The Buildings Department approved 18 building plans in March - five on Hong Kong Island, eight in Kowloon and five in the New Territories. Of the approved plans, six were for apartment and apartment-commercial developments, five were for commercial developments, one was for factory and industrial development, and six were for community services developments.

     Consent was given for works to start on 10 building projects, which will provide 15,546 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 381 units, and 92,088 sq m for non-domestic use. The department also issued 25 occupation permits - three on Hong Kong Island, seven in Kowloon and 15 in the New Territories.

     Buildings certified for occupation have 86,557 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 1,413 units, and 115,409 sq m for non-domestic use. The declared cost of new buildings completed in the month was $7.7 billion.

     URA executive director named. Eric Poon has been appointed Executive Director of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) for a three-year term from July 15. The Government said the appointment was made on the recommendation of a selection panel.

     Mr Poon will assist the URA’s Managing Director in formulating and implementing policies and initiatives on planning and design, property and land, and corporate services. Secretary for Development Michael Wong said Mr Poon is a professional quantity surveyor and has worked for more than 20 years in the former Land Development Corporation and the URA.