Public consultation launched on review of policy on conservation of built heritage

The following is issued on behalf of the Antiquities Advisory Board:

The Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) today (June 4) launched a public consultation on the review of the policy on the conservation of built heritage (policy review). The consultation exercise will last for two months until August 4, 2014.

Preservation of historic buildings will undoubtedly be beneficial to society. However, preservation costs and public resources will always be involved no matter whether the historic buildings are privately or government-owned and can be very substantial. High maintenance costs for historic buildings, coupled with the high land costs in Hong Kong, mean that the Government may have to offer significant amounts of compensation to owners for their loss of development rights arising from the preservation of historic buildings.

In view of the challenges for the conservation of built heritage, in particular privately owned historic buildings, the AAB, as the advisory body to the Government on heritage conservation, is taking part in the policy review at the invitation of the Development Bureau.

The AAB wishes to know the views of the public on the following major issues: how to enhance protection for historic buildings while giving due regard to private property rights and development needs, how to share the cost of conservation, and the amount of resources the community is prepared to invest in conservation work. At the same time, the consultation document sets out the current situation and policy initiatives as well as the difficulties and challenges regarding heritage conservation in Hong Kong. The AAB hopes that this document will enhance public awareness and understanding of the heritage conservation work in Hong Kong.

The consultation document will be uploaded to the AAB's dedicated website on the policy review (www.builtheritagereview.hk). Members of the public are welcome to forward their views and comments to the AAB Secretariat (by post to 136 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; by fax to 2189 7264; or by email to comment@builtheritage.gov.hk) on or before August 4.


Ends/Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:32

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