SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1984
12
CONSULTATION IMPORTANT IN DECLARATION OF MONUMENTS
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THERE IS A GROWING AWARENESS AMONG THE PUBLIC AND WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE NEED TO PRESERVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE HONG KONG'S CULTURAL HERITAGE.
AS AT THE END OF DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THERE WERE ALTOGETHER 24 DECLARED MONUMENTS OR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG. CONSIDERATION IS ALSO BEING GIVEN TO DECLARE AS MONUMENTS A NUMBER OF NEW ITEMS AS WELL AS TO PRESERVE SOME EIGHT TRADITIONAL CHINESE BUILDINGS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,
IN CONSIDERING POSSIBLE MONUMENTS, THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD TAKES INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF EXTRANEOUS MATTERS SUCH AS THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF THE PREMISES, PROPOSED TOWN-PLANNING AND ZONING OF THE SITE, CROWN OR PRIVATE LAND, AND LIABILITY TO PAY COMPENSATION TO THE OWNER FOR LOSS OF DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE BOARD DOES NOT FOLLOW ANY GENERAL RULE THAT ANY BUILDING OVER A CERTAIN AGE IS AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFIED FOR DECLARATION, IRRESPECTIVE OF ITS OTHER QUALITIES.
+OLDER BUILDINGS WERE GIVEN PRIORITY IN EXAMINATION, PARTICULARLY IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF THEIR BEING RE- DEVELOPED,+ HE SAID.
+BECAUSE SOME CASES MERIT PRESERVATION MORE THAN OTHERS, THE BOARD GIVES EACH A RATING ASSESSMENT.
+THE LOWEST RATING MAY NOT WARRANT LEGAL DECLARATION AND INSTEAD MAY BE RECOMMENDED FOR PRESERVATION BY ADMINISTRATIVE OR OTHER MEANS.+
IN CASES WHERE THE INTENDED MONUMENT OR HISTORICAL BUILDING INVOLVES PRIVATE OWNERSHIP, THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, IN
MAY HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, CONSULT THE OWNER INFORMALLY TO ASCERTAIN HIS REACTION.
WHERE IT IS PROPOSED TO DECLARE A MONUMENT STANDING ON PRIVATE LAND, A NOTICE WILL BE SERVED ON THE OWNER AND OCCUPIER, WHO MAY WITHIN ONE MONTH OBJECT BY PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR.
PRIOR INFORMAL CONSULTATION MAY HELP IN REACHING A QUICKER UNDERSTANDING, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
+FOR INSTANCE, WHERE A PRIVATE OWNER HAS OBJECTED DURING THE INFORMAL CONSULTATION TO DECLARATION OF AN ENTIRE BUILDING FOR FEAR THAT THIS WOULD PREVENT HIM FROM ALTERING THE INTERIOR TO SUIT HIS INTENDED USE OF THE PREMISES, IT HAS IN SEVERAL CASES BEEN POSSIBLE TO REACH A COMPROMISE WHEREBY ONLY THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING IS DECLARED, LEAVING THE OWNER FREE TO ALTER THE INTERIOR AS HE PLEASED.
/+IN ANY