Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2016-17 Reply Serial No. DEVB(PL)428 CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY (Question Serial No. 4266) Head: (118) Planning Department Subhead (No. & title): (000) Operational expenses Programme: (1) Territorial Planning Controlling Officer: Director of Planning (K K LING) Director of Bureau: Secretary for Development Question: What is the progress of the Preliminary Feasibility Study on Developing the New Territories North? Asked by: Hon CHAN Hak-kan (Member Question No. 66) Reply: The Planning Department and the Civil Engineering and Development Department jointly commissioned the Preliminary Feasibility Study on Developing the New Territories (NT) North (the Study) to examine the development potential of the NT North and the strategic infrastructure required for the development and the development of a modern new town there on a scale similar to that of Fanling/Sheung Shui New Town. It will formulate broad land uses and development scale of the potential development areas in the NT North and ascertain their preliminary development feasibility and sustainability in terms of engineering, traffic and other infrastructure capacities, environment and ecology, etc. The study area generally covers the land to the north of Hong Kong’s northern hill ranges viz. Kai Kung Leng, Pak Tai To Yan and Pat Sin Leng. It is roughly bounded by San Tin Highway in the west and the North East New Territories Landfill and its surrounding hill ranges in the east. The study area is about 5 300 hectares. The Study is still in progress and it is intended that potential development areas for housing (including public housing) and other uses will be identified for further studies. The public will be consulted on the findings and recommendations arising from the Study in due course. - End - Session 16 DEVB(PL) – page .