The Buildings Department approved 30 building plans in July - eight on Hong Kong Island, six in Kowloon and 16 in the New Territories.

   Of the approved plans, 11 were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, three were for commercial developments, six were for factory and industrial developments, and 10 were for community services developments.

   In the same month, consent was given for work to start on nine building projects that, when completed, will provide 4,444 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 29 units, and 33,852 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for seven building projects.

   The department also issued 15 occupation permits - three on Hong Kong Island, five in Kowloon and seven in the New Territories.

   Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use were 174,141 sq m, involving 2,211 units, and 60,452 sq m for non-domestic use. The declared cost of the new buildings completed in July totalled about HK$1.5 billion.