Curbs on illegal structures long overdue in NT
Your article on illegal structures in the New Territories hits the spot ('Strategy on village houses 'defies logic'', April 20).
Adding illegal structures to any houses in this part of Hong Kong, not just village houses, is a sport the New Territories wins gold medals in.
The favoured approach is to encase the building in plastic sheeting, hiding any activity from prying eyes until the deed is done. Living in Pik Sha Road, we watched as an illegal storey on the house opposite was unveiled as the plastic sheet was removed.
Making a report to the government hotline on April 29, 2010 resulted in text message promises to 'take action' and a case number. A follow-up in September received the response, 'Regarding to your complaint, we carried out the inspection. However, more time to collect relevant information and aerial photos are required. We will inform you the result as soon as possible.' Since then, silence and the illegal extra storey still exists. Another house nearby is in a similar exercise.
This whole practice stinks of possible corruption. It is surely depriving the government of the revenue it would gain in permitting a change in plot ratio. It is also unsafe. While looking at properties in Silverstrand a few years ago, we were shown one which had an extra three rooms burrowed back under the house into the hillside, directly under the road. One day one of these schemes will come tumbling down, what then?
Anyone on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon having an illegal structure a fraction of the size of the norm in the New Territories faces the wrath of the authorities with even the backing of the police, while in the New Territories it is all just another day's fun and games.