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In response to media enquiries about an incident at 18 to 30 Des Voeux Road West and 68 to 74 Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan, in which the windows of the adjacent Wing Shun Building are allegedly being obstructed by the hotel development project at the above mentioned site, a spokesman for the Buildings Department responded today (January 21) as follows:
The building plans for the hotel development at 18 to 30 Des Voeux Road West and 68 to 74 Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan, were approved by the Buildings Department in February 2009. Consent for commencement of superstructural works to construct a 34-storey building was given in June 2010.
The adjacent Wing Shun Building (situated at 64 to 66 Bonham Strand West) was a 15-storey building. According to the building plans approved by the Buildings Department in January 1969, Wing Shun Building was a commercial building, with shops on ground floor and offices from first floor to the 14th floor. The windows that provide lighting and ventilation for the offices between the fourth floor and 14th floor were at the front of the building facing Bonham Strand West as well as at the rear of the building facing the rear lane. Windows on the external walls at both lateral sides (one of which is the side along the lot boundary between Wing Shun Building and the hotel development site) of the building were also shown in the building plans. Such a design is not a requirement of the Buildings Ordinance, but it did not contravene the provisions of Buildings Ordinance in force at that time either. The building plans were thus approved by the Buildings Department in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance.
Wing Shun Building was one of the target buildings of the annual large-scale operation against unauthorised building works launched by the Buildings Department. Based on the prevailing enforcement policy, the Buildings Department would identify around 1,000 buildings all over the territory to conduct the operation. The aim of the operation was to clear a large number of long-existing unauthorised building structures on the external wall that presented potential danger. The department would also issue statutory repair orders to the property owners concerned if the external walls and common parts, as well as the drainage pipes were found to be dilapidated and required repair.
The survey report submitted by the consultant responsible for the operation mentioned above in March 2010 revealed that unauthorised building structures were identified on the external wall of Wing Shun Building facing the adjacent site of the hotel development. These unauthorised structures included supporting frames for air-conditioners and canopies. Except for a supporting frame of excessive size, the remaining supporting frames and canopies did not fall into the category of items that required immediate enforcement action under the current enforcement policy against unauthorised building works. The Buildings Department issued advisory letters to the property owners concerned and advised them to remove the unauthorised building works voluntarily. The large supporting frame mentioned above was removed after the department issued a removal order to the owner.
Enquiry letters from several owners of Wing Shun Building were received by the Buildings Department between June and October, 2010, which stated that the construction works of the adjacent hotel development would obstruct their windows. After site inspection, staff of the department confirmed that no unauthorised building works were being carried out at the construction site concerned. Staff of the department explained to the owners that the hotel development then under construction would neither obstruct the windows required under the Buildings (planning) Regulations lighting and ventilation of Wing Shun Buildings (i.e., those windows at the front facing Bonham Strand West and at the rear of the building facing the rear lane) nor obstruct its means of escape in case of fire. They also reminded the owners to remove the unauthorised building works at the external walls, including the supporting frames voluntarily.
The developer of the hotel development lodged a complaint with the Buildings Department recently. According to the complaint, the air-conditioners and supporting frames, as well as other projecting structures on the external wall of Wing Shun Building had protruded onto the site boundary of 68 Bonham Strand West, causing obstruction to their construction works. Since trespass on private land was not within the jurisdiction of the Buildings Ordinance and the Buildings Department, the department had advised the developer to liaise with the property owners concerned to resolve the civil disputes between themselves.
In response to media enquiries, staff of the Buildings Department inspected the site yesterday. No unauthorised building works were found being conducted on the site of the hotel development.
The incident was about disputes over private land boundary that did not concern the Buildings Ordinance. However, if necessary, the Buildings Department will facilitate liaison between the developer and the property owners concerned.
It was noted in media reports today that individual units of Wing Shun Building may have been converted from offices to domestic use. Alteration and addition works were also noticed inside. The Buildings Department will investigate to see if these suspected change of use, and alteration and addition works have contravened the requirements of the Buildings Ordinance and relevant regulations, or if the structure of the building has been affected. Appropriate action will be taken if necessary.
Ends/Friday, January 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:40
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