Container Terminal Nos. 1, 2 and 5 and Extension Area
2012 to 2015
The Kwai Chung OZP No. S/KC/26 was imposed with extensive planning controls in the form of Building Height Restrictions (BHRs), Non-Building Areas (NBAs), Set Backs (SBs) etc. Masterplan was commissioned by Modern Terminal Limited (MTL) to submit a representation in relation to CTs 1, 2, 5 (the Site). Large area of the Site was imposed with a BHR of 2 storeys. A small part of the Site was imposed with BHRs of 25mPD and 75mPD to reflect the BH of the existing buildings.
Even though the 2 storey BHR did not apply to the stacking height of containers and crane structure, the restriction making the latest technology of Container Storage System unable to be developed as such system of about 8 to 10 storeys.
Representation Reasons
The representation listed out the main opposing reasons as follows:
There is inadequate justification for the BHRs on the Site as they do not relate to any specific air ventilation issue or visual context;
The BHRs are mainly based on the existing building form and height and are unreasonable controls allowing no room for expansion or improvement to the efficiency of the container terminal: there is no logical reason for the 2 storeys BHR over most of the Site
95% of the Representation Site is covered by the 2 storeys restriction whereas other sites have a much greater
percentage of the site with higher BHRs. Equitable treatment should be given to all sites within the OU(CT) zone;
The BHRs are set so low, especially the 2 storey restriction as to be contrary to the planning intention for the Site, and contrary to Government policy in relation to the logistics industry and the function that the site has to perform in this context; and
The BHRs do not enable achievement of the development rights under the lease, whereas this is achieved under the
“OU(B)” zone which relates to other industrial sites in Kwai Chung and this is irrational and inconsistent;
The unique nature of the container terminals and their important function in the movement of goods to and from ships berthed alongside has not been recognised when setting the objectives for the BH profile. The existence of large buildings, tall structures and stacks of containers means that the “low-rise’ principle along the waterfront cannot be reasonably applied given the facts of the situation;
There has been no clear identification of the public benefit to be obtained in establishing the BHRs on the Site, and no systematic balancing process carried out to justify the extent of BHR required, if any.