The Secretary for Development, Mr Eric Ma, in his capacity as the Antiquities Authority, today (March 13) declared Hung Lau near Shek Kok Tsui Village, Castle Peak, Tuen Mun, New Territories, as a proposed monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Chapter 53).

     The declaration, which is published in today's Gazette, will be effective for 12 months. During the period, the building will be subject to stringent controls provided for under the Ordinance. These include the prohibition of any building or other works, or to demolish, remove, obstruct, deface or interfere with a proposed monument unless a permit is granted by the Antiquities Authority.

     A spokesman for the Development Bureau said that the declaration would allow time for the Government to discuss with the owner on possible preservation options, and enable the Antiquities Authority to consider in a comprehensive manner whether or not the historic building should be declared as a monument on a permanent basis.

     The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) posted a notice at the building and sent letters today informing the owner and all lawful occupiers about the declaration of the building as a proposed monument.

     As part of the controls applicable to a proposed monument under the Ordinance, the Antiquities Authority or his designated persons may enter the premises after obtaining the lawful occupier's consent or having given to the lawful occupier not less than 48 hours' notice in writing.

     Staff of the AMO will shortly make use of the provision to enter Hung Lau to inspect the premises and assess the impact of the recent works done to the proposed monument.

     The Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) accorded Grade 1 status to Hung Lau in 2009. Grade 1 historic buildings are "buildings of outstanding merit, which every effort should be made to preserve if possible". In response to the works recently carried out in the interior of Hung Lau, the AAB supported on March 9 to recommend the Antiquities Authority to declare the building as a proposed monument.

Ends/Monday, March 13, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:30

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