Stop-work order on site of historic Hakka terrace in Pak Tam Chung
Officials step in after 160-year-old terrace was demolished to make way for new buildings in what's been called an act of 'cultural vandalism'
A New Territories villager who demolished a 160-year-old Hakka terrace in what has been called an act of cultural vandalism has been ordered to stop work on three new houses he has started to build on the site.
The old building - which was split into two homes, including a house featured in the design section of the Sunday - was reduced to rubble earlier this month.
About 10 days later, work began on the foundations of three new houses on the site, which lies in Pak Tam Chung village, just within Sai Kung Country Park.
But on Thursday, officers from the District Lands Office of Sai Kung (DLO/SK) conducted a site inspection and ordered builders to stop work.
A Lands Department spokeswoman said an application to redevelop three lots on the site, submitted by the owner, was being considered but no approval had yet been given.
"The DLO/SK has immediately issued a warning letter to the owner requiring cessation of such works and referred the case to the Buildings Department for action," she said.
Site owner Michael Wong claimed he had decided to demolish the old building because its tiled roof had been damaged by a tree blown over in Typhoon Usagi last September.
