9 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACTS

9.1 Introduction

9.1.1 The LVIA study will investigate those landscape and visual impacts and propose the appropriate mitigation measures within the intention that all works recommended by the Rock Cavern Development (RCD) would be environmentally acceptable and cost effective. The residual impacts, if any, would be confined with the allowable limits.

9.2 Environmental Legislation, Standards and Guidelines

9.2.1 The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to landscape and visual impact assessment associated with the construction and operation of the RCD:

(1) Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap.499.S.16) and the Technical Memorandum on EIA Process (EIAO-TM), particularly Annexes 3,10,11 and 18;

(2) Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note 8/2010;

(3) Town Planning Board Guideline No. 41 – Guideline on submissions of Visual Impact Assessment for Planning Applications to the Town Planning Board;

(4) Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131);

(5) Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap 96);

(6) Country Park Ordinance (Cap 208);

(7) Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance (Cap 187);

(8) Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines Chapters 4, 10 and 11;

(9) AFCD Nature Conservation Practice Note No.2 - Measurement of Diameter at Breast Height (DBH);

(10) AFCD Nature Conservation Practice Note No.3 – The Use of Plant Names;

(11) DEVB TCW No. 3/2012 - Site Coverage of Greenery for Government Building Projects;

(12) DEVB TCW No. 2/2013 - Greening on Footbridges and Flyovers;

(13) ETWB TC No. 23/93 – Control of Visual Impact of Slopes;

(14) ETWB TC No. 12/2000 – Improvement to the Appearance of Slopes in Connection with ET WBTC 23/93;

(15) ETWB TC No. 7/2002 – Tree Planting in Public Works;

(16) ETWB TCW No. 2/2004 - Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;

(17) ETWB TCW No. 29/2004 - Registration of Old and Valuable Trees, and Guidelines for their Preservation;

(18) DEVB TCW No. 10/2013 - Tree Preservation;

(19) ETWB TCW No. 13/2003A - Guidelines and Procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment of Government Projects and Proposals Planning for Provision of Noise Barriers;

(20) ETWB TCW No. 34/2003 – Community Involvement in Greening Works;

(21) ETWB TCW No. 5/2005 - Protection of natural streams/rivers from adverse impacts arising from construction works;

(22) ETWB TCW 8/2005 - Aesthetic Design of Ancillary Buildings in Engineering Projects;

(23) GEO publication No. 1/2011 - Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment for Slopes;

(24) GEO Publication (1999) – Use of Vegetation as Surface Protection on Slopes;

(25) GEO Publication No. 6/2007 - Updating of GEO Publication no. 1/2000 - Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment and Bio-engineering for Manmade Slopes and Retaining Walls;

(26) Lands Administration Office Practice Note (LAN PN) No. 7/2007 - Tree Preservation and Tree Removal Application for Building Development in Private Projects;

(27) Land Administration Office Instruction (LAOI) Section D-12 - Tree Preservation;

(28) Government General Regulation 740 – setting out restrictions on the preservation and felling of trees in Hong Kong;

(29) WBTC No. 25/1993 - Control of Visual Impact of Slopes;

(30) WBTC No. 17/2000 - Improvement to the Appearance of Slopes;

(31) WBTC No. 7/2002 - Tree Planting in Public Works;

(32) WBTC No. 36/2004 - Advisory Committee on the Appearance of Bridges and Associated Structures (ACABAS);

(33) DEVB TC(W) No. 2/2012 – Allocation of Space for Quality Greening on Roads

(34) Cyber Manual for Greening (GLTM of DEVB);

(35) Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barrier (2012), GLTM of DEVB; General Guidelines on Tree Pruning, GLTM of DEVB;

(36) Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong;

(37) Layman’s guide to landscape treatment of slopes, CEDD;

(38) Landscape Character Map of Hong Kong (2005 Edition);

(39) The Register of Old and Valuable Trees – Hong Kong, maintained by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department;

(40) Study on green roof application in Hong Kong, (16/2/2007) ASCD;

(41) GLTM of DEVB - Skyrise Greenry - Website: http://www.greening.gov.hk/en/new_trend/benefit_of_skyrise.html

(42) Green Inrastructure, GLTM of DEVB - Website: http://www.greening.gov.hk/en/new_trend/green_infrastructure.html

(43) Measures on Tree Preservation, GLTM of DEVB - Website: http://www.greening.gov.hk/en/management/tree_m_and_m.html#tree_maintenance

(44) Restrictions on the preservation and felling of trees in Hong Kong are specified in Government General Regulation 740. The Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96) prohibits felling, cutting, burning or destroying of trees and growing plants in forests and plantations on government land. Its subsidiary regulations prohibit the picking, felling or possession of listed rare and protected plant species. The list of protected species in Hong Kong is defined in the Forestry Regulations, made under Section 3 of the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96).

(45) The Outline Zoning Plan gazetted under the Town Planning Ordinance provides the statutory framework for land use development. Reference has been made to the OZP No.: S/K14N/13-Approved Kwun Tong North Outline Zoning Plan and OZP No. S/SK- TLS/8) Tseng Lan Shue Outline Zoning Plan.

9.3 Assessment Methodology

General

9.3.1 The Landscape Impact Assessment Area for the landscape impact assessment includes areas within a 500m distance from the site boundary of the RCD while the Visual Study Area for the visual impact assessment is defined by the visual envelope of the RCD. The landscape and visual impact study boundaries are shown in Figure 9.1.

Landscape Impact Assessment

9.3.2 The assessment of landscape impacts has involved the following procedures.

· Identification of the baseline landscape resources (physical and cultural) and landscape characters found within the Landscape Impact Assessment Area. This is achieved by site visit and desktop study of topographical maps, information databases and photographs. Board brush tree / vegetation survey shall be included in the baseline study. Refer to Appendix 9.1.

· Assessment of the degree of sensitivity of the landscape resources. This is influenced by a number of factors including whether the resource/character is common or rare, whether it is considered to be of local, regional, national or global importance, whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations/ requirements relating to the resource, the quality of the resource/character, the maturity of the resource, and the ability of the resource/character to accommodate change.

9.3.3 The sensitivity of each landscape feature and character area is classified as follows:

High:

Important landscape or landscape resource of particularly distinctive character or high importance, sensitive to relatively small changes.

Medium:

Landscape or landscape resource of moderately valued landscape characteristics reasonably tolerant to change.

Low:

Landscape or landscape resource, the nature of which is largely tolerant to change.

· Identification of potential sources of landscape impacts. These are the various elements of the construction works and operation procedures that would generate landscape impacts.

· Identification of the magnitude of landscape changes. The magnitude of change depends on a number of factors including the physical extent of the impact, the landscape and visual context of the impact, the compatibility of the project with the surrounding landscape; and the time-scale of the impact - i.e. whether it is temporary (short, medium or long term), permanent but potentially reversible, or permanent and irreversible. Landscape impacts have been quantified wherever possible.

9.3.4 The magnitude of change is classified as follows:

Large:

The landscape or landscape resource would have a major change.

Intermediate:

The landscape or landscape resource would have a moderate change.

Small:

The landscape or landscape resource would have slight or barely perceptible changes.

Negligible:

The landscape or landscape resource would have no discernible change.

· Identification of potential landscape mitigation measures. These may take the form of adopting alternative designs or revisions to the basic engineering and architectural design to prevent and/or minimize adverse impacts; remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of building features; and compensatory measures such as the implementation of landscape design measures to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts and to attempt to generate potentially beneficial long term impacts. A programme for the mitigation measures is provided. The agencies responsible for the funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the mitigation measures are identified.

· Prediction of the significance of landscape impacts before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures. By synthesizing the magnitude of the various changes and the sensitivity of the various landscape resources it is possible to categorize impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 9.1 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely insubstantial, slight, moderate, and substantial, depending on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of change and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of landscape resource /character.

Table 9.1 Relationship between Landscape Sensitivity and Impact Magnitude in Defining Impact Significance

Magnitude of change (Both Adverse and Beneficial Impact are assessed.)

Large

Moderate

Moderate / Substantial

Substantial

Intermediate

Slight / Moderate

Moderate

Moderate / Substantial

Small

Slight

Slight / Moderate

Moderate

Negligible

Insubstantial

Low

Medium

High

Sensitivity of Landscape Resource and Landscape Character Area

Note:
All impacts are Adverse unless otherwise noted with Beneficial.

9.3.5 The significance of landscape impacts is categorized as follows:

Substantial:

Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause significant deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.

Moderate:

Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.

Slight:

Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause a barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in existing landscape quality.

Insubstantial:

No discernible change in the existing landscape quality.

· Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts. An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts according to the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the TM-EIAO.

Visual Impact Assessment

9.3.6 The assessment of visual impacts has involved the following procedures.

· Identification of the Visual Envelopes during the construction and operation phases of the project. This is achieved by site visit and desktop study of topographic maps and photographs, and preparation of cross-sections to determine visibility of the project from various locations. The visual envelope will be achieved by computer model where practical, as well as site visits and desktop study of topographic maps and photographs. Distance and other factors will be considered, to determine the zone of visual influence and the visibility of the Project from various locations. According to the EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2010, the Zone of Visual Influence /Visual Envelope may contain areas which are fully visible, partly visible and non-visible from the DP. Visibility of the DP from these areas is defined by natural ridgeline, man-made features, road infrastructures, etc.

9.3.7 The Visual Study Area for the VIA will be defined by the visual envelope (VE) / Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) of the RCD. The VIA will include:

(1) Identification of Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) within the VE/ZVI and estimation of relative numbers of VSRs;

(2) Assessment of the degree of sensitivity to change of the VSRs;

(3) Identification of potential sources of visual impacts;

(4) Assessment of the potential magnitude of change; and

(5) Prediction of significance of visual impacts.

9.3.8 These various elements of the VIA are detailed below.

· Identification of the VSRs within the Visual Envelope at construction and operation phases. These are the people who would reside within, work within, play within, or travel through, the VE/ZVI.

· Assessment of the degree of sensitivity to change of the VSRs. Factors considered include:

- the type of VSRs, which is classified according to whether the person is at home, at work, at play, or travelling. Those who view the impact from their homes are considered to be highly sensitive as the attractiveness or otherwise of the outlook from their home will have a substantial effect on their perception of the quality and acceptability of their home environment and their general quality of life. Those who view the impact from their workplace are considered to be only moderately sensitive as the attractiveness or otherwise of the outlook will have a less important, although still material, effect on their perception of their quality of life. The degree to which this applies depends on whether the workplace is industrial, retail or commercial. Those who view the impact whilst taking part in an outdoor leisure activity may display varying sensitivity depending on the type of leisure activity. Those who view the impact whilst travelling on a public thoroughfare will also display varying sensitivity depending on the speed of travel; and

- other factors which are considered (as required by EIAO GN 8/2010) include the value and quality of existing views, the availability and amenity of alternative views, the duration or frequency of view, and the degree of visibility.

Identification of Visual Envelope and Zone of Visual Influence (VE/ZVI):

9.3.9 The sensitivity of VSRs is classified as follows:

High:

The VSR is highly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.

Medium:

The VSR is moderately sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.

Low:

The VSR is only slightly sensitive to any change in their viewing experience.

· Identification of relative numbers of VSRs. This is expressed in term of whether there are “many“, “medium” and “few” VSRs in any one category of VSR.

· Identification of potential sources of visual impacts. These are the various elements of the construction works and operation that would generate visual impacts.

· Assessment of the potential magnitude of change. Factors considered include:

- compatibility of the project with the surrounding landscape;

- duration of impacts under construction and operation phases;

- scale of development;

- reversibility of change;

- viewing distance; and

- potential blockage of view.

9.3.10 The magnitude of change is classified as follows:

Large:

The VSRs would suffer a major change in their viewing experience.

Intermediate:

The VSRs would suffer a moderate change in their viewing experience.

Small:

The VSRs would suffer a small change in their viewing experience.

Negligible:

The VSRs would suffer no discernible change in their viewing experience.

· Identification of potential visual mitigation measures. These may take the form of adopting alternative design layouts or revisions to the basic engineering and architectural design to prevent and/or minimize adverse impacts; remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of building features; and tree planting to screen the roads and associated bridge structures. A programme for the mitigation measures is provided. The agencies responsible for the implementation, management and maintenance of the mitigation measures are identified and their approval-in-principle will be sought.

· Prediction of the significance of visual impacts before and after the implementation of the mitigation measures. By synthesizing the magnitude of the various visual impacts and the sensitivity of the VSRs, and the numbers of VSRs that are affected, it is possible to categorise the degree of significance of the impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion. Table 9.2 shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, namely, insubstantial, slight, moderate and substantial, depending on the combination of a negligible-small-intermediate-large magnitude of impact and a low-medium-high degree of sensitivity of VSRs. Consideration is also given to the relative numbers of affected VSRs in predicting the final impact significance - exceptionally low or high numbers of VSRs may change the result that might otherwise be concluded from Table 9.2.

Table 9.2 Relationship between Visual Receptor Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change in Defining Impact Significance

Magnitude of Change (Both Adverse and Beneficial Impact are assessed.)

Large

Moderate

Moderate / Substantial

Substantial

Intermediate

Slight / Moderate

Moderate

Moderate / Substantial

Small

Insubstantial / Slight

Slight / Moderate

Moderate

Negligible

Insubstantial

Low

Medium

High

Sensitivity of Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs)

Note:
All impacts are Adverse unless otherwise noted with Beneficial.

9.3.11 The significance of visual impacts is categorized as follows:

Substantial:

Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause significant deterioration or improvement in existing visual quality.

Moderate:

Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause a noticeable deterioration or improvement in existing visual quality.

Slight:

Adverse / beneficial impact where the proposal would cause a barely perceptible deterioration or improvement in existing visual quality.

Insubstantial:

No discernible change in the existing visual quality.

· The assessment describes any likely negative (adverse) or unavoidable residual visual impacts to VSRs. Residual impacts are those which remain post implementation of mitigation measures i.e. 10-15 years after commissioning of the development. The level of impact is derived from the magnitude of change which the development will cause to the existing visual resource and its ability to tolerate change, i.e. the quality and sensitivity of the view or landscape character / resource taking into account the beneficial effects of the proposed mitigation.

· Prediction of Acceptability of Impacts. An overall assessment of the acceptability, or otherwise, of the impacts according to the five criteria set out in Annex 10 of the EIAO-TM.

9.4 Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

9.4.1 The Study Area of RCD falls within “Open Space” (“O”) on the Kwun Tong (North) Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/K14N/14 gazetted on 26 June 2015.

9.4.2 The Study Area of RCD also falls within “Green belt” on the Tseng Lan Shue Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/SK-TLS/8 gazetted on 24 March 2006.

9.4.3 RCD were recommended in the Planning Study on future Land use at Anderson Road Quarry (the Planning Study) under the Consultancy agreement No. CE4/2010(TP).

9.4.4 The main purpose in utilizing caverns is to fully utilize the existing rock feature available.

9.5 Baseline Study

9.5.1 Landscape baseline study comprise the identification and evaluation of the sensitivity of Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) within the landscape impact assessment study boundary of 500m from the site boundary of the RCD.

Landscape Issues

9.5.2 Landscape impact assessment study boundaries are 500m from the RCD boundary; a system shall be derived for judging landscape significance as required under the TM. The sensitivity of the landscape framework and its ability to accommodate change shall be particularly focused on. The degree of compatibility of the RCD with the existing physical aspects of the site, including topography and mature vegetation, human aspects of the site such as developments and infrastructure, and the key landscape issue of the existing site and planned landscape setting will be identified. LRs within the assessment areas will be described, appraised, analysed and evaluated.

9.5.3 The study boundary of RCD is formed:

9.5.4 RCD is proposed at +200mPD, as a quarry exhibition area/resource centre. Its dimensions are about 25m(W) x 11m(H) and 35m(D).

9.5.5 The landscape impact assessment shall evaluate the potential landscape impact so as to illustrate the significance of such impact arising from the proposed RCD. Clear mapping of the baseline landscape resources and landscape character areas will be aroused.

Visual Issues

9.5.6 Important visual issues for the RCD include potential changes to the existing views, and changes to visual amenity and visual character. These changes in views may be the result of either introducing new man-made elements into the landscape (e.g. introduction of construction equipment and features of the project itself) or by changes to existing visual resources (e.g. removal of existing vegetation).

9.6 Landscape Impact Assessment

Landscape Baseline

9.6.1 According to the EIA Study Brief, the assessment area for landscape impact assessment shall include areas within 500m distance of the boundary and of all works areas. Preliminary baseline review of existing landscape resources are described as below. Key LRs within 500m Landscape Study Area have been identified and shown in Figure 9.2 and photo of these LRs shown in Figure 9.3.

Physical Landscape Resources

Quarry

9.6.2 RCD lies on the north side of the Anderson Road Quarry site. It is highly modified through the operation of the quarry and the subsequent site formation works. The underlying geology of the Study Area consists of igneous rock, comprising granites and porphyritic granite (known as ‘Hong Kong Granite’ from the Upper Jurassic period). This rock is common across Kowloon and north Hong Kong Island (Source: Atherton, M. J. and Burnett, A.D.), while the soil profile on the Tai Sheung Tok ridge consists generally of red-yellow podsols which are common across the New Territories and Lantau. These are acid soils with low organic content and comprise completely decomposed granitic material (Source: Grant, C.J.).

9.6.3 Within the wider 500m Landscape Study Area, the LRs are more diverse and include a combination of more natural landscapes such as hillside woodland, streams and shrub land/grassland, as well as more modified landscapes with some infrastructure and facilities such as rural and urban development areas and major transport route.

Existing Trees

9.6.4 Dense woodland and hillside vegetation of Tai Sheung Tok are located on the eastern and northern side of the site. An extensive and continuous area of this natural hillside woodland is present at the summit of the mountain as well as on the north-eastern side of its ridgeline, behind the quarry. Groups or more individual trees grow densely in this woodland area and the dominant species are native trees. Most of the trees are mature with heights ranging from approximately 6–15m. This hillside woodland is important in the landscape and visual context of the RCD and merits conservation and protection.

9.6.5 Semi-natural dense hillside vegetation is located at the northeast of RCD, and near New Clear Water Bay Road in the Landscape Study Area. Some trees are relatively mature and the dominant planted tree species within these areas are exotic ranging in height from 5-15m; crown spread 4-12m.

9.6.6 Two potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) found; both trees are identified as Ficus elastica (印度橡樹) estimated over 0.9-3m in DBH; 12-15m height, 10-15m crown spread. Refer to Figure 9.3 for photos of the 2 trees. The proposed RCD has no impact on these potentially registrable OVT. There are 4 existing trees in front of the proposed RCD and approximately 26 trees on the platform above the proposed RCD. Major species include Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia. Refer to Appendix 9.1 for detailed tree survey and Figure 9.3 for photo of the tree group.

Landscape Resources (LRs)

9.6.7 The details of Baseline Landscape Resources which will be potentially affected by the RCD, together with their sensitivity are described in Table 9.3. The locations of baseline landscape resources are mapped in Figure 9.2. Photo views illustrating the landscape resources within 500m Landscape Study Areas is illustrated in Figure 9.3.

Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)

9.6.8 Landscape character zones have been identified within 500m Landscape Study Areas in accordance with the Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong. These are described below and illustrated in Figure 9.4. Photo views illustrating the landscape character areas within the 500m Landscape Study Areas are illustrated in Figure 9.5.

Table 9.3 Baseline of Landscape Resources (LRs) / Landscape Character Areas and Their Sensitivity

ID No.	LR/ LCA	Landscape Resources / Landscape Characters	Sensitivity
LR1	Major Transport Route	Mostly natural woodland and slope greening trees next to the key thoroughfare such as New Clear Water Bay Road with heights approximately 4-10 m; crown spread 8-15 m; trunk diameters 110-280 mm usually need minimal maintenance and highly tolerant to change. Although trees are generally in poor to fair form and health conditions; amenity value is low. Therefore, their sensitivity is considered to be medium.	Medium
LR2	Hillside Woodland	Woodland area with trees grows densely at hillside of part of the Anderson Road Quarry (ARQ). This hillside woodland is important in the landscape and visual context of the Landscape Study Area and merits conservation and protection. Most of the trees are mature with heights ranging from approximately 6-10 m; crown spread 5-10 m; trunk diameters 120-250 mm. Dominant trees species include Acacia spp., Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Cinnamomum parthenoxylon, Litsea glutinosa, Reevesia thyrsoidea, Schefflera heptaphylla, Schima superba and Machilus spp. Most trees are generally in good form and health condition. This LR is intolerant to change and amenity value is considered to be high. It is considered to have high sensitivity.	High
LR3	Semi-natural Dense Hillside Vegetation	Many of the hills in the Landscape Study Areas have been landscaped and include within this LR, including next to the New Clear Bay Road, where some trees are relatively mature. The dominant planted tree species within these areas are exotic ranging in heights from 5-15 m; crown spread 4-12 m. Such as Acacia auriculiformis, Celtis sinensis and Eucalyptus robusta….etc. Despite the exotic nature of many of these trees within this LR, its coverage is extensive throughout the Landscape Study Areas, providing a series of green fingers often associated with the hills and elevated areas, extending into the rural development and providing visual relief and a green backdrop of Quarry landscape. This LR is important in creating a coherent landscape framework which draws together the often visually disparate character of the main centres of the built environment both at a local level and in longer distance views. Vegetation is mostly in fair form and health condition. Amenity value is considered as medium. This LR is moderate tolerant to change. It is considered as medium sensitivity.	Medium
LR3.1	Engineered Slope along with Semi-natural Dense Hillside Vegetation	This roadside tree planting strip and slope stabilization works provides a greening/visual buffer ranging in heights from 4-12 m; crown spread 4-10 m. Most trees are generally in fair form and health condition. This LR is intolerant to change. Amenity value is considered high and the sensitivity of this landscape resource is high.	High
LR4	Natural Stream	Most of the natural streams within the Landscape Study Area are in the north eastern upland areas of Tai Sheung Tok with reduced flow during the dry season and increased flow occurring during the wet season. This LR approximately 12km often runs through rural development area and hillside woodland areas, as well as some plantation. Trees commonly found include Celtis sinensis, Ficus rumphii, Ficus subpisocarpa, Mallotus paniculatus and Syzygium jambos, with a height ranging from 4 – 10m, indicating the variety of the trees age and maturity. Most trees are generally in good form and health condition. This LR is relatively intolerant to change and its sensitivity is considered to be high.	High
LR5	Rural Development Area	Rural development areas are located at the road side of Clear Water Bay Road. A large portion of this LR is village settlement, in both modern and traditional styles. The modern villages concentrate around Fei Ngo Shan, while the villages at the foothill of Tan Shan (e.g. Lung Wo Tsuen and Tseng Lan Shue Village) are a combination of both, or undergoing a transformation towards modern. The modern villages often consist of residential blocks of 2-3 storeys and are connected by narrow lanes and footpaths. The traditional style dwellings are characterised by their low-rise settlement pattern and the associated agricultural fields in nearby outlying areas. Trees commonly found in this LR include Celtis sinensis, Ficus elastica, Ficus subpisocarpa, Mallotus paniculatus etc with a height ranging from 6 – 15m, indicating the variety of the trees’ age and maturity. Most trees are generally in poor to fair form and fair health condition. This LR is moderate tolerant to change. The overall sensitivity of this resource is considered as medium.	Medium
LR5.1	Utilities Landscape at Rural Development Area	The buildings are usually green roof with landscaped slope treatment. Trees commonly found in this LR are largely mature and include both native (e.g. Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Sterculia lanceolata and Machilus spp.) and exotic (e.g. Michelia x alba) species. This LR is mostly man-made, well-maintenance and has limited softscape treatment but does include some trees are also intolerant to change. Most trees are generally in fair form and fair health condition. However given its man-made nature and medium ability to accommodate change. Amenity value of this LR is considered medium and to have medium sensitivity.	Medium
LR6	Quarry	Cavern is part of the quarry of ARQ, given that these areas are intensively disturbed and only limited vegetation is present. Overall this LR is considered to be reasonably tolerant to change and hence has a low sensitivity.	Medium
LR6.1	Trees at Anderson Road	A 2.5km long Anderson Road is one of earliest roads that built by early 19^th century. The area of this LR is approximately 5.12 ha. There is approximately 1,974 nos. of tree found within this LR. Mostly common trees species such as Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia confusa, Bombax ceiba, Ficus spp., Juniperus chinensis 'Kaizuca', Machilus spp., Platycladus orientalis are found within this LR. Most trees are ~4 - 12m high, 110- 250 mm DBH. Most trees are generally in fair form and fair health condition. Aesthetic value is moderate. The landscape quality is moderate with reasonably tolerant to change. Amenity value is considered as medium and the sensitivity of this landscape resource is medium.	Medium
LR6.2	Trees in front of and above the proposed RCD	This LR comprises 4 trees in front of the proposed RCD and approximately 26 trees above the platform of the proposed development. Most trees are common species including Acacia confusa and Casuarina equisetifolia. Most trees are generally in poor form, poor structural condition and fair health condition. Aesthetic value is moderate. The landscape quality is moderate with reasonably tolerant to change. Amenity value is considered as low and the sensitivity of this landscape resource is medium.	Medium
LR6A	Potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (A) at Quarry	This is a potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) found near the entrance of the quarry operator office. It is identified as Ficus elastica (印度橡樹). Tree A is estimated over 3m in DBH; 15m height, 15m crown spread. This grant tree has dominated the exposed quarry site; The large canopy has created a nice and cool shelter for the entrance of main office. It has good form, health condition amenity and aesthetic value is high and moderate of accommodating change. The sensitivity of this landscape resource is high.	High
LR6B	Potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (B) at Quarry	This is another potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (OVT) - Tree B is estimated over 0.9m in DBH; 12m height, 10m crown spread found 20m north of Tree A. Also identified as Ficus elastica (印度橡樹). Tree B is smaller than Tree A, however it as same good condition, good form, health condition, amenity and aesthetic value is good with fairly capable of accommodating change. The sensitivity of this landscape resource is high.	High
LR7	On-going Development Area	This LR is located in western side of the Study Area. Schools and parks are proposed to be built in some part of this LR while in the other part fences are set up as preparation for the subsequent construction activities. This LR has large exposed areas and does not have high landscape value. It is highly capable of accommodating change and it has low sensitivity.	Low
LR8	Development Area (DAR)	This LR incorporates a pond area that is part of the quarry, to the western of the RCD, as well as the buildings, tracks and equipment associated with the operation of the quarry. Given that these areas are intensively disturbed and only limited vegetation is present. Most trees planted at green slope are generally in poor form and poor health condition. Amenity value of the man-made slope is considered medium. It is highly capable of accommodating change and it has low sensitivity.	Low
LCA1	Peaks, Uplands and Hillsides LCA	This is an upland landscapes lying between around 40mPD and 300mPD. It consisting of hillsides, knolls, ridges and spurs, they are generally covered in scrub vegetation with rocky outcrops or boulder fields. Woodland may be found on lower slopes or in sheltered gullies and ravines, where permanent of seasonal rocky streams tumble down these hillsides. It provides a green backdrop for East Kowloon. Across the whole Landscape Study Area, this LCA is similar in nature and given its high amenity and quality and the fact it has little tolerance to change as well as its importance to the landscape setting of the nearby and wider areas, it is considered to have a high sensitivity.	High
LCA2	Rural Fringe LCA	This LCA comprise of a transitional landscape of villages, abandoned farmlands connected by winding lanes and footpaths to natural mountain woodland. Some rural land has fragmentized by open storage and car parks; the traditional landscape pattern is lost and tended to become increasingly incoherent. It is considered to have a medium tolerance to change and moderate amenity value. Its sensitivity is considered to be medium.	Medium
LCA4	Urban LCA	This LCA is mainly Shun On Estate included which is buildings for residential uses. The streetscape is utilitarian with limits soft landscape treatment. It is considered to have a high tolerance to change and be of low amenity value. Its sensitivity is considered to be low.	Low
LCA6	Quarry LCA	Anderson Quarry located at the fringe of the urban areas which have undergone site formation with high degree of disturbance. It characterized by their significant excavations, extensive earthworks, highly disturbed landscape features and rehabilitation works. It is significant efforts have been made to restore the slope and establish new vegetation including some trees which have been partially successful in improving the landscape quality of the quarry face. Given the intensively disturbed condition of the LCA, its low amenity and quality, it is considered to easily able to accommodate change and has a low sensitivity.	Low
LCA7	Development Area LCA	The Planned DAR site. It is devoid of vegetation in some parts and undergoing construction. Some existing vegetation such as the vegetation slope where previous quarry site rehabilitation and landscaping works had been carried out. This LCA has low sensitivity.	Low

Potential Sources of Impacts

9.6.9 The proposed development will create low level of impact on the landscape resources and landscape character areas at different stages of its lifetime. Potential landscape impact from above ground development and the cavern construction works and operational facilities is concentrated upon for the purpose of the assessment. Impacts from below ground facilities are also considered from a landscape impact perspective.

Construction Phase

9.6.10 During the construction phase of the RCD, potential impacts will result from the following:

(1) Site formation works including the creation of hoarding, cutting and filling;

(2) Stockpiling of construction and demolition materials, including existing topsoil, and storage of construction equipment; and

(3) Construction of new slope and Portal of the cavern.

Operational Phase

9.6.11 During the operational phase of the project, potential impacts will result from the following:

(1) Landscaping works (e.g. new planting tree, planting at slope)

Source of Landscape Impact and Magnitude of Change during the Construction and Operation before Implementation of Mitigation Measures

9.6.12 The magnitude of change, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the landscape resources and landscape character areas that would occur in the construction and operation phases are described below and tabulated in Table 9.4.

Table 9.4 Source of Landscape Impact and Magnitude of Change during the Construction Phase and Operation Phase

ID No.	Landscape Resources/ Landscape Character Areas	Source of Impact	Description of Impacts	Magnitude of change
LR1	Major Transport Route	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR2	Hillside Woodland	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR3	Semi-natural Dense Hillside Vegetation	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR3.1	Engineered Slope along with Semi-natural Dense Hillside Vegetation	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR4	Natural Stream	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR5	Rural Development Area	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR5.1	Utilities Landscape at Rural Development Area	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR6	Quarry	-Site formation works; stockpiling of construction and demolition materials -Construction of Portal	Forming the cavern; Set back of slope	Small
LR6.1	Trees at Anderson Road	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR6.2	Trees in front of and above the proposed RCD	Site formation works; stockpiling of construction and demolition materials -Construction of Portal	30 nos. of tree are proposed to be felled due to the proposed works.	Large
LR6A	Potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (A) at Quarry	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR6B	Potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (B) at Quarry	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR7	On-going Development Area	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LR8	Development Area (DAR)	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA1	Peaks, Uplands and Hillsides LCA	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA2	Rural Fringe LCA	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA4	Urban LCA	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible
LCA6	Quarry LCA	-Site formation works; stockpiling of construction and demolition materials -Construction of Portal	Forming the cavern; Set back of slope	Small
LCA7	Development Area LCA	Negligible	Negligible	Negligible

Source of Landscape Impact and Magnitude of Change during the Construction and Operation Phase

9.6.13 LR6 – Quarry, site formation works and stockpiling of construction and demolition materials will disturb the view. However, the quarry is highly disturbed and small scale construction is involved to form the cavern. The magnitude of change is expected to be small.

9.6.14 LR6.2 – Trees in front of and above the proposed RCD, site formation works, stockpiling of construction and demolition materials and construction of Portal will require necessary felling 30 nos. of trees in front of and above the proposed RCD. The magnitude of change is expected to be large.

9.6.15 LCA6 – Quarry LCA, site formation works and stockpiling of construction and demolition materials will disturb the view. However, the quarry is highly disturbed and small scale construction is involved to form the cavern. The magnitude of change is expected to be small.

9.7 Visual Impact Assessment

Visual Envelope

9.7.1 According to EIAO Guidance Note No. 8/2010 (GN 8/2010) paragraph 3.3 (c), the visual envelope may contain areas, which are fully visible, partly visible and non-visible from the DP. It covers the view shed formed by natural/man-made features such as ridgeline or building blocks. Shun Tin Estate, Sau Mau Ping Estate and Ma Yau Tong Estate form the principle western and southern boundaries. The slope platform of 210mPD above RCD forms the northern and eastern boundaries.

9.7.2 The RCD site would be visible mainly at the quarry. It should be noted that the actual extent of views is determined by numerous factors including level of the viewing position, as well as the degree of screening offered by the landform, buildings and vegetation of the future quarry development. To rationalise this situation, it is necessary to identify the key viewing points and viewing areas and then to assess the potential visual impacts on those areas and their populations with consideration of the proposed development layout. Reference is made to the RODP, planned building layout, and maximum building height. The visual envelope is shown in Figure 9.6.

9.7.3 The Planned DAR is currently under construction but will be part of the baseline conditions by the time the proposed development finished and will be the receivers.

9.7.4 RCD is located at 200mPD inside the rock face. Residential areas located around 50mPD – 100mPD, such as Shun Tin Estate, Sau Mau Ping Estate and Ma Yau Tong Estate, are not able to view the RCD. Villages located north to the RCD, including Lung Wo Tsuen and Siu To Yuen, are on terrain above the rock face. Thus, they are also not able to view the RCD. Refer to Cross-sectional drawings Figures 9.7-1 to 9.7-2 and illustrative view Figure 9.7-3. No visual impact to these residential areas will be caused by the proposed development.

Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs)

9.7.5 Within the Visual Envelope, a number of key VSRs have been identified. VSRs are mapped in Figure 9.7. They are listed, together with their baseline assessment and sensitivity, in Table 9.5. Photo views illustrating the VSRs are shown in Figure 9.8. Since some locations of the VSRs are inaccessible, especially for private residential developments and future developments, representative viewing locations may have been adjusted if necessary.

Views Point

9.7.6 VSRs located in close vicinity of RCD with visual influence are mapped in Figure 9.7. The baseline assessments of VSRs are shown in Table 9.5.

9.7.7 Viewpoints are identified as:

(1) VSR1: VP1 from planned Quarry Park area;

(2) VSR2: VP2 from planned residential development immediately adjacent to Quarry Park on platform of 200mPD;

(3) VSR3: VP3 from planned DAR development; and

(4) VSR4: VP4 from planned residential development on southern side of platform of 200mPD.

9.7.8 In general, most of the existing views of VSRs are poor in value and quality. It is an undeveloped area in highly disturbed quarry site. Apart from quarry site, some vegetation around the RCD and platforms above provide green backdrop to the VSRs. Although value and quality of the existing views are low, duration and distance are considerations to determine the sensitivity of selected VSR. Details are discussed below.

9.7.9 Most of the VSRs are residents of the planned developments and will experience long duration of view (such as VP2, VP3, and VP4). VP1 represents viewpoint of VSRs or visitors of the planned Quarry Park and offers full visibility of the RCD (particular the entrance) within the wider landscape at a medium distance. With the duration of view for this group of VSRs being medium and availability of alternative view, the sensitivity of the VSRs is considered medium.

9.7.10 Sensitivity of VP2 is considered to be high because the VSR is of a short distance from the RCD and the duration of view is long. That of VP3 is considered to be medium, since alternative views are available for VP3 and it is of a long distance away from the RCD which is small scale construction. That of VP4 is considered to be low because view to RCD from VP4 is mostly blocked by planned residential buildings. VP4 only has a limited glimpse view to RCD.

9.7.11 The location of all VSRs and key public view points are shown in Figure 9.7 is described below along with its sensitivity, as summarized in Table 9.5. Representative photographs of the VSRs are presented in Figure 9.8. (Notes: For VP3, the planned DAR development is currently under construction. This photograph is taken from a location approximately in front of DAR to illustratively simulate the view of future residents.)

Table 9.9 Significance of Landscape Impacts in Construction and Operation Phases (Note: All impacts are Adverse unless otherwise noted with Beneficial)

ID. No.	Landscape Resources / Landscape Characters	Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)		Magnitude of change (Negligible, Small, Intermediate, Large)		Impact Significance Threshold BEFORE Mitigation (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate, Substantial)		Recommended Mitigation Measures	Residual Impact Significance Threshold AFTER Mitigation (Insubstantial, Slight, Moderate, Substantial)
		Sensitivity (Low, Medium, High)							Construction	Operation
		Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation		Construction	DAY 1	YEAR 10
LR1	Major Transport Route	Medium	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR2	Hillside Woodland	High	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR3	Semi-natural Dense Hillside Vegetation	Medium	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR3.1	Engineered Slope along with Semi-natural Dense Hillside Vegetation	High	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR4	Natural Stream	High	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR5	Rural Development Area	Medium	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR5.1	Utilities Landscape at Rural Development Area	Medium	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR6	Quarry	Medium	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1; OM1- OM3	Slight	Slight	Insubstantial
LR6.1	Trees at Anderson Road	Medium	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR6.2	Trees in front of and above the proposed RCD	Medium	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	CM1; OM1- OM3	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
LR6A	Potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (A) at Quarry	High	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR6B	Potentially registrable Old and Valuable Tree (B) at Quarry	High	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR7	On-going Development Area	Low	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR8	Development Area (DAR)	Low	Low	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LCA1	Peaks, Uplands and Hillsides LCA	High	High	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LCA2	Rural Fringe LCA	Medium	Medium	Negligible	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	N/A	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LCA4	Urban LCA	Low	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1; OM1- OM3	Slight	Slight	Insubstantial
LCA6	Quarry LCA	Low	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1; OM1- OM3	Slight	Slight	Insubstantial
LCA7	Development Area LCA	Low	Low	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1; OM1- OM3	Slight	Slight	Insubstantial

VSR ID.	Visually Sensitive Receiver (VSR)	Type of VSRs	Number of Individuals (Many/ Medium/Few)	Quality of Existing View (Good/Fair/ Poor)	Availability of Alternative Views (Yes/No)	Degree of Visibility (Full/ Partial/ Glimpse)	Duration of View (Long/ Medium/ Short)	Distance (Long/ Medium/ Short)	Sensitivity to Change (Low, Medium, High)
VP1	Planned Quarry Park area;	Visitors	Medium	Poor	Yes	Full	Medium	Medium	Medium
VP2	Planned residential development immediately adjacent to Quarry Park on platform of 200mPD;	Residents	Many	Poor	Yes	Full	Long	Short	High
VP3	Planned DAR development	Residents	Many	Poor	Yes	Full	Long	Long	Medium
VP4	Planned residential development on southern side of platform of 200mPD	Residents	Many	Poor	Yes	Gilmpse	Long	Long	Low

ID No.	Construction Phase Mitigation Measures	Funding / Implementation	Maintenance/ Management Agency
CM1_[3]	Erection of decorative screen hoarding.	CEDD	CEDD

ID No.	Operation Phase Mitigation Measures	Funding / Implementation	Maintenance/ Management Agency
OM1	Sensitive and aesthetically pleasing design as regard to the form, height, material and finishes which should be visually unobtrusive, non-reflective compatible with surrounding context shall be incorporated to design of cavern entrance and associated infrastructure facilities.	CEDD	Original maintenance/management parties of the areas concerned
OM2 [1] [2]	Landscape treatments on slope to provide vertical greening with climbers to enhance the landscape and visual amenity value of proposed man made slope	CEDD	Proposed maintenance/management party of the respective slopes: LCSD/HyD/LandsD/HD (responsible parties will be further discussed with government departments in detailed design stage)
OM3 [1]	Compensatory trees planting in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 10/2013 and shrubs planting shall be incorporated to enhance the landscape and visual amenity value of entrance area of the proposed cavern.	CEDD	LCSD (responsible parties for trees will be further discussed with government departments in accordance with Technical Circular DEVB TCW No. 2/2004 in detailed design stage)

9.2.1 The following legislation, standards and guidelines are applicable to landscape and visual impact assessment associated with the construction and operation of the RCD:

9.3.2 The assessment of landscape impacts has involved the following procedures.

9.3.3 The sensitivity of each landscape feature and character area is classified as follows:

9.3.4 The magnitude of change is classified as follows:

9.3.5 The significance of landscape impacts is categorized as follows:

9.3.6 The assessment of visual impacts has involved the following procedures.

9.3.7 The Visual Study Area for the VIA will be defined by the visual envelope (VE) / Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) of the RCD. The VIA will include:

9.3.8 These various elements of the VIA are detailed below.

9.3.9 The sensitivity of VSRs is classified as follows:

9.3.10 The magnitude of change is classified as follows:

9.3.11 The significance of visual impacts is categorized as follows:

9.4.1 The Study Area of RCD falls within “Open Space” (“O”) on the Kwun Tong (North) Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/K14N/14 gazetted on 26 June 2015.

9.4.2 The Study Area of RCD also falls within “Green belt” on the Tseng Lan Shue Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) No. S/SK-TLS/8 gazetted on 24 March 2006.

9.4.3 RCD were recommended in the Planning Study on future Land use at Anderson Road Quarry (the Planning Study) under the Consultancy agreement No. CE4/2010(TP).

9.4.4 The main purpose in utilizing caverns is to fully utilize the existing rock feature available.

9.5.1 Landscape baseline study comprise the identification and evaluation of the sensitivity of Landscape Resources (LRs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) within the landscape impact assessment study boundary of 500m from the site boundary of the RCD.

9.5.3 The study boundary of RCD is formed:

9.5.4 RCD is proposed at +200mPD, as a quarry exhibition area/resource centre. Its dimensions are about 25m(W) x 11m(H) and 35m(D).

9.5.5 The landscape impact assessment shall evaluate the potential landscape impact so as to illustrate the significance of such impact arising from the proposed RCD. Clear mapping of the baseline landscape resources and landscape character areas will be aroused.

9.6.5 Semi-natural dense hillside vegetation is located at the northeast of RCD, and near New Clear Water Bay Road in the Landscape Study Area. Some trees are relatively mature and the dominant planted tree species within these areas are exotic ranging in height from 5-15m; crown spread 4-12m.

9.6.10 During the construction phase of the RCD, potential impacts will result from the following:

9.6.11 During the operational phase of the project, potential impacts will result from the following:

9.6.12 The magnitude of change, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the landscape resources and landscape character areas that would occur in the construction and operation phases are described below and tabulated in Table 9.4.

9.6.13 LR6 – Quarry, site formation works and stockpiling of construction and demolition materials will disturb the view. However, the quarry is highly disturbed and small scale construction is involved to form the cavern. The magnitude of change is expected to be small.

9.6.15 LCA6 – Quarry LCA, site formation works and stockpiling of construction and demolition materials will disturb the view. However, the quarry is highly disturbed and small scale construction is involved to form the cavern. The magnitude of change is expected to be small.

9.7.3 The Planned DAR is currently under construction but will be part of the baseline conditions by the time the proposed development finished and will be the receivers.

9.7.6 VSRs located in close vicinity of RCD with visual influence are mapped in Figure 9.7. The baseline assessments of VSRs are shown in Table 9.5.

9.7.7 Viewpoints are identified as:

9.7.12 Major direct impacts including degrading of visual quality of existing views, change of viewing experience and visual incompatibility of the works with the surrounding visual context, will be resulted from the following activities during the construction phase:

9.7.13 During the construction phase of the Project, potential impacts will result from the following:

9.7.14 During the operation phase of the project, potential impacts will result from the following:

9.7.15 The magnitude of change, before implementation of mitigation measures, on the VSRs that would occur in the construction and operation phase are described below and tabulated in Table 9.6. All impacts are adverse unless otherwise stated.

9.7.17 The planning of development of Anderson Road Quarry included new landscaping area to improve the quality of open space. Quarry is now under high disturbance, greening and paving can benefit the overall visual experience in long term.

9.8.1 The previous sections have identified the potential landscape and visual impacts due to the proposed work. This section will describe the proposed landscape and visual mitigation.

9.8.2 The proposed landscape and visual mitigation measures for the RCD are listed in Tables 9.7 and 9.8. Generally, all mitigation measures are to be implemented as early as possible. Photomontages of proposed landscape and visual mitigation measures are illustrated in Figure 9.9-Figure 9.12.

9.9.2 In the construction phase, after the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, there will still be some residual landscape impacts of moderate to insubstantial significance. They are described below.

9.9.3 To construct the new portal of cavern, rock slope will be cut and also an eight metres height new structure will be formed.

Benefit in long term

9.9.6 Given that the magnitude of change before mitigation on the VSRs is small; the adverse residual impacts are expected to be slight with the implementation of the appropriate mitigation measures.

9.9.8 With the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures such as incorporation of decorative hoarding in this small scale development, the residual visual impacts will be lowered to slight level. The residual visual impacts in construction phase of RCD are slight and acceptable.

9.9.9 Given that the magnitude of change before mitigation on the VSRs is generally small; the adverse residual impacts are expected to be slight or insubstantial with the implementation of the appropriate mitigation measures.

9.10.1 Hillside woodland is the valuable and high sensitivity landscape resources at the ridgeline between Tai Sheung Tok and quarry. The proposed work will mainly construct the structure underground which means no trees will be affected. No impact to the hillside woodland.

9.10.3 The scale and the extent of RCD are small and will not enclose, block or reduce depth of the current view. Visual impact to the VSRs is slight and will be reduced to insubstantial after operation with mitigation measures.

9.10.4 Approximately 30 trees are in conflict with the proposed layout of the RCD and are recommended to be felled with compensation. 30 compensatory trees are proposed near the entrance to cavern and on the platform to maximize greening opportunity and minimize visual impacts.