2-way efforts to curb illicit works

May 18, 2011

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam says the Government’s present policy direction is to adopt a two-pronged approach to deal with unauthorised building works in village houses in the New Territories.
 
She told legislators today the approach is curbing new unauthorised building works while properly tackling existing ones.
 
“In regard to curbing new unauthorised building works, notwithstanding the significant difficulties in investigation and proof, we have adopted the same approach as that for the urban areas and will endeavour to enhance enforcement effectiveness,” she said.
 
“As regards existing ones, we will also take reference from the strategy of phased implementation and prioritisation, which has been adopted in the urban areas for over a decade. In this context, we will strike at those unauthorised works which are in serious breach of the rules and regulations, but will defer action on cases that are ‘safe, not serious’ as suggested by the Ombudsman.”
 
To curb the proliferation of new unauthorised building works, the Buildings Department and the Lands Department have continued to step up enforcement of the relevant legislation and the lease condition, specifically targeting new ones in progress.
 
“The Buildings Department will broaden the definition of unauthorised works in progress to plug a loophole in enforcement,” she said.