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1.Architects split in row over Tamar development

2.25 Building plans approved in August

1. Architects split in row over Tamar development
CHLOE LAI, SCMP 26 September 2005

Architects have weighed in on the debate about the future of the Tamar site, but are divided on what to do with it.

The chairman of the Association of Architectural Practices, Dennis Lau Wing-kwong, said the site should be put into the land application list for commercial development. The group represents architectural firms in the city.

But the Hong Kong Institute of Architects believes Tamar is the right place for the government headquarters and the Legco chamber. Its president, Bernard Lim Wan-fung, disputed the argument that the prime site should be reserved for commercial development.

"Many sites on the Central waterfront are already reserved for private offices. [To ensure] integrated planning, land use in Central should be mixed," he said.

Debates on whether Tamar should house the government headquarters have intensified in the past two weeks as Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is expected to announce the decision on the site when he delivers his maiden policy address next month. Work could begin as early as 2007.

The pro-government Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong opposed the move. It said the headquarters should be at the former Kai Tak airport site as this would boost the district's economic development.

Hang Lung Group chairman Ronnie Chan Chi-chung also said the Tamar site should be used for commercial development. The property tycoon said building the new government headquarters at Tamar would undermine the "small government" principle.

Mr Lau urged the government to avoid building large structures on the site, saying a medium-density complex should be built that would be inviting and accessible to the public.

Although the existing plan allows the government headquarters to be 180 metres tall, Mr Lam said the government should refrain from building another skyscraper.

Mr Lau also said the government should renovate the existing Lower Albert Road headquarters.

2. 25 Building plans approved in August
Hong Kong Government, 26 September 2005

The Buildings Department approved 25 building plans in August - six on Hong Kong Island, seven in Kowloon and 12 in the New Territories.

Of the approved plans, eight were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, eight for commercial developments and nine for community services developments.

In the same month, consent was given for work to start on 18 building projects that, when completed, will provide 45,999 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use, involving 207 units, and 69,121 square metres of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of work for 12 building projects.

The department also issued 31 occupation permits - seven on Hong Kong Island, seven in Kowloon and 17 in the New Territories.

Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor areas for domestic use were 128,139 square metres, involving 1,897 units, and 83,695 square metres for non-domestic use.

The declared cost of the new buildings completed in August was about $2.13 billion.

In addition, nine demolition consents involving nine building structures were issued.

The department received 2,439 complaints about unauthorised building works in August and issued 1,402 removal orders on unauthorised works.

The full version of the Monthly Digest for August can be viewed on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).