The Buildings Department approved 37 building plans in April - 13 on Hong Kong Island, 12 in Kowloon and 12 in the New Territories. Of the approved plans, 12 were for apartment and apartment/ commercial developments, 11 were for commercial developments, five were for factory and industrial developments and nine were for community services developments.

     In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 13 building projects that, when completed, will provide 84,239 sq m of GFA for domestic use, involving 787 units, and 40,860 sq m of GFA for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for seven building projects.

     The department also issued 12 occupation permits - five on Hong Kong Island, four in Kowloon and three in the New Territories. Of the buildings certified for occupation, the GFA for domestic use were 24,636 sq m, involving 352 units, and 66,391 sq m for non-domestic use. The declared cost of the new buildings completed in April totalled about HK$1.6 billion.