TNAG-0657-FCO40-806-Town-planning-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 23

F.

ANNEX

HONG KONG HERITAGE SOCIETY, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, P.O. Box 2192, Hongkong.

B. D. Wilson, Esq.,

Secretary of the Urban Council,

Central Government Office,

West Wing,

Hongkong.

5th May, 1977.

Dear Sir,

Thank you for arranging yesterday's meeting between yourself and members of the Hongkong Heritage Society, for an exchange of information and ideas.

We feel it would be helpful immediately to put on record, in writing, the most urgent points raised. A fuller record will follow later,

(a)

(b)

E

(c)

(d)

The Hongkong Heritage Society is asking for TIME for the public to express itself on this whole matter of the KCR building. Clearly there is a body of opinion among ordinary Hongkong people which would like to keep the station building and not just the clocktower and facade, We feel that it is important that the Hongkong Government have a chance to test and respond to such an opinion, BEFORE the matter is passed to His Excellency the Governor for a decision. May we please have your. assurance in writing, therefore, that His Excellency will not be presented with this problem until this has been done,

It will be appreciated that the Society cannot comment on the possible integration of the KCR buildings with the Cultural Complex, without a sight of the plans so far drawn up. May . members be permitted to study these plans, without delay.

It is submitted, strongly, that it is not too late for an International Design Competition to be held in which one of the conditions will be the incorporation of the KCR buildings into the Cultural Complex. Naturally, there is nothing to stop local professionals and P.W.D. personnel from entering their own designs.

You agreed that the Society could have a copy of the list of buildings, etc., which are to be recommended fro preservation by the Antiquities Board, and that this will be obtained from Dr. Bard.

Yours faithfully,

Wher

David Russell

}