Secretary of Development declares King Yin Lei as proposed monument

The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, in her capacity as the Antiquities Authority, today (September 15) declared King Yin Lei at 45 Stubbs Road as a proposed monument under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Chapter 53).

The declaration, which is published in today's Gazette, will be effective for 12 months. During the period, the building will be subject to stringent controls provided for under the Ordinance. These include the prohibition of any building or other works, or to demolish, remove, obstruct, deface or interfere with a proposed monument unless a permit is granted by the Antiquities Authority.

A spokesman for the Development Bureau said that the declaration would enable the Antiquities Authority to consider in a comprehensive manner whether or not the building should be declared as a monument under the ordinance, and allow time to negotiate with the owner on possible preservation options.  

The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) posted a notice at the building this morning informing the owner about the declaration of the building as a proposed monument. AMO staff also explained to workers on site the prohibition arisen from the declaration. Letters to the owners informing them of the Authority's decision had also been sent to the owners.

As part of the control applicable to a proposed monument under the Ordinance, the Antiquities Authority or her designated persons may enter the premises after obtaining the lawful occupier’s consent or having given to the lawful occupier not less than 48 hours’ notice in writing, the spokesman added.

Staff of the AMO will shortly make use of this provision to enter King Yin Lei to inspect the premises and assess the impact of the recent work done to the proposed monument.

Kin Yin Lei, which was built in 1937, is a rare surviving example of Chinese Renaissance style in early colonial period.  It exhibits a synchronized blending of Chinese and Western architectural elements in structure, material and plan.

Ends/Saturday, September 15, 2007
Issued at HKT 13:18


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