Town Planning Board eases plot ratio transfer rules
RTHK · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Town Planning Board has revised its planning guidelines to loosen the existing plot ratio transfer scheme and allow cross-district transfers, aiming to make urban renewal projects easier to pursue. The changes are intended to give both the private market and the Urban Renewal Authority more flexibility in using plot ratio transfers for redevelopment.
Key Points
- The revised scheme now permits cross-district plot ratio transfers, giving greater flexibility in matching “sending sites” with “receiving sites”.
- Eligible “sending sites” have been expanded beyond Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei to the other five designated areas under the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) Ordinance with urgent redevelopment needs.
- Requirements for “receiving sites” have been relaxed by removing the cap of no more than two receiving sites per application and cutting the minimum site area from 1,000 square metres to 700 square metres.
- The scheme now covers the whole of Hong Kong, including the Northern Metropolis, and allows minor exceedance of the 30% ceiling.
- For cases that bring public benefits and secure planning permission from the board, some gross floor area may be granted on the sending site without land premium payment after transfer to support ongoing management and maintenance.
Why It Matters
The board said building ageing is outpacing the speed of urban renewal, while only a small number of redevelopment projects are currently financially viable. It argued that more innovative and proactive measures are needed, including making use of new land resources in the Northern Metropolis to support the renewal of old urban districts.