In response to media enquiries regarding an industrial building to be constructed at 77-85 Bedford Road, Tai Kok Tsui, a Development Bureau spokesman issued the following statement:
The site is zoned "Other Specified Uses" annotated "Business" ("OU(Business)") on the draft Mong Kok Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
According to the Notes of the OZP for "OU(Business)" zone under Schedule II, non-polluted industrial use (excluding industrial undertakings involving the use/storage of dangerous goods) within the industrial building is always permitted.
According to the building plans approved by the Buildings Department in February 2008, the building is a 28-storey industrial building.
Lands Department has not received any application for lease modification to allow the premises to be used for any purposes other than industrial use. Further, the developer appears to be already promoting the sale of the premises as an industrial building with "Modern Loft Living".
Despite the "OU(Business)" zoning and in the absence of any lease modification for change of the user under the lease, any building to be erected on the lot is restricted for industrial use under the lease and industrial use in this context must involve a process of manufacturing. Any other uses will not be permitted and may be subject to lease enforcement action by Lands Department.
In order to optimise the use of industrial buildings, the Development Bureau has introduced a new package of measures to facilitate redevelopment and wholesale conversion of existing industrial buildings. Under the new measures, between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2013, owners of industrial buildings in non-industrial zones may apply for lease modification under the redevelopment option or owners of industrial buildings of 15 years or above in some specified planning zones may apply for waiver to permit for wholesale conversion. The proposed new uses should comply with the planning permissions for the respective lots or buildings.
Ends/Thursday, October 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:39
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