Members favour conversion of buildings in industrial areas

The Government should allow industrial buildings to be converted for commercial or residential use to revive industrial areas, Town Planning Board members said.

The board yesterday was briefed by the Planning Department about the proposed 'business zone', designed to provide development flexibility and improve industrial areas. The zone would allow office, non-polluting industrial and commercial uses within the same development.

Some board members suggested the Government look at alternatives to redevelopment, one Government planner said.

Some industrial buildings could be converted into commercial or residential buildings to save resources, she said.

Conversion required an amendment to the Building (Planning) Regulation, which is under review.