The Development Bureau welcomes the announcement of the Town Planning Board to amend the approved The Peak Area Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) to facilitate preservation of King Yin Lei at 45 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong. The rezoning amendments are published in the Government Gazette today (April 25).
A spokesman for the Development Bureau said the rezoning amendment to the OZP was a significant step in taking forward the proposed land exchange for the preservation and revitalisation of King Yin Lei.
"The preservation of King Yin Lei is an important illustration of our commitment to heritage conservation and in finding the right balance between conserving historic buildings and respecting private property rights. We hope that this will set a useful reference for our future efforts," the spokesman said.
The Government proposed to declare King Yin Lei as a monument in January this year under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. Under the agreement reached with the owner of King Yin Lei, the owner will surrender the whole site of King Yin Lei to the Government, while the Government will grant an adjacent site of man-made slope of roughly the same size as King Yin Lei to the owner as exchange for new residential development. The owner also agreed to carry out and fully fund the restoration works of King Yin Lei under the supervision of the Antiquities and Monuments Office.
"The case was taken forward in line with the heritage conservation policy as announced by the Chief Executive in his Policy Address in October last year which includes, inter alia, the provision of economic incentives to private owners for preserving historic buildings. The land exchange proposal has received wide support from the community, including Members of the Legislative Council and the Antiquities Advisory Board," he said.
The spokesman pointed out that the proposed low-rise residential development would not adversely affect the density, traffic load, landscape and greenery of the area. It would be commensurate with the environment near King Yin Lei, and would not lead to any adverse impact on the vista of the neighbourhood.
"In the next stage of work, including the restoration of King Yin Lei and the residential development on the man-made slope, due consideration will be given to the views of the residents in the vicinity. The owner has committed in his rezoning application that actions would be undertaken to minimise possible nuisance associated with the construction activities. Precautionary measures such as dust emission control, quiet construction techniques and equipment and silt control measures will be implemented. These measures will help to keep the impact of the construction activities on the vicinity to the minimum."
"We will also widely consult the community and devise proposals for the adaptive re-use of King Yin Lei. Our guiding principle is to put it to adaptive re-use and turn it into an attraction for local residents as well as tourists. We understand the public's desire to conserve the historic mansion of King Yin Lei, as well as to have access into it to enjoy its architecture and to learn about its history. We will plan the future preservation and revitalisation plans along this direction," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, April 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:45
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