|
(14
Sept 2007) The Administration today declared King Yin Lei as a
Proposed Monument. The Conservancy Association (CA) Chairperson
Betty Ho Siu-fong welcomed the decision and commended the Secretary
for Development Carrie Lam's move as decisive. Although the decision
is belated, at least the structure of the old mansion can be
preserved.
CA reiterates that the incident reveals current policy and mechanism
are not effective in preserving heritage, especially privately owned
buildings. The Building Ordinance simply cannot prevent intentional
damages inflicted on heritage buildings as the purpose of the
ordinance is to ensure public safety, which should not be used to
replace a full-fledged heritage conservation policy. Nothing could
prevent similar buildings from demolition if a fair and transparent
grading and compensation mechanism was not implemented. CA hopes
that the Administration immediately introduce a new heritage
conservation policy to amend the current loopholes. |
