9 Landscape and Visual impact

9.1 Introduction

9.1.1 This Section presents the assessment of potential landscape and visual impact associated with the construction and operation of the Project in accordance with Clause 3.4.10 and Appendix H of the EIA Study Brief No. ESB-339/2021.

9.1.2 The Landscape and Visual Impacts Assessment (LVIA) should be prepared in accordance with the criteria and guidelines as stated in Annexes 10 and 18 of the Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIAO-TM) and the Environmental Impact Assessment ordinance (EIAO) Guidance Note No/ 8/2010 on “Preparation of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance”.

9.1.3 The assessment area for the landscape impact assessment includes all areas within a 100m distance from the site boundary (Figure 9.1). The assessment area for the visual impact assessment is defined by the visual envelope (Figure 9.6.1).

9.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION, STANDARD AND GUIDELINES

9.2.1 The following or the latest legislation, standards, circulars and guidelines will be referenced in the LVIA.

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance Guidance Note No. 8/2010;

· Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499. S16) and EIAO-TM Annexes 3,10,11,18,20 & 21;

· Town Planning Board Guideline No. 41 – Guidelines on submissions of Visual Impact Assessment for Planning Applications to the Town Planning Board;

· Town Planning Ordinance (Cap 131);

· Town Planning (Amendment) Ordinance, 2004;

· Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines Chapters 4, 10, 11 and Section 7 in Chapter 12;

· Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96);

· Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap.586);

· Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) Nature Conservation Practice Note No. 2 – Measurement of Diameter at Breast Height (DBH);

· AFCD Nature Conservation Practice Note No. 3 – The Use of Plant Names;

· Development Bureau Technical Circular (Works) (DEVB TC(W)) No. 2/2012 – Allocation of Space for Quality Greening on Roads;

· DEVB TC(W) No. 3/2012 – Site Coverage of Greenery for Government Building Projects;

· DEVB TC(W) No. 6/2015 – Maintenance of Vegetation and Hard Landscape Features;

· DEVB TC(W) No. 1/2018 – Soft Landscape Provisions for Highway Structures;

· DEVB TC(W) No. 4/2020 – Tree Preservation;

· DEVB TC(W) No. 5/2020 – Registration and Preservation of Old and Valuable Trees;

· DEVB – Guidelines on Tree Transplanting (September 2014);

· Development Bureau, Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section (GLTM) – Guidelines on Tree Preservation during Development (April 2015);

· GLTM – Guidelines for Tree Risk Assessment and Management Arrangement, ((9th edition (Rev. 3), 26 January 2022));

· GLTM – Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barriers (April 2012);

· Environment, Transport and Works Bureau Technical Circular (Works) (ETWB(TCW)) No. 36/ 2004 – Advisory Committee on the Appearance of Bridges and Associated Structures (ACABAS);

· Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) Publication No. 1/2011 – Technical Guidelines on Landscape Treatment for Slopes;

· Landscape Character Map of Hong Kong;

· Planning Department (PlanD) - Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong; and

· Study on Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong.

9.3 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

Landscape Impact Assessment Methodology

9.3.1 The landscape impacts have been assessed according to the following procedures.

9.3.2 Identification of the existing Landscape Resources (LRs) and sensitive Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) found within the assessment boundary. This is achieved by desktop study of topographical maps, information databases, photographs and subsequent site visits for verification.

9.3.3 Assessment of the degree of sensitivity of the LRs and LCAs. This is influenced by a number of factors whether the LR or LCA is common or rare, whether it has any local, regional, national or global importance, whether there are any statutory or regulatory limitations/ requirements, quality, maturity and the ability of the LRs or LCAs to accommodate change. The sensitivity of each LR and LCA 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 values landscape characteristics, reasonably tolerant to changes.

Low – Landscape or landscape resource, largely tolerant to change.

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

9.3.5 Assessment to the potential magnitude of change in LR or LCA. This is influenced by a number of factors including the physical extent of the impact, the compatibility of the Project with the existing and planned landscape setting, the landscape heritage setting, recreation and tourism related uses, and scenic spot, duration of the impact and reversibility of the change. The magnitude of change for LR and LCA is classified as follows:

Large – The landscape or landscape resource would suffer from a major change.

Intermediate – The landscape or landscape resource would suffer from a moderate change.

Small – The landscape or landscape resource would suffer from slight or barely perceptible change.

Negligible – The landscape or landscape resource would suffer from no discernible change.

9.3.6 Identification of potential landscape mitigation measures. These may take the form of adopting basic engineering design to prevent and/or minimise adverse landscape impact before adopting other mitigation or compensatory measures to alleviate the impacts.  Potential mitigation measures should also include the preservation of vegetation and natural landscape resources, transplanting trees with good condition and high amenity value, enhancement of existing landscape quality by providing of planting with screening, shading and ornamental value, re-vegetation of disturbed lands, compensatory planting, aesthetic design of aboveground structures including provision of finishes, colour scheme, texture of materials used and any measures to mitigate the impact on the existing and planned land use and visually sensitive receivers.  A programme for the mitigation measures is provided.  The agencies responsible for the funding, implementation, management and maintenance of the mitigation measures are identified. 

9.3.7 Prediction of the impact significance of landscape impacts before and after the implementation of mitigation measures. By synthesizing the magnitude of change and sensitivity of the identified LRs and LCAs, it is possible to categorize impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion.

9.3.8 Table 9.1 - Relationship between Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change in Assessing Impact Significance shows the rationale for dividing the degree of significance into four thresholds, insubstantial, slight, moderate, and substantial. The thresholds depend on the combination of a negligible, small, intermediate, or large magnitude of change with a low, medium or high degree of sensitivity to change of landscape resource/ character. A derivative for judging the landscape and visual impact significance as required under the Annexes 10 and 18 of the TM. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts of the Project with other existing, committed and planned developments in the assessment area shall be assessed.

Table 9.1 - Relationship between Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change in Assessing Impact Significance

Magnitude of Change	Large	Moderate	Moderate / Substantial	Substantial
	Intermediate	Moderate / Slight	Moderate	Moderate / Substantial
	Small	Slight	Slight / Moderate	Moderate
	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
		Low	Medium	High
		Sensitivity of Landscape Character Area and Resource
Note: All impact significance will be adverse unless otherwise stated.  Thresholds are defined below. Substantial – The Project will cause significant adverse deterioration/ beneficial improvement to the existing landscape. Moderate – The Project will cause a noticeable adverse deterioration/ beneficial improvement to the existing landscape. Slight – The Project will cause a slight adverse deterioration/ beneficial improvement to the existing landscape. Insubstantial – The Project will cause no discernible change to the existing landscape.

Visual Impact Assessment Methodology

9.3.9 The visual impacts have been assessed according to the following procedures:

9.3.10 Identification and plotting of the Visual Envelope. This is achieved by desktop study of topographic maps, street maps, photographs, cross-sections to determine visibility and subsequent site visits.

9.3.11 Identification of Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) within the Visual Envelope. VSRs are classified according to whether a person is at home, at work, at play, or travelling and are detailed below. 

(a) Those who view the impact from homes are highly sensitive as the character of view quality from their home will have a substantial effect on their perception of quality, acceptability of their home environment and their general quality of life. People residing in temporary accommodation, such as hotels, are also considered highly sensitive as the view is a key pricing factor in room cost. These VSRs are termed Residents.

(b) Those who view the impact from their workplace and leisure activities are relatively less sensitive to the character of the view. The view is considered to have a less important effect on their perception to quality of life. These VSRs are termed Occupants and Recreational Users.

(c) Those who view the impact while travelling in public/private vehicles or on foot will display varying sensitivity depending on the speed, nature and frequency of travel. These VSRs are termed Travellers.

9.3.12 Assessment of sensitivity of VSR. Factors considered when assessing VSR sensitivity to change include value and quality of existing views, type and estimated number of receiver population, availability and amenity alternative views, duration or frequency of view, and degree of visibility. The sensitivity of the 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.

9.3.13 Identification of potential sources of visual impacts. These are the various elements of the construction works and operation procedures that have potential to cause visual impacts.

9.3.14 Assessment of the potential magnitude of change to VSR. The magnitude of change depends on a number of factors including:

· Compatibility of the Project with the surrounding landscape;

· Duration of impacts;

· Scale of impact;

· Reversibility of the impact;

· Distance of the source of impact from the viewer;

· Degree of visibility of the impact and the degree that the impact dominates the field of vision of the viewer; and

· Duration of Visual impacts under construction and operation phases.

The magnitude of change is classified as follows:

Large – The VSRs will experience a major change in the character of their existing views.

Intermediate – The VSRs will experience a moderate change in the character of their existing views

Small – The VSRs will experience a small change in the character of their existing views.

Negligible – The VSRs will experience no discernible change in the character of their existing views.

9.3.15 Identification of the potential visual mitigation and enhancement measures. These may take the form of adopting alternative designs or revisions to the basic engineering, preservation of vegetation and existing landscape resources, infrastructure and architectural designs to prevent and/ or minimise adverse impacts, remedial measures such as colour and textural treatment of built structures, landscape design and greening; compensatory measures such as tree planting. A programme for the mitigation measures is provided. The agencies responsible for the funding, implementation and management/ maintenance of mitigation measures is identified and detailed. The visual mitigation measures will be recommended for construction phase and operation phase.

9.3.16 Prediction of the impact significance of visual impacts before and after the implementation of mitigation measures. By assessing the magnitude of change and the sensitivity of VSR and the number of individuals in the VSR that are affected, it is possible to categorise the degree of significance of the impacts in a logical, well-reasoned and consistent fashion.

9.3.17 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 magnitude of change and sensitivity of VSRs.

Table 9.2 - Relationship between Sensitivity and Magnitude of Change in Assessing Impact Significance

Magnitude of Change	Large	Moderate	Moderate / Substantial	Substantial
	Intermediate	Moderate / Slight	Moderate	Moderate / Substantial
	Small	Slight	Slight / Moderate	Moderate
	Negligible	Insubstantial	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
		Low	Medium	High
		Sensitivity of VSRs
Note: All impact significance will be adverse unless otherwise stated. Substantial – The Project will cause significant adverse deterioration/ beneficial improvement to the existing visual quality. Moderate – The Project will cause a noticeable adverse deterioration/ beneficial improvement to the existing visual quality. Slight – The Project will cause a slight adverse deterioration/ beneficial improvement to the existing visual quality. Insubstantial – The Project will cause no discernible change to the existing visual quality.

9.4 Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

9.4.1 A review of the existing and planned development framework for the proposed works and for the surroundings was considered.  It aims to gain an insight to the outlook of area affected, identify potential resources and sensitive receivers, and evaluated the compatibility between the Project and the existing and planned land-use setting.

9.4.2 The assessment area is covered under the Draft Tuen Mun Outline Zoning Plan No. S/TM/36. The zoning of land use land use is shown in Figure 9.2. The existing zonings of land use may be potentially affected by the road works, the future and current outlook of the area is discussed and summarized in the below table:

Table 9.3 - Summary of Review of Planning and Development Control Framework

Land use Zones	Approx. Area Affected (ha)	Current Design and Planning Intention	Potential Impacts of the Project	Mitigation Measures and Future Outlook of the Area with the Project
Draft Tuen Mun OZP – No. S/TM/36
Industrial (I)	0.06	This zone is intended primarily for general industrial uses to ensure an adequate supply of industrial floor space to meet demand from production-oriented industries.	The proposed road upgrading works will lead to the limited loss of area from this zone due to the proposed elevated and road widening structures and formulation of an overall improvement framework.	The road is designed for the convenience and road safety of local residence and the general public, thus the Project is compatible to the existing and planned land uses and planning framework. The proposed mitigation measures including roadside planting, compensatory tree planting and an integrated design approach will further allow for landscape and visual integration of the Project within a largely rural/ semi-rural landscape.
Other Specific Uses (OU)	0.35	This zone is intended primarily for comprehensive development/redevelopment of the area for residential uses, Public Recreation & Sports Centre, LRT comprehensive Development Area, LRT comprehensive Development Area(1) and Comprehensive Industrial Development with Ancillary Commercial & Community Facilities.
Government / Institution / Community (G/IC)	1.59	This zone is intended primarily for the provision of government, institution or community facilities serving the needs of the local residents and/or a wider district, region or the territory.
Green Belt (GB)	1.59	The planning intention of this zone is primarily for defining the limits of urban and sub-urban development areas by natural features and to contain urban sprawl as well as to provide passive recreational outlets
Residential (Group A) (R(A))	3.33	This zone is intended primarily for high-density residential developments.
Residential (Group B) (R(B))	0.34	This zone is intended primarily for medium-density residential developments where commercial uses serving the residential neighbourhood may be permitted on application to the Town Planning Board.
Open Space (O)	0.00	This zone is intended primarily for the provision of outdoor open-air public space for active and/or passive recreational uses serving the needs of local residents as well as the general public.	n/a	n/a

9.4.3 This Project is identified as a medium-term mitigation measure to alleviate the traffic congestion in Wong Chu Road (WCR) before commissioning of Tuen Mun Bypass (TMB). The proposed road works mainly aligned adjoining or above the existing road networks.

9.4.4 The works of the proposed improvement road schemes comprise:

· Construction of a single-Two-lane elevated road of 800m long approximately connecting Tsing Wun Road Southbound (TWR S/B) and the existing elevated Lung Fu Road Southbound (LFR SB) (hereafter referred to as LFRSR SB);

· Modification of the existing at-grade slip road of 150m long approximately connecting TWR S/B and Wong Chu Road Eastbound (WCR E/B) affected by LFRSR SB;

· Construction of a single-lane elevated road of 600m long approximately connecting the existing elevated Lung Fu Road Northbound (LFR N/B) and Tsing Wun Road Northbound (TWR N/B) (hereinafter referred to as LFRSR N/B);

· Construction of an at-grade slip road of 550m long approximately connecting Tuen Mun Road Northbound (TMR NB) and Castle Peak Road (CPR (CPBS) S/B) and Hoi Wing Road (hereinafter referred to as HWRSR); and

· Ancillary works including geotechnical, drainage, sewerage, water, utilities, lighting, landscaping, electrical and mechanical works, construction/reconstruction of noise barriers, retaining walls, slope improvement, and installation of street furniture and traffic aids.

9.4.5 LFRSR NB & LFRSR SB, approximately 3.33ha of “R(A)”, 0.64ha of “G/IC”, 0.06ha of “I” and 0.22ha of “OU” along the Light Rail along Lung Mun Road will be affected by the proposed elevated and slip road structures and formulation of an overall improvement framework.

9.4.6 HWRSR, approximately 0.002ha of “R(A)”, 0.34ha of “R(B)”, 0.17ha of “G/IC”, 0.13ha of “OU” and 1.59ha of “GB” will be affected by the proposed elevated and slip road structures and formulation of an overall improvement framework.

9.5 Preliminary Landscape Baseline Study

Landscape Resources (LRs)

9.5.1 Details of Baseline LRs which will be potentially affected by the Project, together with their sensitivity are described in Table 9.4. Locations of the baseline LRs are indicated in Figures 9.3.1 to 9.3.3 and photographs of identified LRs can be found in Figures 9.5.1 to 9.5.3.

Table 9.4 - Baseline Landscape Resources (LRs) and Sensitivity

LRs	Description	Sensitivity
LR1.1 Major Carriage (7.43 ha)	This LR consists of major roads include Tuen Mun Road (TMR) and Lung Fu Road (LFR) and associated slip roads. It comprises of no vegetation cover and is predominant by engineered structures, noise barrier and modified slopes. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LR1.2 Local Streets and Roads (6.34 ha)	This LR consists of district and local distributor road of Tuen Mun area. These roads comprise occasional tree pits and amenity shrubs planted on road-side plantation and Central Medium greening Zone or in raised planters, which are described in LR2.1 – Roadside Plantation. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LR1.3 Car Park (1.85 ha)	This LR consists of little vegetation cover and is predominant by concrete paved area. Most plantings are found along the edge of carpark. Approximately 6 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Ficus subpisocarpa (筆管榕) & Lagerstroemia speciosa (大花紫薇). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LR1.4 Light Rail Transit (1.33 ha)	This LR consists of little vegetation cover and is predominant by track on loose gravel. It has limited vegetation with weeds or naturally seeded vegetation growing along-side of the track. Approximately 2 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Markhamia lutea (貓尾木), Handroanthus impetiginosus (紫花風鈴木). Shrub species included Chloris barbata (孟仁草). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LR2.1 Roadside Plantation (1.17 ha)	This LR refers to the intermittent stands of trees, occasional tree pits, amenity shrubs planted in the road-side planation and Central Medium Greening Zone in raised planters along the road corridors of Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay, Hoi Wing Road and Lung Fu Road. Tree of Particular Interest (Mature) included: Ficus virens (黃葛樹) (TPI-T1). Tree of Particular Interest (Conservation) included: Aquilaria sinensis (土沉香) (T2034, T2036, T2042, T2043, T2045, T2046, T2056, T2059 and T2060) & Michelia chapensis (樂昌含笑) (T2055 and T2057). Approximately 251 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Acacia mangium (馬占相思), Albizia lebbeck (大葉合歡), Archontophoenix alexandrae (假檳榔), Bauhinia spp. (羊蹄甲屬), Ficus virens (黃葛樹), Leucaena leucocephala (銀合歡) & Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa (血桐). Shrub species included Calliandra haematocephala (朱纓花), Cordyline fruticosa (朱蕉), Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (紅花繼木), Rhapis excelsa (棕竹), Schefflera arboricola ‘Variegata’ (斑葉鵝掌藤) & Schefflera heptaphylla (鴨腳木). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Medium
LR2.2 Engineered Slope (Vegetated) (2.77 ha)	This LR consists of engineered slopes with natural or self-seeded vegetation next to the road. Approximately 655 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Acacia mangium (馬占相思), Bauhinia spp. (羊蹄甲屬), Eucalyptus spp. (桉屬), Ficus virens (黃葛樹), Leucaena leucocephala (銀合歡), Peltophorum pterocarpum (雙翼豆) & Plumeria rubra (雞蛋花). Shrub species included Alternanthera dentata (紅龍莧), Cuphea hyssopifolia (細葉萼距花) & Duranta iorentzii (金連翹). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Medium
LR2.3 Hillside Woodland (13.15 ha)	This LR consists of densely vegetated hillside woodland near Lung Mun Road which extend to Castle Peak and Tuen Mun Road, which extend to Kau Keng Shan. The slopes are fully covered with vegetation canopy trees and understory vegetation with common native in Hong Kong. Tree of Particular Interest (Mature) included: Eucalyptus spp. (桉屬) (TPI-T4 & TPI-T5), Ficus microcarpa (細葉榕) (TPI-T6 & T1296) & Ficus religiosa (菩提樹) (T1916). Approximately 1630 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Acacia auriculiformis (耳果相思), Aporusa dioica  (銀柴), Celtis sinensis (朴樹), & Machilus spp. (潤楠屬). Shrub species included Bidens alba (白花鬼針草) & Dicranopteris pedata (芒萁). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: High Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	High
LR3.1 Sitting-Out Area (0.21 ha)	This LR consists of small sitting-out area located in On Ting Estate, along Lung Chak Road, across from Harvest Garden and at the corner of Wah Fat Street and Castle Peak Road for local residents nearby. It comprises of seats, tables, pavilions, chess table and amenity planting in raised planters. Approximately 24 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Ficus microcarpa (細葉榕), Lagerstroemia speciosa (大花紫薇), Plumeria rubra (雞蛋花), Phoenix canariensis (加那利刺葵) & Roystonea regia (王棕). Shrub species included Codiaeum variegatum (灑金榕), Duranta iorentzii (金連翹), Dypsis lutescens (散尾葵), Schefflera heptaphylla     (鴨腳木). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Medium
LR3.2 Park (0.77 ha)	This LR consists of recreational parks in Tuen Mun area, include Adventure Park on Lung Mun Road and Ki Lun Kong public park on Castle Peak Road. It comprises of amenity planting, lawns, children play area, cycle lane, pathways, sitting areas, pavilions and small operation and maintenance buildings. Approximately 187 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Bauhinia spp. (羊蹄甲屬), Leucaena leucocephala (銀合歡), Liquidambar formosana (楓香), Lagerstroemia speciosa (紫薇) & Michelia x alba (白蘭). Shrub species included Juniperus chinensis (龍柏) & Scheffl era arboricola ‘Variegata’ (斑葉鵝掌藤). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Medium
LR3.3 Playground (1.82 ha)	This LR consists of numbered of open spaces facilities in the Tuen Mun area include Recreation and Sports Centre, Siu Lun Sports Ground, and Tsing Sin Playground. It comprises of active activities, football pitches, fitness stations, tennis courts, rolling skate rink, driving range and passive activities, e.g., resting and informal games. There are small sitting area and pocket space predominant by paved area with amenity plantings at the peripheral of the garden to form the visual barrier against the urban area. Approximately 64 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Chukrasia tabularis (麻楝), Ficus microcarpa (細葉榕), Lagerstroemia speciosa (大花紫薇) & Michelia x alba (白蘭). Shrub species included Cordyline fruticosa (朱蕉), Fagraea ceilanica (灰莉) & Phoenix roebelenii (日本葵). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LR4.1 Public Housing Estate (4.12 ha)	This LR consists of a high-rise public housing estate with seating areas, children’s playgrounds, elderly fitness areas and other public facilities. Approximately 235 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Aleurites moluccana (石栗), Dalbergia odorifera (降香黃檀), Ficus elastica (印度橡樹), Ficus rumphii (假菩提), Grevillea robusta (銀樺), Lagerstroemia speciosa (大花紫薇),Lagerstroemia indica (紫薇), Michelia x alba (白蘭), Magnolia grandiflora (荷花玉蘭) & Yulania x soulangeana (二喬木蘭). Shrub species included Duranta iorentzii (金連翹), Dypsis lutescens (散尾葵) & Schefflera heptaphylla (鴨腳木). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LR4.2 Private Residential Development (8.79 ha)	This LR consists of high-rise private residential blocks with well paved surfaces, landscape areas on ground level and podium level, outdoor swimming pool and ball courts. Tree of Particular Interest (Mature) included: Ficus macrocarpa (細葉榕) (TPI-T3). Approximately 425 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Araucaria heterophylla (異葉南洋杉), Bombax ceiba (木棉), Caryota mitis (短穗魚尾葵), Grevillea robusta (銀樺), Michelia x alba (白蘭) & Phoenix roebelenii (日本葵). Shrub species included Duranta iorentzii (金連翹) & Rhododendron pulchrum (毛杜鵑). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LR4.3 Rural Village (2.59 ha)	This consists of village settlements located next to Tsing Wun Road. Generally, it tends to be unmanaged, with intermittent greening. Trees provide shade and screening of the surrounding urban area. 1no. of tree of particular interest were identified, species include Ficus macrocarpa (細葉榕) (T2087A). Approximately 426 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Clausena lansium (黃皮), Dimocarpus longan (龍眼), Litchi chinensis (荔枝), Panicum maximum (大黍) & Psidium guajava (番石榴). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Medium
LR5.1 Shopping mall (0.32 ha)	This LR is multi-story building on Tsing Ha Ln. Most of the site is covered by the building footprint with minimum landscape area within the site. Approximately 5 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Carica papaya (番木瓜). Shrub species included Ipomoea cairica (五爪金龍). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LR6.1 Industrial Block (3.11 ha)	This LR consists of industrial buildings and facilities with limited vegetation within the built-up area. Mostly vegetation can be founded on planters along the boundary wall and pot planters along the side of the Yip Wong Road. Approximately 115 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Bischofia javanica (秋楓) & Michelia x alba (白蘭). Shrub species found within this LR include Alocasia macrorrhizos (海芋), Dypsis lutescens  (散尾葵), Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (紅花繼木) & Scheffl era arboricola ‘Variegata’ (斑葉鵝掌藤). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LR7.1 School (3.39 ha)	This LR consists of eleven institutional buildings in the Tuen Mun area. All schools are mostly fenced off by concrete walls. It comprises of limited planting within the site. Ball courts and hard-paved multi-purpose areas are dominated the majority of the open space. Tree of Particular Interest (Mature) included: Ficus microcarpa (細葉榕) (TPI-T2 and TPI-T7) Approximately 168 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Acacia confusa (台灣相思), Bauhinia spp. (羊蹄甲屬), Dimocarpus longan (龍眼), Ficus microcarpa (細葉榕), Hibiscus tiliaceus (黃槿) & Michelia x alba (白蘭). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LR8.1 Residential/ Elderly Home (0.72 ha)	This LR consists of nursing home include Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Tai Tung Pui Social Service Building and Tuen Mun Children and Juvenile Home. Due to the small site area, most of this site is covered by the building footprint with vegetation areas planted with trees and shrubs with planters as amenity planting at the edge of the site boundary. Approximately 69 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Shrub species included Rhoeo spathacea (蚌蘭) & Sansevieria trifasciata (金邊虎尾蘭). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Mediuma	Medium
LR8.2 Government Building (0.71 ha)	This LR consists of Siu Lun Community Hall on Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay. Planting can be found mainly at the ground floor entrance area and podium level which are accessible to public. In addition, there is a roof gardens which is inaccessible to public. The planting is generally well-maintained and in average to good condition. Approximately 12 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Garcinia subelliptica (菲島福木). Shrub species included Breynia nivosa (雪花木), Camellia japonica (山茶花), Fagraea ceilanica (灰莉), Ficus microcarpa cv. Golden Leaves (黃金榕) & Parthenocissus dalzielii (異葉爬山虎).  Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LR8.3 Training Ground (0.93 ha)	This LR consists of Siu Lun Street Training Ground from Institution of Construction. It is mainly for training purpose, limited landscape vegetation within the LR. Equipment, temporary structures, and hard paved areas dominated the majority of the open space. weeding grass/ self-seeding climbers are found at edge of the site boundary. Approximately 3 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Juniperus chinensis (龍柏), Leucaena leucocephala (銀合歡) & Michelia x alba (白蘭). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LR8.4 Utilities Facilities (0.35 ha)	This LR consist of services buildings that serve Tuen Mun area include Western Interceptor Sewer Sewage Pumping Station. There are some amenity planting along the boundary wall of the Western Interceptor Sewer Sewage Pumping Station next to the pedestrian path to enhance the landscape quality of the site. Approximately 17 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana (白千層). Shrub species included Ipomoea cairica (五爪金龍) & Syngonium podophyllum (合果芋). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LR8.5 Temple (0.40 ha)	This LR consists of Saint Temple ((Grade II) Historic Building) on a small hill overlooking the Tuen Mun rural area. Vegetation is observed grown on slope surrounding the temple. Approximately 13 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Leucaena leucocephala (銀合歡) & Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa (血桐). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Low Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LR9.1 Construction Site (1.11 ha)	This LR refers to the construction site where public housing development is currently underway. Minimum landscape remains within the site. Approximately 60 nos. of trees are located in this LR. Tree species included Leucaena leucocephala (銀合歡). Condition of plants range from poor to fair. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low

Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)

9.5.2 Details of Baseline LCAs which will be potentially affected by the Project, together with their sensitivity are described in Table 9.5. The locations of baseline LCAs are mapped in Figure 9.4.  Photo views illustrating the LCAs within the study area are illustrated in Figure 9.5.4.

Table 9.5 - Baseline LCAs and their Sensitivity

LCAs	Description	Sensitivity
LCA1 Upland and Hillside Landscape (11.98 ha)	This LCA consists of hillsides covered with scrub vegetation, rocky outcrops at the peaks and densely vegetated woodland in valleys, gullies and lower slopes, up to approximately +530mPD. There are few human features within this LCA, apart from footpaths, powerlines and hiking trails.  Approximately 2280 nos. of trees are located in this LCA. Quality: High Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Regional Maturity: Medium	High
LCA2 Miscellaneous Rural Fringe Landscape (3.13 ha)	This LCA consists of low-density housing, scattered villages and woodland areas, agricultural landscape, meandering streams and winding footpaths connecting them. It is fragmented in terms of land use and pattern and includes areas which contrasts distinctly with intensive urban development of Tuen Mun nearby. Approximately 493 nos. of trees are located in this LCA. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: Medium Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LCA3 Residential Urban Landscape (33.67 ha)	This LCA consists of mainly residential high-rises, developed comprehensively on flat and terraced land. Open spaces, school and other community facilities, retail and commercial, roadside amenity planting can be seen.  This is a fairly ordered landscape comprising of mainly hard landscapes and built environments softened by greenery on ground or podium level. Approximately 406 nos. of trees are located in this LCA. Quality: Medium Importance / Rarity: Medium Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Medium	Medium
LCA4 Industrial Urban Landscape (5.17 ha)	This LCA consists of defined by the almost exclusive industrial land uses. Occasional open spaces, parking areas and Industrial building blocks can be seen. Roadside amenity planting is scattered without defined pattern.  There’s limited coherence of spaces, features and materials within. Approximately 289 nos. of trees are located in this LCA. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low
LCA5 Transportation Corridor Landscape (9.98ha)	These are major road linkages and corridors connecting South Tuen Mun to Hung Shui Kiu Area. Major roads include Lung Fu Road, Tsing Wun Road and Tuen Mun Road.  It consists of elevated structures, noise barrier, signage, lamp poles, powerlines with roadside and central median amenity planting areas.  Approximately 899 nos. of trees are located in this LCA. Quality: Low Importance / Rarity: Low Ability to Accommodate Change: High Local / Regional Significance: Local Maturity: Low	Low

Tree and Vegetation Survey

9.5.3 A broad-brush tree and vegetation survey was carried out in accordance with the Appendix H of the EIA Study Brief to identify dominant tree species, maturity, rarity and any plant species of conservation interest, etc. which would be potentially affected to provide baseline information on the LRs and LCAs. Details are shown in the broad-brush tree survey findings including tree survey plans and tree schedule are illustrated in Appendix 9.2.

Broad Brush Tree Survey

9.5.4 A total of 2,658 nos. trees were recorded in the broad brush tree survey. In addition, a total of 1,698 nos. of trees were individually assessed and approximately 11 nos. of tree in two tree groups were recorded (i.e. total of 1709 nos. of trees).

9.5.5 No registered “Old and Valuable Trees” (OVTs) was recorded under DEVB TCW No. 05/2020 – Registration and Preservation of Old and Valuable Trees.

9.5.6 A total of 21 trees were identified as Trees of Particular Interest (TPIs), with 7 being identified during a broad brush tree survey and 14 during an individual tree survey. Of these 21 nos. TPIs, 11 were species protected under Hong Kong legislations and indigenous to Hong Kong, while the remaining 10 TPIs were large in size, either standing at a height of over 25m or possessing a trunk diameter of at least 1m. Of these 10 trees, 7 were discovered during the broad brush tree survey and the remaining 3 were identified during the individual tree survey.

9.6 Preliminary Visual Baseline Study

Visual Envelope (VE)

9.6.1 The visual envelope (VE) is the viewshed of the Project formed by natural or man-made features.  It includes areas from which the Project can be completely visible, partly visible or obstructed. The extent of the VE is shown in Figure 9.6.1.

9.6.2 The Project is located on an urban fringe environment that is densely built with medium-rise to high-rise buildings, ranging from cultural and entertainment facilities, and several government buildings and residential developments. It is bounded by Siu Hong to the North, the ridge of Castle Peak to the West and Kau Keng Shan to the East and the coastline of Castle Peak Bay to the South.

9.6.3 The VE is largely limited by existing vegetation, infrastructures, existing developments, and the development of the road corridor. Most of the proposed works will be visible to high-rise buildings that are directly adjacent to the road alignment and vehicle travellers on Tuen Mun Road and Lung Fu Road. As a result, the VE is confined to the area that is in relatively close-proximity to the proposed road alignment.

Visual Character and Resources

9.6.4 There are a number of visual resources within the visual envelope that may enhance the visual experience. The key positive visual resources/attractors include:

· Adventure Park,

· Sitting area located along Lung Chak Road,

· Tsing Sin Playground, and

· Saint Temple.

9.6.5 There are also a number of visual detractors within the visual envelope that may degrade the visual experience. Further accumulation of visual detractors may lead to undesirable visual impact. The key negative visual eyesores/detractors include:

· Nan Fung Industrial City,

· Construction Site,

· Primary distributor roads (Lung Fu Road & Lung Wun Road);

· District distributor roads (Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay, Tsing Wun Road & Hoi Wing Road); and

· Expressway (Tuen Mun Road).

Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs)

9.6.6 Within the Visual Envelope of the Project, a number of VSRs have been identified during construction and operation phases. VSRs are categorised into four major types: residential, recreational, occupational, and Travelling as described as follows:

· Residential VSRs – Residential VSRs represent people who view the Project from their home.

· Occupational VSRs – Occupational VSRs represent people who view the Project from their workplace

· Recreational VSRs – Recreational VSRs represent people who view the Project while engaging in recreational activities.

· Travelling VSRs – Travelling VSRs represent people who view the Project during their commute

9.6.7 The VSRs within the VE have been identified and detailed descriptions of the VSRs are provided below and summarized in Error! Reference source not found. with sensitivities for each. Their locations are shown in Figure 9.6.1.

9.6.8 VSR1 – Residents in Lung Yat Estate Kin Lung House, VSR2 – Residents in Lung Mun Oasis & VSR3 – Residents in Glorious Garden – These VSRs represent residents of high-rise public housing estate and private residential developments along Tuen Mun River. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures, low-rise primary and secondary schools and facilities, high-rise industrial and residential buildings and mix-used storage yards with intermittent greening, roadside plantation and Tuen Mun River in the foreground. In addition, Tuen Mun River sits along the east an high ridgelines formed of Castle Peak to the west and Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen clearly in the background.

9.6.9 VSR4 – Residents in Tsing Shan Tsuen – The VSR represents residents of village houses of not more than 3-storeys along east and west of Tsing Wun Road. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures, low-rise village housings, low-rise primary and secondary schools and facilities, high-rise industrial buildings with intermittent greening, roadside plantation and greenbelt in the foreground. In addition, high ridgelines formed of Castle Peak to the west and Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen in the background.

9.6.10 VSR5 – Occupants in Church of Christ in China Hok Fuk Tong Primary School, VSR6 – Occupants in Hong Chi Morninglight School Tuen Mun, VSR7 – Occupants in Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun), VSR8 – Occupants in Yan Chi Hospital No.2 Secondary School & VSR9 – Occupants in Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Training Camp – These VSRs represent workers/staffs in med-rise government facilities, and primary and secondary school along Yeung Tsing Road and Yip Wong Road. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures, low-rise primary and secondary schools and facilities, high-rise industrial and residential buildings with roadside plantation in the foreground. In addition, high ridgelines formed of Castle Peak to the west and Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen in the background.

9.6.11 VSR10 – Occupants in Nan Fung Industrial City & VSR11 – Occupants in Luen Cheong Can Centre – These VSRs represent occupants in high-rise industrial buildings along Tsing Wun Road. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures, low-rise primary and secondary schools and facilities, high-rise industrial buildings and residential buildings with roadside plantation in the foreground. In addition, high ridgelines formed of Castle Peak to the west and Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen cearly in the background.

9.6.12 VSR12 – Travellers along Tsing Wun Road, VSR13 – Travellers along Lung Fu Road, VSR14 – Travellers along Wong Chu Road, & VSR15 – Travellers along Lung Chak Road – These VSRs represent travellers along existing road corridor within Tuen Mun District. The existing view is dominated by existing roads, flyover and its associated structures with engineered slope (vegetated) roadside plantation in the foreground. High-rise industrial and residential buildings loom over the existing road corridor. In addition, high ridgelines formed of Castle Peak to the west and Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen in the background. Views will be transient and less valuable than static views and would have a very short duration to perceive the view.

9.6.13 VSR16 – Travellers along Lung Mun Light Rail Transit Station & VSR17 – Travellers along Tsing Shan Tsuen Light Rail Transit Station – These VSRs represent travellers on MTR Light Rail along Tsing Wun Road. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures, high-rise industrial buildings and private residential developments with roadside plantation in the foreground. In addition, high ridgelines formed of Castle Peak to the west and Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen in the background. Views will be transient and less valuable than static views and would have a very short duration to perceive this view.

9.6.14 VSR18 – Recreational Users in Adventure Park – This VSR represents recreational users participating in outdoor activities at the park facing Tsing Wun Road. The existing view is dominated by existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures and private residential developments with roadside plantation.

9.6.15 VSR19 – Residents in Kam Fai Garden & VSR20 – Residents in Harvest Garden – These VSRs represent residents of high-rise private residential developments located along Wah Fat Road. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures, playgrounds, residential buildings, government buildings and facilities with roadside plantation in the foreground. In addition, high ridgelines formed of Castle Peak to the west and Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen partially in the background.

9.6.16 VSR21 – Recreational Users in Tsing Sin Playground – This VSR represents recreational users participating in outdoor activities at the playground on Castle Peak Road. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover and its associated structures, high-rise commercial and residentials buildings with existing vegetation in playground, roadside vegetation in the foreground.

9.6.17 VSR22 – Occupants in Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex and Siu Lun Community Hall – This VSR represents occupants/ staffs of government complex on Castle Peak Road. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover, and its associated structures with roadside vegetation in the foreground. In addition, high ridgelines formed of Kau Keng Shan to the east can be seen partially in the background.

9.6.18 VSR23 – Occupants in Saint Temple – This VSR represents occupants/ staffs of Temple at the foot of Castle Peak. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, residential buildings and secondary schools with roadside vegetation in the foreground.

9.6.19 VSR24 – Travellers along Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay – This VSR represents travellers Castle Peak Road Castle Peak Bay. The existing view is composed of existing road corridor, flyover, and its associated structures with roadside vegetation in the foreground. High-rise industrial buildings and public housing estate loom over the existing road corridor.

Table 9.6 - Baseline Visually Sensitive Receivers (VSRs) and their Sensitivity

Code	Visual Sensitive Receivers (VSR)	Type of VSRs	Population of Viewers (Many/ Intermediate/ Few/)	Quality of Existing View (Good/ Fair/ Poor)	Alternative View (Yes/No)	Degree of Visibility (Full/ Partial/ Glimpsed/ Obstructed)	Frequency of View (Very frequent/ Frequent/ Occasional/ Rare)	Duration of View (Long, Medium, Short)	Sensitivity
VSR1	Residents in Lung Yat Estate Kin Lung House	Residential	Many	Good	Yes	Full	Frequent	Long	High
VSR2	Residents in Lung Mun Oasis	Residential	Many	Good	Yes	Partial	Frequent	Long	High
VSR3	Residents in Glorious Garden	Residential	Many	Good	Yes	Partial	Frequent	Long	High
VSR4	Residents in Tsing Shan Tsuen	Residential	Few	Good	Yes	Partial	Frequent	Long	High
VSR5	Occupants in Church of Christ in China Hok Fuk Tong Primary School	Occupational	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR6	Occupants in Hong Chi Morninglight School Tuen Mun	Occupational	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR7	Occupants in Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun)	Occupational	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR8	Occupants in Yan Chi Hospital No.2 Secondary School	Occupational	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR9	Occupants in Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Training Camp	Occupational	Few	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR10	Occupants in Nan Fung Industrial City	Occupational	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR11	Occupants in Luen Cheong Can Centre	Occupational	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR12	Travellers along Tsing Wun Road	Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Low
VSR13	Travellers along Lung Fu Road	Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Low
VSR14	Travellers along Wong Chu Road	Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Low
VSR15	Travellers along Lung Chak Road	Travellers	Few	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Low
VSR16	Travellers along Lung Mun Light Rail Transit Station	Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Low
VSR17	Travellers along Tsing Shan Tsuen Light Rail Transit Station	Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Low
VSR18	Recreational Users in Adventure Park	Recreational	Few	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Medium
VSR19	Residents in Kam Fai Garden	Residential	Many	Good	Yes	Partial	Frequent	Long	High
VSR20	Residents in Harvest Garden	Residential	Many	Fair	Yes	Partial	Frequent	Long	High
VSR21	Recreational Users in Tsing Sin Playground	Recreational	Few	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Medium
VSR22	Occupants in Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex and Siu Lun Community Hall	Occupational	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Medium	Medium
VSR23	Occupants in Saint Temple	Occupational	Few	Fair	Yes	Obstructed	Occasional	Short	Medium
VSR24	Travellers along Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay	Travellers	Intermediate	Fair	Yes	Partial	Occasional	Short	Low

9.7 Potential Sources of Landscape and Visual Impacts

Potential Sources of Impacts

9.7.1 Potential impacts would result from the temporary and permanent above ground structure elements during the construction and operation phases. The sources of impacts are listed in the following table.

9.7.2 The general layout plan of the Project is enclosed in Appendix 9.1.

Table 9.7 - Sources of Landscape & Visual Impact

Code	Description
Construction Phase
C1	Site clearance and tree removal/transplanting
C2	Site formation works & excavation works
C3	Construction of new slip roads, widen existing roads, noise barriers / enclosures, flyover and associated slope works
C4	Increased road traffic congestion
C5	Dust from construction works
C6	Potential night-time glare from after construction activities at night
Operation Phase
O1	Operation of new slip roads, widen existing roads and approx. 3m and 5m noise barriers
O2	Increased road traffic and road lighting
O3	Permanent removal of existing trees and other vegetation

9.8 LANDSCAPE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

9.8.1 The magnitude of the unmitigated landscape impacts associated with the construction and operation phases of the Project have been assessed and are summarized in Table 9.9. A description of each affected LR and LCA is described below.

9.8.2 LR1.1 – Major Carriage – Approximately 5.42ha (73%) of this LR will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities undertaken on the existing road, new elevated roads, and road widening, which involve excavation and slope works. All areas which will be affected by the Project are paved carriageway with engineered structure. No vegetation coverage is identified and thus vegetation clearance is not applicable in this LR for the Project. The magnitude of change is considered Negligible at both construction operation phases. Significance threshold at both construction and operation phases is Negligible.

9.8.3 LR1.2 – Local Streets and Roads – Approximately 2.42ha (38%) of this LR will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities undertaken on the existing road, new elevated roads, and road widening, which involve site formation and excavation works. All areas which will be affected by the Project are paved road. No vegetation coverage is identified and thus vegetation clearance is not applicable in this LR for the Project. The magnitude of change is considered Negligible at both construction and operation phases. Significance threshold at both construction and operation phases is Negligible.

9.8.4 LR2.1 – Roadside Plantation – Approximately 0.0.67ha (57%) of this LR will be affected and 25 nos. of tree located in this LR will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities undertaken on the existing road, new elevated roads, and road widening, which involve site formation and excavation works. For the roadside plantation, such as weedy grass, shrubs and trees will be felled/transplanted, only area within the works boundary will be affected by the proposed works. The magnitude of change is considered Large at both construction and operation phases. Significance threshold at both construction and operation phases is Substantial adverse.

9.8.5 LR2.2 – Engineered Slope (Vegetated) – Approximately 2.30ha (83%) of this LR will be affected and 615 nos. of tree located in this LR will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities undertaken on the existing road, new elevated roads, and road widening, which involve excavation and associated slope works. For the vegetated slope, such as weedy grass, shrubs and trees will be felled/transplanted, only area within the works boundary will be affected by the proposed works. The magnitude of change is considered Large at both construction and operation phases. Significance threshold at both construction and operation phases is Substantial adverse.

9.8.6 LR2.3 – Hillside Woodland – Approximately 1.86ha (14%) of this LR will be affected and 479 nos. of tree located in this LR will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities of new road and associated slope works. Existing trees are being affected, none of the TPIs and plants with conservation importance will be affected. The magnitude of change is considered Large at both construction and operation phases. Significance threshold at construction and operation phase is Substantial adverse.

9.8.7 LR3.1 – Sitting-Out Area – Approximately 0.16ha (79%) of this LR will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities of new elevated roads, which involve site formation and excavation works. The affected area is mainly located in the sitting area along Lung Chak Road, underneath Lung Fu Road. Vegetation clearance and tree loss is anticipated for the proposed works. The magnitude of change is considered Intermediate at both construction and operation phases. Significance threshold at both construction and operation phases is Moderate adverse.

9.8.8 LR4.1 – Public Housing Estate – Approximately 0.03ha (0.9%) of this LR will be affected and 6 nos. of tree located in this LR will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities of new elevated roads, which involve site formation and excavation works. The affected area is mainly located at Lung Yat Estate Kin Lung House. Vegetation clearance and tree loss is anticipated for the proposed works. The magnitude of change is considered Small at both construction and operation phases. Significance threshold at both construction and operation phase is Slight adverse.           

9.8.9 LCA1 – Upland and Hillside Landscape – Approximately 1.60ha (13%) of this LCA will be affected and 447 nos. of tree located in LCA1 will be affected. The trees felled are common species.  The disturbance is due to construction activities of new roads and associated slope works. Part of the existing visual landscape character will change to Transportation Corridor Landscape (LCA5). The magnitude of change is considered Large due to the size of the affected area. Significance threshold at construction and operation phase is Substantial adverse.

9.8.10 LCA3 – Residential Urban Landscape – Approximately 3.52ha (10%) of this LCA will be affected and 45 nos. of tree located in LCA3 will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities of new elevated roads, road widening and at-grade road improvement works. Although the landscape impact during construction and operation is anticipated, the Project will not alter the landscape character of the transportation corridor. The magnitude of change is considered Small due to the size of the affected area. Significance threshold at construction and operation phase is Slight adverse.

9.8.11 LCA4 – Industrial Urban Landscape – Approximately 0.56ha (11%) of this LCA will be affected and 152 nos. of tree located in LCA4 will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities of new elevated roads and new bridges. Part of the existing visual landscape character will change to Transportation Corridor Landscape (LCA5). The magnitude of change is considered Intermediate due to the size of the affected area. Significance threshold at construction and operation phase is Moderate adverse.

9.8.12 LCA5 – Transportation Corridor Landscape – Approximately 7.82ha (78%) of this LCA will be affected and 456 nos. of tree located in LCA1 will be affected. The disturbance is due to construction activities of new elevated roads, new flyover, road widening, at-grade road improvement and associated slope works. Although the landscape impact during construction and operation is anticipated, the Project will not alter the landscape character of the transportation corridor. The resultant transportation corridor landscape character is compatible to the current LCA. The magnitude of change is considered Intermediate due to the size of the affected area. Significance threshold at construction and operation phase is Moderate adverse.

9.9 Visual Impact Assessment

9.9.1 The magnitude of the unmitigated visual impacts associated with the construction and operation phases of the Project are assessed based on the viewing distance, compatibility of the project with the surrounding landscape, duration of changes, scale of development, reversibility of change and potential blockage of view as shown in Table 9.10.

9.9.2 In general, the duration of impacts will be medium as the construction works will last for a few years, and the duration of impacts will be long during operation phase since the road works are permanent and irreversible. In view of the nature of road works, the scale of developments for the travelling VSRs during construction phase will be large. The scale of development for most of the areas will be medium. Those road improvement works at the intersection of Hoi Wing Road and Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay will be small in scale.

9.9.3 For those travelling VSRs (VSR12, VSR13, VSR14, VSR15, VSR16, VSR17 and VSR24), the magnitude of change during construction will be Large, but the magnitude of change will be Small upon completion of the road works as the proposed works are highly compatible to the surrounding visual context. Their significance of impact during construction phase without mitigation would be Moderate adverse, while during operation phase would be as Slight adverse as they are the travellers along the proposed roadworks.

9.9.4 For those Residential, Occupational and Recreational VSRs, VSRs (VSR1, VSR2, VSR3, VSR4, VSR5, VSR6, VSR7, VSR8, VSR9, VSR10, VSR11 and VSR18) involve partial blockage to existing views and medium scale of development. The magnitude of change for these VSRs is considered as Intermediate at both construction and operation phases. Their significance of impact during construction and operation phases without mitigation would be Moderate adverse.

9.9.5 For those Residential, VSRs, VSRs (VSR19 and VSR20) involve partial blockage to existing views and small scale of development. The magnitude of change for these VSRs is considered as Small at both construction and operation phases. Their significance of impact during construction and operation phases without mitigation would be Moderate adverse.

9.9.6 For those Occupational, and Recreational VSRs (VSR21, VSR22 and VSR23) involve partial blockage to existing views and small scale of development. The magnitude of change for these VSRs is considered as Small at both construction and operation phases. Their significance of impact during construction and operation phases without mitigation would be Slight adverse.

Representative Viewpoints (VPs)

9.9.7 Representative Viewpoints (VPs) have been selected where typical views of the key VSRs within the visual envelops can be demonstrated. Representative Viewpoints (VPs) representing the key VSRs are mapped in Figure 9.6.2 and indicated in Table 9.8, and the existing condition of the VPs is shown in Figure 9.8.1 to Figure 9.8.6.  They are described as follows:

9.9.8 VP01 – Footbridge on Lung Mun Road – This VP is located on the footbridge on Lung Mun Road. The photograph was taken from a footbridge at an elevation of approximately 15mPD toward Lung Mun Road. It represents close views from the South. The view towards the Project is partially screened by existing road corridor and its structure with roadside plantation and vegetation.  

9.9.9 VP02 – Bus Stop (SKH St Peter’s Church) on Tsing Wun Road (Southbound) – This VP is located at bus stop (SKH St Peter’s Church) on Tsing Wun Road (southbound). The photograph was taken at the eye level towards the Tsing Wun Road. It represents close views from the North. The view towards the Project has a full view of existing road corridor with existing plantation underneath.  

9.9.10 VP03 – Sitting Area on Lung Chak Road – This VP is located along Lung Chak road by the sitting area. It represents close views from the East.  The photograph was taken at the eye level towards the Lung Fu Road. The view towards the Project is partially screened by existing roadside plantation and vegetation.

9.9.11 VP04 – Pedestrian Footpath Along Tsing Wun Road (Northbound) – This VP is located on pedestrian footpath along Tsing Wun Road. The photograph was taken at the eye level towards the Tsing Wun Road. It represents close views from the West. The view towards the Project is partially screened by existing roadside plantation and vegetation.  

9.9.12 VP05 – Siu Lun Community Hall – This VP is located on the footpath, at the corner of Castle Peak Road and Siu Lun street (outside Siu Lun Community Hall). The photograph was taken at the eye level towards Tuen Mun Road. It represents close views from the northwest. The view towards the Project is partially screened by existing roadside plantation and vegetation.   

9.9.13 VP06 – Footbridge on Hoi Wing Road – This VP is located on the footbridge on Hoi Wing Road. The photograph was taken from a footbridge at an elevation of approximately 15mPD. It represents mid-distance views from the northwest. The view towards the Project is fully screened by existing roadside plantation and hillside woodland.

9.9.14 The following table indicates the represented VSRs by VP:

Table 9.8 - Identified VPs

Representative Viewpoints (VPs)	Visually Sensitive Receiver Represented by VP
LFRSR N/B and LFRSR S/B
VP01 – Footbridge on Lung Mun Road	VSR3 – Residents in Glorious Garden VSR16 – Travellers along Lung Mun Light Rail Transit Station VSR18 – Recreational Users in Adventure Park
VP02 – Bus Stop (SKH St Peter’s Church) on Tsing Wun Road (Southbound)	VSR4 – Residents in Tsing Shan Tsuen VSR10 – Occupants in Nan Fung Industrial City VSR11 – Occupants in Luen Cheong Can Centre VSR12 – Travellers along Tsing Wun Road VSR17 – Travellers along Tsing Shan Tsuen Light Rail Transit Station
VP03 – Sitting Area on Lung Chak Road	VSR2 – Residents in Lung Mun Oasis VSR5 – Occupants in Church of Christ in China Hok Fuk Tong Primary School VSR15 – Travellers along Lung Chak Road
VP04 – Pedestrian Footpath Along Tsing Wun Road (Northbound)	VSR6 – Occupants in Hong Chi Morninglight School Tuen Mun VSR7 – Occupants in Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun) VSR8 – Occupants in Yan Chi Hospital No.2 Secondary School VSR9 – Occupants in Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Training Camp
HWRSR
VP05 – Siu Lun Community Hall	VSR22 – Occupants in Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex and Siu Lun Community Hall VSR24 – Travellers along Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay
VP06 – Footbridge on Hoi Wing Road	VSR24 – Travellers along Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay

Table 9.9 - Magnitude of Change for Landscape Impacts during Construction and Operation

ID No.	LRs/LCAs	Sources of Impacts from the Project	Scale of LRs/LCAs Affected	Reversibility of Works	Duration of Impact (Temporary / Permanent)		Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (High/ Medium/ Low)		Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
					Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
Landscape Resources (LRs)
LR 1.1	Major Carriage	C2 – C6 O1 – O3	Large	No	Permanent	Permanent	High	High	Nil	Nil
LR 1.2	Local Streets and Roads	C2 – C6 O1 – O3	Medium	No	Permanent	Permanent	High	High	Nil	Nil
LR 1.3	Car Park	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 1.4	Light Rail Transit	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 2.1	Roadside Plantation	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Medium	No	Permanent	Permanent	Low	Low	Large	Large
LR 2.2	Engineered Slope (Vegetated)	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Medium	No	Permanent	Permanent	Low	Low	Large	Large
LR 2.3	Hillside Woodland	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Medium	No	Permanent	Permanent	Low	Low	Large	Large
LR 3.1	Sitting-Out Area	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Small	No	Permanent	Permanent	Fair	Fair	Intermediate	Intermediate
LR 3.2	Park	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 3.3	Playground	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 4.1	Public Housing Estate	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Small	No	Permanent	Permanent	Low	Low	Small	Small
LR 4.2	Private Residential Development	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 4.3	Rural Village	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 5.1	Shopping Mall	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 6.1	Industrial Block	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 7.1	School	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.1	Elderly Home	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.2	Government Building	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.3	Training Ground	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.4	Utilities Facilities	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.5	Temple	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 9.1	Construction Site	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
LCA1	Upland and Hillside Landscape	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Medium	Irreversible	Permanent	Permanent	Low	Low	Large	Large
LCA2	Miscellaneous Rural Fringe Landscape	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LCA3	Residential Urban Landscape	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Small	Irreversible	Permanent	Permanent	Medium	Medium	Small	Small
LCA4	Industrial Urban Landscape	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Small	Irreversible	Permanent	Permanent	Medium	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate
LCA5	Transportation Corridor Landscape	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	Large	Irreversible	Permanent	Permanent	High	High	Intermediate	Intermediate

Table 9.10 - Magnitude of Visual Impacts during Construction and Operation

ID No.	VSR	Sources of Impacts from the Project	Approx. Viewing Distance (m)	Scale of Project (Large/ Medium/ Small/ Negligible)	Reversibility of Change (Yes/ No)	Potential Blockage of View (Full/ Partial/ Nil)	Compatibility with Surrounding Landscape (High/ Medium/ Low/ Nil)		Duration of Impact (Temporary / Permanent)		Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)
							Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation
VSR1	Residents in Lung Yat Estate Kin Lung House	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	100	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR2	Residents in Lung Mun Oasis	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	50	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR3	Residents in Glorious Garden	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	180	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR4	Residents in Tsing Shan Tsuen	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	50	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR5	Occupants in Church of Christ in China Hok Fuk Tong Primary School	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	90	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR6	Occupants in Hong Chi Morninglight School Tuen Mun	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	80	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR7	Occupants in Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun)	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	60	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR8	Occupants in Yan Chi Hospital No.2 Secondary School	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	50	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR9	Occupants in Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Training Camp	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	60	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR10	Occupants in Nan Fung Industrial City	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	90	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR11	Occupants in Luen Cheong Can Centre	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	55	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR12	Travellers along Tsing Wun Road	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	5	Large	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Large	Small
VSR13	Travellers along Lung Fu Road	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	5	Large	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Large	Small
VSR14	Travellers along Wong Chu Road	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	5	Large	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Large	Small
VSR15	Travellers along Lung Chak Road	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	15	Large	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Large	Small
VSR16	Travellers along Lung Mun Light Rail Transit Station	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	20	Large	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Large	Small
VSR17	Travellers along Tsing Shan Tsuen Light Rail Transit Station	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	5	Large	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Large	Small
VSR18	Recreational Users in Adventure Park	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	65	Medium	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Intermediate	Intermediate
VSR19	Residents in Kam Fai Garden	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	115	Small	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Small	Small
VSR20	Residents in Harvest Garden	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	140	Small	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Small	Small
VSR21	Recreational Users in Tsing Sin Playground	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	110	Small	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Small	Small
VSR22	Occupants in Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex and Siu Lun Community Hall	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	85	Small	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Small	Small
VSR23	Occupants in Saint Temple	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	85	Small	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Small	Small
VSR24	Travellers along Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay	C1 – C6 O1 – O3	5	Small	No	Partial	High	High	Temporary	Permanent	Large	Small

9.10 Landscape and Visual mitigation measures

9.10.1 The following recommendations are proposed for the preliminary design in response to the potential landscape and visual impacts. At the planning stage, measures to avoid, reduce and/or compensate for the potential impacts should be considered with priority given to avoidance of impacts.

Table 9.11 - Proposed Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures for Construction Phase

Code	Description	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency
CM1	Preservation of Existing Vegetation – Any existing vegetations, trees and tree of particular interest (TPI) not affected by the Project and within 5m offset from the PDA Boundary shall be carefully preserved and protected in accordance with DEVB TCW No. 4/2020 and the latest Guidelines on Tree Preservation During Development by GLTMS of DEVB.  If needed, they shall be transplanted to a suitable location within the PDA as far as feasible.	Highway Department (HyD)	HyD (via Contractor)
CM2	Transplanting of Affected Trees – 23 trees have been recommended for transplanting for their moderate transplanting success, and it is recommended to relocated the tree to a permanent receptor site within the Project Boundary directly after the completion of a 2 stages root preparation period (with a minimum of 60 days interval) as far as practicable, and the work should follow the Highways Guidelines HQ/GN/13 - Interim Guidelines for Tree Transplanting Works under Highways Department's Vegetation, as well as the latest guidelines issued from the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau. Details regarding the transplantation will be submitted in the tree survey report to relevant government departments for approval in accordance with ETWB TCW No. 29/2004, DEVB TC (W) No.4/2020 and “Guidelines on Tree Transplanting”, GLTMS of DEVB.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor until handover to the future tree maintenance departments)
CM3	Control of Night-time Lighting Glare – Any lighting provision of the construction works at night shall be carefully control to prevent light overspill to the nearby VSRs and into the sky.  Relevant best practices as suggested in the “Guidelines on Industry Best Practices for External Lighting Installations” promulgated by ENB shall be adopted.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor)
CM4	Good Site Practice – Construction areas’ control, such as reducing the extent of working areas, temporary working areas, storage area and shortening construction period, shall be enforced to minimise potential landscape and visual impact arising from construction activities. The proposed site should reduce topographical / landform changes to reduce disturbance with the natural terrain. Earthworks and engineered slopes should be designed to be visually interesting and compatible with the surrounding landscape, mimic contouring and terrain. Temporary landscape treatment such as hydroseeding temporary stockpiles is recommended.  Protection measures for the nearby water bodies, will be conducted in accordance with ETWB TCW 5/2005.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor)
CM5	Erection of Decorative Screen Hoarding – Site hoardings shall be painted in a colour that is compatible with the surroundings and shall screen the views to the construction works.  Hoarding should be taken down at the end of the construction period.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor)

Table 9.12 - Proposed Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures for Operational Phase

Code	Description	Funding Agency	Implementation Agency	Maintenance/ Management Agency*
OM1	Compensatory Tree Planting – Trees felled due to the Project will be compensated as far as practicable in accordance with DEVB TCW No. 4/2020 . For trees to be compensated on slopes, the guidelines for tree planting stipulated in GEO Publication No. 1/2011 will be followed.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor)	Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) / HyD / Allocatee of the Slope Maintenance Responsibility Information System (SIMAR) slopes as per DEVB TC(W) No. 6/2015
OM2	Roadside Planting – Although most of the works are carried out along the existing transportation corridors, greening opportunities for roadside planting shall be maximized as far as possible to effective visual relief to the adjacent VSRs. Planting opportunities shall be also explored in the shaded area underneath the proposed elevated roads to maximize the greening effect by shade-tolerant tree or shrub species. The roadside plant species shall be made reference to the Greening Master Plan issued by Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Street Tree Selection Guide issued by DEVB.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor)	LCSD / HyD as per DEVB TC(W) No. 6/2015
OM3	Provision of Aesthetic Pleasing Treatment on Noise Barriers – Sensitive design of noise barriers and noise enclosures with chromatic measures. The design and color themes shall be coherent with the existing noise barrier design along the adjourning transportation corridors such as Lung Fu Road and Tuen Mun Road to echo with the visual context and character of the transportation corridors. The detail design of noise barriers and noise enclosures shall make reference to "Guidelines on Greening of Noise Barriers" published by DEVB in appropriate locations, subject to the agreement of future maintenance departments. Greening measures such as screen planting and/or climbers along the barriers shall be fully explored in design stage. Early advice from maintenance / management parties and ACABAS shall be sought.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor)	HyD
OM4	Aesthetically pleasing design for carriageways and other highways structures  – Footbridges, pedestrian subways, cycle paths, carriageways and other highways structures proposed shall be sensitively designed in the regard of form, tonal colour and texture so as to minimise any potential adverse landscape and visual impact. Greening measures such as climbers along viaduct piers and shrubs along footbridges shall be fully explored in design stage. Early advice from maintenance / management parties and ACABAS shall be sought.	HyD	HyD (via Contractor)	LCSD for soft landscape / HyD for hard landscape

9.10.2 Figure 9.7.1 to 9.7.2 show the Landscape Mitigation Plans (LMP) and Elevations with the indicative location of implementation of these mitigation measures in the conceptual LMP.

9.10.3 The construction phase mitigation measures listed above should be adopted from the commencement of construction and should be in place throughout the entire construction period.  The operational phase mitigation measures listed above should be adopted during the detailed design and should be built as part of the construction works so that they are in place at the date of commissioning of the Project. However, it should be noted that the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures would not be appreciated after year 10 of the operation.

9.11 Residual Impacts

Residual Landscape Impact

9.11.1 The potential significance of the landscape impacts during the construction and operation phases, before and after mitigation, is provided in Table 9.13. The assessment follows the proposed methodology and assumes that the appropriate mitigation measures identified in Table 9.11 & Table 9.12 above would be implemented, and the full effect of the soft landscape mitigation measures would be realised after ten years.

9.11.2 It is predicted that there would be a temporary and permanent change in the assessed LRs and LCAs, due to the construction of proposed works. The proposed works will affect the existing roadside verges, planting areas and engineered sloped (vegetated) for the majority of the length Lung Mun Road and Lung Chak Road and the hillside along Tuen Mun Road within the assessment area.

9.11.3 The removed trees would be transplanted or felled depending on their health condition, amenity value and survival rate after transplanting. Trees unavoidably to be felled will be compensated within the project boundary in accordance with DevB TCW no. 4/2020.

9.11.4 The impact can be restored in the future with compensatory tree planting and new landscape works as mitigation measures to the loss of trees. In addition, ground covers are proposed to maximise greening within the project boundary. Planting location and planting species will be carefully considered to avoid conflict with elevated structure. The planned amenity / compensatory planting area would be in place before commencement of the Project.

9.11.5 Given a combination of the nature of the existing condition of the road corridor and the proposed mitigation measures such as, Preservation of existing vegetation (CM1), Transplanting of affected trees (CM2), Control of night-time lighting glare (CM3), Good site practice (CM4), Erection of decorative screen hoarding (CM5), compensatory tree planting (OM1), Roadside planting (OM2), Provision of aesthetic pleasing treatment on noise barriers (OM3) and Aesthetically pleasing design for carriageways and other highway structures (CM4), it is considered that ‘Permanent’ impact for several LRs and LCAs is observed being marked in Table 9.9 and thus the residual impact is acceptable with mitigation measures implemented.

Summary on Recommendation in Tree Survey

9.11.6 A total of 2,658 nos. trees were recorded in the broad brush tree survey, In addition, a total of 1,698 nos. of trees were individually assessed and approximately 11 nos. of tree in two tree groups were recorded (i.e. total of 1709 nos. of trees). There is no Old and Valuable Trees (OVT) in accordance with DEVB TC(W) No. 5/2020 identified within the Project site boundary.

9.11.7 All 2,658 nos. tree recorded in broad brush tree survey would be proposed for retention. For the individually assessed and tree group survey, a total of 609 nos. of trees are proposed for retention in situ. A total of 23 nos. of trees are proposed for transplantation. A total of 1,077 nos. of surveyed trees, including 89 nos. Leucaena leucocephala, are proposed to be removed. Leucaena leucocephala is identified as an undesirable species with aggressive growth characteristics which prevent natural succession of indigenous species and so is not controlled by the same preservation requirements as other more valuable tree species. As such this tree has been identified as weed species which should be removed as part of development projects where the opportunity exists and replaced with better quality amenity trees. According to DEVB TC(W) No. 4/2020 – Tree Preservation, Leucaena leucocephala is exempted from compensation, hence a total of 988 nos. of trees should be compensated as a result of the proposed works.

9.11.8 To compensate the loss of trees and mitigate the loss of greenery, a total of 988 nos. trees would be proposed for compensation. The compensation ratio is 1:1. Shrubs and groundcover plants would be proposed for planting at suitable locations in addition to tree planting. It should be noted that the location and the number of trees for the tree transplanting and/or compensatory planting will be detailed and finalised in the TPRP, which is subject to the approval of relevant authorities.

Residual Visual Impact

9.11.9 The residual visual impacts on VSRs after the implementation of mitigation proposed in the previous section during construction and operation are illustrated in Table 9.14. The assessment followed the proposed methodology and assumed that the appropriate mitigation measures identified in Table 9.11 & Table 9.12 above would be implemented, and the full effect of the visual mitigation measures should be realised after ten years.

9.11.10 The proposed works would be unavoidable in view of the close distance and elevated VSRs (residentials, occupations and recreational VSRs). In construction, there would be noticeable loss in the greenery coverage and partial potential blockage of view from the proposed structures. Overall, during construction phase, the residual impact for the affected VSRs would remain the same as unmitigated condition. This is due the proposed mitigation measures would not be sufficient to alleviate the potential blockage of view due to the construction works.

9.11.11 Provision of buffer planting and/or landscape treatment on roadside planting and slope will restored the loss of vegetation from construction phase. The new landscape would provide screening and helps to merge with its surroundings. Thus, the residual impact with the implementation of the mitigation measures such as compensatory tree planting (OM1), \roadside planting (OM2), Provision of aesthetic pleasing treatment on noise barriers (OM3) and aesthetically pleasing design for carriageways and other highway structures (CM4), can alleviate part of the visual impact in operation phase and will further reduced to insubstantial by year 10.

9.11.12 The photomontages of the Project illustrate the existing conditions, Day 1 of the Operation Phase without Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures; and Day 1 and Year 10 of the Operation Phase with Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures from representative VPs due to the Project are shown in Figures 9.8.1 to 9.8.6.

9.12 Cumulative Impacts

9.12.1 The project is scheduled to tentatively commence in Q3 2024 and shall be completed and operated in 2031. Cumulative landscape and visual impacts during construction and operational phases from other projects in the vicinity listed in Section 2.5 were assessed.

9.12.2 Since most of the mentioned projects are located within 300m – 1km away from the Project, which are unlikely to have significant landscape and visual impact in view of long distance. Hence, no adverse cumulative landscape and visual impacts are anticipated.

9.12.3 The following are key concurrent projects which might potentially cause cumulative impact to the Project:

· Construction of Public Housing Development (PHD) at Yip Wong Road Phase 1 and Phase 2;

· Cycle Track Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun (Tuen Mun to So Kwun Wat); and

· Reprovision of Community Green Station (Under TMSE).

Construction of Public Housing Development (PHD) at Yip Wong Road Phase 1 and Phase 2

9.12.4 The planned public housing developments by HD is located at the western side of the Lung Fu Road Southbound (LFR SB) alignment, with maximum building height of approx. 140mPD/150mPD. The construction of the planned public housing developments is scheduled to commence in 2020 and completed in 2024/2025, which will overlap with the tentative construction programme of the Project.

9.12.5 The construction is currently under working in progress, existing landscape resources had been removed for the construction works. Therefore, there would be no cumulative landscape impact, but slight cumulative visual impact is anticipated to the surrounding VSRs, mainly the residents in Lung Yat Estate Kin Lung House (VSR1) and occupants in Nan Fung Industrial City (VSR10) during the construction phase of the Project as vertical structure will be constructed.

9.12.6 Moderate cumulative visual impact is expected during operation in view of the visual obstruction to open sky views and reduce visual openness in the vicinity. Nevertheless, the HD would be seen as part of the existing townscape and is considered visually compatible with the existing urban context when viewed from some VPs view, which no significant ridgeline or hillside views are obstructed. With proper implementation of mitigation measures (e.g. preservation of existing vegetation, Compensatory Tree Planting, Aesthetically pleasing design for carriageways and other highways structures) as recommended in the EIA report, the landscape and visual cumulative impacts would be minimized to an acceptable level.

Cycle Track between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun

9.12.7 The Cycle Track between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun Project by CEDD is located along the roadside footpath of Castle Peak Road – Castle Peak Bay. The construction of the cycle track is scheduled to commence in 2023 and completed in 2026, which will overlap with the tentative construction programme of the Project.

9.12.8 A small portion of site area of the two Projects along Ho Wing Road (adjacent from Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex and Siu Lun Community Hall (VSR22)) is overlapped. Slight cumulative landscape and visual impact during construction phase is anticipated for the construction works for the cycle track viaducts in this area, and the removal of some existing trees as anticipated in approved EIA report (Application No. EIA-280/2022).

9.12.9 The tentative construction programme and works at the overlapping area between the two projects could be arranged efficiently through close liaison between CEDD’s contractors of the Cycle Track project and the Project respectively in order to avoid construction works of respective works contracts to be carried out concurrently at the same area. No significant cumulative impact is expected during operation phase of the Project.

9.12.10 The proposed cycle track project is expected to have benefit to the at-grade landscape and visual context during operation phase. Hence, the landscape and visual cumulative impacts would be minimized to an acceptable level.

Reprovision of Community Green Station (Under TMSE)

9.12.11 The Community Green Station will be reinstated in the amenity area underneath Lung Fu Road (in between Lung Mun Road and Lung Chak Road). The construction of the Community Green Station is scheduled in 2023 and completed in 2030, which will overlap with the tentative construction programme of the Project.

9.12.12 This Concurrent Project is included within the site boundary of the Project. Therefore, there would be no cumulative landscape and visual impact during both construction and operation phases of the Project. no landscape and visual cumulative impacts will be anticipated. Hence, no adverse cumulative landscape and visual impacts are anticipated.

9.13 Conclusion

9.13.1 The Project will inevitably result in some landscape and visual impacts during construction and operation phases. These impacts have been minimized through careful consideration of alternatives to minimize works areas within the existing road system, and incorporation of sensitive and aesthetic external designs of the carriage and other highway structures and noise mitigation structures to minimize the disturbance and implement appropriate landscape and visual treatments to the Lung Fu Road and Tuen Mun Road.

9.13.2 With the implementation of proposed mitigation measures, residual landscape impact on the LRs and LCAs is expected to be moderate to slight residual impact during construction, slight and insubstantial impact on day 1 of operation. The residual impact on LRs and LCAs would be further reduced to slight to insubstantial impact when the proposed compensatory planting and buffer planting become mature in year 10 of operation.

9.13.3 With the implementation of proposed mitigation measures, residual visual impact on the VSRs is expected to be moderate to slight residual impact during construction, insubstantial to moderate on Operation Day 1 to Year 10. The proposed built forms and sensitive treatment and design of external finish of the built elements, blend together with landscape treatment around and within the perimeter of the site, greenery features, compensation of mature trees and trees of high amenity value, can enhance the visual quality for the road system.

9.12      Overall, landscape and visual impacts are considered acceptable with mitigation measures implemented during construction and operation stages.

Table 9.13 - Significance of Landscape Impacts during Construction and Operation Phases

ID No.	LRs/LCAs	Sensitivity of LRs/LCAs (High / Medium / Low)	Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)		Significance Threshold of Potential Landscape Impact* (before mitigation) (Substantial, Moderate, Slight, Insubstantial)		Proposed Mitigation Measures	Significance Threshold of Potential Landscape Impact* (after mitigation) (Substantial, Moderate, Slight, Insubstantial)
			Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation		Construction	Operation (Day 1)	Operation (Year 10)
Landscape Resources (LRs)
LR 1.1	Major Carriage	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 1.2	Local Streets and Roads	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 1.3	Car Park	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 1.4	Light Rail Transit	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 2.1	Roadside Plantation	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Insubstantial
LR 2.2	Engineered Slope (Vegetated)	Medium	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Insubstantial
LR 2.3	Hillside Woodland	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Slight
LR 3.1	Sitting-Out Area	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Slight	Insubstantial
LR 3.2	Park	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 3.3	Playground	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 4.1	Public Housing Estate	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LR 4.2	Private Residential Development	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 4.3	Rural Village	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 5.1	Shopping Mall	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 6.1	Industrial Block	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 7.1	School	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.1	Elderly Home	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.2	Government Building	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.3	Training Ground	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.4	Utilities Facilities	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 8.5	Temple	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LR 9.1	Construction Site	Low	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
Landscape Character Areas (LCAs)
LCA1	Upland and Hillside Landscape	High	Large	Large	Substantial	Substantial	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Insubstantial
LCA2	Miscellaneous Rural Fringe Landscape	Medium	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil	Nil
LCA3	Residential Urban Landscape	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
LCA4	Industrial Urban Landscape	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Slight	Insubstantial
LCA5	Transportation Corridor Landscape	Low	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Slight	Insubstantial

Table 9.14 - Significance of Visual Impacts during Construction and Operation Phases

ID No.	VSRs	Representative Viewpoints (VPs)	Sensitivity of VSRs (High / Medium / Low)	Magnitude of Change (Large/ Intermediate/ Small/ Negligible)		Significance Threshold of Potential Visual Impact* (before mitigation) (Substantial, Moderate, Slight, Insubstantial)		Proposed Mitigation Measures	Significance Threshold of Potential Visual Impact* (after mitigation) (Substantial, Moderate, Slight, Insubstantial)
				Construction	Operation	Construction	Operation		Construction	Operation (Day 1)	Operation (Year 10)
VSR1	Residents in Lung Yat Estate Kin Lung House	Nil	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Insubstantial
VSR2	Residents in Lung Mun Oasis	VP03	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Slight
VSR3	Residents in Glorious Garden	VP01	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Insubstantial
VSR4	Residents in Tsing Shan Tsuen	VP02	High	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Slight
VSR5	Occupants in Church of Christ in China Hok Fuk Tong Primary School	VP03	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Slight
VSR6	Occupants in Hong Chi Morninglight School Tuen Mun	VP04	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR7	Occupants in Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Tuen Mun)	VP04	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR8	Occupants in Yan Chi Hospital No.2 Secondary School	VP04	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR9	Occupants in Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Training Camp	VP04	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
VSR10	Occupants in Nan Fung Industrial City	VP02	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Insubstantial
VSR11	Occupants in Luen Cheong Can Centre	VP02	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Insubstantial
VSR12	Travellers along Tsing Wun Road	VP02	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR13	Travellers along Lung Fu Road	Nil	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR14	Travellers along Wong Chu Road	Nil	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR15	Travellers along Lung Chak Road	VP03	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Slight	Slight
VSR16	Travellers along Lung Mun Light Rail Transit Station	VP01	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR17	Travellers along Tsing Shan Tsuen Light Rail Transit Station	VP02	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR18	Recreational Users in Adventure Park	VP01	Medium	Intermediate	Intermediate	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR19	Residents in Kam Fai Garden	Nil	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR20	Residents in Harvest Garden	Nil	High	Small	Small	Moderate	Moderate	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR21	Recreational Users in Tsing Sin Playground	Nil	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR22	Occupants in Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex and Siu Lun Community Hall	VP05	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR23	Occupants in Saint Temple	Nil	Medium	Small	Small	Slight	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Slight	Insubstantial	Insubstantial
VSR24	Travellers along Castle Peak Road - Castle Peak Bay	VP05, VP06	Low	Large	Small	Moderate	Slight	CM1 to CM5 OM1 to OM4	Moderate	Insubstantial	Insubstantial