Public Participation in Plan Making
This webpage sets out the plan-making process for plans exhibited for public inspection under section 5 or 7 of the Town Planning Ordinance on or after 1.9.2023, i.e. on or after the Town Planning Ordinance as amended in 2023 takes effect. For the plan-making process of plans exhibited before that date, please click here
- plan-making process
- representation relating to a plan
- hearing for representations
- further representation in respect of proposed amendments
- submission requirements, forms and arrangement for public inspection
- submission of the Plan to Chief Executive in Council
Plan-making process
Step 1: Publication of a new draft plan or amendment to an approved plan (under s.5) of the Town Planning Ordinance or amendment to a draft plan (under s.7) for 2 months for representations (s.6(1))
Step 2: Publication of representations for 3 weeks for comments (s.6A(1))
Step 3: Hearing of representations and comments; the Town Planning Board (TPB) may propose amendment(s) to meet the representations (s.6B(8))
Step 4: If amendments proposed. Publication of proposed amendment(s) for 3 weeks for further representations by any person, other than the original 'representer' and 'commenter' (s.6D(1)); the further representation shall indicate whether it is in support of or in opposition to the proposed amendment(s) (s.6D(2))
Step 5a: If adverse further representation received. Hearing of further representations; the TPB to decide whether to amend the draft plan by the proposed amendment(s) or by the proposed amendment(s) as further varied as it considers appropriate (s.6F(8))
Step 5b: If no adverse further representation received. No hearing of further representational; the TPB to consider supportive representations and to amend the draft plan by the proposed amendment(s) (s.6F(9))
Step 5c: If no further representation received. The TPB to amend the draft plan by the proposed amendment(s) (s.6G)
Step 6: The amendment made by the TPB shall form part of the draft plan (s.6H)
Step 7: If no amendment proposed from Step 4. Submission of the draft plan together with a schedule of the amendments made by the TPB (if any) and a schedule of the representations, comments and further representations (if any) to the Chief Executive in Council for approval (s.8(1A))
Step 1 to Step 7 is 9 months (from end of 2 months) (Chief Executive may allow a further period of up to 6 months) (s.8(2))
Step 8: Approved Plan
Step 9: Reference of an approved plan by the Chief Executive in Council for amendment (s.12(1)(b)(ii))
Representation relating to plan
All new plans and amendments to plan will be exhibited for 2 months for public inspection under the Town Planning Ordinance. During this exhibition period, any person may make representation (either supportive or adverse) to the Town Planning Board in respect of the new plan or the amendments.
plans currently inviting representations
Hearing for Representations
The Town Planning Board (TPB) will hold a hearing to consider the valid representations received. The persons who have submitted valid representations may attend the hearing and be heard by the TPB. Those who indicate to attend the hearing must attend in person. If the representer is not a natural person (e.g. companies/organisations), it can authorise a representative to attend. If the representer is a natural person and TPB is satisfied that he/she is unable to attend because of exceptional circumstances, he/she may also authorise a representative to attend with prior consent from the Secretary of the TPB.
| Guidance Notes | |
|---|---|
| Guidance Notes on Attending the Meeting for Consideration of Representations under The Town Planning Ordinance | Download PDF (Guidance Notes on Attending the Meeting for Consideration of Representations under The Town Planning Ordinance) |
After the hearing, the Town Planning Board will decide whether to propose amendments to the plan to meet representations.
Further Representation in Respect of Proposed Amendments
Any amendments proposed by the Town Planning Board (TPB) after the hearing will be published for public inspection.
During the first 3 weeks of the public inspection period of the proposed amendments, any person may make further representation in respect of the proposed amendments (either supportive or adverse) to the TPB.
submission requirements, relevant forms and publication arrangement
plans currently inviting further representations
The TPB will hold a meeting to consider the further representation (if any) and whether to amend the draft plan by the proposed amendments. The persons who have submitted the further representations will not be invited to the meeting.
Submission Requirements, Forms and Arrangement for Public Inspection
All representations/further representations must be made within the statutory time limit. To facilitate processing the submissions, the person who submits representation or further representation must provide information as required under the Town Planning Board Guidelines on Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations under the Town Planning Ordinance (press here).
Representation/further representation may be submitted online by clicking the respective links on the webpage on “Plans Under Processing”.
Alternatively, submission may be made by completing Form No. S6 for representation or Form No. S6D for further representation below which is also available at the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board and the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department (17/F North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong or 14/F Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin) (Hotline 2231 5000), and sending it to the Secretary, Town Planning Board:
(a) by email (tpbpd@pland.gov.hk); or
(b) by hand or post (15/F North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong);
(c) by fax (2877 0245 or 2522 8426);
| Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Form No. S6 | For Representations in Respect of Plan under Section 6(1) | Download PDF (For Representations Relating to Draft Plan under Section 6(1)) |
| Form No. S6D | For Further Representation in Respect of Proposed Amendments to Plan under Section 6D(1) | Download PDF (For Further Representation in Respect of Proposed Amendments to Plan under Section 6D(1)) |
Representations/further representations will be made available for public inspection until the Chief Executive in Council has made a decision on the plan or relevant amendment(s) of the plan. All information (including name, but excluding HKID/passport number, correspondence address, and telephone number/fax number/email address) included in the representations/further representations will be made available for public inspection.
Representations/further representations currently available for public inspection
For further details on the submission requirements and publication arrangement, please refer to Town Planning Board Guidelines on Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations under the Town Planning Ordinance (press here).
Submission of the Plan to Chief Executive in Council
Upon completion of the representation consideration process, the Town Planning Board (TPB) is required to submit the plan to the Chief Executive in Council for approval before the expiration of a period of 5 months after the expiry of the plan exhibition period. The statutory time limit may be extended, if appropriate, for 2 months or, in exceptional circumstances, two further 2 months each by the Secretary for Development. The submission shall incorporate the amendments agreed by the TPB together with the relevant representations and further representations.