9. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

9.1 Introduction

9.1.1 This Section presents the possible landscape and visual impacts of the Project and recommends mitigation measures to alleviate the potential impacts that may arise from the Project. It includes the description of existing landscape resources (LRs), and landscape character areas (LCAs) within 100 m study boundary and visual sensitive receivers (VSRs) within the visual envelop; the impacts associated with the construction and operation of the Project as well as the enhancement and mitigation measures.

9.2 Environmental Legislation, Policies, Standards and Criteria

9.2.1 The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to this landscape and visual impact assessment associated with the construction and operation of the Project:

· EIA Study Brief No. ESB-260/2013;

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

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

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

· Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) issued by the Planning Department, in particular Chapters 4, 10 and 11;

· DEVB TCW No. 6/2015 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;

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

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

· DEVB TCW No. 7/2015 – Tree Preservation;

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

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

· GEO No. 1/2011 – Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment and Bio-Engineering for Man-made Slopes and Retaining Walls.

9.3 Planning and Development Control Framework

9.3.1 The proposed Project site lies within the approved Yuen Long Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/YL/23 and approved Nam Sang Wai OZP No. S/YL-NSW/8 (Figure 9.1).

9.3.2 The Yuen Long OZP area covers a total of approximately 561 ha and is situated in the middle of the Yuen Long plain in northwest New Territories. It is bounded by the outer edge of Yuen Long Industrial Estate in the north, Yuen Long Highway in the south, the Yuen Long Kau Hui group of villages in the east and Long Tin Road in the west. The Nam Sang Wai OZP covers a total of approximately 600 ha. In the east, it is bounded by San Tin Highway and Castle Peak Road, Fairview Park to its north, Shan Pui River in the west and Shan Pui Chung Hau Tsuen and Au Tau to its south.

9.3.3 The southern part of the Study Area is heavily urbanized with scattered, patches of village type developments, high-rise commercial and residential developments. Northwest part of the study area is characterized by the industrial estate. Shan Pui River and Yuen Long Town Nullah pass through the whole study area.

9.3.4 Most of the project area falls into the Yuen Long OZP except small section of Shan Pui River fall into the Nam Sang Wai OZP. There will be no construction works within Nam Sang Wai OZP. The proposed DWF pumping station is the only above ground structure which is located within the Yuen Long OZP. The zoning types and areas affected by the Project is presented in Table 9.1.

Table 9.1 Zoning Types and Areas affected by the Project

Above Ground Structures with dimension in (m)	Zoning Types Affected (Total Area within OZP)	Zoning Area affected
Pumping Station at Shan Pui Ho East Road (17 m(L) x 10 m(W) x 7 m(H))	Residential (Group E)1 (R(E)1) (2.3 ha) [Approved Yuen Long OZP No. S/YL/23]	0.017 ha (170 m²)

Above Ground Structures with dimension in (m)

Zoning Types Affected

(Total Area within OZP)

Zoning Area affected

Pumping Station at Shan Pui Ho East Road

(17 m(L) x 10 m(W) x 7 m(H))

Residential (Group E)1 (R(E)1) (2.3 ha)

[Approved Yuen Long OZP No. S/YL/23]

0.017 ha

(170 m²)

9.3.5 The proposed DWF pumping station, currently a vacant land, at the junction of Shan Pui Ho East Road and Hong Yip Street mainly falls within an area zoned “Residential (Group E)1” and a portion shown as “Nullah” on the Yuen Long OZP. According to the Yuen Long OZP, the proposed pumping station, which is regarded as “Public Utility Installation”, is a Column 2 use for the “R(E)1” zone such that planning permission from the Town Planning Board is required. The proposed pumping station also falls within an area partly zoned “amenity” and partly shown as ‘Road’ on the adopted Tung Tau Industrial Area, Yuen Long Layout Plan No. L/YL-TIA/1M.

9.4 Landscape Impact Assessment

Methodology

9.4.1 In accordance with Annex 18 of the EIAO-TM and Study Brief No. ESB-260/2013, the landscape impact assessment (LIA) considers the potential impacts of the Project on the existing landscape resources within the Study Area, i.e. within 100 m of the Project Boundary. The LIA covers the following tasks:

Identification and mapping of the baseline Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Characters Areas (LCAs) within the Study Area

9.4.2 This was achieved through site visits as well as a desk-top study of topographical maps and photographs. Where relevant, information from the tree survey has been extracted to supplement information regarding the baseline conditions, impact assessment and mitigation measures.

Assessment of the sensitivity of LRs/LCAs

9.4.3 This is influenced by a number of factors including whether the LR/LCA 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 of the LR/LCA, the maturity of the LR, and the ability of the LR/LCA to accommodate change. The sensitivity of each LR and LCA was classified as follows:

(a) High: Important landscape resource or landscape of particularly distinctive character or high importance, sensitive to relatively small changes;

(b) Medium: Landscape resource or landscape of moderately valued landscape character, reasonably tolerant to change; and

Identification of potential sources of landscape impacts

9.4.4 The various elements of the construction and operation works that have the potential to cause landscape impacts were identified and noted.

Identification of the magnitude of change from landscape impacts

9.4.5 The magnitude of the impact depends on a number of factors including the physical extent of the impact, the landscape context of the impact, the compatibility of the Project with the surrounding landscape; and the time-scale of the impact, i.e. whether it is temporary, permanent but potentially reversible, or permanent and irreversible. The overall magnitude of landscape impacts is classified as follows:

(a) Large: The landscape resource or landscape will experience a major change;

(b) Intermediate: The landscape resource or landscape will experience a moderate change;

(d) Negligible: The landscape resource or landscape will experience no discernible change.

Identification of potential landscape mitigation measures

9.4.6 These may take the form of adopting alternative designs or revisions to the architectural design to prevent and/or minimise adverse impacts; remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of structural features; and compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape design measures (e.g. tree planting) to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long-term impacts.

Prediction of the significance of landscape impacts before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures

9.4.7 By synthesising the magnitude of the various impacts and the sensitivity of the various landscape resources the potential impacts will be categorised in a logical and consistent fashion. Table 9.2 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely insignificant, slight, moderate, and significant, depending on the combination of a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of LR/LCA with a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of change. The significant thresholds are defined as follows:

(a) Substantial: Adverse/beneficial impact which will cause significant deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.

(b) Moderate: Adverse/beneficial impact which will cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.

(c) Slight: Adverse/beneficial impact which will cause a barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.

(d) Insignificant: The impact will cause no discernible change in the existing landscape quality.

Table 9.2 Impact Significance of Landscape or Visual Impact

		Receptor Sensitivity (LR/ LCA/ Visually Sensitive Receiver)
		Low	Medium	High
Magnitude of change	Negligible	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
	Small	Slight	Slight / Moderate*	Moderate
	Intermediate	Slight / Moderate*	Moderate	Moderate / Substantial*
	Large	Slight / Moderate*	Moderate / Substantial *	Substantial

* In those instances where the lower level of impact is predicted, this is justified in the description of the impact

Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts

9.4.8 An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts has been carried out to determine whether the impacts to the landscape are beneficial, acceptable, acceptable with mitigation measures, unacceptable or undetermined.

Broad-Brush Tree Survey Methodology

9.4.9 A broad-brush tree survey was conducted in 2019 within the project area, which aimed to provide information of existing trees, in particular, tree quantity, their general conditions, and conservation status for the project team to optimize their design to avoid potential impact on these trees.

9.4.10 The definition of “tree” and Old & Valuable Tree (OVT) follows ETWB TCW No. 29/2004 and DEVB TCW No. 7/2015.

9.4.11 The findings of the broad-brush tree survey groups included the following information:

i. Estimated quantity of trees inside each tree group;

ii. Species (Scientific Name and Chinese Common Name);

iii. Species Origin (Native or Exotic);

iv. Conservation Status;

v. Average size of trees:

· DBH (diameter at breast height i.e. 1.3m above the ground level, in mm)

· Height (in metre)

· Crown Spread (in metre)

vi. General conditions of trees:

· General Health (Good/Fair/Poor)

· General Tree Form (Good/Fair/Poor)

vii. Special features, if any, identified in the survey.

Baseline Condition

9.4.12 The Project Site is located along the Town Centre Section of the existing YLTN. The assessment area for this landscape impact assessment is 100 m of the proposed Project Site boundary.

Landscape Resources

9.4.13 There are seven existing and one future Landscape Resources (LR) identified within the assessment area (Table 9.3):

Table 9.3 Landscape Resources Identified within Assessment Area

ID	Landscape Resource (LR)	Size (ha)	No. of Trees*
LR1	Concrete Paved Water Channel	14.6	0
LR2	Major Transport Corridor	1.4	0
LR3	Park / Recreation	2	127 (incl. 1 potential OVT)
LR4	Roadside Planting - LR4.1 - LR4.2 - LR4.3 (future)	2.2 1.9 0.3 0.1	885 - 770 (in LR4.1) (incl. 3 potential OVTs) - 115 (in LR4.2)
LR5	Planting within Pumping Station	0.2	24
LR6	Vacant Land	0.8	57
LR7	Built-up Area	54.8	506 (incl. 3 potential OVTs)

Note: * according to the landscape baseline survey, a total of 1,599 trees were identified within the assessment area, of which 7 of them were regarded as potential OVTs.

9.4.14 The description of each LR is given in the sections below and the distribution is illustrated in Figure 9.2.

LR1 Concrete Paved Water Channel (~14.6 ha)

9.4.15 No tree is identified in this LR. Yuen Long Town Nullah was widened or modified in mid 1960s to alleviate the flooding risks in the Northwest New Territories and is one of the oldest drainage systems in Hong Kong. Most sections of nullah are characterized by engineered form and loss of the meanders. They are now primarily channelized concrete bedding and embankments except the section above Yuen Long On Lok Road until the end of the nullah section within the Project Site which upper embankments are decorated with grasscretes. This LR is moderately significant character and importance to the Yuen Long district. It is medium in rarity within the local and regional context. However, as this LR is considered to be low landscape quality with a high ability to accommodate change and is man-made structure easily to be replaced, the sensitivity of LR1 is considered to be low.

LR2 Major Transport Corridor (~1.4 ha)

9.4.16 No tree is identified in this LR. This LR includes the major highways and vehicle roads (e.g. Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long) within the Project Site. They are all concrete paved area with very low landscape quality, low rarity and high tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LR is low.

LR3 Park / Recreation (~2 ha)

9.4.17 This LR covers all public rest gardens, playgrounds, sport grounds and sitting-out area scattered within the assessment area which includes a small sitting out area located next to Long Ping MTR Station, Kik Yeung Road 5-a-side Football Pitch, Chung Sing Path Playground, Tai Pei Tau Rest Garden, Yuen Long Children’s Playground, Sai Ching Street Tennis Courts and On Hing Playground.

9.4.18 The sitting out area is concrete paved area with some shrubs and climbers (e.g. Cordyline fruticosa, Syngonium podophyllum, Alpinia zerumbet cv. variegate) grown on planter for enhancing the landscape amenity. The rest garden is also concrete paved with trees and shrubs (e.g. Ficus microcarpa, Archontophoenix alexandrae, Livistona chinensis) planted at the peripheral of the garden to form the visual barrier against the urban area. All the other playgrounds and sport grounds are similarly fringed with trees and shrubs (e.g. Ficus microcarpa, Livistona chinensis) grown on planters. A total of 127 trees were identified in this LR. All the trees are common ornamental species with average fair health condition and tree form. Among the 127 trees, one tree is regarded as a potential OVT for its large size. It was found at the peripheral planting area of Kik Yeung Road 5-a-side Football Pitch. It is a Ficus virens of height about 16m and trunk diameter 1115mm (T5 in Annex 9B).

9.4.19 The landscape quality of this LR is considered to be medium with reasonable tolerance to change and low rarity. The sensitivity of this LR is considered as low.

LR4 Roadside Planting

LR4.1 Planting along Wang Lok Street and Kwong Yip Street (~1.9 ha)

9.4.20 This LR describes all the roadside planting along Wang Lok Street and Kwong Yip Street. A total of 770 trees were identified in this LR. All are common species typically used in roadside treescape, with majority of them included Albizia lebbeck Ficus microcarpa and Melaleuca cajuputi, with average fair health condition and tree form. Among the 770 trees, 3 of them are potential OVTs. All are the common Ficus microcarpa with trunk diameter 1000mm (T1-3 in Annex 9B).

9.4.21 This LR is considered to have reasonable tolerance to change and low rarity. As all amenity planting in the resource can be replaced, the sensitivity of LR4.1 is considered to be low.

LR4.2 Planting along Yuen Long Town Nullah (~0.3 ha)

9.4.22 This LR describes all the roadside planting along Yuen Long Town Nullah. A total of 115 trees were identified in this LR. All are common species typically used in roadside treescape, with majority of them included Bauhinia blakeana, Ficus microcarpa and Lagerstroemia speciosa, with average fair health condition and tree form. No registered nor potential OVTs were identified in LR4.2.

9.4.23 The landscape quality of this LR is considered to be medium with reasonable tolerance to change and low rarity. As all amenity planting in the resource can be replaced, the sensitivity of this LR4.2 is considered to be low.

LR4.3 Future Amenity Planting under Proposed Elevated Pedestrian Corridor (~0.1 ha)

9.4.24 As described in Section 2.6, an elevated pedestrian corridor will be constructed above the existing YLTN. LR4.3 describes all the future amenity planting to be provided under the EPC project. This includes the compensatory tree planting along the YLTN and other soft landscape on the proposed pedestrian interchange recommended in the EIA report (AEIAR-200/2016). A total of 37 nos. of heavy standard sized trees would be planted to compensate the removal of 37 nos. of existing trees in LR 4.2 due to the construction of EPC. The landscape quality of this LR is considered to be medium with reasonable tolerance to change and low rarity. As the amenity planting can be replaced, the sensitivity of LR4.3 is considered as low.

LR5 Planting within Pumping Station (~0.2 ha)

9.4.25 There were some amenity tree plantings along the boundary fence of the Yuen Long Kau Hui Sewage Pumping Station to enhance the landscape quality of the pumping station site. A total of 24 trees were identified. All are common ornamental species, including Acacia auriculiformis, Bauhinia ariegate, Bombax ceiba, Cinnamomum burmannii, Eucalyptus sp. And Hibiscus tiliaceus, with average fair health condition and tree form. No registered nor potential OVTs were identified in this LR.

9.4.26 The landscape quality of this LR is considered to be medium with reasonable tolerance to change and low rarity. As the amenity planting can be replaced, the sensitivity of LR4.3 is considered as low .

LR6 Vacant Land (~0.8 ha)

9.4.27 There are three pieces of vacant land identified within the assessment area. The largest one is located at Wang Lok Street along Shan Pui River. This vacant land is covered by invaded grasses and herbs (e.g. Imperata koenigii, Rhynchelytrum repens, Bidens alba and Emilia sonchifolia) with some trees scattered on them. A total of 56 trees were identified. All are common species with average fair health condition and tree form. Majority of them are Albizia lebbeck, Bombax ceiba, Macaranga tanarius and Melaleuca cajuputi. The other two small pieces are located at Lau Yip Street south of Yuen Long Kau Hui Sewage Pumping Station and at Tai Shu Ha Road West at the southern end of Yuen Long Town Nullah. Both these two vacant lands are largely concrete paved. No trees were identified at the one at Lau Yip Street while one tree was identified at the one at Tai Shu Ha Road West. The tree is a Ficus religiosa, a rather common self-seeded species in urban or sub-urban habitats.

9.4.28 Therefore, in overall, a total 57 trees were identified in this LR. No registered nor potential OVTs were included.

9.4.29 They are of very low landscape quality and low rarity. This LR is highly tolerant to change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be low.

LR7 Built-up Area (~54.8 ha)

9.4.30 This LR consists of high-rise residential buildings, road network, schools and institutions around Yuen Long Town Centre, Industrial Estates and villages along the LR1. Trees can be observed to be scattered throughout the large area of LR7 in schools, residential areas and individual tree pits along streets. A total of 506 tree were identified in this LR. These trees included common ornamental species commonly adopted for urban gardening and streetscape, such as Aleurites moluccana, Bombax ceiba, Ficus microcarpa, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Melaleuca cajuputi; self-seeded trees such as Macaranga tanarius, Leucaena leucocephala; or common fruit tree species, such as Artocarpus heterophyllus and Dimocarpus longan. Most of the trees are of fair average fair health condition and tree form.

9.4.31 Among the 506 trees, 3 of them are potential OVTs (T4, T6-7 in Annex 9B). They included two Ficus microcarpa and one Melia azedarach, with trunk diameter ranging from 1000mm to 1200mm. Both are common species in Hong Kong.

9.4.32 These areas are of low landscape quality and rarity with a high ability to accommodate change. The sensitivity of this LR is considered to be low.

9.4.33 The sensitivity of the LRs is summarized in Table 9.4.

Table 9.4 Sensitivity of Landscape Resources

ID	Landscape Resource	Quality & Maturity*	Rarity*	Ability to Accommodate Change*	Local / Regional Importance (High /Medium /Low)	Sensitivity*
LR1	Concrete Paved Water Channel	Low	Medium	High	Medium	Low
LR2	Major Transport Corridor	Low	Low	High	Low	Low
LR3	Park / Recreation	Medium	Low	Medium	Low	Low
LR4	Roadside Planting
LR4.1	Planting along Wang Lok Street and Kwong Yip Street	Medium	Low	Medium	Low	Low
LR 4.2	Planting along Yuen Long Town Nullah	Medium	Low	Medium to High	Low	Low
LR 4.3	Future Amenity Planting under Proposed Elevated Pedestrian Corridor	Medium	Low	Medium to High	Low	Low
LR5	Planting within Pumping Station	Medium	Low	Medium to High	Low	Low
LR6	Vacant Land	Low	Low	High	Low	Low
LR7	Built-up Area	Low	Low	High	Low	Low

Note: * Classified as High / Medium /Low

Existing Trees within the Project Boundary

9.4.34 A broad-brush tree survey was conducted within the Project Boundary in 2019 and the results are provided in Annex 9A. A total of 704 nos. of tree were identified within the Project Boundary.

9.4.35 Totally 33 species were identified and all are common species without any special conservation status. A summary of species and their quantity is provided in Table 9.5.

Table 9.5 Surveyed Tree Species and Quantity within the Project Boundary

Species	Chinese Common Name	Conservation Status	Quantity	Remarks
Acacia auriculiformis	耳果相思	Nil	6
Acacia confusa	台灣相思	Nil	30
Albizia lebbeck	大葉合歡	Nil	68
Aleurites moluccana	石栗	Nil	7
Artocarpus heterophyllus	菠蘿蜜	Nil	1
Bauhinia blakeana	洋紫荊	Nil	20
Bauhinia variegata	宮粉羊蹄甲	Nil	3
Bischofia javanica	秋楓	Nil	6
Bombax ceiba	木棉	Nil	12
Callistemon viminalis	串錢柳	Nil	5
Casuarina equisetifolia	木麻黃	Nil	2
Celtis sinensis	朴樹	Nil	8
Chukrasia tabularis	麻楝	Nil	1
Cinnamomum burmannii	陰香	Nil	16
Cinnamomum camphora	樟	Nil	2
Delonix regia	鳳凰木	Nil	5
Eucalyptus sp.	桉屬	Nil	18
Ficus benjamina	垂葉榕	Nil	1
Ficus microcarpa	細葉榕	Nil	273	3 trees of this species were identified as potential OVTs (T1-3 in Annex 9B)
Grevillea robusta	銀樺	Nil	1
Hibiscus tiliaceus	黃槿	Nil	3
Lagerstroemia speciosa	大葉紫薇	Nil	21
Leucaena leucocephala	銀合歡	Nil	8
Litsea glutinosa	潺槁	Nil	1
Macaranga tanarius	血桐	Nil	18
Mangifera indica	杧果	Nil	5
Melaleuca cajuputi	白千層	Nil	139
Melia azedarach	苦楝	Nil	11
Michelia x alba	白蘭	Nil	1
Senna surattensis	黃槐	Nil	4
Spathodea campanulata	火焰木	Nil	3
Sterculia nobilis	蘋婆	Nil	4
Terminalia catappa	欖仁樹	Nil	1
Species: 33		Total Tree Quantity: 704

9.4.36 As indicated in the table above, dominant tree species included Albizia lebbeck, Ficus microcarpa and Melaleuca cajuputi, which contribute about 68% of the total tree quantity.

9.4.37 No Registered OVTs were identified, but three potential OVTs were identified as T1-3 at Wang Lok Street (Figure 1 in Annex 9A) for their large size (trunk diameter > 1m).

Potential OVTs and Species of Conservation Interest within Landscape Assessment Area

9.4.38 Apart from the three potential OVTs (T1-3) found inside the Project Boundary, four additional potential OVTs were identified during the landscape baseline survey inside the landscape assessment area but located beyond the Project Boundary. They were numbered as T4-T7 in Annex 9B.

9.4.39 The location of all the 7 potential OVTs is indicated in Figure 9.2.

9.4.40 No floral species (including shrubs, ground cover and climbers) of conservation interest has been identified within the assessment area.

Landscape Character Areas

9.4.41 There are five landscape character areas (LCAs) identified within the landscape assessment area (Table 9.6):

Table 9.6 Landscape Character Areas Identified within Assessment Area

ID	Landscape Character Area (LCA)	Size (ha)	No. of Trees*
LCA1	Water Channel Landscape	14.9	1
LCA2	Urban Residential Landscape Character	22.3	461 (incl. 4 potential OVTs)
LCA3	Major Transport Corridor Landscape Character	1.8	0
LCA4	Rural Village Landscape Character	21.1	550 (incl. 3 potential OVTs)
LCA5	Urban Industrial Landscape Character	15.9	587

Note: * according to the landscape baseline survey, a total of 1,599 trees were identified within the assessment area, of which 7 of them were regarded as potential OVTs.

9.4.42 The description of each LCA is given in the sections below and the distribution is illustrated in Figure 9.3.

LCA1 Water Channel Landscape (~14.9 ha)

9.4.43 This LCA refers to the channelized water course. The area is modified with concrete lining and monotonous riverside vegetation and hence considered as low in amenity and quality. The water channel is moderately significant character and importance to the Yuen Long district. This LCA is about 14.9ha in size. According to the landscape baseline study, vegetation is not a key element to this LCA and only one tree was identified at the channel bank at Tai Shu Ha Road West. It is the Ficus religiosa identified in the small vacant land of LR6. No registered nor potential OVTs were covered in this LCA. It is medium in rarity within the local and regional context. LCA1 is considered to be of high tolerance to change. Therefore, the overall sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low.

LCA2 Urban Residential Landscape Character (~22.3 ha)

9.4.44 This LCA comprises all the residential areas around Yuen Long Town Centre which is dominated by high-rise residential buildings and medium-rise buildings of community services such as schools and traffic roads with limited open space. LCA2 consists of only man-made landscape features and can be easily re-created.

9.4.45 Vegetations are mainly ornamental plantings at parks and recreational areas at LR3, scattered vegetation at built-up areas at LR7, planting along Wang Lok Street at LR4.1and planting along Yuen Long Town Nullah at LR4.1. A total of 461 trees were identified within the LCA from the these LRs. Four potential OVTs were identified as T1-3 from LR4.1 and T6 from LR3 (Annex 9B).

9.4.46 LCA2 is considered to be of low amenity, importance, quality, rarity and of high tolerance to change. Therefore, the sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low.

LCA3 Major Transport Corridor Landscape Character (~1.8 ha)

9.4.47 LCA3 consists of Long Yip Street and Wang Tat Road, Yuen Long On Lok Road within the assessment area. The typical infrastructure includes Long Ping MTR station and associated above ground section of railway, street lighting, signage etc. No trees were identified in this LCA. LCA3 is considered to be of low amenity, importance, quality, rarity and high tolerance to change. The sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low.

LCA4 Rural Village Landscape Character (~21.1 ha)

9.4.48 This LCA includes scattered village houses along the nullah, namely Tung Tau Wai, Tung Tau Wai San Tsuen, Lam Uk Tsuen, Shan Pui Chung Hau Tsuen, Yeung Uk San Tsuen, Tai Kiu Tsuen, Lung Tin Tsuen, Fraser Village and Pretticoins Garden. The village houses are generally typical of New Territories Villa style, most being three storeys tall. A total of 550 trees were identified within the LCA from the LR4.1, LR4.2 and LR7. The three potential OVTs T4, T5 and T7 from LR7 were covered in this LCA (Annex 9B). It has a high ability to accommodate change, low importance, quality, amenity and rarity. The sensitivity of this LCA is considered to be low.

LCA5 Urban Industrial Landscape Character (~15.9 ha)

9.4.49 This LCA refers to the built-up area dominated by industrial buildings along the LCA1. A total of 587 trees were identified within the LCA from the LR4.1, LR5, LR6 and LR7. No registered nor potential OVTs were covered in this LCA. LCA5 is a common landscape character in Yuen Long with low importance, quality, amenity and rarity and consists of man-made features that are resilient to changes and disturbances. LCA5 is considered to be of low sensitivity.

9.4.50 The sensitivity of the LCAs is summarized in Table 9.7.

Table 9.7 Sensitivity of Landscape Character Area

ID	Landscape Character Area (LCA)	Quality & Maturity (High /Medium /Low)	Rarity (High /Medium /Low)	Ability to Accommodate Change (High /Medium /Low)	Local / Regional Importance (High /Medium /Low)	Sensitivity (High /Medium /Low)
LCA1	Water Channel Landscape	Low	Medium	High	Medium	Low
LCA2	Urban Residential Landscape Character	Low	Low	High	Low	Low
LCA3	Major Transport Corridor Landscape Character	Low	Low	High	Low	Low
LCA4	Rural Village Landscape Character	Low	Low	High	Low	Low
LCA5	Urban Industrial Landscape Character	Low	Low	High	Low	Low

Potential Sources of Landscape Impacts

Construction Phase

9.4.51 The proposed DWF interceptors and u-channels will be constructed inside the nullah. The proposed rising mains will be constructed at the road side. Construction of DWF pumping station near the existing Low Flow Pumping Station at Shan Pui Ho Road East will not involve site formation work.

9.4.52 During the Construction Stage, potential adverse impacts would arise from:

Ÿ Potential tree removal (felling and transplantation);

Ÿ Ground breaking and excavation;

Ÿ Backfilling works;

Ÿ Final re-instatement by in-situ concreting;

Operation Phase

9.4.53 During the operation phase, only minor maintenance works such as regular clearance of debris inside the drainage channel and repair of damages to the channel bed and sides are expected. No adverse impacts are anticipated due to the above work. However, the presence of the installed DWFIs and proposed DWF pumping station may cause landscape and visual impacts.

Landscape Impacts

Unmitigated Impacts on LRs – Construction Phase

9.4.54 Magnitude of unmitigated landscape impact to LRs are summarized in Table 9.8 while the significance of unmitigated landscape impact on LRs are illustrated in Table 9.10.

9.4.55 No above-ground construction works will be conducted within LR2, LR3, LR 4.2 and LR5. No adverse landscape impacts on these LRs are expected during construction phase.

9.4.56 The construction works for the Project will lead to temporary adverse landscape impacts identified in Section 9.4.52 to the LR1, LR4.1, LR4.3, LR6 and LR7. Subject to actual condition during construction, no loss of existing trees is expected in these LRs. The impacts will be reversible by reinstatement after construction.

9.4.57 Approximate 7.1 ha of LR1 will be affected by the construction activities such as excavation and backfilling. The construction works of the DWFI system is fairly compatible with the concrete paved water channel. The LR will be reinstated by concrete surfacing after construction. Considering the temporary and reversible works in medium scale with fair compatibility as well as the low sensitivity of the LR, “intermediate” magnitude of change and “moderate” impact significance is expected during construction phase.

9.4.58 Approximate 0.2 ha of LR4.1 will be affected by the construction of rising mains. The existing trees in LR4.1 will be preserved by using trenchless method for the construction of relevant rising main section. Mainlaying with limited excavation is fairly compatible with this LR. Considering the small scale of construction works and no loss of existing trees, the magnitude of change would be “small” and the landscape impact to LR4.1 is expected to be “slight” during construction phase.

9.4.59 Approximate 0.02 ha of LR4.3 will be affected during the construction of DWFI system. The compatibility of the construction works of the DWFI system with the LR is low. The planned trees and other soft landscape will be preserved and no vegetation removal in this LR4.3 is expected. For the small scale of construction works, the landscape impact to LR4.3 is expected to be “slight” during construction phase.

9.4.60 The proposed DWF pumping station will be constructed on a vacant land in the LR6. Approximate 0.8 ha of LR6 will be affected. The compatibility of the construction works of the pumping station with the LR is fair. For the temporary and reversible works in small scale with fair compatibility, the magnitude of change would be “small” and the landscape impact to this LR is expected to be “slight”.

9.4.61 Approximate 1.3 ha of LR7 will be affected by the construction of rising mains. The rising main section within this LR will be conducted by open cut method and the LR will be affected by excavation and backfilling works. As the construction work is small in scale and the LR will be reinstated by concreting, the magnitude of change would be “small” and the landscape impact to LR7 is expected to be “slight” during construction phase.

Unmitigated Impacts on LRs – Operation Phase

9.4.62 As there will be no built structure within LR2, LR3, LR4.1, LR4.2, LR4.3, LR5 and LR7, no landscape impacts arising from the Project are anticipated during operation phase.

9.4.63 During operation phase, approximate 60 nos. of concrete surfaced DWF interceptors will be installed within LR1 and highly compatible with the concrete water channel for LR1. The u-channels/pipes will be covered or underground. No loss of the LR is anticipated. The impact arises from the presence of DWF interceptors will be permanent and irreversible. The magnitude of change for LR1 would be “negligible” and the landscape impact considered to be “insignificant”.

9.4.64 The proposed DWF pumping station built within LR6 will lead to approximate 0.02 m² loss of the vacant land. The impact arises from the presence of the DWF pumping station will be permanent and irreversible. The proposed DWF pumping station is small in size (17 m(L) x 10 m(W) x 7 m(H)) and the building is fairly compatible with the LR. The magnitude of change for LR6 would be “small” and the landscape impact considered to be “slight”.

Impact on Existing Trees

9.4.65 According to the broad brush survey findings, there were 704 existing trees within the Project Area. As the construction works of DWF interceptors and u-channels will be carried out inside the nullah, no tree will be affected by the construction of DWFI system. Tree felling arising from rising mains construction will be avoided by using trenchless method for relevant section. The existing trees will be preserved as far as possible. According to the latest design, all trees will be preserved and no tree felling is expected. If tree felling is unavoidable during construction, tree transplanting and/or compensatory planting will be provided. Tree treatment plan and compensation plan will be provided in the Tree Preservation and Removal Proposal (TPRP) in accordance with DEVB TCW No. 7/2015.

Unmitigated Impacts on LCAs – Construction Phase

9.4.66 By assessing the sensitivities of the LCAs as well as magnitude of change due to the proposed Project, potential landscape impacts to all LCAs during construction phase and operation phase have been evaluated. Table 9.9 illustrates the magnitude of change for all LCAs. Table 9.11 shows the impact significance on LCAs.

9.4.67 As no construction works will be conducted in LCA2 and LCA3, no adverse landscape impacts on these LCAs are expected during construction phase.

9.4.68 For LCA1, during construction phase, the proposed DWF interceptors and u-channels will be constructed inside nullah and approximate 7.1 ha of the LCA will be affected. As the associated construction works will be undertaken in sections, the construction work is medium in scale. The works is fairly compatible to the existing concrete lining water channel. The impact will be temporary and reversible by reinstatement with surface concreting. As a result, “intermediate” magnitude of change to this LCA and “moderate” impact significance is expected during construction phase.

9.4.69 Construction of rising mains will be conducted in LCA4 and 0.6 ha of the LCA will be affected. The existing trees will be preserved by using trenchless method for relevant rising main section. On the other hand, open-cut method will be used for other main sections which may lead to landscape impact arising from excavation. As the construction work is small in scale, temporary and reversible, the magnitude of change would be “small” and the landscape impact to this LCA is expected to be “slight” during construction phase.

9.4.70 The DWF pumping station will be constructed on a vacant land in the LCA5 and approximate 1.9 ha of the LCA will be affected. The construction is fairly compatible with the urban industrial landscape. Considering the temporary and reversible construction works in small scale, the magnitude of change would be “small” and the landscape impact to this LCA is expected to be “slight” during construction.

Unmitigated Impacts on LCAs – Operation Phase

9.4.71 As there will be no built structure within LCA2, LCA3 and LCA4, no landscape impacts arising from the Project are anticipated during operation phase.

9.4.72 During operation, the presence of DWF interceptors will lead to permanent and irreversible landscape impact to the LCA1. However, the concrete surfaced DWF interceptors are small in size and highly compatible with the concrete water channel. The magnitude of change would be “negligible” and the landscape impact is expected to be “insignificant” for LCA1.

9.4.73 In view of the small scale of DWF pumping station, the magnitude of change would be “small” and the landscape impact is expected to be “slight” for LCA5. As there will be no built structure in LCA2, LCA3 and LCA4, no adverse landscape impacts on these LCAs are expected during operation phase.

9.4.74 The proposed DWF pumping station will occupy approximate 0.02 m² of the LCA5. The impact arises from the presence of the DWF pumping station will be permanent and irreversible. Considering small in scale and fair compatibility of the DWF pumping station with the LR, the magnitude of change for LCA5 would be “small” and the landscape impact considered to be “slight”.

Table 9.8 Magnitude of Landscape Impact on LRs

		Size within Study Area (ha)	Area Affected by Project (ha)	Compatibility of Project (Construction/ Operation) #	Duration of Impacts (Construction/ Operation)	Reversibility of Change (Construction/ Operation)	Magnitude of Impact *
ID	Description	Size within Study Area (ha)	Area Affected by Project (ha)	Compatibility of Project (Construction/ Operation) #	Duration of Impacts (Construction/ Operation)	Reversibility of Change (Construction/ Operation)	Construction	Operation
LR1	Concrete Paved Water Channel	14.6	7.1	Fair/High	Temporary/ Permanent	Reversible/ Irreversible	Intermediate	Negligible
LR2	Major Transport Corridor	1.4	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR3	Park/Recreation	2.0	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR4.1	Planting along Wang Lok Street and Kwong Yip Street	1.9	0.2	Fair/Nil	Temporary/ Nil	Reversible/ Nil	Small	Nil
LR4.2	Planting along Yuen Long Town Nullah	0.3	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 4.3	Future Amenity Planting under Proposed Elevated Pedestrian Corridor	0.1	0.02	Low/Nil	Temporary/ Nil	Reversible/ Nil	Small	Nil
LR5	Planting within Pumping Station	0.2	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR6	Vacant Land	1.4	0.8	Fair/Fair	Temporary/ Permanent	Reversible/ Irreversible	Small	Small
LR7	Built-up Area	54.2	1.3	Fair/Nil	Temporary/ Nil	Reversible/ Nil	Small	Nil

Note: # Classified as High / Fair / Low

* Classified as Large/ Intermediate / Small/ Negligible

Table 9.9 Magnitude of Landscape Impact on LCAs

		Size within Study Area (ha)	Area Affected by Project (ha)	Compatibility of Project (Construction/ Operation) #	Duration of Impacts (Construction/ Operation)	Reversibility of Change (Construction/ Operation)	Magnitude of Impact *
ID	Description	Size within Study Area (ha)	Area Affected by Project (ha)	Compatibility of Project (Construction/ Operation) #	Duration of Impacts (Construction/ Operation)	Reversibility of Change (Construction/ Operation)	Construction	Operation
LCA1	Water Channel Landscape	14.9	7.1	Fair/High	Temporary/ Permanent	Reversible/ Irreversible	Intermediate	Negligible
LCA2	Urban Residential Landscape Character	22.3	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LCA3	Major Transport Corridor Landscape Character	1.8	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LCA4	Rural Village Landscape Character	21.1	0.6	Fair/Nil	Temporary/Nil	Reversible/Nil	Small	Nil
LCA5	Urban Industrial Landscape Character	15.9	1.9	Fair/Fair	Temporary/ Permanent	Reversible/ Irreversible	Small	Small

Note: # Classified as High / Fair / Low

* Classified as Large/ Intermediate / Small/ Negligible

Table 9.10 Significance of Landscape Impacts on LRs

ID	LR Description	Sensitivity	Magnitude of Change BEFORE Mitigation^#		Impact Significance Threshold BEFORE Mitigation*		Recommended Mitigation Measures⁺	Residual Impact Significance Threshold UPON Mitigation*
ID	LR Description	Sensitivity	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction & Operation	Construction	Operation Day 1	Operation Year 10
LR1	Concrete Paved Water Channel	Low	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Insignificant	CM1, CM2	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
LR2	Major Transport Corridor	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR3	Park/Recreation	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR4.1	Planting along Wang Lok Street and Kwong Yip Street	Low	Small	Nil	Slight	Nil	CM1 – CM4	Insignificant	Nil	Nil
LR4.2	Planting along Yuen Long Town Nullah	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 4.3	Future Amenity Planting under Proposed Elevated Pedestrian Corridor	Low	Small	Nil	Slight	Nil	CM1 – CM4	Insignificant	Nil	Nil
LR5	Planting within Pumping Station	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	NA	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR6	Vacant Land	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1, CM2, OM2 – OM3	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
LR7	Built-up Area	Low	Small	Nil	Slight	Nil	CM1, CM2	Insignificant	Nil	Nil

Note: # Classified as Large/ Intermediate / Small/ Negligible

* Classified as Insignificant, Slight, Moderate, Substantial

+ Detail mitigation measures listed in Section 9.6

Table 9.11 Significance of Landscape Impacts on LCAs

ID	LCA Description	Sensitivity	Magnitude of Change BEFORE Mitigation^#		Impact Significance Threshold BEFORE Mitigation*		Recommended Mitigation Measures⁺	Residual Impact Significance Threshold UPON Mitigation*
ID	LCA Description	Sensitivity	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction & Operation	Construction	Operation Day 1	Operation Year 10
LCA1	Water Channel Landscape	Low	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Insignificant	CM1, CM2	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
LCA2	Urban Residential Landscape Character	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	Nil	Nil	Nil
LCA3	Major Transport Corridor Landscape Character	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	N/A	Nil	Nil	Nil
LCA4	Rural Village Landscape Character	Low	Small	Nil	Slight	Nil	CM1 – CM4	Insignificant	Nil	Nil
LCA5	Urban Industrial Landscape Character	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1 – CM4, OM2 – OM3	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant

Note: # Classified as Large/ Intermediate / Small/ Negligible

* Classified as Insignificant, Slight, Moderate, Substantial

+ Detail mitigation measures listed in Section 9.6

9.5 Visual Impact Assessment

Methodology

9.5.1 In accordance with Annex 18 of the EIAO-TM and Study Brief No. ESB-260/2013 the visual impact assessment (VIA) analyses the potential visual impacts of the Project. It is informed by an understanding of the existing visual qualities within the region that can be visually affected by a development. In this report, the area that can be visually affected is referred to as the visual envelope and, as stipulated in the Study Brief No. ESB-260/2013, forms the visual impact assessment area. The impact assessment has been conducted with respect to the existing views and visual amenity of the site and the representative Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSR) identified within the visual envelope. The VIA covers the following tasks:

Identification of the Visual Envelope

9.5.2 Geographical Information System (GIS) software was utilised to prepare the visual envelope. By analysing the topography and dimensions of buildings, the areas that could potentially see the development during construction and operation can be worked out (see Figure 9.4). Further to the use of GIS, the study of aerial maps and site visits helped to establish locations that could and could not see the Project taking into account factors other than topography.

Identification of VSRs and Vantage Points (VPs) within the Visual Envelope

9.5.3 VSRs are people who would reside, play, work or travel in or through the visual envelope. VSRs’ views were studied through desktop analysis and on-site inspection. Key locations (Vantage Points [VPs]) were also selected based on representative VSRs to further analyse the visual impact of the Project through the use of photomontages. The photomontages provide a comparison between existing views, proposals after completion without mitigation measures and with mitigation measures.

Assessment of the sensitivity of VSRs

9.5.4 Factors considered include the type of VSR, value and quality of existing views, availability and amenity of alternative views, type and estimated number of receiver population, duration or frequency of view, and degree of visibility. Type of VSR is classified according to whether a person is at home, at work, at play, or travelling.

9.5.5 Those who view the impact from homes are considered to be highly sensitive as the character of view from their home will have a substantial effect on their perception of quality and acceptability of their home environment and their general quality of life. These VSRs are termed ‘Residential’ VSRs and are generally highly sensitive to change.

9.5.6 Those who view the impact from their workplace and at school are considered to be relatively less sensitive as the character of view. The view is considered to have a less important effect on their perception of quality of life, particularly if working in industrial sites or open storage areas. These VSRs are termed ‘Occupational / Institution’ VSRs and are considered to be moderately sensitive to change than residential VSRs.

9.5.7 Those who view the impact while engaging in outdoor recreational activities such as hiking or relaxing in open outdoor spaces or on the beach may display varying sensitivity depending on the type of activity they normally undertake. These VSRs are termed ‘Recreational’ VSRs.

9.5.8 Those who view the impact while travelling in public/private vehicles or on foot will display varying sensitivity depending on the speed, nature and frequency of travel. These VSRs are termed ‘Travelling’ VSRs and generally have slightly sensitivity to change.

9.5.9 It should be noted that the above only provides guidance and each VSR has been assessed according to its specific circumstances. The sensitivity of each VSRs is classified as follows:

(a) High: The VSR is highly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience;

(b) Medium: The VSR is moderately sensitive to any change in their viewing experience; and

Identification of potential sources of visual impacts

9.5.10 The various elements of the construction and operation works that have the potential to cause visual impacts were identified and are noted.

Identification of the magnitude of visual impacts

9.5.11 The magnitude of visual impacts depends on a number of factors including the compatibility of the Project with the surrounding landscape, duration of impacts during construction and operation phase, scale of development, reversibility of the impact, distance of the source of impact from the viewer, degree of visibility of the impact and potential blockage of view. The magnitude of visual impacts is classified as follows:

(a) Large: The VSRs will experience a major change in the character of their existing views;

(b) Intermediate: The VSRs will experience a moderate change in the character of their existing views;

(d) Negligible: The VSRs will experience no discernible change in the character of their existing views.

Recommendation of the potential visual mitigation measures and implementation programme

9.5.12 These may take the form of adopting alternative designs or revisions to the basic engineering and architectural design to prevent and/ or reduce adverse impacts, remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of built structures and greening of those structures; and compensatory measures such as tree planting. A table of proposed mitigation measures and implementation programme (where necessary) is provided with the suggested agencies responsible for their funding, implementation and management/ maintenance identified.

Prediction of the significance thresholds of visual impacts before and after the implementation of mitigation measures

9.5.13 By assessing the magnitude of the various impacts and the sensitivity of VSRs, the degree of significance of the impacts are categorised in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent manner. Table 9.2 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely, Insignificant, Slight, Moderate and Substantial, depending on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of change and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of VSRs. The significant thresholds are defined as follows:

(a) Substantial: Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project will cause substantial deterioration or improvement in existing visual quality.

(b) Moderate: Adverse/beneficial impact where the Project will cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing visual quality.

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

(d) Insignificant: The impact will cause no discernible change in the existing visual quality.

9.5.14 In order to help illustrate the visual impacts of the development, photomontages have been prepared from selected vantage points, which compare the existing conditions with the view after construction of the proposed Project.

Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts

9.5.15 An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts has been carried out to determine whether the visual impacts are beneficial, acceptable, acceptable with mitigation measures, unacceptable or undetermined, in accordance with the requirements of Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM.

Baseline Condition and Visual Sensitive Receivers

9.5.16 All the works including the installation of DWFI system, rising mains, DWF pumping station will be undertaken within developed area (please refer to the Project layout in Figure 2.1). Representative photos of existing site conditions along the proposed Project alignment is shown in Figure 9.5.

9.5.17 Given the project area pass through the Yuen Long Town Centre where the density of Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) along both side of the nullah is high but the nature and view are similar, key groups of existing and planned sensitive receivers within the primary zone of visual influence (ZVI) are identified.

9.5.18 VSRs of the Project may also include the future development “Elevated Pedestrian Corridor in Yuen Long Town Connecting with Long Ping Station”. The travellers on the footbridge are identified as transient VSRs for the Project.

9.5.19 Sixteen (16) representative VSRs which close to the site were selected to predict the potential visual impacts. The identified VSRs are divided into three types: Residential (R), Occupational (O) and Travelling (T). The identified VSRs are listed in Table 9.12 and their locations are shown in Figure 9.4.

Residential VSRs

9.5.20 The residents of main housing estates and buildings with different heights, angles of view and distances from the Project Site have been selected as representative residential VSRs. R1 to R10 are the selected representative residential VSRs who are living in the adjacent low to high-rise residential developments (from 2.9 mPD to 100.2 mPD) near the DWF pumping station and/or along the YLTN and would be visually affected by the proposed Project.

9.5.21 R1 to R5 represent the residents of 2 to 3 stories high village houses with different distances and view directions to the proposed works area within the existing YLTN. These VSRs have the view to the proposed DWFI system works from east (R4), south (R1 and R2), west (R3) or northwest (R5) direction.

9.5.22 R6 and R7 represent residents of 2 to 3 stories high village houses with potential view to the proposed DWFI system as well as the DWF pumping station and rising main from northwest (R6) and northeast (R7) directions.

9.5.23 R8 and R9 represent the residents of high-rise residential buildings with different distances from the proposed works area within the existing YLTN.

9.5.24 R10 represents the occupants of residential buildings with the view to the proposed DWF pumping station.

Occupational VSRs

9.5.25 Occupants of two industrial areas within the primary ZVI have been selected as representative occupational VSRs. O1 to O2 represent the occupants in industrial area with potential view from northwest (O1) and southeast (O2) to the proposed works. Yuen Long Industrial Estate (O1), surrounded with fence walls, is located along Wang Lok Street and at least 500m away from the DWF pumping station while Tung Tau Industrial Area (O2) is located at Wang Yip Street West with minimum distance of 90m away from the proposed pumping station. The occupational VSRs who have window view to the proposed pumping station would be visually impacted.

Travelling VSRs

9.5.26 Travellers with different angles of the view to the Project Site have been selected as representative travelling VSRs. T1 to T4 are travelling VSRs who travel on a public route. T1 to T3 are existing VSRs close to the DWF pumping station. These VSRs have the view to the DWF pumping station from northwest (T1) / northeast (T2) / southwest (T3) direction.

9.5.27 T4 is a planned VSR under a future development “Elevated Pedestrian Corridor in Yuen Long Town Connecting with Long Ping Station” to be visually affected by the installation of the DWFI system.

9.5.28 The sensitivity of the VSRs shall be determined by number of the individuals within the VSR category, quality of existing views, availability of alternative views, degree of visibility, duration of view and frequency of view. The sensitivity of the VSRs are summarized in Table 9.12. The existing view of the representative VSRs is demonstrated in Annex 9C.

9.5.29 R1 to R7 are the residents of village houses and the numbers of individuals are considered as medium while R8 to R10 are the residents of high-rise buildings and the numbers of individuals are considered as many. In view of the large scale of the industrial areas, the number of individuals are considered as many for O1 and O2. Considering the potential traffic and pedestrian flow of the road/street, the number of individuals are considered as medium for T1 and few for T2 and T3. In view of the potential high usage of the proposed footbridge located at Yuen Long centre, the number of individuals are considered as high.

9.5.30 Most of the VSRs have fair existing urban view of buildings/ plantation / concrete nullah (YLTN) while residents in Shan Pui Chung Hau Tsuen (R7) and occupants in Yuen Long Industrial Estate (O1) may have good existing view for viewing Shan Pui River.

9.5.31 Alternative views are available for all representative VSRs. Regarding the degree of visibility, R1, R2, R3, R9, R10, T2 and T3 would experience full view to the proposed Project. The view to the proposed Project would be partially screened by planting/ buildings for R4, R6, R8 and O2 and mainly obstructed by planting for R5, R9 and O1 (see Annex 9C for details). For T1 and T4, depends on the location on the road/footbridge, their views to the proposed Project would be no screening / partially screened by trees along the YLTN / footbridge structure.

9.5.32 The duration and frequency of view are evaluated by the nature of the VSRs. Generally, the residential VSRs are expected to have long and frequent view to the Project. On the other hand, the occupational VSRs and travelling VSRs are expected to have medium long and occasional as well as short and intermittent view to the proposed Project, respectively.

9.5.33 As described in Section 9.5.5, the sensitivity of residential VSRs are generally considered as high for those with long and frequent view to the development. Due to the partial blockage (for R4, R6 and R8) and major blockage (for R5 and R7) of the view to the development by planting/ buildings (see Annex 9C), the sensitivity of R4, R6 and R8 is considered as medium and that of R5 and R7 is considered as low.

9.5.34 For industrial VSRs (O1 and O2), considering the occasional view and partial/major blockage of the view to the development by planting, the sensitivity of these VSRs is considered as low.

9.5.35 For travelling VSRs (T1 to T4), despite of the short and intermittent view to the development, considering involving slow walking pedestrians, who travel not as fast as drivers, and with potential full view to the proposed DWF pumping station / DWFI system, the sensitivity of these VSRs is considered as medium.

ID	VSR Description	Nature of Sensitive Receiver	Number of Individuals (Few/ Medium/ Many)	Quality of Existing View (Poor/ Fair/ Good)	Availability of Alternative Views	Degree of Visibility (Glimpse/ Partial/ Full)	Duration of View (Short/ Medium/ Long)	Frequency of View (Frequent/ Intermittent/ Occasional/ Rare)	Sensitivity to Change (High/ Medium/ Low)
Residential
R1	Wing Lai Yuen	Residential	Medium	Fair	Yes	Full	Long	Frequent	High
R2	Maple Garden	Residential	Medium	Fair	Yes	Full	Long	Frequent	High
R3	Sun Fai Court	Residential	Medium	Fair	Yes	Full	Long	Frequent	High
R4	Tai Kiu Tsuen	Residential	Medium	Fair	Yes	Partial	Long	Frequent	Medium
R5	Yeung Uk San Tsuen	Residential	Medium	Fair	Yes	Glimpse	Long	Frequent	Low
R6	Tung Tau Wai San Tsuen	Residential	Medium	Fair	Yes	Partial	Long	Frequent	Medium
R7	Shan Pui Chung Hau Tsuen	Residential	Medium	Good	Yes	Glimpse	Long	Frequent	Low
R8	Yuccie Square	Residential	Many	Fair	Yes	Partial	Long	Frequent	Medium
R9	The Spectra	Residential	Many	Fair	Yes	Full	Long	Frequent	High
R10	Twin Regency	Residential	Many	Fair	Yes	Full	Long	Frequent	High
Occupational
O1	Yuen Long Industrial Estate	Occupational	Many	Good	Yes	Glimpse	Medium	Occasional	Low
O2	Tung Tau Industrial Area	Occupational	Many	Fair	Yes	Partial	Medium	Occasional	Low
Travelling
T1	Pedestrians and drivers on Wang Lok Road	Travelling (Transient)	Medium	Fair	Yes	Full/Partial	Short	Intermittent	Medium
T2	Pedestrians and drivers on Shan Pui Ho East Road	Travelling (Transient)	Few	Fair	Yes	Full	Short	Intermittent	Medium
T3	Pedestrians on footpath along Lau Yip Street	Travelling (Transient)	Few	Fair	Yes	Full	Short	Intermittent	Medium
T4	Pedestrians on the proposed footbridge (planned)	Planned Travelling (Transient)	Many	Fair	Yes	Full/Partial	Short	Intermittent	Medium

Table 9.13 Magnitude of Visual Impact

ID	VSR Description	Shortest Viewing Distance (m)	Compatibility of the Project ^#	Duration of Impacts (Construction / Operation)	Scale of Works *	Reversibility of Change (Construction / Operation	Potential Blockage of View by Development *	Magnitude of Change *(Construction / Operation)
R1	Wing Lai Yuen	25	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Intermediate / nil
R2	Maple Garden	95	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Small / nil
R3	Sun Fai Court	Adjacent	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Intermediate / nil
R4	Tai Kiu	10	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Intermediate / nil
R5	Yeung Uk San Tsuen	30	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Small / nil
R6	Tung Tau Wai San Tsuen	10	High	Temporary/ permanent	Intermediate	Reversible/ Irreversible	Negligible	Intermediate / Negligible
R7	Shan Pui Chung Hau Tsuen	10	High	Temporary/ permanent	Intermediate	Reversible/ Irreversible	Negligible	Small / Negligible
R8	Yuccie Square	160	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Small / nil
R9	The Spectra	20	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Intermediate / nil
R10	Twin Regency	10	High	Temporary/ permanent	Intermediate	Reversible/ Irreversible	Negligible	Small / Small
O1	Yuen Long Industrial Estate	60	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Small / Negligible
O2	Tung Tau Industrial Area	80	High	Temporary/ permanent	Intermediate	Reversible/ Irreversible	Negligible	Small / Small
T1	Pedestrians and drivers on Wang Lok Road	Adjacent	High	Temporary/ permanent	Intermediate	Reversible/ Irreversible	Small	Intermediate / Intermediate
T2	Pedestrians and drivers on Shan Pui Ho East Road	Adjacent	High	Temporary/ permanent	Intermediate	Reversible/ Irreversible	Intermediate	Large / Large
T3	Pedestrians on footpath along Lau Yip Street	Adjacent	High	Temporary/ permanent	Intermediate	Reversible/ Irreversible	Intermediate	Large / Large
T4	Pedestrians on the proposed footbridge (planned)	Adjacent	High	Temporary/ nil	Intermediate	Reversible/ nil	Negligible	Intermediate / nil

Note: # Classified as High / Medium /Low

* Classified as Large/ Intermediate / Small/ Negligible

Table 9.14 Significance Thresholds of Visual Impacts

ID	VSR Description	Sensitivity	Magnitude of Change BEFORE Mitigation#		Impact Significance Threshold BEFORE Mitigation*		Recommended Mitigation Measures	Residual Impact Significance Threshold UPON Mitigation*
ID	VSR Description	Sensitivity	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction & Operation	Construction	Operation Day 1	Operation Year 10
R1	Wing Lai Yuen	High	Intermediate	nil	Moderate	nil	CM1, CM2	Slight	nil	nil
R2	Maple Garden	High	Small	nil	Moderate	nil	CM1, CM2	Slight	nil	nil
R3	Sun Fai Court	High	Intermediate	nil	Moderate	nil	CM1, CM2	Slight	nil	nil
R4	Tai Kiu	Medium	Intermediate	nil	Moderate	nil	CM1, CM2	Slight	nil	nil
R5	Yeung Uk San Tsuen	Low	Small	nil	Slight	nil	CM1, CM2	Insignificant	nil	nil
R6	Tung Tau Wai San Tsuen	Medium	Intermediate	Negligible	Moderate	Insignificant	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Slight	Insignificant	Insignificant
R7	Shan Pui Chung Hau Tsuen	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
R8	Yuccie Square	Medium	Small	nil	Slight	nil	CM1, CM2	Insignificant	nil	nil
R9	The Spectra	High	Intermediate	nil	Moderate	nil	CM1, CM2	Slight	nil	nil
R10	Twin Regency	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
O1	Yuen Long Industrial Estate	Low	Small	Negligible	Slight	Insignificant	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
O2	Tung Tau Industrial Area	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Insignificant	Insignificant	Insignificant
T1	Pedestrians and drivers on Wang Lok Road	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Slight	Slight	Insignificant
T2	Pedestrians and drivers on Shan Pui Ho East Road	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
T3	Pedestrians on footpath along Lau Yip Street	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	CM1 – CM4 OM1 – OM4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
T4	Pedestrians on the proposed footbridge (planned)	Medium	Intermediate	nil	Moderate	nil	CM1, CM2	Slight	nil	nil

Note: # Classified as Large/ Intermediate / Small/ Negligible

* Classified as Insignificant, Slight, Moderate, Substantial

9.6 Mitigation Measures

9.6.1 The potential landscape and visual impacts arising from the Project have been identified in the previous sections. A series of mitigation measures have been proposed to alleviate the effects of these impacts. The proposed mitigation measures during construction and operation phases are summarized in Table 9.15 and Table 9.16.

Table 9.15 Proposed Mitigation Measures for Construction Phase

ID	Mitigation Measures	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency
CM1	Good site practice Construction site should be kept clean and tidy and construction material should be stored in order. Canvas sheets should be used to cover the exposed earth. Unused construction and demolition (C&D) debris should be removed as soon as the reinstatement works are completed.	DSD	DSD / Contractor
CM2	Erection of decorative screen hoarding Each site should be provided with decorative screen hoarding compatible with surrounding setting.	DSD	DSD / Contractor
CM3	Tree preservation The existing trees shall be preserved as far as possible. The retained existing trees on site shall be protected carefully during construction. The requirement specified in “Guidelines on Tree Preservation during Development” issued by Development Bureau shall be followed. Tree preservation should include protection measures for existing trees and greenery.	DSD	DSD / Contractor
CM4	Tree transplanting / compensatory tree planting According to the latest design, all trees will be preserved and no tree felling is expected. In case of trees unavoidably affected by the Project during construction, tree transplanting shall be conducted as far as possible. Any unavoidable tree felling shall be mitigated by compensatory tree planting.	DSD	DSD / Contractor

Table 9.16 Proposed Mitigation Measures for Operation Phase

ID	Mitigation Measures	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency	Maintenance Agency	Management Agency
OM1	A minimum lighting will be maintained at night time as general lighting provision for security reason.	DSD	DSD / Contractor	DSD	DSD
OM2	Green roof and shrub planting will be provided for the DWF pumping station. The roof structure will be planted with trees and groundcovers to reduce glaring effect and give a green appearance of the roof structure. Shrub planting is proposed to be planted within the site boundary to further enhance the development with lush greenery.	DSD	DSD / Contractor	DSD	DSD
OM3	Vertical greening will be provided on the external walls without the coverage of architectural elements.	DSD	DSD / Contractor	DSD	DSD
OM4	The proposed architectural design of the DWF pumping station will utilize the surrounding landscape to blend the building with the surrounding environment. The building will maintain a low profile to reduce the visual impact.	DSD	DSD / Contractor	DSD	DSD

9.6.2 The landscape mitigation plan of the Project is provided in Figure 9.9.

9.7 Residual Impacts

9.7.1 During construction phase, good site practice (CM1) and erection of decorative screen hoarding (CM2) would reduce the landscape and visual impact arising from construction of proposed DWFI system, DWF pumping station and rising main. Tree preservation (CM3) can avoid the landscape and visual impacts arising from tree removal. Notwithstanding no tree felling is expected, tree transplanting / compensatory tree planting (CM4) can mitigate associated landscape and visual impacts in case of unavoidable tree felling during construction.

9.7.2 During operational phase, minimum lighting during the night (OM1) can reduce the visual impacts to the VSRs near the proposed DWF pumping station. Green roof and shrub planting (OM2) and vertical greening (OM3) can enhance the aesthetic quality of the proposed DWF pumping station and hence reduce the landscape and visual impacts of the built structure. The low-profile design of the proposed DWF pumping station (OM4) can minimize the visual impact of the built structure.

Residual Landscape Impact

9.7.3 The residual landscape impacts on LCAs and LRs after proper implementation of mitigation measures proposed in Section 9.6 during construction and operational phases are illustrated in Table 9.10 and Table 9.11.

9.7.4 During construction phase, good site practice (CM1) and erection of decorative screen hoarding (CM2) can reduce the landscape impacts generated from construction works for LCA1, LCA4 LCA5, LR1, LR4.1, LR4.3, LR6 and LR7. The landscape impacts due to the tree removal will be avoided by tree preservation (CM3) for LCA4, LCA5, LR4.1 and LR4.2. In case of any unavoidable tree felling during construction, the associated landscape impacts on these LRs could be mitigated by tree transplanting / compensation (CM4). Overall, with implementation of the recommended mitigation measures during construction, the landscape impacts on LCA1, LCA4 and LCA5 would be “slight” to “insignificant” while the landscape impacts on LR1, LR4.1, LR4.3, LR6 and LR7 would be “slight” to “insignificant”.

9.7.5 During operational phase, green roof and shrub planting (OM2) as well as vertical greening (OM3) can enhance the aesthetic quality of the proposed DWF pumping station and hence reduce the landscape impact on the LCA5 and LR6. With implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, the residual landscape impacts on LCA5 and LR7 during operation would be reduced to “insignificant” at both Day 1 and Year 10 the operation.

Residual Visual Impact

9.7.6 The residual landscape impacts on VSRs after proper implementation of mitigation measures proposed in Section 9.6 during construction and operational phases are illustrated in Table 9.14. Photomontages illustrating the existing baseline conditions, Day 1 of operation without mitigation, and Day 1 and Year 10 of operation with mitigation for the selected vantage points (i.e. T1, T2 and T3) are shown in Figure 9.8a to 9.8c.

9.7.7 During construction, the significance of residual impacts for most of the VSRs, except T2 and T3, has been reduced to “slight” to “insignificant” upon implementation of mitigation measures (CM1 to CM4) described in Table 9.15. For T2 and T3, due to the very close vicinity and direct sightline to the works area of the proposed DWF pumping station, the VSRs is expected to experience “moderate” residual visual impact even after implementation of mitigation measures.

9.7.8 During operation phase, for R6, R7, R10, O1, O2, and T1, upon implementation of mitigation measures (OM1 to OM4) described in Table 9.16, the significance of the residual visual impacts would be reduced to “slight” to “insignificant” at Day 1 of operation and become “insignificant” after the screen planting become mature at Year 10 of operation. For T2 and T3, although the proposed mitigation measures may soften the facades of the proposed pumping station and allow it to be less incompatible with the surroundings, due to the very close vicinity and direct sightline to the proposed DWF pumping station, it would be unavoidable for T2 and T3 to experience “moderate” residual visual impact even after implementation of mitigation measures at Day 1 and Year 10 of operation.

9.8 Cumulative Impacts

9.8.1 The following developments will be constructed and operated concurrently with the Project and may potentially impose cumulative landscape and visual impacts.

· Yuen Long Barrage Scheme (YLBS);

· Elevated Pedestrian Corridor in Yuen Long Town Connecting with Long Ping Station (EPC); and

· Housing Sites in Yuen Long South (HSYLS)

9.8.2 For YLBS, according to the Project Profile, temporary visual impact may arise from construction activities during construction. As majority of construction works are to be carried out in YLTN where is an existing concrete channel, no significant impact on existing landscape is anticipated. During operational phase, above-ground concrete structures may induce visual impacts. Beneficial landscape and visual impacts would be resulted from the revitalization of the existing concrete nullah.

9.8.3 As discussed in Section 1.1, the landscaping and beautification works for the YLTN will be implemented under the YLBS project. Water flow of less polluted upstream DWF to be maintained in this Project will be integrated with the landscaping and beautification works under YLBS as blue-green elements for YLTN revitalization. The revitalized YLTN would be a blue-green infrastructure and slight beneficial landscape and visual impacts are anticipated during the operation phase of the two projects.

9.8.4 For EPC, an elevated pedestrian corridor in form of footbridge will be constructed along YLTN from West Rail Long Ping Station to the south of the Kau Yuk Road. According to the latest programme, the construction works of EPC will be completed one-year before that of the YLTN Project. As the footbridge is built above the existing YLTN as screening, the landscape and visual impacts arising from the DWFI system under the YLTN Project within this section will become less significant. The provision of amenity planting strip under the EPC project will upgrade the existing landscape setting and will be compatible to the revitalized YLTN with blue-green elements. The construction works of the YLTN Project may cause landscape impact to the amenity planting provided under the EPC project and regarded as a future LR (LR4.3). The relevant description and assessment are provided in Section 9.4.

9.8.5 For HSYLS, according to the EIA Report, the landscape character of affected LCAs will be changed and more urbanized character will be introduced into the rural context. Provided the implementation of mitigation measures including compensatory planting, landscape enhancement, revitalization of nullahs and provision of reedbed / retention pond, the residual impacts to most LRs and LCAs would be reduced to slight level.

9.8.6 In consideration of both the Project and the concurrent projects will not cause significant landscape and visual impact during both construction and operational phases. Adverse cumulative ecological impacts are not anticipated.

9.9 Monitoring and Audit Requirement

9.9.1 Although no unacceptable environmental impacts have been identified, it is recommended to carry out landscape monitoring, as well as site audit during the construction phase to verify that the Project works will not result in any adverse impacts to the surrounding sensitive receivers. The Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A) requirements are discussed in Section 10.

9.10 Conclusion

9.10.1 A Landscape Impact Assessment was undertaken for the construction and operation of the proposed Project in Yuen Long Town Centre. Landscape mitigation measures were proposed as appropriate and residual landscape impacts have been identified. With proper implementation of mitigation measures, all affected LRs and LCAs will have “slight” to “insignificant” adverse landscape impacts during construction phase and “insignificant” or even no impact at both Day 1 and Year 10 the operation.

9.10.2 A Visual Impact Assessment was also undertaken and VSRs were identified and assessed based on their sensitivity and magnitude of change. Visual mitigation measures were proposed as appropriate and residual visual impacts identified. All VSRs will experience from “moderate” to “insignificant” visual impacts during construction phase after adoption of mitigation measures. At Year 10 of operation, T2 and T3 will receive “moderate” visual impacts arising from the proposed DWF pumping station while the remaining VSRs will receive nil or “insignificant” visual impacts.

9.10.3 According to Annexes 10 and 18 of the Technical Memorandum on the Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) the Landscape and Visual Impacts are considered acceptable with mitigation.

([1]) PlanD. Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong Final Report. Available at: http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/p_study/prog_s/landscape/landscape_final/index.html

[Accessed 26 March 2019]