ENG-2017 — Page 253

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

Built Heritage Conservation

The government's heritage conservation policy is to protect, conserve and revitalise as appropriate historical and heritage sites and buildings through relevant and sustainable approaches for the benefit of present and future generations. Due regard is given to development needs in the public interest, respect for private property rights, budget considerations, cross-sector collaboration and the engagement of stakeholders and the public.

Under the Built Heritage Conservation Fund, two new funding schemes to support public engagement and research were launched in 2017.

As at end-2017, nine projects launched under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme of the bureau's Commissioner for Heritage's Office (CHO) had started operation. Three other projects were expected to be completed in 2018, while another three were under preparation and were expected to start renovation works by 2018. Proposed projects for five government-owned historic buildings were being assessed. The Viva Blue House, revitalised from the Blue House Cluster, won the top honour, the Award of Excellence, in the 2017 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Separately, the government partnered with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Musketeers Education and Culture Charitable Foundation and its partners to revitalise the Central Police Station Compound and the former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road respectively.

In the private domain, the CHO and the Antiquities and Monuments Office monitor any works or development of declared monuments and graded historic buildings and engage owners of historic buildings to discuss preservation options. To help owners maintain their premises, the CHO approved grants for maintenance works at four privately owned graded historic buildings. under the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme in 2017.

Restoration and repair works were carried out on Chik Kwai Study Hall in Yuen Long and Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan. Archaeological investigations were conducted on Lamma Island and Cheung Chau. Most of the archaeological features, including ancient wells and stone building remnants of the Song-Yuan period, unearthed at the works site for To Kwa Wan MTR station along the Shatin to Central Link will be preserved in situ for future public display.

The Antiquities Advisory Board advises the government on antiquities and monuments. As at end-2017, it had confirmed the gradings of 1,398' historic buildings to provide an objective basis for guiding conservation efforts. Tung Lin Kok Yuen in Happy Valley, Kowloon Union Church in Yau Ma Tei and Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O were declared monuments during the year in accordance with the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

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This figure comprises items on the list of 1,444 historic buildings and new items proposed for grading.

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