSR28 is considered to be medium. Despite the greater viewing distance and more panoramic nature of the view, the sensitivity of VSR29 is also considered medium.

Table 9.5 below determines the sensitivity of selected VSRs within the VE and their ability to accommodate change.

Table 9.5 Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) and their Sensitivity to Change

ID No.	Key VSRs	Type of VSRs	Population of viewers (Large/Intermediate/Few/Very Few)	Quality of existing view (Good/Fair/Poor)	Direction of Main views/ availability of Alternative Views (Yes/No)	Amenity of Alternative Views (Good/Fair/Poor)	Degree of Visibility (Full/Partial/ Glimpsed)	Frequency of View (very frequent/ frequent/ occasional/rare)	Sensitivity to Change (low/medium/high)
VSR1	Residents of Kiu Tau Tsuen	Residential	Intermediate	Poor	South / Yes	Poor	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR2	Residents of Pang Ka Tsuen	Residential	Intermediate	Fair	South / Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR3	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks (eastbound)	Vehicle Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	East / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR4	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks	Pedestrians	Few	Fair	East and West / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR5	Kam Tin Clinic	Occupational	Few	Fair	North /Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Occasional	Low
VSR6	Residents of Shek Kong San Tsuen	Residential	Intermediate	Fair	South /Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR7	Residents of Seasons Villas	Residential	Intermediate	Fair	South /Yes	Fair	Partial	Frequent	High
VSR8	An Education Centre Within Shek Kong Barracks	Occupational	Few	Fair	North /Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Occasional	Medium
VSR9	Residents of Leung Uk Tsuen	Residential	Intermediate	Poor	North /Yes	Poor	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR10	Residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen	Residential	Few	Fair	North and West /Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR11	Residents of Green Villa	Residential	Intermediate	Poor	North / Yes	Poor	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR12	Pat Heung Police Station	Occupational	Few	Fair	South / Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Occasional	Low
VSR13	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Yau Uk Tsuen	Residential	Intermediate	Poor	South / Yes	Poor	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR14	Residents of Wang Toi Shan San Tsuen	Residential	Intermediate	Poor	North / Yes	Poor	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR15	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen	Residential	Large	Poor	South / Yes	Poor	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR16	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui (eastbound)	Vehicle Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	East / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR17	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to The North of Shek Kong	Pedestrians	Few	Fair	East and West / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR18	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui	Residential	Large	Poor	South / Yes	Fair	Partial	Frequent	High
VSR19	Home for Aged Named Evergreen International (HK) Association	Residential	Intermediate	Fair	North / Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	Medium
VSR20	Residents of Pine Hill Villa	Residential	Intermediate	Fair	South and West / Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR21	Residents of Cheung Uk Tsuen	Residential	Large	Poor	East / Yes	Fair	Partial	Frequent	High
VSR22	Residents of Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen	Residential	Large	Poor	East / Yes	Fair	Partial	Frequent	High
VSR23	Sheung Tsuen Park	Recreational Users	Few	Fair	East and South / Yes	Fair	Partial	Frequent	Medium
VSR24	Residents of Wong Chuk Yuen	Residential	Large	Fair	South and West / Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR25	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)	Vehicle Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	East / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR26	Residents of Lui Kung Tin	Residential	Large	Fair	North / Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR27	Residents of Shek Kong Village	Residential	Large	Fair	North / Yes	Fair	Glimpsed	Frequent	High
VSR28	Visitors to Kadoorie Farm	Trail Walkers	Few	Good	North / Yes	Fair	Partial	Occasional	Medium
VSR29	Trail Walkers in Lam Tsuen Country Park	Trail Walkers	Few	Good	South and West / Yes	Fair	Partial	Occasional	Medium
VSR30	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road to the south of Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)	Vehicle Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	East / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR31	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (westbound)	Vehicle Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	West / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR32	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (eastbound)	Vehicle Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	East / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR33	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Seasons Villas (eastbound)	Vehicle Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	East / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low
VSR34	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road near Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen	Pedestrians	Few	Poor	North and South / No	N/A	Full	Occasional	Low

Table 9.6 Magnitude of Change for Landscape Resources

ID No.	Landscape Resource	Description of Impacts	Scale of the Development relative to Baseline Conditions (Nil / Small / Medium / Large)	Compatibility of the Project with Landscape Resource (Nil / Low / Medium / High)	Duration of Impacts (Nil / Short / Medium / Long)	Reversibility of Change (Yes / No / Not Applicable)	Magnitude of Change during Construction Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)	Magnitude of Change during Operation Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
LR1	Major Road Corridor Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 4.1ha out of 5.7ha (72% of the LR)	Temporary disturbance to existing LR due to construction activities undertaken on existing road which involve excavation and slope works. All areas which will be affected by the Project are paved carriageway with engineered structure. No vegetation coverage is identified in LR1 and thus vegetation clearance is not applicable in LR1 for the Project.	Large	High	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Large	Intermediate
LR2	Agricultural Fields Area of LR within Project Boundary: Nil	No direct impact due to the Project is anticipated as the areas of LR2 are located away from the Project Boundary. Vegetation clearance in LR2 is not required for implementation of the Project. No tree loss in LR2 is anticipated due to the Project.	Nil	Nil	Nil	Not Applicable	Negligible	Negligible
LR3	Roadside Plantation Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 1.5ha out of 1.6ha (90% of the LR)	Approx. 70% of the roadside plantation in LR3 such as planter, weedy grass, shrubs and trees, will be felled/transplanted due to the widening of the carriageway and pedestrian paths. Approx. 30% of vegetation coverage in LR3 which without conflict with construction works will be retained as far as practicable. Tree loss (Fell: 212/376, Transplant: 31/376, Retained: 133/376)	Medium	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	Yes	Large	Intermediate
LR4	Residential Settlements Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 1.4ha out of 36.0ha (4% of the LR)	Limited vegetation coverage in LR4 is identified within Project Boundary, such as weedy grass, herbs and trees between the carriageway and residential settlements, and will be felled/transplanted due to the road widening works. Tree loss (Fell: 37/50, Transplant: 2/50, Retained: 11/50)	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LR5	Hillside and Mixed Woodland Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 1.9ha out of 16.8ha (12% of the LR)	Approx. 40% of hillside area and vegetation in LR5 is identified within Project Boundary, such as natural and man-made slope, secondary woodland and plantation woodland, and will be directly affected due to the road widening works and modification of slopes along Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road.	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
		No area loss and channel blockage of stream courses is anticipated as the road widening works do not consist of filling works at the stream courses. Tree loss (Fell: 267/774 (including one individual of Ficus microcarpa (T0671) with significant tree size), Transplant: 5/774, Retained: 502/774)
LR6	Developed Rural Land Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 1.9ha out of 50.5ha (4% of the LR)	Limited vegetation coverage in LR6 is identified within Project Boundary, such as shrubs and trees between the carriageway and developed rural land, and will be felled due to the road widening works. Tree loss (Fell: 16/73, Transplant: Nil, Retained: 57/73)	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LR7	Grassland/ Shrubland Mosaic Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 1.1ha out of 12.3ha (9% of the LR)	Approx. 30% of grassland and shrubland in LR7 is identified within Project Boundary, such as grass, shrubs and trees, and will be directly affected due to the road widening works and modification of slopes along Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road. Tree loss (Fell: 224/776 (including one individual of Ficus microcarpa (T1372) with significant tree size), Transplant: 5/776, Retained: 547/776)	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LR8	Modified Watercourses Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 0.2ha out of 2.2ha (7% of the LR)	Only riverside vegetation such as weedy grass next to the watercourses, which is identified in the area of LR8 within Project Boundary, will be affected due to the construction works near to watercourses. No tree loss and vegetation clearance is required for works and no area loss and channel blockage of watercourses is anticipated as the road widening works do not consist of filling works at the watercourses.	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LR9	Open Spaces and Sports Fields Area of LR within Project Boundary: approx. 0.1ha out of 1.9ha (3% of the LR)	Only weedy grass which is identified in the area of LR9 within Project Boundary will be affected due to the road widening works. No tree loss and no vegetation clearance of this LR is anticipated due to the Project.	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small

Table 9.7 Magnitude of Change to Landscape Character Areas

ID No.	Landscape Character	Description of Impacts	Scale of the Development relative to Baseline Conditions (Nil / Small / Medium / Large)	Compatibility of the Project with Landscape Resource (Nil / Low / Medium / High)	Duration of Impacts (Nil / Short / Medium / Long)	Reversibility of Change (Yes / No / Not Applicable)	Magnitude of Change during Construction Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)	Magnitude of Change during Operation Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
LCA1	Pang Ka Tsuen Lowland Rural and Low-Rise Residential Landscape	No direct impact although the periphery of the residential area might be affected by excavation and slope works	Small	Medium	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Negligible
LCA2	Kam Tin Lowland Rural Landscape	No direct impact although the periphery of the residential area might be affected by excavation and slope works	Small	Medium	No direct impacts	No	Negligible	Negligible
LCA3	Shek Kong Barracks Landscape (Shek Kong)	The periphery of the LCA will be affected by the widening works	Small	Medium	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LCA4	Kam Tin Modified Water Course Landscape	The periphery of the LCA will be affected by the widening works	Small	Low	No direct impacts	No	Small	Small
LCA5	Shek Kong Lowland Rural Landscape	The periphery of the LCA will be affected by the widening works	Small	Medium	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LCA6	Lam Tsuen Country Park Hillside Landscape	The periphery of the residential area might be affected by the widening works but the project will not affect the country park	Small	Low		No	Small	Small
LCA7	Sheung Tsuen Lowland Rural Landscape	The periphery of the LCA will be affected by the widening works	Small	Medium	No direct impacts	No	Negligible	Negligible
LCA8	Shek Kong Barracks Landscape (Shek Kong Tsuen)	The periphery of the LCA will be affected by the widening works	Small	Medium	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LCA9	Kwun Yam Shan Upland and Hillside Landscape	The periphery of the LCA will be affected by the widening works	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LCA10	Kwun Yam Shan Miscellaneous Rural Fringe Landscape	Adjacent to the proposed upgraded road. The periphery of the LCA will be affected by the widening works.	Small	Low	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small
LCA11	Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road Corridor	Direct impact on the full length of the roads within the assessment area	Large	High	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Large	Intermediate
LCA12	Wang Toi Shan Village Landscape	Adjacent to the proposed upgrading road. The periphery of the settlements might be affected by the widening works	Small	Medium	Construction stage – Medium (4-5 years) Operation Stage – Long	No	Small	Small

Table 9.8 Significance of Impacts on LRs in the Construction and Operation Phase

ID No.	Landscape Resource	Sensitivity (Nil / Low / Medium / High)	Magnitude of Change during Construction Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)	Magnitude of Change during Operation Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)	Significance Threshold (Unmitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Construction Phase	Significance Threshold (Unmitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Operation Phase	Mitigation Measures	Significance Threshold (mitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Construction Phase	Significance Threshold (mitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Operation Phase
LR1	Major Road Corridor	Low	Large	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, CP2, CP3, OP1, OP2, OP4	Moderate	Slight
LR2	Agricultural Fields	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	N/A	Negligible	Negligible
LR3	Roadside Plantation	High	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Moderate	CP1,CP3, CP4, OP2, OP3, OP4	Significant	Slight
LR4	Residential Settlements	Medium	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Slight
LR5	Hillside and Mixed Woodland	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1,CP3, CP4, OP2, OP3, OP4	Moderate	Slight
LR6	Developed Rural Land	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, CP3, CP4, OP1, OP2, OP3	Slight	Negligible
LR7	Grassland/Shrubland Mosaic	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Slight	Negligible
LR8	Modified Watercourses	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, CP3, CP4, OP2, OP3	Slight	Negligible
LR9	Open Spaces and Sports Fields	High	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP5	Slight	Slight

Table 9.9 Significance of Impacts on LCAs in the Construction and Operation Phase

ID No.	Landscape Character	Sensitivity (Nil / Low / Medium / High)	Magnitude of Change during Construction Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)	Magnitude of Change during Operation Phase (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)	Significance Threshold (Unmitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Construction Phase	Significance Threshold (Unmitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Operation Phase	Mitigation Measures	Significance Threshold (mitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Construction Phase	Significance Threshold (mitigated) (Negligible, Slight, Moderate and Significant) during Operation Phase
LCA1	Pang Ka Tsuen Lowland Rural and Low-rise Residential Landscape	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Negligible	CP1, CP2, OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4	Slight	Negligible
LCA2	Kam Tin Lowland Rural Landscape	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	N/A	Negligible	Negligible
LCA3	Shek Kong Barracks Landscape (Shek Kong)	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, CP3, OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4	Slight	Slight
LCA4	Kam Tin Modified Water Course Landscape	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, CP2, OP1, OP2, OP4	Slight	Slight
LCA5	Shek Kong Lowland Rural Landscape	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight
LCA6	Lam Tsuen Country Park Hillside Landscape	High	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight
LCA7	Sheung Tsuen Lowland Rural Landscape	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight
LCA8	Shek Kong Barracks Landscape (Shek Kong Tsuen)	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP3	Slight	Slight
LCA9	Kwun Yam Shan Upland and Hillside Landscape	High	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4	Slight	Slight
LCA10	Kwun Yam Shan Miscellaneous Rural Fringe Landscape	Low	Small	Small	Negligible	Negligible	CP1, OP1, OP2	Negligible	Negligible
LCA11	Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road Corridor	Medium	Large	Intermediate	Significant	Significant	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP5	Significant	Moderate
LCA12	Wang Toi Shan Village Landscape	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight

9.7.2 Impact of the Project on Existing Trees

According to the work scope of the Project, the existing roads will be widened and upgraded within the Project Boundary, and the works area will be in close proximity or directly upon the location on which most of the trees has been recorded during the tree survey. Most of the trees found were planted ornamental plant and fast-growing exotic species and none of them were recorded as listed or qualified to be registered in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees.

Tree Retention

Based on the tree survey conducted and with respect to the latest available engineering information, a total of 1250 trees would not be in direct conflict with the upgrading work and thus would be retained in this Project. The design of the proposed engineering works has been carefully considered to retain as many of the existing trees as possible.

As no construction works will be conducted outside the Project Boundary, it is considered that the individual of Aquilaria sinensis, which was found in the tree survey, will not be affected by the Project.

Tree Transplantation

After considerations of the latest tree condition including size, health, form, amenity value, as well as chance of survival after transplanting, 43 trees are considered to be suitable for transplanting.

43 trees have been recommended for transplanting for their moderate transplanting success. It is recommended to relocated the tree to a permanent receptor site within the Project Boundary directly after the completion of a 2 stages root preparation period (with a minimum of 60 days interval) as far as practicable, and the work should follow the Highways Guidelines HQ/GN/13 - Interim Guidelines for Tree Transplanting Works under Highways Department's Vegetation, as well as the latest guidelines issued from the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau. The receptor sites for the proposed transplanted trees would be identified and agreed with future vegetation maintenance department(s) at earlier stage in accordance with DEVB TC(W) No.6/2015- “Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features”.

Tree Felling

756 trees would require felling for the implementation of the Project. Two individuals of Ficus microcarpa with significant size, i.e. T1372 with DBH of 1221mm and T0671 with DBH of 1237mm, were found during the tree survey. They are located within the Project Boundary. As these trees only fulfil one of the nine criteria stipulated in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees to be registered as OVTs, i.e. tree of large size. Thus, they are not considered as OVTs. Transplantation is considered impossible for trees with such size since large amount of roots and tree crown would be pruned. Moreover, given both trees are grown on slope, asymmetric root system is expected. The large amount of wound created and the difficulty to form a rootball reduces the survival rate of both of the trees after transplantation and would also enhance fungal infection which pose potential risk to public safety. Removal is therefore an option after considering the feasibility, survival rate, potential risk, sustainability, and value of these trees.

Compensatory Planting

In accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 7/2015, the compensatory planting proposal should has the basic primary objective of planting compensatory trees in a ratio not less than 1:1 in terms of quantity as far as practicable; and the “right species at the right place” principle as depicted in the “Guiding Principles on Use of Native Plant Species in Public Works Projects”, i.e., planting suitable species (or species mix) in sites with suitable condition would also be the prerequisite for the planting design. Accordingly, planting of not less than 756 heavy standard trees (with a DBH not less than 10cm) would be required for compensation in 1:1 ratio.

Opportunity for on-site tree planting will be explored during the detail engineering design. The soil specification follows the Clause 3.0 of the Section 3 Landscape Softworks and Establishment Works of the General Specification for Civil Engineering Works (2006 ed.) and a layer of mulching not less than 50mm shall be applied to the planting areas. In summary, it is recommended to plant a total number of not less than 756 trees. The size of the trees to be planted would be 100mm in girdle width (DBH).

The trees should be planted with spacing not less than 5m interval to promote healthy establishment and development of a decent growth form. With the implementation of the proposed compensatory planting plan, there will be no net loss of trees in terms of quantity as far as practicable.

Upon completion of the construction works, the soft landscape specialist contractor shall be responsible for a 12 months establishment period, and the responsibility for the maintenance of the tree works including the retained trees, transplanted trees and compensatory trees will be demarcated in accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 6/2015 - Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features.

All trees outside the Project Boundary as discussed in Table 9.4a will not be affected by the Project. Table 9.10 summarizes the findings of the tree survey and the proposed treatment of the existing trees within the Project Boundary which are also listed in above Table 9.4b.

Table 9.10 Summary of Tree Recommendations within the Project Boundary

Recommended Treatment	Number of Trees
Tree Retention	Roadside trees: 450
Tree Retention	Tree groups: 800
Tree Transplantation	43
Tree Felling	756 (706 roadside trees and 50 trees from one tree group)
Total Number of Trees within the Project Boundary	2049 (1199 roadside trees and 850 trees from two tree groups)

9.8 Visual Impact Assessment

9.8.1 Potential Sources of Impacts

Direct impacts include the degradation of visual quality of existing views, change of viewing experience and visual incompatibility of the works with the surrounding visual context.

9.8.1.1Construction Phase

During the construction phase of the Project, potential impacts will result from the following:

· Site clearance and tree and vegetation removal

· Site formation and slope works including the creation of hoarding, cutting and filling

· Widening existing road, noise barriers

· Stockpiling of construction and demolition materials and storage of construction equipment and plants

· Construction of new pedestrian footpaths

Existing views are limited due to the containment of the Visual Envelope. Views are screened by adjacent built development, roadside vegetation and planting and existing landforms. Due to the level of screening and viewing distance, the proposed works will form a minor component within the visual context of the identified VSRs. Except for vehicle travellers and pedestrians on Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road, it is predicted that there will not be a significant adverse impact on the visual quality and amenity during the construction phase.

From the adjacent village settlements and residential developments, due to the flat nature of the landscape, the density of development, and the low-level view from these identified VSRs, the view of the Project will be limited with the exception of properties within each development that exist on the periphery directly adjacent to the Project. The potential impacts during the construction stage will be broadly similar before mitigation and after mitigation and will range from moderate to slight adverse. This is due to the limited scope of the mitigation of the temporary construction phase impacts for a route alignment of this length. The most significant impacts will be experienced by VSRs on the road including vehicle travellers and pedestrians. However, with the proposed new tree and shrub planting proposals along the roadside, these impacts can be successfully mitigated by the design year which is normally considered to be approximately 10 to 15 years following the completion of the construction phase of the works.

The recommended landscape mitigation measures and residual impact on these VSRs is further discussed in Table 9.13, Table 9.14 and Section 9.9 respectively.

9.8.1.2Operation Phase

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

· Operation of the widened road, noise barriers and pedestrian paths

· Landscaping works (transplantation of trees, planting at slope, compensatory planting)

The widening of the road and landscaping works in addition to the full implementation of the proposed mitigation measures will further improve the visual amenity of the road corridor. These measures include the planting of new trees and shrubs along the road corridor and the aesthetic treatment of the proposed retaining structures to minimize their potential visual impact. Thus, the predicted impacts during this stage of the operation will range from moderate to slight adverse.

The magnitude of change apparent of the identified VSRs are briefly described below:

VSR1 Residents of Kiu Tau Tsuen, VSR2 Residents of Pang Ka Tsuen, VSR6 Residents of Shek Kong San Tsuen

These VSRs have glimpsed views of the Project due to the extent of the roadside vegetation, roadside structures and vegetation within and adjacent to the village settlements. Therefore, only a small part of the Project will be visible from these locations and given that the existing views of the carriageway the magnitude of change is considered to be small.

VSR3 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks (eastbound), VSR4 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks, VSR16 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui (eastbound) and VSR17 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Wong

These VSRs have full views along the visible section of the existing road corridor, a view which is characterized by the existing road and its associated structures, and is provided occasional views for a relatively few people. Therefore, the magnitude of change is generally considered to be intermediate.

VSR5 Kam Tin Clinic and VSR8 An education centre within Shek Kong Barracks

These VSRs have glimpsed views of the Project due to the extent of the roadside vegetation, roadside structures and vegetation within and adjacent to the village settlements. Therefore, only a small part of the Project will be visible from these locations and thus the magnitude of change is considered to be small.

VSR7 Residents of Seasons Villas

The views for residents to the east of the development are screened with existing vegetation while residents to the west have partial views of the road corridor. These views are also partially blocked by the intervening vegetation and structures. However, this VSR has a slightly more extensive view of the road corridor and so the magnitude of change is intermediate.

The extent and nature of the views among these VSRs are largely similar by having glimpsed views of the Project except for VSR18 which has a partial view. It is due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSRs, boundary walls and other intervening structures. The limited visual access to the road corridor means that only a small portion of the Project will be visible and so the magnitude of change is small.

VSR10 Residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen

Due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSRs, boundary walls and other intervening structures, there is only a glimpsed view of the Project. The limited visual access to the road corridor means that only a small portion of the Project will be visible and so the magnitude of change is small.

VSR11 Residents of Green Villa

VSR20 Residents of Pine Hill Villa, VSR21 Residents of Cheung Uk Tsuen and VSR22 Residents of Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen

The extent and the nature of the views available to these VSRs are largely similar ranging from partial to glimpsed views due to the screening effect of existing roadside features. These include a combination of roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to each of the VSRs and intervening structures such as boundary walls. The restricted nature of the available views and the nature of the works in this area results in a small magnitude of change.

VSR23 Sheung Tsuen Park

The recreational users of the park will have partial views of the Project due to the screening effect of the boundary wall and vegetation surrounding the park. Therefore given the restricted nature of the available views and the extent of the works, the magnitude of change is considered to be small.

VSR24 Residents of Wong Chuk Yuen, VSR26 Residents of Lui Kung Tin and VSR27 Residents of Shek Kong Village

VSR25 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound), VSR30 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road to south of Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound), VSR31 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (westbound), VSR32 Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (eastbound), VSR33 Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Seasons Villas and VSR34 Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road near Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen

These VSRs have full views along the visible section of the existing road corridor, a view which is characterized by the existing road and its associated structures and is provides occasional views for few to intermediate number of people. At the eastern end of the road alignment there is a greater prevalence of roadside slope features and the works to these features will have a larger change on the available views. Therefore, the magnitude of change is generally considered to be intermediate.

VSR28 Visitors to Kadoorie Farm and VSR29 Trail walkers in Lam Tsuen Country Park

The extent of the view of the Project available to visitors of Kadoorie farm is partial which is largely screened by the existing topography and vegetation both within the Farm and along the roadsides. Trail walkers in Lam Tsuen Country Park enjoy a panoramic view of the valley landscape and have an elevated and partial view of the existing road corridor. Due to the restricted nature of the existing view and the extent of the visible works the magnitude of change for VSR28 is considered to be small. Due to the greater viewing distance and more panoramic nature of the view VSR29 is considered to be negligible.

Table 9.11 describe the magnitude of change for the VSRs whereas Table 9.12 describe the impact significance during the construction and operation phases of the project and are presented on Figure 9.10.

Table 9.11 Magnitude of Change for Visually Sensitive Receivers

ID No.	Key VSR	Description of Impacts	Scale of the Development relative to Baseline Conditions (Nil / Small / Medium / Large)	Blockage of View (Nil / Small / Medium / Large)	Compatibility of the Project with Surrounding Landscape (Nil / Low / Medium / High)	Duration of Impacts (Nil / Short / Medium / Long)	Reversibility of Change (Yes / No / Not Applicable)	Magnitude of Change (Large / Intermediate / Small / Negligible) during Construction Phase	Magnitude of Change (Large / Intermediate / Small / Negligible) during Operation Phase
VSR1	Residents of Kiu Tau Tsuen	Impacts remote from location	Small	Small (Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development	High	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR2	Residents of Pang Ka Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small (Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR3	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks (eastbound)	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (Open views of the Project along the visible portion of the existing road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR4	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (Open views of the Project along the visible portion of the existing road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR5	Kam Tin Clinic	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small (Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR6	Residents of Shek Kong San Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small (Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR7	Residents of Seasons Villas	Impacts associated with new retaining wall and loss of existing trees on embankment slope, and widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Large	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Low	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR8	An Education Centre Within Shek Kong Barracks	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR9	Residents of Leung Uk Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR10	Residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR11	Residents of Green Villa	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR12	Pat Heung Police Station	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR13	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Yau Uk Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR14	Residents of Wang Toi Shan San Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR15	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR16	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui (eastbound)	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR17	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to The North of Shek Kong	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR18	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR19	Home for Aged Named Evergreen International (HK) Association	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR20	Residents of Pine Hill Villa	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR21	Residents of Cheung Uk Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR22	Residents of Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR23	Sheung Tsuen Park	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR24	Residents of Wong Chuk Yuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR25	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR26	Residents of Lui Kung Tin	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR27	Residents of Shek Kong Village	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR28	Visitors to Kadoorie Farm	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Small	Small portion of the Project will be visible through the existing trees and roadside development and the slope feature will replace an existing feature of a similar scale)	Low	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Small	Small
VSR29	Trail Walkers in Lam Tsuen Country Park	Impacts remote from location	Small	Small	High	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Negligible	Negligible
VSR30	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road to the south of Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR31	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (westbound)	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR32	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (eastbound)	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR33	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Seasons Villas (eastbound)	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR34	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road near Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen	Impacts limited to at-grade widening of the vehicular carriageway and pedestrian footpath.	Medium	Nil (full view of the Project along the visible portion of the road)	Medium	Construction stage- Medium (4.5 years) Operation stage - Long	No	Intermediate	Intermediate

Table 9.12 Significance of Impacts on Visually Sensitive Receivers in the Construction and Operation Phases

ID No.	Visually Sensitive Receivers	Sensitivity (Nil / Small / Medium / Large)	Magnitude of Change (Large / Intermediate / Small / Negligible) during Construction Phase	Magnitude of Change (Large / Intermediate / Small / Negligible) during Operation Phase	Significance Threshold (Unmitigated) (Negligible / Slight / Moderate / Significant) during Construction Phase	Significance Threshold (Unmitigated) (Negligible / Slight / Moderate / Significant) during Operation Phase	Mitigation Measures	Significance Threshold (Mitigated) (Negligible / Slight / Moderate / Significant) during Construction Phase	Significance Threshold (Mitigated) (Negligible / Slight / Moderate / Significant) during Operation Phase (Day 1)	Significance Threshold (Mitigated) (Negligible / Slight / Moderate / Significant) during Operation Phase (Year 10)
VSR1	Residents of Kiu Tau Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR2	Residents of Pang Ka Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR3	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks (eastbound)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, CP2, OP1, OP2,OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR4	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, CP2, OP1, OP2,OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR5	Kam Tin Clinic	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight	Slight
VSR6	Residents of Shek Kong San Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR7	Residents of Seasons Villas	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR8	An Education Centre Within Shek Kong Barracks	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight	Slight
VSR9	Residents of Leung Uk Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR10	Residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR11	Residents of Green Villa	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2 CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR12	Pat Heung Police Station	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight	Slight
VSR13	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Yau Uk Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR14	Residents of Wang Toi Shan San Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR15	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Lo Uk Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR16	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui (eastbound)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, CP2 OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR17	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to The North of Shek Kong	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, CP2, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR18	Residents of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui ?	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR19	Home for Aged Named Evergreen International (He) Association	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight	Slight
VSR20	Residents of Pine Hill Villa	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR21	Residents of Cheung Uk Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR22	Residents of Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR23	Sheung Tsuen Park	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2	Slight	Slight	Slight
VSR24	Residents of Wong Chuk Yuen	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR25	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR26	Residents of Lui Kung Tin	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR27	Residents of Shek Kong Village	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR28	Visitors to Kadoorie Farm	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Slight	Slight	Slight
VSR29	Trail Walkers in Lam Tsuen Country Park	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible	CP1, OP1, OP2	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
VSR30	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road to the south of Wong Chuk Yuen (eastbound)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR31	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (westbound)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR32	Vehicle travellers on Lam Kam Road (eastbound)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR33	Vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the south of Seasons Villas (eastbound)	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR34	Pedestrians on Kam Tin Road near Sheung Tsuen San Tsuen	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CP1, OP1, OP2, OP4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate

Mitigation Code	Mitigation Measures	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency
CP1	Preservation of Existing Vegetation – The Project should avoid disturbance to existing trees as far as practicable. A total of 1250 trees within the Project Boundary will not be affected by the work and will be retained in-situ and the tree protection measures as detailed in the Section 26 of the General Specifications for Civil Engineering Works (2006 Edition) should be written into the contract documents as such to ensure they would be properly preserved; and reference on tree care should also be made to the relevant sections of the www.greening.gov.hk maintained by the Development Bureau. Trees not in conflict with the Project will be protected by fencing as appropriate to prevent canopy and root zone damage from excavation works, vehicles and material storage	HyD	HyD
CP2	Works Area and Temporary Works Areas – The landscape of these works areas should be restored to its original status or new amenity area following the completion of the construction phase. Construction site controls shall be enforced, where possible, to ensure that the landscape and visual impacts arising from the construction phase activities are minimized including the storage of materials, the location and appearance of site accommodation and the careful design of site lighting to prevent light spillage. Screen hoarding will be erected around the temporary works area.	HyD	HyD
CP3	Programme for Compensatory Planting - Replanting of disturbed vegetation should be undertaken at the earliest possible stage during the construction phase of the project to maximize its effect during the operation phase.	HyD	HyD
CP4	Tree Transplantation – 43 trees have been recommended for transplanting for their moderate transplanting success, and it is recommended to relocated the tree to a permanent receptor site within the Project Boundary directly after the completion of a 2 stages root preparation period (with a minimum of 60 days interval) as far as practicable, and the work should follow the Highways Guidelines HQ/GN/13 - Interim Guidelines for Tree Transplanting Works under Highways Department's Vegetation, as well as the latest guidelines issued from the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau. Details regarding the transplantation will be submitted in the tree survey report to relevant government departments for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 29/2004, DEVB TC (W) No.7/2015 and “Guidelines on Tree Transplanting”, GLTMS of DEVB.	HyD	HyD

Mit. Code	Mitigation Measures	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency	Maintenance/ Management Agency
OP1	Integrated design approach – The alignment and structures associated with the widened road should integrated, as far as technically feasible, with existing roadside structures and the landscape context to reduce the potential cumulative impact of the proposed works. The location and orientation of the associated structures should where possible avoid landscape and visually sensitive areas such woodland, shrubland and agricultural fields. The architectural design should seek to reduce the apparent visual mass of the engineering structures through the use of textured finishes and colour blocking. Earth tones are preferred as these match the existing landscape and visual context.	HyD	HyD	HyD
OP2	Roadside Planting – These planting areas will utilize largely native tree and shrub species either with high canopy and thin foliage to allow visual access in the views from the adjacent landscape to the distant roadside or rural landscape or dense foliage at selected locations to provide shaded environment for pedestrians and the creation. Native tree planting on the existing and proposed cut slopes will improve the ecological connectivity between existing woodland habitats with the advantage of creating a more coherent landscape framework.	HyD	HyD	LCSD
OP3	Compensatory Planting Proposals – In accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 7/2015, the compensatory planting proposal should has the basic primary objective of planting compensatory trees in a ratio not less than 1:1 in terms of quantity as far as practicable. The soil specification will follow the Clause 3.0 of the Section 3 Landscape Softworks and Establishment Works of the General Specification for Civil Engineering Works (2006 ed.) and a layer of mulching not less than 50mm shall be applied to the planting areas. In summary, it is recommended to plant a total number of not less than 756 trees. The size of the trees to be planted would be 100mm in girdle width (DBH) and planted with a spacing not less than 5m interval to promote healthy establishment and development of a decent growth form. With the implementation of the proposed compensatory planting plan, there will be no net loss of trees in terms of quantity as far as practicable.	HyD	HyD	LCSD
OP4	Treatment of Retaining Wall and Slopes – The design and implementation of the aesthetic appearance of the retaining wall and slopes will be undertaken in accordance with GEO Publication No. 1/2011 - Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment for Slopes (2011), WBTC No. 29/93 on control of Visual Impact of Slopes and WBTC No. 17/2002 on Improvement to the Appearance of Slopes. The engineered structures will be aesthetically enhanced through the use of soft landscape works including tree and shrub planting to give these man-made features a more natural appearance and blending them into the local rural landscape. Light standard sized tree planting will be used on the face of soil cut slopes with a gradient of less than 30 degrees, at the crest and toe of the slope, and within berm planters. These smaller, younger plants will adapt to their new growing conditions more quickly than larger sized stock and establish a naturalistic effect more rapidly. Slopes with a gradient of greater than 30 degrees will be hydroseeded using a mixture of native trees and shrubs. Vertical greening measures shall also be considered on engineering structures. This includes the use of climbing and trailing plants both planted at the crest and toe of the features, and within pockets within the slopes. It is proposed that native species be used to enhance the ecological value of the road corridor and minimize potential maintenance requirements. These measures will be applied to the retaining walls and newly regraded slopes features.	HyD	HyD	HyD
OP5	Provision of Visually Pleasing Aesthetic Treatment on Noise Barriers - Translucent plexiglass with aesthetic pattern will be fully considered for design of noise barrier to enhance visual interest.	HyD	HyD	HyD

The Project will overall enhance the visual experience of VSRs through upgrading the existing unimproved sections of Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road and the improvement of pedestrian facilities, public transport lay-bys and right-turning lanes at major junctions. The visual experience of the occupational and residential VSRs will not change much as they have limited views of the road, however the change will be less significant with the implementation of mitigation measures. Without the implementation of mitigation measures, the Project will involve the removal of trees and vegetation, the erection of noise barriers and the operation of a widened road and pedestrian path. However, in order to minimize the visual impact to VSRs, the implementation of mitigation measures during construction phase and operation phase as stated in Tables 9.13 and 9.14 respectively will further enhance the visual experience of VSRs.

9.10 Photomontage

A series of computer-generated images/photomontages of the landscape and visual impacts of the Project with and without the mitigation measures are illustrated at the following four stages as shown Figure 9.12.

· Existing Condition

· Day 1 of operation without mitigation measures

· Day 1 of operation with mitigation measures

· Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures

Photomontages are used to demonstrate the changes in the visual context of most of the VSRs and quality of their views, differences before and after the implementation of the Project, with and without landscape and visual mitigation measures, the compatibility of the Project with the surrounding visual context upon full establishment of landscape and visual mitigation measures. The photomontages of views would not able to cover the Project Boundary in one single shot due to the effects of perspective and so are presented as a series of individual images. Vantage points of the selected VSRs are indicated in Figure 9.5. The changes in the visual context of those vantage points are described below with reference to the photomontages given in Figure 9.12.

The vantage points have been selected to represent the views available to the residential and occupational VSRs. Some locations of the photomontages also represent the views available to vehicle travellers and pedestrians. Although these VSRs are less sensitive than the residential VSRs, they have the most open view of the Project.

Vantage Point A

This location has been selected to represent the views from VSRs living in low-rise residential developments and occupational VSRs looking towards the Project Boundary from the footpath near Kiu Tau Tsuen, Pang Ka Tsuen, Shek Kong San Tsuen and Shek Kong Barracks (VSR1, VSR2, VSR5, VSR6 and VSR8) along Kam Tin Road. Vantage Point A (Figures 9.12A and 9.12B refer) is located at the footpath near Pang Ka Tsuen next to the existing carriageway. It is taken at a human eye level of pedestrian to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of residents of village houses along Kam Tin Road and users of occupational VSRs who have glimpsed views towards the Project Boundary due to the extent of the roadside vegetation, roadside structures and vegetation within and adjacent to the village settlements.

The Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities such as upgrading Kam Tin Road to 10.3m wide and provision of 2m wide footpath at both sides with pavement. Although there is existing roadside vegetation which concurrently with the built structures along the road, the landscape and visual impacts to these VSRs without the implementation of mitigation measures would be the loss of proposed trees and vegetation compensation along roadside of Kam Tin Road as shown in Figure 9.12A, which would reduce the visual amenity to these VSRs. With the implementation of mitigation measures during the operation phase as shown in Figure 9.12B, more roadside vegetation will create a pleasant landscape network in the area. It would also further create visual buffers of the road for these VSRs. Furthermore, through the implementation of an integrated design approach, the upgrading of the road and provision of pedestrian footpath are designed to match the existing landscape and visual context. As observed in Figure 9.12B, in Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures, it is expected that the roadside vegetation will grow further, providing a screening effect of the existing roadside vegetation to these VSRs.

Vantage Point B

This location has been selected to represent the views from VSRs of pedestrians and vehicle travellers on Kam Tin Road to the north of Shek Kong Barracks (VSR3, VSR4 and VSR33). Vantage Point B (Figures 9.12C and 9.12D refer) is located at the existing carriageway of Kam Tin Road near Shek Kong Barracks. It is taken at a human eye level of pedestrian to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of pedestrians and vehicle travellers along Kam Tin Road who have full views along the visible section of the existing road corridor of the Project Boundary.

The Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities such as upgrading Kam Tin Road to 10.3m wide and provision of 2m wide footpath at both sides with pavement. There is existing roadside vegetation which located inside Shek Kong Barracks and near Seasons Villas and the roadside plantation without interference of proposed works would be retained. The landscape and visual impacts to these VSRs without the implementation of mitigation measures would be the loss of proposed trees along roadside of Kam Tin Road as demonstrated in Figure 9.12C, which reduce the visual amenity to these VSRs. With the implementation of mitigation measures during the operation phase as shown in Figure 9.12D, more roadside vegetation will not only create a pleasant landscape network in the area, but it would also further create visual buffers of the road for the VSRs in addition to the existing roadside vegetation. Furthermore, through the implementation of an integrated design approach, the upgrading of the road and provision of pedestrian footpath are designed to match the existing landscape and visual context. As observed in Figure 9.12D, in Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures, it is expected that the roadside vegetation will grow further, providing a screening effect of the existing roadside vegetation to the VSRs.

Vantage Point C

This location has been selected to represent the views from residential VSR of residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen (VSR10). Vantage Point C (Figures 9.12E and 9.12F refer) is located at the footpath of Kam Tin Road near the western of Leung Uk Tsuen and XRL depot. It is taken at a human eye level of pedestrian to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of residents of western Leung Uk Tsuen who have only a glimpsed view of the existing road corridor of the Project Boundary due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSRs, boundary walls and other intervening structures.

The Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities such as upgrading Kam Tin Road to 7.3m wide, enhancement of existing bus lay-by and provision of 2m wide footpath on both sides of Kam Tin Road with pavement. The landscape and visual impacts to the VSR without the implementation of mitigation measures would be the loss of proposed roadside trees and vegetation compensation along Kam Tin Road as shown in Figure 9.12E. With the implementation of mitigation measures during the operation phase as shown in Figure 9.12F, the proposed roadside vegetation at both sides of Kam Tin Road will create visual buffers of the road for the VSR. Furthermore, through the implementation of an integrated design approach, the upgrading of the road and provision of pedestrian footpath are designed to match the existing landscape and visual context. As observed in Figure 9.12F, in Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures, it is expected that the proposed roadside vegetation will grow further, providing a screening effect of the existing roadside vegetation to the VSR.

Vantage Point D

This location has been selected to represent the views from residential and occupational VSRs of residents of Green Villa and Pat Heung Police Station (VSR11 and VSR12). Vantage Point D (Figures 9.12G and 9.12H refer) is located at footpath of the existing carriageway of Kam Tin Road near Pat Heung Police Station. It is taken at a human eye level to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of pedestrians along Kam Tin Road who have only a glimpsed view of the Project Boundary due to the screening effect provided by the combination of existing roadside vegetation and vegetation adjacent to the VSRs, boundary walls and other intervening structures.

Similarly, the Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities such as reprovisioning of existing zebra-crossing. The landscape and visual impacts to these VSRs without the implementation of mitigation measures would be the loss of proposed trees and vegetation compensation along roadside of Kam Tin Road as shown in Figure 9.12G. With the implementation of mitigation measures during the operation phase as shown in Figure 9.12H, more roadside vegetation would create visual buffers of the road for the VSRs in addition to the existing roadside plantation. Furthermore, through the implementation of an integrated design approach, the upgrading of the road and provision of pedestrian footpath are designed to match the existing landscape and visual context. As observed in Figure 9.12H, in Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures, it is expected that the roadside vegetation will grow further, providing a screening effect of the existing roadside plantation to the VSRs.

Vantage Point E

This location has been selected to represent the views from VSRs of vehicle travellers and pedestrians on Kam Tin Road to the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui (VSR16 and VSR17). Vantage Point E (Figures 9.12I and 9.12J refer) is located at the existing carriageway of Kam Tin Road near the south of Wang Toi Shan Ho Lik Pui. It is taken at pedestrian level to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of vehicle travellers and pedestrians along Kam Tin Road who have full views along the visible section of the existing road corridor of the Project Boundary.

The Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities such as upgrading Kam Tin Road to 7.3m wide and provision of 2m wide footpath on both sides of Kam Tin Road with pavement. The landscape and visual impacts to these VSRs without the implementation of mitigation measures would be the loss of existing roadside vegetation of Kam Tin Road as shown in Figure 9.12I, which reduces the visual amenity and removes the visual buffer to these VSRs. With the implementation of mitigation measures during the operation phase as shown in Figure 9.12J, more roadside vegetation will create a pleasant landscape network in the area. Furthermore, through the implementation of an integrated design approach, the upgrading of the road and provision of pedestrian footpath are designed to match the existing landscape and visual context. As observed in Figure 9.12J, in Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures, it is expected that the roadside vegetation will grow further, providing a screening effect of the existing roadside vegetation to the VSRs.

Vantage Point F

This location has been selected to represent the views available to the residential VSR of Pine Hill Villa (VSR20). Vantage Point F (Figures 9.12K and 9.12L refer) is located at footpath of Kam Tin Road near Pine Hill Villa. It is taken at pedestrian level to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of residents of Pine Hill Villa who has glimpsed views of the Project Boundary due to the screening effect of existing roadside features and vegetation.

The landscape and visual impacts to the VSR without the implementation of mitigation measures would be mainly involve the loss of roadside vegetation and trees which concurrently with the built structures along the road demonstrate a screening effect for the VSR to the existing road. Although the Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities, the loss of roadside vegetation as shown in Figure 9.12K removes the visual buffer to the VSR. With the implementation of mitigation measures as seen in Figure 9.12L, during the operation phase, the roadside vegetation will not only create a more pleasant landscape network in the area, but it would also further create visual buffers of the road for the VSR. As observed in Figure 9.12L, in Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures, it is expected that the roadside vegetation will grow further, providing a screening effect of the existing roadside vegetation to the VSR.

Vantage Point G

This location has been selected to represent the views available to the VSRs of vehicle travellers at Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen (VSR25 and VSR30). Vantage Point G (Figures 9.12M and 9.12N refer) is located at footpath of Lam Kam Road near Wong Chuk Yuen. It is taken at pedestrian level to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of vehicle travellers at Lam Kam Road who have full views along the visible section of the existing road corridor as the views of these VSRs are confined by roadside vegetation and green slope alongside of the road.

The Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities such as upgrading Lam Kam Road to 7.3m wide and provision of 2m wide footpath at both sides with pavement. Although there is existing roadside vegetation and green slope along the road, the landscape and visual impacts to these VSRs without the implementation of mitigation measures would mainly involve the loss of roadside tree which demonstrate a screening effect for these VSRs to the existing road. The loss of roadside vegetation as shown in Figure 9.12M removes the visual buffer to these VSRs. With the implementation of mitigation measures as shown in Figure 9.12N, during the operation phase, the roadside vegetation will not only create a more pleasant landscape network in the area, but it would also further create visual buffers of the road for the VSRs. Furthermore, through the implementation of an integrated design approach, the upgrading of the road and provision of pedestrian footpath are designed to match the existing landscape and visual context. As observed in Figure 9.12N, in Year 10 of operation with mitigation measures, it is expected that the roadside vegetation will grow further, providing a screening effect of the existing roadside vegetation to the VSRs.

Vantage Point H

This location has been selected to represent the views available to the VSRs of vehicle travellers at Lam Kam Road (VSR31 and VSR32). Vantage Point H (Figures 9.12O and 9.12P refer) is located at carriageway of Lam Kam Road. It is taken at pedestrian level to demonstrate the potential change of visual amenity and visual context of vehicle travellers at Lam Kam Road who have full views along the visible section of the existing road corridor, a view which is characterized by the existing road and its associated structures and is provides occasional views for a relatively few people. The views of these VSRs are confined by roadside vegetation and green slope alongside of the road.

The Project will further enhance the overall appearance of the existing road as well as improve pedestrian facilities such as upgrading Lam Kam Road to 7.3m wide, the erection of noise barriers and provision of 2m wide footpath at both sides with pavement. Although there is existing roadside vegetation and green slope along the road, the landscape and visual impacts to these VSRs without the implementation of mitigation measures would mainly involve the loss of roadside vegetation and trees. Although the Project will further allow the improvement of the existing road and pedestrian facilities, the loss of roadside vegetation is visually unpleasing, while the erection of noise barriers at locations as shown in Figure 9.12O affect the aesthetic perception of road users. With the implementation of mitigation measures, as shown in Figure 9.12P, during the operation phase, the roadside vegetation will create a more visually pleasing and coherent landscape framework for the pedestrians and vehicle travellers to enjoy. Furthermore, through the implementation of an integrated design approach, the upgrading of the road and provision of pedestrian footpath are designed to match the existing landscape and visual context. Lastly, noise barriers are designed to have an aesthetic appeal without being dominant in the field of view. The visual impact of noise barriers is taken into account. Through providing translucent plexiglass, the visual scale of the barrier can be reduced. Also the sensitive choice of colors will further be chosen to integrate the barrier with the setting as shown in Figure 9.12P.

9.11 The implementation of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

The construction phase measures listed above should be adopted from the commencement of construction and should be in place throughout the entire construction period. The Operation Phase measures listed above should be adopted during the detailed design, and be built as part of the construction works so that they are in place at the date of commissioning of the Project. The construction of the Project is scheduled to be commenced in 2021 and be completed in 2025. It takes approximately 10 years after the scheme in which the proposed soft landscape mitigation measures will reach a level of maturity enabling it to perform its mitigation role. The landscape works will be implemented at the earliest time possible in the planting seasons following the sectional completion of the construction works.

9.12 Residual Impacts

The residual impacts are those, which remain after the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures. This has been assessed during both the construction phase and the design year, which is often taken to be 10 to 15 years after the operation of the project and when the soft landscape mitigation measures have reached their level of maturity to perform their original design objectives. In accordance with Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM, a final conclusion is made of the residual landscape and visual impacts in which the degree is considered in accordance with the Residual Impact Significance Threshold Matrix in Table 9.15 below.

During the construction phase, after the implementation of proposed mitigation measures there will be some residual landscape impacts which are acceptable with mitigation. Overall, in terms of residual landscape and visual impacts the main effects will primarily result from the interruption of existing roadside landscapes. The proposed works will affect the roadside verges and planting areas for the majority of the length of the Kam Tin and Lam Kam Roads within the assessment area and so the mitigation strategy is important to the amelioration of any potential impacts. However, it should be noted that the Project involves the modification of existing slopes and also the construction of noise barriers in addition to the widening of the road alignment.

Residual Landscape Impact

Despite careful planning the proposals will also affect a number of trees and so a comprehensive tree planting scheme is proposed to not only compensate for the loss of existing vegetation. These proposals are also designed to where possible enhance the landscape and visual amenity of the road corridor. Based on the findings of broad brush tree survey, some trees would be in direct conflict with the upgrading works. As such, it is recommended that 43 trees are considered to be suitable for transplanting and 756 trees would require felling for the implementation of the Project. A total of 1250 trees, including some roadside trees and two tree groups, would be retained in this Project as those trees would not be in direct conflict with the upgrading works. The planting proposals also forms part of compensatory planting proposals for the loss of landscape resources, such as existing trees, as there will be a net gain of roadside planting, it will benefit to the future landscape and ecology context within the assessment area. Therefore given a combination of the nature of the existing condition of the road corridor and the proposed mitigation measures, it is considered that the road widening Project will not cause a permanent impact to landscape character and resources and thus the residual impact is acceptable with mitigation measures implemented.

Residual Visual Impact

In the construction phase, with the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures including the incorporation of screen hoarding, the adverse residual impacts are expected to be moderate for 28 VSRs slight for 5 VSRs and negligible for 1 VSR. Furthermore, as there is an alternative view available for most of the VSRs with the exception of vehicle travellers and pedestrians, the residual impacts are considered to be acceptable with mitigation measures. During the operation phase, the adverse residual impacts are expected to be slight for 6 VSRs, negligible for 1 VSR and moderate for the remaining 27 VSRs. Furthermore, the Project will have a low level of disturbance to the visual context and visual amenity available to the VSRs as they are largely screened from the VSRs, however mitigation measures including pleasing design of noise barriers, appropriate treatment of retaining walls and slopes and roadside planting will further enhance the visual amenity. Thus, it is considered that the residual impact during operation phase will be acceptable with appropriate mitigation measures implemented.

A series of computer-generated images or photomontages have been prepared for the proposed schemes are presented as Figure 9.12. The location of the vantage points used for these images has been identified on Figure 9.5. The locations have been selected to represent the views available to residential and occupational VSRs along the Kam Tin Road and Lam Kam Road. The views demonstrate the screening effect of the existing roadside vegetation and the built structures which line the road. In addition, a number of vantage points were selected along the road representing the views available to vehicle travellers and pedestrians. Although these VSRs are less sensitive than the residential VSRs they would have the most open view of the Project.

The photomontages of the proposed scheme show the existing conditions, Day 1 of the Operation Phase without Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures; and Day 1 and Year 10 of the Operation Phase with Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures. The final image Operation Phase is designed to demonstrate the predicted residual impacts, which would exist in the design year during the operation phase usually taken as between 10 and 15 years after the completion of the construction phase.

Table 9.15 Residual Impacts Significance Threshold Matrix

Residual Impact	Description
Beneficial	The Project will complement the landscape and visual character of its setting, will follow the relevant planning objectives and will improve overall and visual quality.
Acceptable	There will be no significant effects on the landscape and no significant visual effects caused by the appearance of the Project, or no interference with key views.
Acceptable with mitigation	There will be some adverse effects, but these can be eliminated, reduced or offset to a large extent by specific measures.
Unacceptable	The adverse effects are considered too excessive and are would not be reduced to an acceptable level by mitigation.
Undetermined	Significant adverse effects are likely but the extent to which they may occur or may be mitigated cannot be determined from the study. Further detailed study will be required for the specific effects in question.

9.13 Cumulative Impacts

A number of projects are currently in progress or planned within the assessment area, which will result in landscape and visual impact during the degradation of landscape character and visual amenity, and loss of landscape resources. These planned projects are described together with the likely cumulative impacts in Table 9.16 below.

[1] Project Profile of Development of Organic Resources Recovery Centre (Phase 3) (No. PP-552/2017)

[2] Preliminary Environmental Review Report (Final) for Agreement No. CE 34/2014 (CE) Site Formation and Infrastructural Works for the Initial Sites at Kam Tin South, Yuen Long – Investigation, Design and Construction

Concurrent Project	Project Proponent	Designated Project	Construction Programme	Potential Cumulative Impacts
Concurrent Project	Project Proponent	Designated Project	Construction Programme	Construction Phase	Operation Phase
Development of Organic Resources Recovery Centre (ORRC) (Phase 3)	EPD	Yes	Tentatively scheduled to commence in 2023 and complete by 2026	Potential landscape and visual impact arisen from the removal of trees and vegetation within the Project Boundary during the construction period and potential disturbance to the existing landscape of the site are anticipated. Furthermore, the superstructure of ORRC (Phase 3) may also generate landscape and visual impact. However, the cumulative impact is not able to be taken into account in this study as no detail information, construction methods and activities can be provided from the concurrent project. Nevertheless, according to EIAO, an EIA study of this concurrent project will be conducted, and the cumulative impact will be addressed in the study.	With reference to the Project Profile (No. PP-552/2017)[1], no adverse landscape and visual impact is anticipated from the ORRC (Phase 3) during the operation by adopting proper mitigation measures such as dedicated landscape design to match with the existing environment. The residual landscape and visual impact would be minimal as anticipated. Thus, no cumulative landscape and visual impact is anticipated during operation phase of this concurrent project.
Site Formation and Infrastructure Works for Developments at Kam Tin South, Yuen Long - Advance Works	CEDD	No	Commenced in 2018 and tentatively scheduled to complete by 2021	Potential landscape and visual impact arisen from the removal of trees and vegetation within the Project Boundary during the construction period and potential disturbance to the existing landscape of the site are anticipated. However, no cumulative landscape and visual impact of this concurrent project is anticipated as only a works area of minor road junction improvement works located around 300m away from the Project.	Potential landscape and visual impact of this project would be arisen from the road widening and improvement works due to the scale of the Project. There would be significantly loss of existing trees and vegetation, and significant change in the landscape character and land use pattern. As the scale of the permanent works is large and the works constructed are irreversible, there would not be any potential blockage of view during operation. Yet, with the implementation of proposed mitigation measures including tree transplanting, compensation planting, control of night-time lighting glare, decorative screen hoarding etc. as suggested in the Preliminary Environmental Review (PER)^{^[2]}, there is no adverse residual landscape and visual impact caused by this project. Thus, no cumulative landscape and visual impact is anticipated during operation phase of this concurrent project.
Improvement to Fan Kam Road	HyD	No	This project is still under investigation stage and thus no construction programme is consolidated.	Potential landscape and visual impact arisen from the removal of trees and vegetation within the Project Boundary during the construction period is anticipated. However, the cumulative impact is not able to be taken into account as no detail information such as design, construction and operation details can be provided from the concurrent project.	Potential landscape and visual impact of this project would be loss of existing trees and vegetation due to the road widening and improvement works. However, the cumulative impact is not able to be taken into account as no detail information such as design, construction and operation details can be provided from the concurrent project.
Kam Tin – Pat Heung Sports Centre	LCSD	No	No Construction Programme available as LCSD has not engaged any parties to carry out the investigation for this project.	Potential landscape and visual impact arisen from the removal of trees and vegetation within the Project Boundary during the construction period and potential disturbance to the existing landscape of the site are anticipated. Furthermore, the superstructure of Pat Heung Sports Centre may also generate landscape and visual impact. However, the cumulative impacts are not able to be taken into account as no detail information such as design, construction and operation details can be provided from the concurrent project. Nevertheless, according to ETWB TCW No. 13/2003, a PER study of this concurrent project will be conducted, and the cumulative impact will be assessed in the study.	No adverse landscape and visual impact is anticipated from Pat Heung Sports Centre during the operation by adopting proper mitigation measures such as dedicated landscape design to match with the existing environment. The residual landscape and visual impact would be minimal as anticipated. Thus, no cumulative landscape and visual impact is anticipated during operation phase of this concurrent project.

9. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards, Guidelines and Criteria

9.3 Assessment Methodology

9.3.1 General

9.3.2 Landscape Impact Assessment

9.3.3 Visual Impact Assessment

9.3.4 Overall Result of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

9.4 Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

9.4.1 Review of Existing OZPs

9.5 Baseline Study: Landscape Resources and Landscape Areas

9.5.1 Landscape Resources

9.5.2 Landscape Character Areas

9.5.3 Tree and Vegetation Survey Findings

9.6 Baseline Study: Visual Envelope and Visually Sensitive Receivers

9.6.1 Existing Visual Context

9.6.1.1 Visual Envelope

9.6.1.2 Visual Characters and Resources

9.6.2 Visually Sensitive Receivers

9.7 Landscape Impact Assessment

9.7.1 Potential Sources of Impacts

9.7.1.1 Construction Phase

9.7.1.2 Operation Phase

9.7.2 Impact of the Project on Existing Trees

9.8 Visual Impact Assessment

9.8.1 Potential Sources of Impacts

9.8.1.1Construction Phase

9.8.1.2Operation Phase

9.9 Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

9.10 Photomontage

9.11 The implementation of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures

9.12 Residual Impacts

9.13 Cumulative Impacts

9.14 Conclusion

9.14.1 Landscape Impacts

9.14.1.1 Landscape Resources

9.14.1.2 Landscape Character Areas

9.14.1.3 Existing Trees

9.14.2 Visual Impacts