ENG-2018 — Page 247

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

operation. Works for three other revitalisation projects had begun, for completion by 2020. Preparatory works, including detailed design, for another four projects were under way. Separately, the government's joint project with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to revitalise the Central Police Station compound, named Tai Kwun - Centre for Heritage and Arts, began operation in May.

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. The CHO approved grants for maintenance works at seven historic buildings under the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme on Built Heritage in 2018.

Restoration and repair works were carried out at St John's Cathedral in Central, Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong and I Shing Temple in Yuen Long. Archaeological investigations were conducted in Sai Kung, Lamma Island, Tai Po and Lantau Island.

The Antiquities Advisory Board advises the government on antiquities and monuments. As at end-2018, it had confirmed the gradings of 1,4511 historic buildings to provide an objective basis for guiding conservation efforts. The exteriors of three Grade 1 historic buildings of the University of Hong Kong, namely Fung Ping Shan Building, Eliot Hall and May Hall, were declared monuments during the year in accordance with the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

Development Framework

Planning Control and Enforcement

The Planning Authority has enforcement powers under the Town Planning Ordinance to tackle unauthorised developments (UDs) in development permission areas. It may serve statutory notices on landowners, occupiers or other responsible persons requiring them to stop or discontinue a UD within a specified time. A further statutory notice may be served to require the site to be reinstated. Non-compliance is a statutory offence.

In 2018, the Planning Authority discovered 522 new UDs, including unauthorised open storage, workshops, car parks and land or pond fillings, and issued 3,712 warning letters or reminders involving 714 cases, 2,654 enforcement notices involving 457 cases, 734 reinstatement notices involving 138 cases and 2,754 compliance notices involving 415 cases. A total of 199 defendants in 59 cases were convicted. The enforcement and prosecution actions resulted in the discontinuation of 396 UDs on 93 hectares of land. Another 40 UDs occupying seven hectares of land were regularised through the planning application system.

Land Control and Lease Enforcement

The Lands Department carries out squatter control work. There are about 384,100 surveyed squatter structures throughout the territory. These structures are tolerated until they cease to exist or are to be cleared for development, environmental improvement or safety reasons.

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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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